surface

Top 10 biggest drawbacks of Windows RT

While Microsoft is spending a small fortune promoting its next-generation Windows 8 operating system, it also has another new operating system called Windows RT, which actually powers the company's Surface tablet and a few other devices.

Superficially, the operating systems look and feel the same. But Windows RT is designed for devices running on ARM chips, which are used to power smartphones and tablets and are considered more power-efficient.

Windows RT is more like "Windows Lite" than a full-blown update to the operating system. It's Microsoft's attempt to make a controlled environment similar to Apple'… Read more

iPad's Mini's price makes it just a small threat to Android tablets

Well, it's official. Apple today announced the iPad Mini, a 7.9-inch version of its immensely popular iPad.

Available beginning November 2, the $329 device should be a top-seller this holiday season. In fact, it's a safe bet that the iPad Mini will join products such as the Kindle Fire HD, Nook HD, and Nexus 7 in winning big sales. But, considering this space is already so crowded, just how will the iPad Mini directly affect Android tablets, and in what capacity?

A pricier point As is the case with other Apple products, the iPad Mini is priced … Read more

Microsoft Surface dancing ad pulverizes Apple

Some got excited. Some shook their heads. Some felt fortunate to have a DVR.

The reactions to Microsoft's new clicking danceathon Surface ad -- the one that made "Glee" look sedate -- have often been deeply-felt.

But who cares what human beings think when you can get hold of numbers?

How delightful, then, that Ace Metrix -- a company that loves to put numbers to things -- has definitive numbers about whether the Surface ad clicked.

Some of you will feel your Sunday is complete when I tell you that Ace Metrix declared it the "most … Read more

Microsoft Surface tablet back-ordered as new iPad looms

Call it round one of a Microsoft-Apple hardware heavyweight bout.

A few days before the expected rollout of Apple's new tablets, all Microsoft Surface tablets are now officially back-ordered in the U.S.

A Microsoft representative confirmed with CNET today that delivery of three Surface RT models has been pushed back.

On Tuesday, the same day that sales were launched, the order status of the $499 model (32GB) quickly slipped to three weeks.

Now the $599 Surface with the black Touch Cover (keyboard/cover, 32GB) and the $699 Surface with the black Touch Cover (64GB) are back-ordered "one … Read more

What you need to know about Windows 8

Friday's CNET Update is charmed:

Brace yourselves: Windows 8 is coming. Today's tech news roundup goes over the new Windows operating system, available Friday Oct. 26. Be sure to read up on CNET's complete guide to using Windows 8 before upgrading. And if you are in the market for one of the many Windows 8 computers, don't get tripped up by the different versions of Windows 8. Just remember: Anything with "Windows RT" will not run your older Windows software. The Windows RT version of the Surface tablet is already facing shipping delays. However, … Read more

Microsoft will let you reserve a Surface tablet, says report

Looking for the new Surface tablet? You may be able to reserve one at your local Microsoft store.

A forum user of blog site WPCentral reportedly picked up a reservation pass at a Microsoft Store in Oregon. As displayed by WPCentral, the pass indicates that a Surface RT tablet has been reserved for the customer.

The only requirement is that the person must reach the Microsoft Store before 12 p.m. on October 26, the day the tablet goes on sale. At that point, "your Surface will be ready for you to purchase."

The Microsoft store employee had … Read more

Elop says Surface Windows Phone could help 'ecosystem'

A Surface phone might be a good idea after all, Nokia's CEO said today.

Stephen Elop, speaking during an investor call, said that a Windows Phone from Microsoft would be a "stimulant to the ecosystem," according to The Verge.

"We're encouraging of HTC and Samsung and Microsoft or whomever to have devices in the market and to be making whatever investments that helps spur the ecosystem on," Elop said, according to the report.

Rumors have been circulating for months that Microsoft was going to make its own Windows Phones and possibly market them under … Read more

Microsoft training staff to explain Windows 8 versus RT

Microsoft is training sales staff to make sure customers know the difference between Windows RT and the full version of Windows 8, the company told CNET.

Windows RT tablets, including Microsoft's Surface, use power-frugal ARM chips and come with a version of Windows 8 that is not compatible with older Windows software. Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro devices -- including an upcoming higher-performance Surface tablet -- are powered by Intel chips and can run the millions of older Windows programs already out there.

"Compatibility is a huge, huge issue," said Bob O'Donnell, an analyst at … Read more

New Microsoft Surface ad: No dancing, but still clicking

I know that many have barely ceased to practice their formation routines, after the release of Microsoft's first Surface ad.

"Should we crunk with it or tango?" is a very reasonable question after this foray into Gleeful territory.

However, today Microsoft has posted another, more stationary ad to its YouTube page, so that you can become more intimate with its great multi-colored hope.

"Welcome to Surface," it begins. "Surface is yours."

Perhaps it will be. It will be hard to choose a color that will match my prison uniform, but I will work … Read more