Satya Nadella says Microsoft has 'full and sustained support' for Surface program

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella issued a new statement today saying that the company "is putting its full and sustained support" behind its Surface tablet program, indirectly refuting a rumor that Microsoft could shut down its Surface hardware division.
The rumor comes from the usually unreliable Digitimes, which claims, via its unnamed sources, that sales of the Surface Pro 3 are "weak" and that Microsoft could shut down the tablet division altogether. However, a new post on the Surface blog today begins with this statement: "Surface Pro 3 is off to a strong start with both individuals and businesses." The blog does not directly address the Digitimes story, but it does include a quote from Nadella near the end, where he states:
"We believe a strength of the Microsoft platform for enterprise is the rich ecosystem of hardware and applications developed by our partners, the community at large, and some of our own teams at Microsoft. In particular with Microsoft Surface Pro 3 we are now offering an enterprise-class device that can deliver great end user productivity. 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."
The rest of the Surface blog concentrates on how the Surface Pro 3 could be an asset to businesses. It also reveals a new offer that gives companies up to $150 off of a Surface Pro 3, Type Cover and Docking Station if all three are purchased together via an authorized reseller program. Finally, the blog states that not only will the Surface Pro 3 will support Windows 10 but that the accessories made for the 12-inch tablet will be compatible with the next version of the Surface Pro hardware.
Source: Surface blog
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I would like to see wider availability of surface tablets in the European Union.
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European Union? I think they need to expand it globally
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Microsoft really have a big problem, only few devices are available around in Europe, very difficult to find a Surface, and the same about Windows phones. How to sell products without having a sales program and shops who want to sell these devices. If Microsoft starts to release and show the products around the world, they will in few mont double the sale.
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...and release their products globally at least nearly same time between continents, and with shorter days from announcement date and release date! Ditto..
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well tbh the surface 3 from annoucement to actual product in the store wasn't to long(for the US) microsoft is getting better
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Coming from him says alot considering he was against MS producing hardware devices.
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Digitimes sowing confusion and distrust among MS rank and file
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Touch cover 3 please...
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You're probably one of the very very few that liked the touch cover...
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I love it as well
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Me too Posted via Windows Phone Central App
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im sure there are at least hundreds of people that liked the touch cover..........
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I like touch cover too and also type cover. Both has it's own pros and cons. For touch cover, it's super thin and comes with led lights.
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It was like 'OK'. If it was included I wouldn't pay extra for a type cover
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I like the touch cover also. It's silent compared to the type cover, which is useful in public, meetings, laying in bed next to your spouse, etc.
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If Surface Pro 3 flops then the number of guys who understand technology have died too. It's impossible to even think that Surface Pro 3 will flop, without doubt its the best tablet/ laptop in the market.
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You just say my heart's word. Not only the best laptop or tablet, it's a dream machine one tech geek can imagine.
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LOL I love this passionate response. I also agree. I currently cannot afford one but it is a wonderful machine.
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Same case here. The problem with Microsoft is that the price of their hardware, and not world-wide availability. They only think about US.
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It's okay if I pay that price for a device that would do millions of things even though I wouldn't pay that price for an apple product. However, Apple fanboys pay that price for a trash can and say their product is the best. To conclude, it's a reasonable price in comparison to any apple product.
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Very few people are willing to spend 1K on a tablet regardless of how much it can do. People are unwilling to spend that on a full size laptop. There are many Windows laptop that cost about $500 and do everything regular people need to get done. We have to step out of our geek world once in a while and realize that most people are not obsessed with specs.
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True... I was looking at all P3,and even the guy at Best Buy tried steering me to the Yoga and X360...but before anyone blasts me, I love the surface, Winphones, and Microsoft in general. If tmob gets a decent winphone, I'm there. Posted via Windows Phone Central App
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I think what the disconnect is that Microsoft looks at its products and sees all the great things they put in it... And we as technology enthusiasts see that... But the general perception for the public isn't the same. So when they look at the price and compare it to a MacBook and factor in everyone's generally negative experiences with Windows at some point in their lives, then you get to see why it's a hard sell at that price. Not many people know or are convinced about the new Microsoft, at the forefront of product development...
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Good thing it's $799 then. $650 for most students.
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The key is either you pay $1K to get the product the way it was meant to be designed or purchase a cheaper version and complaint that it missing something, slow, etc...... But don't make it Microsoft's problem, it's the individual purchasers problem because for whatever reason they made the purchase.
