Microsoft reportedly wants to kill its Surface tablet line

[dlf]

 

Microsoft’s attempts to convince you that your next computing machine shouldn’t be an iPad or a MacBook Air, or any other tablet or laptop for that matter, apparently aren’t working in the company’s favor, a new report from Digitimes says. The publication says it learned from sources familiar with the upstream supply chain that the Windows maker is already considering discontinuing its Surface tablet line, as Surface Pro 3 demand isn’t as hot as expected.

http://bgr.com/2014/10/09/microsoft-surface-pro-3/

 

Never used of the surface line, never wanted to either. give me a normal laptop with a good keyboard, no switching to a tablet and I may be able to take notes on it.

[terrytek]

Fuck.

[-TesseracT-]

I wish they would kill all of their product lines.

[Shroomster]

Shit. I like the surfaces.

[Thebman712]

all they need to do with the surface is make a better stand

[dizmo]

Not too surprising.

I think they should try again in a  couple years or so once Windows 10 is mature and we have powerful processors that sip power.

[Guest Kloaked]

Well if they'd stop making stupid design decisions, maybe more people would buy it.

[Psykomantis00]

The surface is pretty neat, idk if I'd kill it off like that. I think they should get rid of the xbox division if anything. 

[dlf]

I could see one use for the tablet portion: Looking up information online if your in a biology (or chemistry) lab and need to look something up.

[Jaybird]

I got this sweet Asus laptop for $350, half the price of a surface pro.

[AlexGoesHigh]

ofc its not as high because it caters to a small segment of people, not everyone wants a laptop into a tablet form factor whit that much power other that content creators and enthusiast, a lot of people would be fine whit a 700$ laptop instead, if i had the money i would love to get the pro 3 whit an i5, because its pretty damn flexible, also ms has to find a way to fix its biggest issue, the thing sucks to use on your lap or on small place whit the type keyboard, linus review demonstrates this perfectly, personally i hate to use a pc on my lap so each on their own, but this isn't a good reason to kill the surface, it just need better refinement, also ms seriously needs to improve its customer support, it sucks ass even vs a lot of oems whit terrible support

 

also another thing that would be good is to get a 500$ surface that runs x86, pretty much a core m tablet whit surface features

[DigitalHermit]

Why? I wanted a Surface for myself... All dem VN's are great to play on a touch screen you know.... The Surface is the best student device out there right now imo...

[Joonikko]

Other reports are saying that MS isn't going to kill the Surface line-up and mentioning "next generation of the 'Pro' line of Surface" and talking about accessory support for future models, but who knows. If the Surface concept isn't profitable, it's going to be harder and harder to justify for shareholders.

http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-surface-pro-line-is-here-to-stay-7000034509/

Surface Pro line is here to stay

Microsoft officials seldom deny pubicly rumors about product futures, even when they are from some sites with less-than-stellar Microsoft-prediction track records.

But on October 9, Microsoft execs broke that rule (at least indirectly) and posted on the Microsoft Surface blog that "Businesses can buy with confidence. We are here to stay."

Digitimes published a report on October 9 claiming Microsoft is planning to exit the Surface business, citing unnamed supply-chain sources.

In spite of CEO Satya Nadella's recent characterization of Surface (and hardware in general )as supporting rather than "core" Microsoft businesses, Microsoft isn't dumping the Intel-based Surface line, officials said.

"Surface Pro 3 is off to a strong start with both individuals and businesses," maintained Surface General Manager Brian Hall in that blog post. He said Microsoft is guaranteeing that Surface Pro 3 will be upgradable to Windows 10. And he said the current line of Surface Pro 3 accessories — Surface Pro 3 Type Covers; power adapter, Ethernet adapter and other "infrastructure accessories"; and the docking station — will be compatible with "the next generation of the 'Pro' line of Surface."

(Hall didn't make any claims about Windows 10 compatibility for the Surface Pro and Pro 2 devices, but I am hearing from my sources that both those models should also support Windows 10. I'm less sure about the ARM-based versions. All Microsoft will say re: Windows 10 compatibility for Surface RT and Surface 2 is: "Windows on ARM-based processors continues to be an important element of our strategy for phones and tablets, and we’ll have more to share on the Windows experience for mobile devices at a later date," in the words of a company spokesperson.)

Microsoft introduced today a limited-time Surface Laptop Replacement Bundle. Via that bundle, which Microsoft is making available through its authorized Surface resellers, users can get up to $150 off a bundle of a Surface Pro 3, Type Cover and Docking Station when purchased together. The deal is availale in the U.S. immediately and coming to the "majority of markets where Surface is available worldwide in the coming weeks." It's a "while supplies last" offer.

