I just don't agree with people who think 4:3 aspect ratio is better than 16:9. How is it better? Having the aspect ratio match the standard for most modern media makes it a significantly better media consumption device. The extra width also allows for better multitasking by having more width for multiple apps.
The overall size and weight have more to do with how comfortable it is to hold a device. No one would argue that most modern smart phones are hard to hold, and their aspect ratios are much closer to 16:9 than 4:3.
I don't think most people hold a tablet most of the time that they use it. I would bet that people have their tablets resting on a surface for more than 90% of their usage. Hence the popularity of cover/stands. To judge a tablet by how comfortable it is to hold just seems silly to me.
If you think that the issue is the absolute dimensions rather than the aspect ratio then you have missed the point.Also with regards to it being narrow in portrait, it is the same width (in portrait) as the ipad mini in portrait, and folks don't seem to have an issue with how narrow the ipad mini is in portrait...at least with the Surface, you get more screen!
ios filter?, nice making of assumptions there. The only tablet I have is an old and much hated bb playbook. I'm a teeny weeny teenager who saves up money to buy new tech gadgets. I only use Windows phone 8 and W8.1I respect his points of view but he has that IOS filter on so MS will never quite measure up. I use it portrait taking notes at work. Easier on the thumbs for typing and the page looks like a sheet of that yellow legal pad... only white. lol.
If you think that the issue is the absolute dimensions rather than the aspect ratio then you have missed the point.
Also with regards to it being narrow in portrait, it is the same width (in portrait) as the ipad mini in portrait, and folks don't seem to have an issue with how narrow the ipad mini is in portrait...at least with the Surface, you get more screen!
You mention that the Surface in portrait mode is the same width as the iPad mini in portrait and claimed that people don't have an issue with the narrowness of the iPad mini in portrait. That is clearly talking about how wide the devices are in inches.no I don't think that the issue is absolute dimensions...so....do you have anything else?
You mention that the Surface in portrait mode is the same width as the iPad mini in portrait and claimed that people don't have an issue with the narrowness of the iPad mini in portrait. That is clearly talking about how wide the devices are in inches.
It's not that the Surface is 6.75" in width (portrait mode) that makes it uncomfortable, it is the fact that the ratio between the height and the width is 16 to 9.
I'm not trying to tell you that you're using your Surface wrong. You like using it in portrait mode and that's fine. I get that. All I'm saying is that it was designed around use in landscape mode. Portrait mode was an afterthought. If you don't believe me on that then I'd recommend reading some relevant posts on the Building Windows 8 blog. There's also the fact that portrait mode was supported very poorly by Windows 8 initially. It is completely fair to say that use in portrait mode was not the focus in development of either the OS or the Surface itself. It is also fair to say that most people likely won't be using it that way, and that many would find that orientation awkward given the size and proportions of the device.Use it for a week and then you won't care about weight distribution and all this weird petty stuff you guys make up. Seriously, you're way deep into "surface is meant for x and not meant for y". i hold it all the time in portrait and landscape for all kinds of use cases. And i'll add one more thing, the aspect ratio for the surface is much more ideal for use as a skateboard than 4:3
I'm not trying to tell you that you're using your Surface wrong. You like using it in portrait mode and that's fine. I get that. All I'm saying is that it was designed around use in landscape mode. Portrait mode was an afterthought. If you don't believe me on that then I'd recommend reading some relevant posts on the Building Windows 8 blog. There's also the fact that portrait mode was supported very poorly by Windows 8 initially. It is completely fair to say that use in portrait mode was not the focus in development of either the OS or the Surface itself. It is also fair to say that most people likely won't be using it that way, and that many would find that orientation awkward given the size and proportions of the device.
Anyway, I don't know why I'm even participating in this debate. This is silly. Who cares how people use the thing? What's important is whether or not those people are happy with it. I'm out of here.