Some food for though about the Windows 8 tablets.

Coke Robot

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Seton Hall Uni to distract students with Windows 8 tablet handouts (video) -- Engadget

An interesting video promoting the Windows 8 tablet platform, it definitely gives a realistic look on how Windows 8 will be used and I have always found that it will succeed TREMENDOUSLY in education all around. I think it's very true that an ipad or an android tablet just can't do what a Windows 8 tablet does: be adaptable, be flexible. Some call Windows 8 a mish-mosh Frankenstein, it's without an identity but call it what you want it does what you need it to do regardless.
 

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Oh my Lord.

You are like one of those zealots on street corners preaching about the second coming.

I have no doubt they mean well.

Don't you think they turn people off as a rule?

Or maybe we should turn this Forum into a pure advertising space dedicated to MS. ;)
 
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HEY!! HEY!! HEY!! Behave you two! lets not get into a flame war! I just HATE when Brink puts that RED warning up concerning that type of issue!
 

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LOL.

You are completely on the wrong track there Mike.

If you read it - it is amusing and quite affectionate.

Cokie has a great sense of humour.

( added a wink to it now.)
 

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TRWTF is that this school is charging a higher tuition so that it can but overpriced electronics for everyone. If I went there, I would rather get a discount and the ability to buy whatever I want. Also, they're college students with short attention spans. If you gave everyone in a room an iPad, or a Nexus 7, I think the exact same thing would happen.
 

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Yes, exactly.

TRWTF is that this school is charging a higher tuition so that it can but overpriced electronics for everyone. If I went there, I would rather get a discount and the ability to buy whatever I want. Also, they're college students with short attention spans. If you gave everyone in a room an iPad, or a Nexus 7, I think the exact same thing would happen.
 

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The MS surface tablet is the first tablet I am genuinely interested in. The reason being, it's not really a glorified smart phone (that doesn't make calls) and is more or less a real computer that can run real applications (meaning...the applications that I am used to running and would want to run, not Metro apps from the Microsoft store).

The issue I am going to have is going to be sticker shock at the price. If the not Windows 8 RT version (which really is the glorified smartphone that I don't want), of this surface tablet approaches the $1,000+ price point, I would be quite hesitant to outlay the cash over a laptop which would offer additional functionality like eSata ports, optical drives, docking stations, etc.
 

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The MS surface tablet is the first tablet I am genuinely interested in. The reason being, it's not really a glorified smart phone (that doesn't make calls) and is more or less a real computer that can run real applications (meaning...the applications that I am used to running and would want to run, not Metro apps from the Microsoft store).
There have been a few windows 7 tabs around, like the eee slate, samsung series 7, and acer w500. Unfortunately, they've all been underpowered or overpriced. I don't see the surface being any different.
 

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phailyoor, you have to put in contention that they are new still, so till they mature, it is about ALL we will have/get.
 

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The MS surface tablet is the first tablet I am genuinely interested in. The reason being, it's not really a glorified smart phone (that doesn't make calls) and is more or less a real computer that can run real applications (meaning...the applications that I am used to running and would want to run, not Metro apps from the Microsoft store).
There have been a few windows 7 tabs around, like the eee slate, samsung series 7, and acer w500. Unfortunately, they've all been underpowered or overpriced. I don't see the surface being any different.

One of my major problems is that I hate touchscreens. So, the surface is appealing due to the keyboard and touchpad dock. That's why I never really gave the Windows 7 tablets much of a look.
 

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Oh my Lord.

You are like one of those zealots on street corners preaching about the second coming.

I have no doubt they mean well.

Don't you think they turn people off as a rule?

Or maybe we should turn this Forum into a pure advertising space dedicated to MS. ;)

I'd rather be the trollup that preaches good things rather than the zealots who don't. ;)
 

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The MS surface tablet is the first tablet I am genuinely interested in. The reason being, it's not really a glorified smart phone (that doesn't make calls) and is more or less a real computer that can run real applications (meaning...the applications that I am used to running and would want to run, not Metro apps from the Microsoft store).
There have been a few windows 7 tabs around, like the eee slate, samsung series 7, and acer w500. Unfortunately, they've all been underpowered or overpriced. I don't see the surface being any different.

