http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-co ... rt-1138172

An MS tablet only had to work well with existing Windows devices and be priced right; everything else could have been fixed in the next iteration as usual with these things.

I never really understood RT. It runs on ARM, so isn't compatible with Windows software, only Windows Modern UI apps. It seemed to be just there to either pander to the people who claimed that a tablet must have an ARM processor to be a success, or that MS were worried that the new generation of Atom processors weren't going to have the power and battery life promised.

As it turned out, the Atom Z2670 is a cracker. It outperforms ARM based tablets, it offers the same sort of battery life, the Windows 8 tablets cost only slightly more than the RT versions (E.g. the Samsung ATIV SmartPC cost 60€ more than the ATIV Tab with RT, but had a 1" larger screen, double the storage and double the memory) and can run desktop applications, as well a MUI apps.

That said, just how serious are Microsoft about selling these devices? They only sold them in Microsoft Stores to start with, which meant less than 30 locations in the USA, plus in their online store - which nearly nobody even knew existed!

They relented and Best Buy and Staples started selling the RT. But the numbers were low and people were only buying the 32GB version, the 64GB stayed on the shelves, so low that it looks like they only ordered a few of the lower capacity Pros at launch, which meant the 128GB versions were sold out in seconds and nobody wanted the 64GB versions...

Then, like the Zune, the Pro is only available in the USA, the iPad and Nexus devices are available world-wide.

I gave up and bought the ATIV in the end.

Sales falling below Microsoft's expectations. Everybody else's expectations on the other hand....

I think that with a crowded tablet market they wanted to see what was available. I doubt that many are that impressed. The iPad is still the consumers favourite. Though it had the potential to do well with corporates.

The new generation of Windows 8 tablets are the first tablets that have made any sense to me.

I kept looking at iPads and Android tablets and never got the point. They didn't run the software I needed, they couldn't replace a laptop or desktop, so I'd still need to carry around 2 devices - or with the smartphone 3.

Also, the smartphone is a good solution if you are out and about and need to look something up that can't wait until you get back to a computer, but the tablet is too big to carrying out and about and too impractical for use at a desk. It makes some sense in meetings, but then you have to either have a cloud-sync service to get your notes over to your PC or you need to prop it next to the PC and copy-type your notes onto the PC.

With the Windows tablets, suddenly you have a device that you can take notes in a meeting and plug it into a dock at your desk, you can work in Word or Powerpoint on a large display, whilst having your meeting notes on the other screen and copy and paste between them.

It is like having a combination of a MacBook Air and iPad in one device.

I have no intrest in a tablet either.
Give me a laptop and a smartphone any day.

I wanted to watch the cricket in the bath the other day, but didn't want to use my phone as I'd have to hold it or I wouldn't be able to see it. It was then that I realised a tablet would be ideal. I think most people use then as ultra-portable tellys.

Yes I do that. For couples they could both watch different programs on their own tablets (with headphones) without disturbing the other. I am watching Parks and Recreation on BBC 4 on my iPad while I type this. Streaming TV is excellent for tablets. I think phones while handy in an emergency lose out to tablets.

Mine's a computer substitute. Aside from Lr, there's very few other things I can't do on my iPad that I can do on my MacBook Pro.

Mark

I guess it depends on what you are doing on the MBP / iPad. For me, an iPad could replace maybe 20% of my daily grind. I certainly couldn't run our in-house ERP system on it, and that needs Microsoft Excel for the reports and analysis. Plus I spend most of my time reading notes and research material in one window, whilst typing up a report in the other, so that certainly wouldn't work on an iPad.

That leaves Windows 8 tablets as the only real alternative - with maybe the Galaxy Note 10.1 as the only non-Windows option for notes, because it can now do split screen.

While you can I still use my iMacs more. The iPad is great for other background tasks. I listen to the radio though it, stream TV while while working on the iMac, check weather or TV guide without having to load another page on the computer.

I like to use different tools for different jobs.

Mum uses her Kindle to read books. It's the best device for the job for many reasons. If I read books, I'd get one.

I use my several year old Netbook when I visit customers. It runs the Windows software that I need, and has a fabulous keyboard, screen and track pad. It's not powerful but it boots quickly thanks to the SSD. It's highly reliable, and more portable than a laptop. It cost 90% less than a Surface Pro and I see no reason to replace it.

I use my phone when I'm travelling or laying in bed to check my emails, browse the web, play games and if I really need to then I can write email or log into servers. It's not great for creating content, but can if pushed.

At home, I'm using a laptop as a desktop replacement. Mostly because it uses less power, but also because it will be easy to take with me if I have to move in a hurry. Despite being an expensive model, the keyboard is not great so it's permanently "docked" to a USB hub with quality HIDs. It'll probably end up driving three screens in my home office when I get organised, but for now it's plonked on the dining table which is very convenient... unless I'm entertaining.

I use my 7" tablet for... not a lot really. I don't need one, but it was a nice little luxury to have and I wanted to play with one. It does nothing my phone can't already do, but it's a nicer experience if I'm on the sofa. It's great for using as a little TV and reading colourful magazines on. I'm trying to use it more often, but often I just use the phone because it's usually closest to hand. I could do some real work on it, but usually it's really not the best tool for the job.

At work I have a desktop with two large screens, on a large desk. It's the best environment for coding in. I'm more productive with lots of screen real estate and a good sized desk to scatter notes and tea over.

I also have a work laptop; a cheap Toshiba. It's been shoved under a desk in the lab pretty much since it was new. I just don't use it because my netbook is better in every way. It even has the same screen resolution, despite being less than half the size. I despise low-resolution screens.

What would be good is something akin to Google Glass. I'd love to have a cinema sized screen which took up no space, and a virtual keyboard that took up no space.

+1, I'm starting to regret selling my netbook now...

I can't read a book on a screen that isn't Kindle for any amount of time. Comics don't count

My tablets are great in general, but you find there's a lot of stuff you take for granted with PCs like file compatability, the occasional need to print, and a browser that doesn't crash twice a week... though that's getting better.

I still need my laptop for disc burning, printing, HDD and typing anything lengthy.

I bought my first netbook/tablet. I have to say, with the previous generations, I was disappointed with the performance of the Atom chip. With Windows 8 and the Z2760, the current generation of netbooks and hybrid tablet devices are a bit of an eye opener.

The ATIV has replaced my Core i5 desktop at work, at the moment, have to see if my boss lets me use it long term... I only use the desktop for graphics editing now.

Windows 8/Surface Pro might work in the Enterprise space. But here in the consumer space I can't fault my Nexus 7, I mostly use it for podcasts, Google Currents, iPlayer and reading my magazines I subscribe to through Google Play. The Surface can't do half of those, and the version of "Office" on the RT version is a joke, frankly.