Microsoft Surface RT Price Drop ($349)

[Eric_Boyer]

No doubt. Apple's showing signs of finally getting it though. On a side note, we're in the process of moving many of our SQL Server databases to Oracle and MySQL because of the instability with Windows systems.

mySQl is far less stable then MS SQL

 

[Rockport]

mySQl is far less stable then MS SQL

Not true. MySQL on Linux is rock solid. We've got over 30 production implementations. Used for what it's designed for, it's a great solution.

 

[Eric_Boyer]

Not true. MySQL on Linux is rock solid. We've got over 30 production implementations. Used for what it's designed for, it's a great solution.

it's a great free database platform, but it is not as good a product as MS SQL.

 

[Rockport]

it's a great free database platform, but it is not as good a product as MS SQL.

You're correct in regards to database functionality. I'm talking about the stability. SQL Server ONLY runs on Windows. Much less stable than Linux, AIX or Z/OS.

 

[Eric_Boyer]

You're correct in regards to database functionality. I'm talking about the stability. SQL Server ONLY runs on Windows. Much less stable than Linux, AIX or Z/OS.

you are talking apples and oranges.

database corruption, locks, transactional integrity are all better in ms SQL.

running ms sql on a windows 7 or equivalent is not going to be as good as on a stable linux box, but I trust sql 2008 r2 on a windows server over mySQL on anything linux.

 

[Rockport]

you are talking apples and oranges.

database corruption, locks, transactional integrity are all better in ms SQL.

running ms sql on a windows 7 or equivalent is not going to be as good as on a stable linux box, but I trust sql 2008 r2 on a windows server over mySQL on anything linux.

As I said earlier, used for what it's designed for MySQL on Linux is rock solid. Those database that need more than what MySQL offers we're porting to Oracle on Linux. The business got tired of the many outages we've had with SQL Server and demanded a better solution. If you think SQL Server (I don't care what version) is more stable than Oracle on Linux, you're sorely mistaken.

 

[Eric_Boyer]

As I said earlier, used for what it's designed for MySQL on Linux is rock solid. Those database that need more than what MySQL offers we're porting to Oracle on Linux. The business got tired of the many outages we've had with SQL Server and demanded a better solution. If you think SQL Server (I don't care what version) is more stable than Oracle on Linux, you're sorely mistaken.

we have made a pretty good business rescuing companies that had script kiddies stick them with MySQL solutions to save a few bucks.

 

[Rockport]

we have made a pretty good business rescuing companies that had script kiddies stick them with MySQL solutions to save a few bucks.

Good for you. There are a lot of unqualified IT professionals out there.

 

[NorthTexan95]

I don't know any of my IT friends who is using Windows 8 in the enterprise (other than a tablet or phone). Microsoft seems to get every other right so I'm waiting for Windows 9. I also know some IT folks who love their Windows 8 phones.

There's a good reason why the guy who was the head of Windows 8 development got canned.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

I'm choosing between the new Nexus and the Surface. I like the fact that Microsoft Office is integrated.

 

[Rack]

A buddy of mine has a MS Surface, and it's just as good as an iPad (I have an iPad).

 

[iceberg]

I'm choosing between the new Nexus and the Surface. I like the fact that Microsoft Office is integrated.

what features does office give you, a standard word processor doesn't?

the ipad - and i got a 1st gen recently and the bugger won't recharge. it also won't let me do more than put an icon on the desktop. even windows had some "live tiles".

right now i have to say - i hate them all. none of them do what is best for me but android seems to get the closest. then they push their core goal on me - advertising.

i click on a video and see a commercial i leave it. since i know anything google related will need a "hit" or something to sell, i hate them.

i hate MS cause ... well ... they were the last to innovate or understand "what is next" - and they got lost.

i hate apple cause they're apple. my ipad won't recharge and the '64 rambler was less clunky in it's interface.

 

[Rack]

what features does office give you, a standard word processor doesn't?

the ipad - and i got a 1st gen recently and the bugger won't recharge. it also won't let me do more than put an icon on the desktop. even windows had some "live tiles".

right now i have to say - i hate them all. none of them do what is best for me but android seems to get the closest. then they push their core goal on me - advertising.

i click on a video and see a commercial i leave it. since i know anything google related will need a "hit" or something to sell, i hate them.

i hate MS cause ... well ... they were the last to innovate or understand "what is next" - and they got lost.

i hate apple cause they're apple. my ipad won't recharge and the '64 rambler was less clunky in it's interface.

You're getting MS Office mixed up with MS Word. Office Offers A LOT more then a "Standard word processor". (PPT, Word, Excel, Outlook, etc...)

I also have a first gen iPad (was given to me by my mother-in-law). I like it, but I mainly just use it to read books.

 

[iceberg]

i did phrase that incorrectly. i worked for MS for 20 years, so i do know the difference. what i really mean is - what features from office would you use that are not in a standard word processor? if you do a lot of business presentations i can see where having the full package on there would be great, but you're actually getting MS Office Home & Student, so no outlook. just word, excel and ppt. granted that's not bad since it's $130 or so to buy and the asus 64 gig unit is $399. given the lackluster sales of the surface, i can see them adding this on just to try and get more sales, but they're losing money on the surface overall. giving away office 13 isn't going to help it "make money" but perhaps just sell the units it already has on hand.

i'm sending the ipad back. while i hate the ads google forces on you, i find the 'droid to be more functional. i like being able to put widgets on the screen to get instant access to a player, the weather and so forth. not found a way to do much with the ipad but watch it drain energy. then again, my nexus 7 i didn't use for awhile, so it drained energy cause i didn't put it on a charger and now it refuses to recharge or come up with more than a quick flashing screen. sigh.

what it all comes down to is preference. some people treat OS's like religion and i just say use whatever works for what you want to do. it is interesting to read what others do with the various models out there. the tablets are fine but i just can't picture them taking the PC out forever. i'd NEVER want to do heavy typing on one - say write a novel or heavy excel functions, but eventually i can see it going into a docking station that gives you the tablet screen, your monitor and full keyboard. in that sense, yea, the clunky PC is going bye bye.