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I think Microsoft does not want to sell low to midrange devices at low profit margins. They will leave these devices to the OEMs. Microsoft is also waiting on Intel to manufacture the chips to power more power efficient devices. Yes the Haswell chip was much more efficient. The Broadwell is more efficient and powerful (especially the graphics). The broadwell is supposed to usher in a bunch of low to midrange tablets running Windows with good graphics. Microsoft certainly wants these OEMs to prosper to push the x86/WinTel ecosystem deeper into the tablet/mobile space. One can expect the Surface to get a major redesign once the broadwell chip is reliably produced with various tweaks expected by Intel. The primary issue is the heat load. Can the upper end of performance (graphic intensive tasks) operate without a fan disapating the heat load from a i7 chip running flat out for 30 minutes without melting the chip? Not sure that is the case with a broadwell chip.
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+10
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Indeed. Best computer I have ever bought.
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I've got the 512gb i7. My only gripe is the pathetic GPU in it. Given the other high end specs, I would of liked to see something better in it. Kind of limits some of the stuff I can use it for. Its a killer device all round besides that.
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Yeah, that's the tough part about this device, but I understand the approach. As a tablet, the focus has to be balance of battery life and performance. I think they found the sweet spot, based on my experience. What they should have considered was keeping the integrated graphics while adding a graphics card as well. Then, using the integrated graphics for everything still, while making the graphics card on demand. That way, the user is deciding to treat their tablet like power laptop for a 45 minute battery life excursion.
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So True~ Just got myself a Pro 3 last week and I'm loving it. A tablet hybrid that runs photoshops, illustrator, fireworks, and process RAW image files~ Too bad they don't offer red type cover here...
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I feel that Microsoft needs to shut down everything. Their windows phone ain't getting anywhere. Now I'm hearing about the hardware division for Surface Tablets have to be shut down. I'm going back to Apple and Samsung
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The pro/arm split is a bit unhelpful. Plus is it a laptop or a tablet? It doesn't seem to offer the best of either devices.
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LOL
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LOL
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Why are you even here then? If you felt like that for a long time why bother? I personally feel that WP is a great mobile experience that is different, unique, and doesn't have a lot of instability problems, and can run even on weak hardware better than android ever could. On top of all that it can only improve with windows 10, and upcoming phones with atom processors instead of arm. The future is bright for MS next year. But I can't tell you to leave or stay. That is upto you.
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@nakialj UUHHH read the article. Surface tablets are not going anywhere. SATYA himself said so. WP is showing slow growth but growth is growth. By all means you can do whatever you want...
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Then why you're here??
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I see you didn't read the story and added your own speculation. We don't want to see you go but you've probably already thought about this over and over or never owned a WinPhone anyway and here here spreading FUD
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See ya!! Don't let the door hit ya on the ass on the way out!
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You didn't bother reading the article, did you? The SP3 is doing quite well.
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Edit: @ nakial
The only thing to shut here is your mouth...
To many BS are coming from there... -
The question should be does it work for you or not. If yes then why abandon because it's "going nowhere". I think people forget that even a tiny market share percentage equals users in the millions. They would be foolish to not offer an upgrade path for businesses kicking the Android/iOS tablet habit once they realize that they aren't complete solutions.
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Doesn't look like you actually read the article. Doing so really helps sometimes :)
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lol bye then! We won't miss you.
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I don't see where it lacks and come Windows 10, it really doesn't matter anymore anyway. One OS to rule them all!
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@nakial Hahaha...did you even read the fucking article. You've been trolled by Digitimes bitch. :)
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Bye.
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(Please ignore this mistaken reply)
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To all of the down-voters, I'm pretty sure she was joking--it does read like a pretty convincing troll post though. ;^P
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No they don't so bye have fun!
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Bye, don't let the door hit you in the butt on your way out. (this reply to nakialj)
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Laterz
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Huh?
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Microsoft needs to step up their game on buisness sales at the Microsoft Store. I just purchased 4 Surface Pro 3's for work and it was like the first time they had ever done such a thing. Little known fact: you can get a bundle for a discounted type cover and 3 year complete ADH warranty.
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Digitimes is literally the only blog reporting negatively about SP3 sales. My personal perception is that it's selling better than its predecessor(s).
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Absolutely! :D
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It for sure is. I think they confused Pro with RT in their click-bait story.
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Usually unreliable, lol
My company just change all employee's iPad to surface pro 3. Fyi, there are about 1200 employees in all branches of my company. Tell me how the sales volume is "weak"? I find that surface pro 3 is a device that a lot ppl are looking for. The want portability with full productivity on windows. -
sales volume isnt weak. its good bcoz ppl when they want to pay for something quality they always go for iPads and sp3 being also expensive though productive isnt a status symbol. ppl pay more fpr products which are status symbol surface pro 3 is better than ipads but not a status symbol. so the sales is still good.
