Here's my 'What' of the current situation:
After reading AAAALLLLL of this 'stuff' about the Surface the last 2 days I really feel it is a great value, in fact I feel like everything that has been announced is priced well. Priced to sell? Maybe not, but I think so. The reason is that when I look at specs, what is being offered compared to price seems right, not overblown, but then not really any amazing 'deals' either. And I feel this way about the Acer's, Samsung's, Surface, etc.
IMO with the amount of ports, the stand, the cameras, and pre-loaded software, I think the price is way better than the same priced/entry level iPad and it's way more of a value. I'll be able to use this Tab as my portable for work which is incredible; small, light, powerful, great software, beautifullly designed, etc.
Now, all that being said, I'll add 2 more things.
I think if they reeeeeeaalllyy wanted to blow the roof off, they would have released the base model at $399.00. I think anything else is too low. The only problem that I see with that, that has already been mentioned but i'll say again, is that any lower than where they are and then they would really be risking alienating, upsetting, insert word of choice, their partners, which is probably not the smartest thing at this point in time. It benefits MS to continue to have partners make hardware and for they themselves to as well. There's plenty for everyone, the relationships are already there, why nuke it?
Summary: I think it is all priced well and I'm gonna pick one up at an MS store when I go away on the 3rd. The Mall with said store is conveniently right on the way to my weekend vacation destination. Yay!
Thanks
-Doc