 

[Rogah]

A huge price drop has brought Microsoft's Surface RT down to $349 from it's previous price point of $499.. Anyone else thinking of getting one, does anyone have one and may let me know how you like it?

I just bought one yesterday and here's my review:

First of all, let me state that when it comes to phones I am 100% an Apple guy. I want my portable music device to have all those songs on my iTunes account. I have an iPad (I have 2, actually) and while I think they are fun, they aren't really anything all that special to me. I was going to get the $449 Surface RT package which comes with the touch keypad, but instead I got the $349 RT and then also the $129 keyboard keypad separately which, to me, is well worth the extra $29 - and just let me say that you will really need one of those keypads.... when I first opened the RT and started playing around, before I attached the keypad, it was an infuriating interface. But once I attached the keypad and also my wireless mouse, it made for a very convenient interface.

Now the fact is that I bought the cheapest Surface, so I have 32 GB of memory and it is certainly not the fastest tablet on the market, but I love the fact that it comes with Word, Excel and Powerpoint already installed (which is something you do NOT get with the more expensive Surface Pro). I have already started doing work on my Surface with my spreadsheets.

I'm and Internet Explorer guy so obviously that works well for me with the Surface, but it you are a Safari or Firefox person, you may be a bit disappointed.

Overall, it was well worth the $500 and I anticipate I will be using this far more often than my iPad. When I am travelling I anticipate I will be bringing my phone for my music but the Surface for actual work and web surfing and, finally, will be able to leave the computer at home.[/quote]

 

[Cowboy Brian]

I just bought one yesterday and here's my review:

First of all, let me state that when it comes to phones I am 100% an Apple guy. I want my portable music device to have all those songs on my iTunes account. I have an iPad (I have 2, actually) and while I think they are fun, they aren't really anything all that special to me. I was going to get the $449 Surface RT package which comes with the touch keypad, but instead I got the $349 RT and then also the $129 keyboard keypad separately which, to me, is well worth the extra $29 - and just let me say that you will really need one of those keypads.... when I first opened the RT and started playing around, before I attached the keypad, it was an infuriating interface. But once I attached the keypad and also my wireless mouse, it made for a very convenient interface.

Now the fact is that I bought the cheapest Surface, so I have 32 GB of memory and it is certainly not the fastest tablet on the market, but I love the fact that it comes with Word, Excel and Powerpoint already installed (which is something you do NOT get with the more expensive Surface Pro). I have already started doing work on my Surface with my spreadsheets.

I'm and Internet Explorer guy so obviously that works well for me with the Surface, but it you are a Safari or Firefox person, you may be a bit disappointed.

Overall, it was well worth the $500 and I anticipate I will be using this far more often than my iPad. When I am travelling I anticipate I will be bringing my phone for my music but the Surface for actual work and web surfing and, finally, will be able to leave the computer at home.

[/quote]

Thank you mate - do you believe it would suffice for bringing to class as opposed to a laptop? Is the PowerPoint/Excel 100% functional or are some features difficult to use?

The Microsoft Office Suite is definitely making me lean towards the Surface. I also do like it's design more

 

[Rockport]

A great alternative to MS Office is Open Office. It has more than enough functionality for home use. Comes with a word processor, spreadsheet, database, presentation. The best part about it is that it's open source so it's free.

 

[Rogah]

Thank you mate - do you believe it would suffice for bringing to class as opposed to a laptop? Is the PowerPoint/Excel 100% functional or are some features difficult to use?

I remember reading somewhere that macros will not function on the RT, but I have been having full usage of Excel and PPT for the things I need to do.

The Microsoft Office Suite is definitely making me lean towards the Surface. I also do like it's design more

That was the reason I made the decision I did. Plus, the interface is far easier than the iPad - BUT that's assuming you have a desk or a table to put the Surface down on so you can use the flip-keyboard. Plus, as I mentioned above, I also attached my wireless mouse.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

I remember reading somewhere that macros will not function on the RT, but I have been having full usage of Excel and PPT for the things I need to do.
That was the reason I made the decision I did. Plus, the interface is far easier than the iPad - BUT that's assuming you have a desk or a table to put the Surface down on so you can use the flip-keyboard. Plus, as I mentioned above, I also attached my wireless mouse.

Sounds good enough for me. I'll probably pick one up, the $499 price point ($629 after the keyboard) was a little high but I feel the $349 is perfect. I know a few people that have gotten/are considering getting one. The next quarter filing for Microsoft will probably look pretty good given the spike they're experiencing in sales of the Surface - Walmart.com sold out of Surface's a few days after the price drop.

 

[iceberg]

A great alternative to MS Office is Open Office. It has more than enough functionality for home use. Comes with a word processor, spreadsheet, database, presentation. The best part about it is that it's open source so it's free.

you seem to hate MS more than me and i got fired after being there 20 years.

it's not about me, it's about giving people the advice to get done what they want done.