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sales volume isnt weak. its good bcoz ppl when they want to pay for something quality they always go for iPads and sp3 being also expensive though productive isnt a status symbol. ppl pay more fpr products which are status symbol surface pro 3 is better than ipads but not a status symbol. so the sales is still good.
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Our company is purchasing 5000+ surface pro 3 devices over the next 12 months. And docks and type covers. IPads will all be replaced by surface in our environment.
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Amazing.
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Nadella's wrong. It does not have "great productivity" It has Awesome productivity. Seriously, I have people beating a path to my door wanting one. I have pulled more than a few desktop /iPad setups for an SP3 & docking station and people could not be happier.
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Just wondering if the SP4 will go back to wacom tech. My SP3 is cool but I wonder if the pointer lag would've been less with wacom.
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Probably not. In the source article, it states that ALL current Surface Pro 3 accessories are going to be forward compatible with the next generation of the Surface line, which for that to happen, they'll have to keep using Ntrig.
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Upcoming updates to the driver and new control panel should bring improvements to pen performance in all areas including pointer speed. MS seems to be getting better cooperation from ntrig than wacom, which is now mostly owned by Samsung who coincidentally don't make any windows tablets anymore.
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Guys imma buy one soon
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I just want to know if my Surface RT will get Windows 10. I won't buy a new tablet, specially cuz I am in Brazil and no device of the "Surface" family has arrived officially here ¬¬. I know that Surface RT can run Windows 10 (RT). I hope microsoft doesn't abandon their early adopters
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"It will run on everything"
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Bingooo! haha
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Well, this does not automatically mean that you can simply update any device, does it? ;) Pro versions of the Surface Family might be easily updatable but it is totally unclear at this moment if owners of the RT versions will be able to do the same. Heck, there is only an official confirmation for the Surface 3 till today.
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True but I don't see a reason why RT folk cant update. Windows 10 should run on everything except the kitchen sink :)
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RT is RT...P3 is full blown Windows.... 27GB of preloaded Windows. Posted via Windows Phone Central App
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W10 x64 actually took 9 GB on a default install. W10 is again smaller then W8.
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Surface pro 3 is great so they shouldn't atop! But ditch RT for cheaper Intel
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i hope they make a Surface 3. I like the ARM
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Uh oh...whenever a CEO comes out to say something like "no no, we're fully supporting this thing" it's normally the first stage of that thing being canceled... Let's hope this won't be the case...although I think Microsoft should drop the attempts at hardware production altogether and focus on what they do best: software.
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This was not on response to some crappy blogger.
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If Microsoft leaves the hardware business what are we left with? Every other OEM has inferior products and that doesn't help sell Windows, which Microsoft still needs to do. The Surface Pro line serves as a catalyst to spur interest in Windows devices, if nothing else. Would be a mistake to abandon that now they finally have a unique and desirable product.
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When has that ever happened? A CEO doesn't say they'll support a product, then immediately drop it. That gets their customer base pissed at them. When a product is about to be dropped, the CEO usually says something along the lines of "we're evaluating the direction in which we will take our XXXXX, but won't comment on speculation". I have no idea where you're getting this from.
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Remember MeeGo and Symbian? Or WP7 for that matter. Just a couple from the top of my head. Posted via the Windows Phone Central App for Android
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Yeah just like Microsoft wasn't interested in getting into the h/w manufacturing business, Symbian wasn't going anywhere, and Microsoft wasn't interested in buying Nokia? Sorry, these past few years when these types of rumors pop up about Microsoft they actually do happen. I'm guessing Microsoft intentionally leaks them so people within those groups and divisions start looking for jobs on their own. I'm sure when they leave they aren't replaced, and thus less severance to pay when they layoff as a result of doing what was previously only a "rumor".
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Come January, I am in the market for a new Surface. The big question will be: As the geek I am, do I get the SP3 or will I be able to have the patience to wait for a SP4? I would demand that MSFT aligns it's release cycle with my financials better :)
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Wish Xbox music would have that....
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Would love to hear Satya say the same thing about WP. I hope its here to stay, but hearing it from the top would be comforting...
