Cheery piano music and then *drop* DUBSTEP BOW WAH KEKEKEKE CHIGGCHIGGCHIGG BADOOM chop your stupid hand off music. It’s kind of hilarious to see the two tablets (and its ad strategy) next to each other, no? Kind of like seeing a Mitt Romney and Barack Obama dual commercial or something. More »
The tablet known as Microsoft Surface wasn’t the first computer that Microsoft called “Surface.” Way back in the heady days of 2010, Microsoft demoed a multi-touch table called Surface, but the project never made it all the way to market, and Microsoft liked the name so much they used it for their newest tablet. However, the concept of a 40″ multi-touch table is too cool to be held back, and YouTube user slymick plugged a Windows 8 box into a 40″ multitouch display and mounted it on a table. It looks really fun, especially when playing games like Angry Birds Space or Jetpack Joyride.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface launch event in NYC, Microsoft Surface tablet having production problems?,
Microsoft unveiled a couple of Surface models last month, one with 32GB and the other with 64GB. Most people may think they’ll be happy with the 32GB model, but because of bloatware and pre-installed software, the 32GB Surface actually only has 16GB of usable storage, while the 64GB has 45GB of usable storage.
Microsoft reported and confirmed on their Surface webpage the usable space available for users on both their 32GB and 64GB versions of the Surface tablet. They even went into specifics as to what is taking up the unusable portion of the disk space with a simple chart that breaks down the disk space usage.
First, the total disk size reported by Windows takes off 3 to 6GB right away. Windows recovery tools take up 5GB, and the OS itself along with built-in apps take up 8GB, leaving 16GB for the 32GB version and 45GB for the 64GB version. Microsoft’s storage figures are based on many peoples’ false thinking that 1,000MB equals 1GB, so there’s actually only 29GB of storage space before you account for pre-installed software.
This may be considered quite a deal breaker for some potential Surface buyers. Those wanting to get a 32GB version may be sorely disappointed, but may end up shooting for the 64GB version if they’re really wanting a Surface tablet. Having only 16GB of storage isn’t bad for those that rely on the cloud, but for users who prefer to keep everything local, 16GB just won’t cut it most of the time.
[via The Inquirer]
Microsoft Surface 32GB only has 16GB of usable storage is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Just as we thought that the Surface RT was enough, The Verge is reporting that Microsoft is also working on a 7-inch Xbox Surface. Yes, you got that right. Multiple sources who are familiar with Microsoft’s plans reportedly told the publication that Redmond is building its own 7-inch gaming-centric tablet. The Verge adds that the Xbox Surface tablet will be powered by an ARM processor that’s supported by a high-bandwidth RAM. However, the specs could change anytime to make way for an unannounced Intel processor. As for its operating system, the rumored Xbox Surface tablet will reportedly drop a full Windows version in favor of a customized Windows kernel with messaging capabilities and other functionalities commonly found on tablets.
Production-wise, the Xbox Surface tablet is being developed in a “secret hardware production” process that is separated from other Xbox manufacturing partners. “We’ve learned that part of the Xbox Surface is being developed at Microsoft’s offices in Silicon Valley. The software giant recently locked down several Xbox-related buildings, limiting employee access to the company’s Interactive Entertainment Business division,” writes The Verge. Responding to the Xbox Surface rumor, a Microsoft spokesperson said that the company will not comment on rumors or speculation.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Xbox Surface Specs Are Not Credible, Microsoft customers can look forward to more Microsoft-made hardware in the future,
According to the Verge, Microsoft has a 7-inch, gaming-centric tablet coming called the Xbox Surface, and its hardware is close to being finalized. More »
It was only a matter of time before someone installed Windows 8 on a touchscreen coffee table, just like Microsoft’s original Surface. Now they have and it looks… kind of awesome, actually. More »
The 2012 U.S. elections is just around the corner. As Americans gear up to vote for their own chosen candidates, Geek Wire is reporting that a Microsoft Surface tablet is now being tested as a balloting device for the state and national elections in Virginia. The test is conducted by Democracy Live, a leading provider of advanced eBalloting and voter information technologies in the U.S. According to the publication, Democracy Live is using its own LiveBallot application on the Surface tablet via a browser, as well as Microsoft’s Windows Azure cloud-based platform.
Basically, the LiveBallot app will be used on the Surface tablet to mark and print ballots for tabulation. The Surface tablet will be used in a precinct in Charlottesville, but Democracy Live CEO Bryan Finney says that the company is planning to work with Microsoft to roll out more Surface tablets. Finney explains that, prior to a larger rollout, it is currently testing Surface tablets in Virginia to get more feedback. “Many balloting computers are older machines running Intel 486-era processors, so the Surface has been in high demand in the precinct so far,” he added.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Parrot AR.Drone controlled via Microsoft Surface, Hong Kong karaoke bar makes creative use of Microsoft Surface,
Those teardown-and-cost-estimation whizzes over at iSuppli have torn apart Microsoft’s new hero device, and it looks like Microsoft has baked in a healthy profit margin into ever Surface sold. The least expensive Surface starts at $500 and comes with 32GB of NAND flash. If you want a Touch Cover (and you want a Touch Cover) the total comes up to a cool $600. However, the total cost of materials, according to IHS is only $284. Amazon and Google may be barely breaking even with their tablets, but Microsoft’s is firmly in Apple’s profit-up-front camp. In fact, the Microsoft Surface RT is more profitable than the iPad, not counting marketing and R&D costs. (more…)
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Microsoft Surface RT Review, Microsoft Surface pre-orders canceled?,
So this is surprising, and kind of dumb. Microsoft just put a final figure on the storage numbers for Windows RT: 16GB on the 32GB model, and 18GB on the 64GB model. That’s even bigger than the already hefty 12GB estimates that had been around before. More »
Acer seems to be straddling a delicate position with respect to Microsoft right now. On the one hand, it’s outwardly indifferent towards Surface RT and indeed the the whole Windows RT concept, which is why it’s holding off on its own RT tablets for the time being. But if that’s true, why are the company’s top brass so eager for Microsoft to withdraw from the competition? President for Greater China, Linxian Lang, has just resorted to a food metaphor to emphasize the point, warning that Redmond will have to eat “hard rice” with Surface, and implying that it should stick to its more readily-chewed software diet. If you’ve seen our own Surface RT review, then you’ll know our thoughts on the matter: Microsoft’s tablet has been boiled and salted just right, which might be the real reason Acer is so averse to it.
[Image credit: Sina Tech]
Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft, Acer
Acer exec warns Microsoft may eat ‘hard rice’ with its Surface tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Nov 2012 08:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
