MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Microsoft airs its first Surface tablet ad

kfarmer · 10-16-2012, 08:10 PM

As for the OS, this *is* "real" Windows, same as the Intel. It does differs in that it was built for ARM, so native applications are of course practically non-existant, but given the target market (couch-surfers) that's not a particular hardship -- the apps in the Store have done very well to keep me occupied (Netflix finally shipped their first version, Kindle has long been available, etc). You still have access to the regular desktop, command console, etc. I haven't attempted installing Calibre on the ARM build of Win8 (I speculate it'd work with an ARM build of python, but I also speculate that it'd be better as a Modern/Windows Store app). I have Kindle installed on my Samsung Series 7 with Win8 (Intel).

Disclaimer: I have not yet been allowed to *handle* a Surface device. I hope to own one soon, however.

10-16-2012, 08:10 PM	#23
kfarmer Gizzzzmo Nerd Posts: 117 Karma: 1035585 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Device: Kindle, iPad	As for the OS, this is "real" Windows, same as the Intel. It does differs in that it was built for ARM, so native applications are of course practically non-existant, but given the target market (couch-surfers) that's not a particular hardship -- the apps in the Store have done very well to keep me occupied (Netflix finally shipped their first version, Kindle has long been available, etc). You still have access to the regular desktop, command console, etc. I haven't attempted installing Calibre on the ARM build of Win8 (I speculate it'd work with an ARM build of python, but I also speculate that it'd be better as a Modern/Windows Store app). I have Kindle installed on my Samsung Series 7 with Win8 (Intel). Disclaimer: I have not yet been allowed to handle a Surface device. I hope to own one soon, however.