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Surface Pro 3 is my favorite piece of technology ever. It does everything. Well. And it looks good doing it. I cant wait until it has Windows 10 with Cotana. I loved the idea of Surface from the beginning and eagerly bought the first Pro on launch day. But within 3 months I had stopped carrying it every day as it was just too bulky and limited in battery life. I still used it up until I sold it this summer but it wasn't my daily companion anymore. I've owned the SP3 since launch day. I've never gone to work without it and found uses for it on vacations as well. At home it gets as much use as my giant 27 inch Dell. At work, we let people buy iPads. There are a few other Surface users, but its mostly an iPad world. When I watch these folks struggle to do real work on that device I just shake my head at how much hype (which Apple is the master of) manipulates decision making. From the clunky cover/keybaord combinations I see to the awful attempts to write with a finger on the iPad to the fact that people are trying to make it act like a PC when it isn't, the iPad certainly has some place in business, but that is only a fraction of the use cases it is being used for. The SP3, on the other hand, can do anything a business might need it to do. It is pretty clear that message is starting to get out. The statement Wednesday from CEO Nadella will just further assure business that SP3 is the device they should be buying.
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What about Windows 10 for the earlier Surface versions? Would be nice to know whether or not Surface 1 & 2 are also getting W10 and if that also counts for the RT versions.
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This is interesting, MS almost coming out and writing a rebuttal article. If I was at Microsoft, I think it could be worthwhile to start something like this. With as much bad press and misinformation goes out about Microsoft, I could see where utilizing MS blogs to write rebuttal articles to false posts by media and tech news sites, would be a cool way to shed light on the way things really work. So long as it was never grudging in tone. And thus dealing with perceptions in a head on manner. Microsoft should just hire me as their marketing leader and we'll nip this in the bud.
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Windows 10 is chuggin' along very well on my Surface Pro 3 right now. No major issues. I love Microsoft so much. Microsoft is love. Microsoft is life.
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I lol'd
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Any news on a Power Cover for the SP3? Would love to have one.
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I didn't need to have a rebuttal from to know that the report is a piece of crap. Everyone knows that Microsoft went into the Surface hardware line to show the way to its OEMs for quality hardware build, which Surface epitomizes. Therefore MS would be the last to dump it more so as the latest iteration of Surface is the best of the bunch and doing well with a ton of corporate adoptions.
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Awesome! It's a great product, we use them (and ThinkPad 8) at work and get pretty good feedback from our users. No ipads.
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What they, and I, want is improved touch UI and it sounds like that is coming in Win10.
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"the next version of Surface Pro hardware" ... Excited !!
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Well they aren't supporting the surface 2 very well..
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did anyone else get the utter lack of any consumer focus?
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That is because most "consumers" are stupid and will buy whatever the media is fawning over (apple) no matter what MS does. Enterprise is always where they shine. "consumers" who are familiar with enterprise technology are the ones MS can sell to, because we can see past the hype.
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Yeah, all 100 million Apple or Android tablet users are "stupid" Then MS should just exit the Consumer business. JUST EXIT. What an illogical idea. Turn off Consumers, because in your mind they are stupid. Just that MS should really be trying to make money, where ever they can. That is what companies do, for shareholders. MS shows limited if any ability to sell to consumers.
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I'm truly relieved, and hope they see Surface through to its full potential!
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Well, this statement means nothing. When the shareholder no longer tolerate the losses and see no improvement the surface (pro) is dead. I have a pro 2 and like it but business is about profit.
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I prefer the Surface RT, for its immunity to viruses. and its lighter too
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I could give the Surface RT or the Nokia 2520 to every person in my family, grandma included, and in a year not one of them would have installed: viruses, toolbars, spyware, itunes, realplayer, java or BHO's I'd connect their Outlook to their email servers. I'd hook them up with Netflix. They could control the house lights with the modern interface Insteon app. The pictures they took on their Windows Lumia phones would show up on their tablets (in Onedrive) They'd probably drive over the tablet with the car, before they'd break Windows RT.
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I call BS. Satya knows that the tablet app ecosystem is dead already. Aside from some decent, first-class apps from major providers (Hulu, Netflix, etc.) the apps for Windows 8 and RT are horrible. I wish it were different, as I've been with the system since Surface RT, but developers have not stepped up to create compelling modern apps in large numbers. The app store is full of junk that should be bounced, but it would then be mostly empty. When they stick a fork in RT, which they've nearly killed by not actively cultivating a richer metro app selection (read, spend a billion paying developers to bring good apps over), there will be no reason remaining for any developer to work on modern apps. Every windows "tablet" out there will be running a desktop, and no developer is going to bother creating a modern app, which everyone expects for free or <$2, when they can keep creating ugly desktop software for more. There's a chicken and egg problem there, and it won't be solved unless Microsoft actively funds modern app creation. It won't, because Satya's vision is to just stick Skype, Office, etc. on all those android and iphone devices. That'll be the end of any innovation on the windows OS. Modern (phone and tablet) OS will be dead within 5 years.