There have been a number of renewed rumors lately about Microsoft's plans to roll out an ARM-based Surface 3 and/or a revised ARM-based Surface Mini. I haven't heard from my contacts that either of these things are happening. In fact, I've heard from one of my trusted sources that Microsoft's Surface strategy, going forward, will be to focus on Intel and to cease production of any future ARM-based Surfaces. But that's only from one source, I'd note.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/10/9/6951221/microsoft-fully-committed-to-surface

Microsoft says it’s fully committed to Surface as it reveals future accessory support
 
When Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella dropped the company’s "devices and services" focus earlier this year, many questioned whether the software maker would continue to create Surface tablets. A brief mention of Surface Pro 3 by Nadella in his email to all employees appeared to back the tablet, but it wasn’t totally clear Microsoft was committed. Nadella wants to enforce that today. "Microsoft is putting its full and sustained support behind the ongoing Surface program as one of a number of great hardware choices for businesses large and small," says Nadella in a new statement on the company’s Surface blog.

The clear messaging appears to be aimed directly at businesses that might be questioning Microsoft’s long-term plans for hardware. Microsoft admits some have questioned the company’s plans for Surface, particularly businesses. Microsoft is trying to tempt more businesses today by revealing that existing Surface Pro 3 Type Covers, power adapters, and docking stations, will be compatible with the "next generation" of the Surface Pro line.

Theoretically that could mean the Surface Pro 4, or whatever it’s named, will have the same dimensions as the existing Surface Pro 3 model so it can fit into the dock. However, there’s nothing stopping Microsoft from making the tablet thinner, and providing inserts for the docking station. Surface Pro 3 owners will be glad to hear future Type Covers and power adapters aren’t going to change dramatically.

Companies like BMW, Coca Cola, and Louis Vuitton have started using Surface Pro 3 devices recently, but Microsoft’s "laptop killer" still has a way to go. Microsoft is also creating a "laptop replacement offer" today that is a bundle of the Surface Pro 3, Type Cover, and docking station for up to $150 less. Authorized resellers in the US will start offering the bundle, and it’s designed mainly for businesses who want to start using Surface Pro 3.

[Misanthrope]

In before Surface fans irrationally defending it. It seems like not even when windows wants to deprecate something (WIN8, Surface) fanboys would let it go and admit "Well it wasn't for everybody...in fact I'm on the minority that liked it"

[Liam-McShane]

I would buy one but they are way too expensive.

[Sidiox]

I hope that that is not true. I liked my Surface RT quite a bit and I love my Surface Pro 3. It is for me atleast so much better than a laptop, nothing beats it. The SP3 is getting more populair and I really hope that it will sell well enough to stop MS from killing this fantastic product line.

[LeTexan]

source : http://www.theverge.com/2014/10/9/6951221/microsoft-fully-committed-to-surface

[LukeTim]

Surface always seemed kind of dumb to me. It couldn't really decide what it wanted to be. Tablets and Laptops are distinct for a reason, they each have different purposes and different things they are good at doing.

Surface seemed to be trying to be the best of both, but in the end it was better than neither.

[GarnetDevil]

Well if they'd stop making stupid design decisions, maybe more people would buy it.

More like pricing decision, surface lineup is known for dumbass price decision

[totjup5]

Surface was a pretty good, but at the price point it came in at I'm really not surprised it had trouble getting a share of the market.

[xRAGExSounDxRIOTX]

Hopefully they don't, I would love to have a Pro 3 for note taking and,possibly, programming.

[BuckGup]

Surface was a good concept and idea just a little bug here and there. Could of been something good though, down the line.

[LAwLz]

<objection>

source : http://www.theverge.com/2014/10/9/6951221/microsoft-fully-committed-to-surface

Well Microsoft aren't exactly well known for sticking to their words *cough* committed to PC gaming *cough* but who knows.

 

It would be a shame if they decided to kill it. We are only now getting to the point where x86 is suitable for tablet usage. I think even the most hardcore Surface fans would agree that the Surface 1-3 have had issues related to heat/power consumption and/or other major issues. Each generation has brought big improvements though so if Microsoft just stick to it and keep releasing iterative upgrades every year it won't be that long until we got a fantastic Microsoft Surface. I think it needs 2-3 more generations until becomes really good.

[Nomelas]

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/230200-microsoft-is-commited-to-surface-line-new-surface-on-the-way/ ?