It has a more dynamic port . It has Office inside . It can run two apps on the same screen . And it has a USB larboard and a construct - in kickstand . TheiPadhas none of these thing , and theMicrosoft Surfacedoes . So why does Microsoft ’s first tab already seem to be on the ropes ? According to one estimate , Microsoft is slated to sell only between 500,000 to 600,000 Surfaces pass Windows RT during the December one-fourth , well below expectations . To put this anemic carrying into action in perspective , Apple moved 3 million new iPads andiPad minisin three days .
Hope is n’t lose for the Surface . There are some things Microsoft can do immediately to boost sales , as well as some change the caller should make to ensure that there is a second and third Surface . Given that this tablet is a beacon for Windows 8 acceptation , there could n’t be more at stake . So take heed up , Steve Ballmer & friends .
Microsoft ’s Surface tab has potential , but it ’s not clicking with customer yet . Laptop Magazine ’s Mark Spoonauer give Microsoftsome advice on how to relieve the fellowship ’s growing pains .
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1. Bundle the Touch Cover For Free
When you suppose about it , the Surface ad are just a tease . Microsoft showcases its Touch Cover in all of the commercials for its tablet , which tie magnetically to the slating and offer a amazingly adept typing experience give that there ’s no strong-arm travel . And , like the iPad ’s Smart Cover , the screen turn over on and off like a refrigerator door light when you open and exit the cover . There ’s just one problem .
Microsoft charges $ 599 for the Surface if you desire theTouch Cover , $ 100 more than the tablet by itself . desire a color other than black ? You ’ll have to pony up $ 119 . If you look at iSuppli ’s teardown of the Surface ’s component part and manufacturing costs , Microsoft is making $ 215 on each gimmick , making this tablet more profitable than the iPad . But this allowance is meaningless if no one is buying . At least through the holidays , the Touch Cover should be free .
More : Top 10 Microsoft Surface casing
2. Widen the Distribution, Pronto
Let ’s say you were excited by what the Surface has to offer . You ’d want to run out and try one before you grease one’s palms , good ? Well , unless you hap to live within range of a few dozen Microsoft store , you ’re out of lot . The good news is that it take care like the Surface will soon become more widely available . According to Microsoft watch over Paul Thurott , the Surface should find a home with major retailers very soon – as in days instead of weeks .
Apparently , Microsoft has decided to accelerate its plans to widen the Surface ’s distribution . Potentially peeve partners be damned , this is the right move for Microsoft . You ca n’t blanket the airwaves with advertizement and then not make it easy for people to pick a Surface up or at least test labour it . As far as I ’m concerned , hitting Best Buy and other grown - box stores will only be good for partners , because at least there ’s the potentiality for shopper to look past the iPad gangway .
More:12 Hottest Holiday Tablets
3. Amp Up the Apps
Recently Microsoft caused a fleck of a bustle when a Facebook live tile was make out in a Surface banner ad . As it turns out , the tile was just a crosscut to the site . Never listen the fact that this advertizing is misleading . Where the heck is the Windows 8 Facebook app ? Or the Twitter app ? Or Spotify . Or Draw Something ? You get the characterisation .
Despite the fact that the Windows Store stockpile some compelling apps , such as “ Angry Birds Star Wars , ” Netflix and UrbanSpoon , there are lots of muddle in the lineup . Microsoft is trying to court developer , host app labs for them in 30 technology and aim hubs around the domain . But the clock is click .
More : Top 25 Windows 8 Apps
4. Supply a Sharper Screen
Microsoft makes a big deal about the ClearType showing on its Surface tablet , arguing that the sub - pixel give on this 1366 x 768 - pixel screen makes for sharper images than what you ’ll find oneself on competing tablets . In realism , theiPad ’s Retina display(2048 x 1536 ) move circle around the Surface . Although the Surface and iPad have like light ( 373 versus 383 lux ) , the Retina display is style acute , whether you ’re view high - firmness photos or school text . The iPad also bid warmer and more pure color when viewing the same picture .
The sound news is that the Surface Pro will happen the resolution up to 1920 x 1080 pixels . But Microsoft should admit this resolution on the RT version as well without charge a premium . After all , you may pick up an Android pad like theASUS Transformer Pad Infinitywith a 1920 x 1200 - pel screen for $ 499 . Microsoft also needs to ensure that icons and other items do n’t shrink at full HD to the stage they ’re nearly impossible to target with a finger . TheAcer Iconia Tab A700is a great example of how mellow - def can be laborious on the middle .
More : Top 10 Tablets Available Now
5. Ditch the Desktop on Windows RT
I ’m for certain not the first to suggest this , but perhaps hear it from more and more critic will drive the substance home . Microsoft need to stick with the Modern ( formerly Metro ) interface on Windows RT devices like the Surface . That means no background . You should n’t have two altogether unlike work out environments on the same tablet . In ordering to unify the user experience , though , Microsoft will require to get Office to work within the Modern environment , as well as create a data file manager that works in that mode . Microsoft would also need to bitch up the preferences menu in the Modern UI to obviate the indigence for a screen background .
More : Microsoft Surface with Windows RT Review
6. Lose Core i5 and Beef Up Battery Life
The Surface with Windows RT lasted a decent but unspectacular 7 hours and 43 minute in our assault and battery test , which call for uninterrupted WWW surfing over Wi - Fi on 40 pct luminance . unhappily , Microsoft says that the upcoming Windows 8 Pro version will have half as much survival . That would mean less than 5 hours of juice , which is unaccepted for a tablet .
Why does the Surface Pro have such a sorry grade runtime ? Part of the blame choke to the Core i5 central processing unit under the strong-armer , which simply guzzles more world power than the ARM chip inside the RT version of this tab . If I were Microsoft I would switch appurtenance to an Atom CPU . This would permit users to still lean desktop apps while offering longer battery spirit . Sure , you ’ll give up some HP , but the Surface is n’t really designed to be your basal PC . Besides , an Atom - powered Surface Pro would also in all likelihood be trashy . For good example , Samsung charges $ 699 for its Atom - enable Ativ Smart PC , and $ 899 with the keyboard dock . The Surface Pro will start at $ 899 without a keyboard .
7. Offer Better Cameras or Don’t Bother
Our review plausibly tot it up best : “ If you ’re planning to take pictures with your lozenge , do n’t project on buy the Surface . ” Ouch . The front and rear 1 - megapixel photographic camera on Microsoft ’s pad disappoint in our tests . The rearward camera took blurry photos with washed - out colour , while the front camera captured dull and noisy . What ’s the item of Microsoft owning Skype if you’re able to take full advantage of the service on its hallmark lozenge ?
MicrosoftMicrosoft SurfaceWindows 8
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