There’s been quite a few posts written about the upcoming Microsoft Surface from most major media outlets now that the embargo has been lifted on reviews for the production device.
Here’s some of the crème de la crème.
ANANDTECH: Microsoft Surface Review
(Author: Anand Lal Shimpi, Creator of Anandtech)
”As a device, Surface is incredibly well executed. It makes sense that Microsoft’s OEM partners are feeling the pressure as there’s very little that I would change about Surface from a design perspective. The chassis is well built and the integrated kickstand is seriously one of the most useful features to ever meet a tablet. The optional Touch and Type Covers complete the package. While a full sized notebook is going to deliver a better typing experience, when paired with its Touch/Type covers Surface results in a more productive platform than any other tablet.”
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6385/microsoft-surface-review
ENGADGET: Microsoft Surface with Windows RT
(Author: Tim Stevens, Editor-in-chief of Engadget)
“If… you’re looking for an impeccably engineered tablet upon which you can do some serious work, a device that doesn’t look, feel or act like a toy, then you should get yourself a Surface with Windows RT.”
http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/23/microsoft-surface-rt-review/
BGR: Microsoft Surface Review: A Tale of Two Tablets
(Author: Zach Epstein, Executive Editor of BGR)
“The faster Microsoft can get developers on board, the better — and the early days will be slow-going in some respects as a result of this lack of apps. But even as it stands today, the Surface provides a terrific experience right out of the box and it will only get better over time.”
http://bgr.com/2012/10/23/microsoft-surface-review-a-tale-of-two-tablets/
TIME: Microsoft Surface Review: The PC of the Future Needs More Apps
(Author: Harry McCracken, Editor-at-large of TIME)
”The Surface hardware is indeed a beautiful piece of work, one that’s worthy of comparison to Apple’s designs even though many of Microsoft’s specific choices are distinctly un-Applelike.”
http://techland.time.com/2012/10/23/microsoft-surface-review-the-pc-of-the-future-needs-more-apps/
MASHABLE: Surface Is a Tablet Windows Users Will Love [REVIEW]
(Author: Lance Ulanoff, Editor-in-Chief, Mashable)
”There’s no doubt that Surface will appeal most to Windows users. In fact this is the tablet for Windows fans. It won’t win over Apple iPad owners, but for all those who hate Apple, find Android confusing and underwhelming, and are ready to enter the world of touch-screen computing this is the alternative you’ve been waiting for.”
http://mashable.com/2012/10/23/microsoft-surface-review/
CNET: Microsoft Surface review: Innovative tablet stranded in an app desert
(Author: Eric Franklin, Senior Editor, CNET)
”Metro interface is innovative, elegant, powerful, and versatile. The tablet feels strong and well-built, includes Office 2013, and rich video and music services. Its keyboard cover accessories are the best ways to type on a tablet, period.”
http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/microsoft-surface-rt/4505-3126_7-35332494.html
ALL THINGS D: Hardworking Tablet With PC Chops
(Author: Walt Mossberg, Executive Editor All Things Digital)
”I have been testing the Surface almost daily for three weeks and I like it. It’s beautifully and solidly built and it’s the purest expression of Microsoft’s new Windows 8 touchscreen operating system which, like the Surface, goes on sale on Friday.”
http://allthingsd.com/20121023/hardworking-tablet-with-pc-chops/
WIRED: Microsoft Dives Deep to Surface a Hit
(Author: Mathew Honan, Senior Writer, Wired)
”Let’s at least get this out of the way: This is one of the most exciting pieces of hardware I’ve ever used. It is extremely well-designed; meticulous even.”
http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/10/microsoft-surface/all/
PC MAGAZINE: Microsoft Surface with Windows RT
(Author: Joel Santo Domingo, Lead Analyst – PC Magazine Labs)
”If you use Microsoft Office for work or school, then it’s a no-brainer: Get a Microsoft Surface (or one of the other upcoming Windows RT tablets). Even though Pages and QuickOffice are pretty good programs, you really can’t beat a real copy of Office when your work is on the line. If you use Office programs constantly, the Surface is the tablet and laptop replacement your inner road warrior has been searching for.”
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2411249,00.asp
CNN Money: First look at Microsoft’s Surface tablet
(Author: David Goldman, Technology Reporter for CNN Money)
”It is a gorgeous piece of hardware… this really is a marvelous device to hold look at feel to touch and certainly Microsoft has a real winner on it’s hands.”
http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/10/25/ts-microsoft-surface-review.cnnmoney/index.html
BOSTONHERALD: Surface headed for wish lists
(Author: Jessica Van Sack, Chief Enterprise Reporter)
”First, you can print directly from it. It allows multiple users to log on with their own profiles. It also runs Microsoft Office and typing is a breeze. The Microsoft Surface costs about the same as an iPad, but you get more bang for your buck. This isn’t a pure content-consumption device that you happen to be able to use to snap great photos: That’s the iPad.”
http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?&articleid=1061170599
TGDAILY: Why Microsoft’s Surface Tablet is my new favorite device
(Author: Rob Enderle, Technology Analyst & head of Enderle Group)
”But the real benefit of Surface is its seamless approach to integration for different tasks. Meaning, you can move from work to play, as the device easily allows you to work where you want. One surprising but welcome difference? The kickstand angles the screen so I don’t get anywhere as much glare as I would off a regular tablet, so it is easier to view the screen outdoors. Strangely enough, even though this is a 1.0 product, for once a vendor appears to have learned from the mistakes of others. The fact that this vendor is Microsoft, a software vendor known for screwing up hardware, is kind of blowing my mind at the moment. Suddenly I have a new favorite product and it is the Tegra 3 powered Surface Tablet from Microsoft. Go figure.”
http://www.tgdaily.com/opinion-features/67219-why-microsofts-surface-tablet-is-my-new-favorite-device
BETANEWS: Microsoft Surface review for real people
(Author: Robert Johnson, User interface developer & contributing author)
“Surface is fantastic. There’s no tablet like it on the market. If you’re looking for a mobile device that allows you to play casual games like Angry Birds and write a book report in Word, Surface is your choice. Concerned about apps? Don’t be. The Windows Store is new and surges with quality apps at an alarming rate. Some are even exclusive to the Windows platform. Concerned about viruses and malware? Don’t be. Windows RT comes with built-in security protection. You don’t have to worry about viruses at all. Surface RT is not a full laptop replacement, but it’s definitely more capable than iPad or Android tablets.”
http://betanews.com/2012/11/14/microsoft-surface-review-for-real-people/
[Thanks to Brian Larson for helping me seek out & uncover many of these reviews]
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