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Reactions to Microsoft Surface are Mixed but Optimistic

posted on Jun 19th 2012 by


Yesterday Microsoft debuted its new tablet effort, dubbed the Microsoft Surface. The tech world went crazy with the implications of what a Microsoft-backed hardware entry in the tablet market could mean, with many turning to Twitter to express their doubts and optimism. It’s always interesting to see how a crowd is responding to the launch of a new product and while there will be plenty of Apple haters and Microsoft fanboys, I’d say the launch of Microsoft Surface has certainly turned more than a few heads.

 

The implications for gamers is a massive one. Massively popular games like Infinity Blade have set the bar for what Unreal Engine can do on iOS, but the Windows ecosystem has always been home to gamers. Imagine being able to play a round of BF3 while on the bus waiting to go to work? Of course, others on Twitter are wondering what a hardware announcement means for Nokia, which has been up until now a staunch partner in Windows Phone, driving Lumia sales and getting the metro interface into the hands of consumers. One such Twitterer asks what this means for Nokia, with many speculating that Microsoft could be on the verge of a buy-out of the Finnish company, similar to what we saw with Google and Motorola earlier this year.

 

Of course, there will always be those who look at the launch of a new product with distaste and the Microsoft hate is strong on Twitter this morning. Apple fanboys are out in force trying to defend their personal choice against what they see as Microsoft encroaching on their territory, with such wonderful one liners as:

 

Overall, the public response to the Microsoft Surface seems to be one of cautious optimism. Plenty of people seem to think it’s a day one purchase for them, while others are cautious but eager to see where the tablet will go from here. What do you think? Will you be getting the Surface day one or do think there’s just no room for a third ecosystem in the tablet market, no matter how many apps for Windows could benefit from being portable?

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  • blackhawk556

    If this costs more than the iPad, it will fail. Regular people (none techies) will want the “cool” iPad and not the old windows stuff. This has to match the iPad price or beat it if they want to take sales away from apple. Microsoft doesn’t have the luxury to sell at an inflated price like apple does. The brand recognition is not the same.

  • I think it’s a real smart move to do their own tablet. Android has suffered in the tablet space because Google never came out and showed people “here is how shit is done” like they have and continue to do with their Nexus line. Microsoft seems to have noticed that strategy with the Nokia deal leading the way for how WindowsPhone’s should be. Now they seem to be doing the same with Windows8 tablets.

  • While it’s true that brand recognition isn’t the same, if they can win Window’s PC owners to stick with their own tablets/phones instead of using Apple’s stuff (and then needing an outside software to sync and whatnot), I think regular users will notice. The appeal of having my stuff with me at all times, whether I’m on the subway, at my desk, or on the couch is an amazing draw. Especially if it just works without any extra trouble on their behalf.