Surface Hardware. Do you still believe Microsoft when they say they'll continue making them?

[Whodaboss]

With all the misleading quotes about Windows 10 Mobile and then finally coming out and saying they are not supporting Windows 10 Mobile 2 years later. Do you believe anything Microsoft has to say about the future on Surface hardware? Frankly, I don't. Maybe the rumors are true that they'll give up in 2 or 3 years.

 

[Timbre70]

Believe them not.

 

[Guytronic]

No...
Microsoft will quickly decline support for single user mobile devices.
Why spend $$ on a no-profit product in the consumer space?

 

[xandros9]

I believe that Surface will certainly continue to exist as a current product but I don't see them putting in enough to make it take off any more than it has. My guess is longer gaps between refreshes and the whole thing being semi-put on the backburner unless there's something fresh and unique they can do a la the Studio. I don't really expect it to go the way of Mobile quite yet though.

EDIT: But now that I think about it, I'm suspecting it'll be another Mobile-esque wind-down going forward.

 

[nate0]

Someone else mentioned this before in the forums, but when we start seeing the Microsoft Stores shutdown, then we will know inevitably what is going on. If Microsoft then chooses to wind-down the Surface line, I do not understand the point of their Core OS initiative. The two fit together in a lot of ways. So I myself think they will continue to innovate computing/productivity based hardware whether it is the surface line or something else.

 

[pkcable]

Well they are certainly throwing the ad dollars in to it! BUT yea I'm in the wait and see category myself, and besides I happen to like my Macs at home, and I'm getting used to my new Windows 10 PC (Dell) at work. We are FINALLY beginning to roll out Windows 10 and guess who got the first one. (It helps that I am the guy DOING the roll out) (14 more are coming soon)

 

[Pacus1x]

To be honest... No, in 2015 Nadella said if OEMs don't make Windows Phones, MS will make them. After the 650 nothing so it was just fancy words at the end.

 

[Dusteater]

I absolutely do not believe Panos saying Surface is staying for the long term. They have not given people a single reason to trust them when they make statements like that. They have already slowed down releases, and the things they do release run on outdated hardware and proprietary ports. I think they should kill off Surface sooner than later, get it over with.

 

[dpz]

No I don't believe them. I think they'll start winding down production and then in a couple of years they'll announce that the Surface project fulfilled its purpose and are no longer a focus. Then tech sites will write about how the Surface did contribute to the continuation of the PC and the designs showed how a PC can be useful and stylish at the same time while introducing new ways to use them with multi-form factors.

 

[tgp]

While I don't see Microsoft dropping Surface anytime soon, I certainly wouldn't take Panos' word for it. They say what is "politically correct".

 

[anon(7929613)]

No. It's getting difficult to trust Microsoft. There is 50% probability of Surface getting executed within a year or two. Remember what they said about W10M - "If no one makes WP, we will make it." So do not waste your time and money on it. Instead go for premium brands like Dell and HP. They will at least support their devices till Windows 10 itself is not executed by Microsoft.

 

[tgp]

Remember what they said about W10M - "If no one makes WP, we will make it."

Technically speaking, so far Microsoft is good here. Isn't HP still producing the Elite X3, Verizon version? rly:

 

[DOGC_Kyle]

Surface is obsolete now. No reason for them to continue making new products. I'm surprised the Surface Laptop was actually made.

The whole reason they introduced the original Surface PCs, was because OEMs weren't making nice tablets and laptops.
Now, OEMs are the ones making better, more innovative products. I'd take HP's Spectre x360 over any Surface device. It has a better hinge, great screen, both future-proof and common ports, pen, it's thin and light, and IMO the design is nicer.
I couldn't say any of this about any PC before the original Surface.

I fully expect them to kill off the Surface Book and Laptop. I think they'll keep the tablet around for at least another year or two, but no new products unless they make something actually innovative. The obvious guess is the Surface mini/phone/tablet/hybrid device that everyone wants.

 

[anon(7929613)]

Surface is obsolete now. No reason for them to continue making new products. I'm surprised the Surface Laptop was actually made.

The whole reason they introduced the original Surface PCs, was because OEMs weren't making nice tablets and laptops.
Now, OEMs are the ones making better, more innovative products. I'd take HP's Spectre x360 over any Surface device. It has a better hinge, great screen, both future-proof and common ports, pen, it's thin and light, and IMO the design is nicer.
I couldn't say any of this about any PC before the original Surface.

I fully expect them to kill off the Surface Book and Laptop. I think they'll keep the tablet around for at least another year or two, but no new products unless they make something actually innovative. The obvious guess is the Surface mini/phone/tablet/hybrid device that everyone wants.

But laptop is still the most preferred computing device. I don't think that many OEMs have adopted the Surface design. For example, Dell only has a 2in1 variant with 360 degree hinge. Most of the innovations Microsoft talks about fails to achieve critical mass due to some reason. Continuum failed to get mass attention, never heard about Surface studio or similar product after launch, I do not see or hear anyone using Surface Hub, HoloLens has been stuck in R&D mode since its launch. Perhaps the only innovation Microsoft did successfully was integrating Windows Phone's features into Windows 10 and making it lighter once faster OS with UWP apps.

Having said that, I am eagerly waiting for WMR headsets. But as of now, Microsoft has very little to show in the name of successful innovation.

 

[Adventurer64]

I hope the Surface line continues. I've owned the Surface Pro 3 and now the Surface Pro 5 and use daily. However, I wouldn't be surprised if they did scale back or drop Surface line altogether. I do believe the Surface line was needed though to revitalize PC's. I still cringe when I use my Dell craptop at work and wish MS imposed higher standards for Windows 10 hardware.

 

[xandros9]

Technically speaking, so far Microsoft is good here. Isn't HP still producing the Elite X3, Verizon version? rly:

That is just about as existent as Surface Phone.