Yeah, Windows 7 tablets were around as 7 brought about much better touch support than ever before. SOME were underpowered as they were rocking dual core processors at like 1.4 GHz and such. There's an ASUS tablet that I believe has an i7 core processor, pretty solid specs and I think it's about 1,000 dollars; which compared to the rest seems to be an awesome deal as it does come with a stylus. :) That's all that matters.
 

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The MS surface tablet is the first tablet I am genuinely interested in. The reason being, it's not really a glorified smart phone (that doesn't make calls) and is more or less a real computer that can run real applications (meaning...the applications that I am used to running and would want to run, not Metro apps from the Microsoft store).

The issue I am going to have is going to be sticker shock at the price. If the not Windows 8 RT version (which really is the glorified smartphone that I don't want), of this surface tablet approaches the $1,000+ price point, I would be quite hesitant to outlay the cash over a laptop which would offer additional functionality like eSata ports, optical drives, docking stations, etc.

I'm kind of iffy on the price too. There was rumors that it would be from 1-2,000 dollars! NO. But those rumors have been dispelled. I don't know though, but I would bet a price starting at 600-1,000 dollars as it would be competitive with other OEM offerings. There are USB 3 ports on the Pro version, which is all that matters. :)
 

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I'd rather be the trollup

LOL , nice one Cokie.

I can just picture you standing on the street corner trying to get some Trade.




I think price is going to be key.

I was under the impression RT would be in ipad territory $500 or more, and Pro would be more aimed at the luxury/ultrabook end -$800 and up.

However, Steve Ballmer very recently said they would not leave any area open to Apple - wherever Aplle was - MS will be there too.

Not sure what to make of that.

One the one hand, it just seems to confirm my previous sentence.

On the other hand, maybe he thinks there is a mini ipad coming - and he wants to have some presence there too.

They read my posts. They ought to hire me for this stuff.

I have no idea how they are going to bring something decent in at $200 without taklng a loss .
 

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But back to the related topic, Windows 8 tablets and education. OK.

Here in my state of Idaho, there were sweeping "reforms" that basically cut education funding for teachers and will eventually be more laptop based, online education. There are the obviously dissenters as there's a back story to this and it's just simply not great in general. But, it seemed to had changed a little so districts or teachers can write grants to the state to qualify for technology in the classroom, mostly because of the dissent and also the state can't afford the new cost unless if HP's kicking in. There were speculations that the ipad was to be used. I've personally spoken to several teachers, many students, and even aired my concerns about ipad usage to the state board of directors. Basically, from what teachers would want, what students would want and need, and what IT people would want, the ipad can't cut it. Students would be more inclined for touchscreens as it would be easier to use for digital book and familiar programs like Office and be able to have updated software and have less controlled access on the machines themselves. Teachers want something that would be easy to use and be able to see what their students are doing. IT people just want something that they're familiar with and know already how to use and something that can easily fit into their infrastructure without up-ending everything. From what I gather, an ipad or an android just doesn't fit that bill. An ipad sounds like a good idea, until you realize it's more difficult for IT people to prevent access to the app store than it would be with Windows. It's great for ebooks, but when you need to do research and create documents and epic PowerPoints, you need a PC for that.

One thing I do feel strongly about is the usage of Office. It literally is the industry standard. Here in my local school district, they're cutting out Office altogether and replacing it with google docs/openoffice. Sounds great at first, until you see how students use the two and how difficult it is, regardless if they know how to use it ok, it's just difficult as years of Office usage is embedded in and that can't translate over to openoffice. google docs is HUGELY basic. But in the long run, potentially TWELVE YEARS of no Office usage for a young student means that when they try to land a white collar job, they don't have basic knowledge of Office, which is pretty much the requirement for employment is that knowledge. Theoretically, public education prepares students for white collar work, but not knowing Office is detrimental. That's a HUGE gamble as to say that in 12 years, google docs/openoffice will be mainstream. I'm sorry, but I don't believe that. Office has been the standard and will continue to be the standard.

