Surface form factor is a failure

[smoledman]

It's too wide to use the virtual keyboard so you have to use the Touch/Type cover. So the argument that the keyboard was optional is a lie.

It's too wide to hold it properly in landscape mode. It's too tall to hold it properly in portrait mode.

All this makes me think that someone at Microsoft thought that 1366x768 laptop screen would make an excellent tablet and did NO ergonomic testing at all.

Believe me as soon as people try this in stores they will shake their heads and buy something else.

 

[Tomerunlocks]

I saw you posted this in the other thread, and I know you want to get your opinion out (hence forum), but to be honest, I think it's just fine. Sure, it's not like other tablets, but so what? It's not like everything has to be the same. Companies always try to venture out. Whether it fails, we'll see. But so far, my pre-order is still up, and I don't plan on cancelling it. From the several video reviews I've seen from all the tech blogs, it seemed just fine to me.

 

[squire777]

Wow, so the guy who never has anything positive to say about Windows Phone products comes out and tells us that the Surface form factor causes it to be a failure. Your act is getting old.

 

[VagrantWade]

It's too wide to use the virtual keyboard so you have to use the Touch/Type cover. So the argument that the keyboard was optional is a lie.

It's too wide to hold it properly in landscape mode. It's too tall to hold it properly in portrait mode.

All this makes me think that someone at Microsoft thought that 1366x768 laptop screen would make an excellent tablet and did NO ergonomic testing at all.

Believe me as soon as people try this in stores they will shake their heads and buy something else.

We get it. You have the hands of an infant child.

Go get your iPad mini.

 

[jdevenberg]

They picked that form factor to optimize multi-tasking. If you go with a smaller screen, when you have two apps open, it becomes too cramped, if you go larger, it is simply unusable.

 

[GB330033]

Did Microsoft cut the split-keyboard from Windows RT? I'm 99% sure its in Windows 8...

 

[independentvolume]

You gotta come up with something better OP. What a weak bit.

 

[jmshub]

Did Microsoft cut the split-keyboard from Windows RT? I'm 99% sure its in Windows 8...

I remember hearing about a split keyboard, but I haven't tried win8 on a touch device, so I wasn't sure.

Sent from my SGH-i917 using Board Express

 

[WasteSomeTime]

It's too wide to use the virtual keyboard so you have to use the Touch/Type cover. So the argument that the keyboard was optional is a lie.



It's too wide to hold it properly in landscape mode. It's too tall to hold it properly in portrait mode.



All this makes me think that someone at Microsoft thought that 1366x768 laptop screen would make an excellent tablet and did NO ergonomic testing at all.



Believe me as soon as people try this in stores they will shake their heads and buy something else.

It is optional. There should be a touch screen keyboard there for accessibility purposes. Nobody has a gun to your head.

Sent from my SGH-i677 using Board Express

 

[blehblehbleh]

Did Microsoft cut the split-keyboard from Windows RT? I'm 99% sure its in Windows 8...

This is what I'm asking too. Is the Surface too wide for the split keyboard?

 

[gzlesk]

This is what I'm asking too. Is the Surface too wide for the split keyboard?

Im pretty sure that I read somewhere in a review that its still in there

 

[VagrantWade]

It has a split keyboard. There are videos showing it.

 

[oblivman]

It's too wide to use the virtual keyboard so you have to use the Touch/Type cover. So the argument that the keyboard was optional is a lie.

It's too wide to hold it properly in landscape mode. It's too tall to hold it properly in portrait mode.

All this makes me think that someone at Microsoft thought that 1366x768 laptop screen would make an excellent tablet and did NO ergonomic testing at all.

Believe me as soon as people try this in stores they will shake their heads and buy something else.

What a worthless post. How is it too wide to hold in landscape? It is DESIGNED to be used in landscape, and the Windows 8 gestures support that.

 

[toddpart]

The split keyboard option is there for sure in Win8. I've been using the RTM release since it hit the MSDN site and it's there. Not positive about Win RT, but I'd be surprised if it's not there too.

Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express

 

[berty6294]

The Surface has what i consider to be the greatest form factor and near perfect design. Honestly what they did with it impresses me. I would never have expected such an amazing design from anybody but microsoft! I mean even the Zune HD was an incredible design!

 

[smoledman]

What a worthless post. How is it too wide to hold in landscape? It is DESIGNED to be used in landscape, and the Windows 8 gestures support that.

The Verge's reviewer said it was awkward to hold in landscape as well.

 

[paru123]

It's too wide to use the virtual keyboard so you have to use the Touch/Type cover. So the argument that the keyboard was optional is a lie.

It's too wide to hold it properly in landscape mode. It's too tall to hold it properly in portrait mode.

All this makes me think that someone at Microsoft thought that 1366x768 laptop screen would make an excellent tablet and did NO ergonomic testing at all.

Believe me as soon as people try this in stores they will shake their heads and buy something else.

I know I read that somewhere.. yeah I remember in the verge review of the surface...
There is nothing wrong in sharing your opinion but share yours.. don't blindly pass someone else's opinion as yours..

 

[12Danny123]

Why is this person doing here?

 

[thzman]

The Verge's reviewer said it was awkward to hold in landscape as well.

And that makes it the absolute truth because.......

Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk 2.

 

[peestandingup]

Well, if its any indication, the techcrunch & gizmodo reviewers said the same things (as did the NY Times I believe). After watching the videos & looking at the photos of it in real world use, I tend to agree. Portrait mode looks to be incredibly awkward. Which is probably why the Windows key is in landscape mode.

I'm not saying its a bad device. The build & attention to detail looks to be top notch. But it clearly wasn't meant to be a standalone device to be used without the attached keyboard. So I now think of it more like a laptop screen with a detachable keyboard, with touch elements.

Thats all well & good, but IMO you'd be better to just go with a regular laptop. Its cheaper & you'd actually get the benefit of the full Windows OS, instead of just RT (which is sorely lacking in apps).

So I think the Surface RT is a good concept device, but thats really all. Which is probably why they aren't selling it in any mainstream way.