Microsoft Surface: Five ways it beats the iPad
It’s official: Microsoft Surface is coming next week. The Windows 8 powered tablet is available for pre-order now, priced up at £399 in the UK – exactly the same as the new, third-gen iPad.
Apple didn’t take long to play its trump card, sending out invites to the iPad Mini launch event within the hour of Microsoft’s news. But Microsoft’s Windows tablet could still stand out from the crowd: here are five reasons why the Microsoft Surface could finally be the slate to go toe to toe with Apple’s.
A better magnet cover
Apple’s magnetic smart cover for the iPad is pretty smart, flicking on the screen as soon as you peel it back. But it doesn’t have a full size QWERTY keyboard built in like the Microsoft Surface’s does. The touch sensitive model is just 3mm thin, while a version with a tactile keyboard is only 6mm deep, so it won’t add much weight or volume to your bag.
A USB port
Although the Microsoft Surface is pretty slim at just 9.4mm deep, it’s still tall enough to squeeze in a full size USB port. That means you can shove in a hard drive or flash memory stick, or even use USB accessories like a keyboard. That’s a lot more convenient than the situation with Apple and its iOS line up: the current iPad accepts accessories that use its 30-pin dock, but you can almost certainly expect the iPad Mini and future iPads to use the smaller Lightning port – which has very few accessories right now.
Check out the Microsoft Surface in action now
Run your own apps
While the version of the Microsoft Surface going on sale next week will only run apps downloaded from the Windows Store, an upcoming version of the Surface running on an Intel processor will run the full Windows 8 software you’ll find on laptops and desktops. And that will run any app you can download from the web, not just those Microsoft thinks are OK. There’s no such luxury in Apple’s walled garden of an app store, which is policed heavily by prudes and spoilsports.
Add your own storage
If you find yourself running out of storage space on an iPad, well, tough. You better start deleting apps because you can’t add storage: there are 16GB, 32GB and 64GB options and that’s your lot. But with the Microsoft Surface, you can just pop in a micro SD memory card: they’re widely supported, offer up to 32GB of storage and cost very little online these days. Simple.
Kickstand built in
You can use the iPad’s Smart Cover as a stand of sorts, but it’ll cost you extra, and it’s not particularly robust. The Microsoft Surface packs a stand built in, so you can pop it up and work on the go on long train commutes and plane flights.
Which are you going for, Microsoft Surface or Apple iPad Mini? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Stories like this
-
iPad Mini, the Nexus Android invasion and ultra HD tech galore: Gadget Digest
It’s hard to believe that Friday has rolled around once...
-
iPad Mini vs Google Nexus 7: Which turbo tablet wins?
The iPad Mini is here in the land of officialdom, and App...
-
Apple’s big launch: Five things you will see tomorrow, and five you won’t
Block out your calendars: Apple’s big launch event kick...
Blog posts
- Sony PS4: Super powered specs revealed!
- Hackers add keyboard skills to Sony PSP
- Samsung Galaxy S3: Android 4.2 bumper update on the way!
- Is Apple working on a MacBook with an invisible keyboard?
- Sony PS4: Five next-gen features we want to see!
- Grand Theft Auto 5 release date revealed!
- BlackBerry 10: Turbo keyboard smartphone spotted!
- Xbox SmartGlass hits iPhone: Control your Xbox with your phone!
- Microsoft Office for iPhone and Android: Three free alternatives!
- Virgin TV Anywhere: Free video streaming hits iPhone and laptops today!
About the show
Jason Bradbury
Jason has been on The Gadget Show since day one. Before he joined us, he could be seen popping up on The Big Breakfast, hosting The Web Review for ...
Pollyanna Woodward
Pollyanna has previously worked on the online tech show techworld.tv and is a geek's dream woman: gorgeous and obsessed with tech. She's also a bit...
Rachel Riley
Rachel made her television debut in 2009 when she took over from Carol Vorderman as the numbers expert on Countdown. Rachel studied maths at Oxford...
Jon Bentley
Jon Bentley returns as The Gadget Show’s chief gadget tester, completing the show’s strongest line up ever.
The Gadget Show tests the latest gadgets and technology and tells you, the viewers exactly what kit to buy. We also value your comments and feedback.
For Gadget Show website queries email the studio
For any other enquiries or complaints – email our customer services department
User comments (15)
Leave a comment
This comment has been removed.
This comment has been removed.
This comment has been removed.
Jon17 October 2012
I love the way all through this review its all about Apple and Microsoft tablets it's as if nothing else exists! True to form from the gadget show.
Report as inappropriateSarah517 October 2012
I cant wait to get my Microsoft Surface as it seems to have and do everything that I would like my iPad3 to do that it cant. Looking forward to recieving it.
Report as inappropriateSimon17 October 2012
Microsoft for me, Apple are for posers. Though I must admit I'm perfectly happy with my Nexus 7 for now so I won't be rushing to get either.
Report as inappropriateBarry 17 October 2012
Apple must be worried with the Microsoft Surface on the horizon; it is for once seeing a product in the market that will truly challenge the position, functionality and agility of the iPad. I like Apple products but typically they hold their customer base over a barrel with add-ons proving expensive to cite just one issue. With the Surface a product is coming down the line with all the bases covered. Microsoft is not always first but they always listen to the market and learn from others, then deliver something quite special. The Surface will be something quite special….and I would like one…. and I want it now!!!
Report as inappropriateAdam17 October 2012
The Surface may transpire to be a great product, but it's probably too little too late. Apple 'invented' the tablet in this form by stripping-out all of the functions not required when consuming rather than creating content and now with the iPad mini about to be launched (probably) they will dispense with the biggest barriers to, those that haven't, buying an iPad. It's great that MS are launching a product which (unusually for them) innovates, but I doubt it will be either polished or properly thought through. Adding a 6mm thick keyboard to a 9mm thick tablet makes the surface an underpowered ultra book, not a super powered tablet and a year from now we will all be posting 'whatever happened to the surface'!
Report as inappropriateElizabeth18 October 2012
I have an IPad3, have had all the iPhones and phones using Win operating systems. Yes the surface does provide USB port and possibility to add on memory, which is exactly what android tablets do. Microsoft let apple lead the way, sit back see what works and then reinvents... Would be interested to see their projected market share of tablet market 1 year after launch. It might be a great product but have they missed the boat? They did with Zune. Never got released in EMEA.
Report as inappropriateSam King19 October 2012
This has everything it needs to tempt me away from my iPad 3... except a high resolution screen. I'm a photographer, and being able to see my photos almost straight away on the iPad's beautiful screen is invaluable.
Report as inappropriatecalhoon20 October 2012
While the Surface itself looks like a decent piece of kit, you neglect to mention in your article that the keyboard/cover will cost around £100, adding a considerable amount to the price. Also give me a walled garden run by prudes and spoilsports over a malware free-for-all any day of the week.
Report as inappropriateMikeBowden26 October 2012
Windows 8 looks the business, and will be good for business, cannot wait, it will link nicely with my Desktop, Lumia and Xbox Live. I am a bit shocked though to see you are finding faults with Apple products, shocked..never thought I would see that.
Report as inappropriateThis comment is awaiting moderation.
This comment is awaiting moderation.
This comment is awaiting moderation.
Join Channel 5
Creating an account is free, will only take a few moments and will allow you to enjoy the full benefits of 5FWD and Channel 5:
Leave a comment