I think the university mentioned in the video is doing a good thing, they're preparing their students to use what the latest tools of the trade are.
 

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"Off Topic" OK, you're BUSTED Coke Robot, I did some research on you, and FOUND out for a FACT that your REALLY New Formula Coke Robot!! How LONG did you think you would get AWAY with that eh? <grin> :dinesh:
 

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You might say that Cokie - and I see you have their interests at heart.

However, one might take the opposite view.

Is it right that the taxpayer\Education system should be paying to educate their students in a way that perpetuates a monopoly ?

Something not right about that picture.

Perhaps if all schools used alternatives , that would open up the market and change the reliance on one proprietary piece of software.

Tbh , I hadn't thought about it before.

I do recall Eben saying that school It classes are about teaching students how to use Office. That is not It - it is a replacement for what used to be called typing classes.

New Formula Coke Robot

LOL.
 

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I don't know though, but I would bet a price starting at 600-1,000 dollars as it would be competitive with other OEM offerings. There are USB 3 ports on the Pro version, which is all that matters. :)
I thought that the RT version was going to be in the $600 range. This would mean that the non-RT version would carry a heavier price tag. So, $1,000+ could easily be reality.

I was under the impression RT would be in ipad territory $500 or more, and Pro would be more aimed at the luxury/ultrabook end -$800 and up.
Yeah, that's what I have heard. I would hope for the non RT closer to that $800 end..but fear that it could also exceed $1000 too. Time will tell on that.

I have no idea how they are going to bring something decent in at $200 without taklng a loss .
They won't have to. The mini iPad is going to be like $350

Here in my local school district, they're cutting out Office altogether and replacing it with google docs/openoffice. Sounds great at first, until you see how students use the two and how difficult it is
This is happening in a lot of places, not only in the schools, but also in some businesses as well. My company evaluated dropping Microsoft Exchange and Office and moving to Google gmail and docs.
Many schools abandon Microsoft Office for Google Apps to save money; Google Docs added 100 new features in 2011 | 9to5Google | Beyond Good and Evil

The hardest part is really the interoperability betwen the 2 systems. Trying to get perfect translations between the two is the hard part. But if the actual file formats aren't necessary to be exchanged, and electronic formats become more the norm, this may become less of an issue than it is today. I know for my last few jobs, the resume has been formatted and submitted not as a .docs or .odt file, but rather a PDF.

google docs is HUGELY basic.
True, but extremely collaborative. Many accuse MS Office of having feature bloat, or more features than anybody knows what to do with. Every new version of Office results in people who have old versions like 2003, trying to figure out why they might need 2007/2010/2012 as they don't take advantage of a fraction of the features they have. Perhaps the world is ready to give up on the sheer number of features, in leui of better prices, lower cost of ownership, team collaboration and access from a variety of devices including PC's, Mac, smartphones, tablets, etc.

But in the long run, potentially TWELVE YEARS of no Office usage for a young student means that when they try to land a white collar job, they don't have basic knowledge of Office, which is pretty much the requirement for employment is that knowledge.
But an educated student, with experience with one product, won't require very much time to get to the basic features of any Office application.

I think the university mentioned in the video is doing a good thing, they're preparing their students to use what the latest tools of the trade are.
This will make you cringe, but my brother in law attended Stanford University and earned a 4 year degree before going onto graduate school and earning an MBA. He has lived and worked in California, Switzerland, London, Sydney, Ethiopia, Paris and now Sydney again. While he was at Stanford, it was pretty much the norm and recommendation to use a Mac. He expressed concerns that trying to use a PC would have made things harder for him and less compatible with the faculty, labs, etc. He used a Mac all through his Bachelors and MBA program. And he has used a Mac at every job he has had. And Stanford actually recommends the Mac over the PC to students to this day, right on their website;
Should I buy a Mac or a PC? Should I buy a laptop or a desktop? | Stanford Answers.
 

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Hi PP,

Maybe it is just the business I am in, but I can't recall having to deal with a .doc or .docx file in quite a while.

Let me check - yep - got some sides from my agent the other day - pdf.

Today - got a statement from another agent - pdf also
 

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