Comments on: Microsoft Surface gets modest Aussie markup

By: Nick

Nick — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 22:57:16 +0000

might be time to update my Snow Leopard AcerOne hackintosh.
will be waiting for a surface hackintosh

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 08:56:51 +0000

Only if it is a Surface pro. The RT will only run Metro apps

By: Zok

Zok — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 06:44:55 +0000

“…version of Microsoft Office customised for the Surgave” was meant to be “…for the Surface”, I guess. Although, even that is incorrect, in two ways — no apps will be customized for the Surface; they will be re-written for Windows 8/Windows Store (formerly known as ‘Metro’). ;)

Windows Store apps will run on any Windows 8 tablet or PC, not just Microsoft Surface.

By: Sathias

Sathias — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 05:58:15 +0000

Being able to run windows applications on a tablet gives it an instant leg up over the iPad in my opinion. Then again, I don’t have a tablet currently so I’m not locked into a particular platform yet.

By: Paul Thompson

Paul Thompson — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 02:27:20 +0000

I agree 100%. Having a desktop, tablet and mobile all working in perfect harmony? That would be bliss. The combination of Lumia 920, Surface Pro and my PC using Windows 7 seems like an ideal one to me.

I would also think that this sort of thing would have to be attractive to businesses. Once they have put down their iToys for a moment, and realised that there can be real productivity barriers when things don’t sync up nicely, then it should be a no-brainer to start using the Surface Pro and WM8 in the workplace too.

By: Jo

Jo — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 22:55:27 +0000

11.6″ is fine. Its almost the same width as the iPad but longer and its great for laptop use. Any smaller and its annoying as a laptop (thats how I feel anyway)

Ah well, I won’t be buying one until early next year anyway so lots of time to try them out and see whats best :)

By: Daniel996

Daniel996 — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 22:42:10 +0000

…which includes a version of Microsoft Office customised for the *Surgave* <- ?!?

By: James

James — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 21:25:27 +0000

> Something like this would really be able to replace both ultrabook and tablet

That Asus *is* an ultrabook. It just has a removeable screen.
Also, it’s screen sizes of 11.6″, 13″ and 14″ are too big to be useable as a tablet (in my opinion).

I agree that this would be much easier to use on your lap / without something solid to rest on, though. That’s a benefit for Ultrabooks over Surface for me, but I’m still weighing up pros and cons ;)

By: rod

rod — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 08:47:17 +0000

so long as the cash holds out

By: Brett

Brett — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 07:19:44 +0000

Just read this on twitter from @microsurface ‘Microsoft Surface RT 32GB Model Sells Out on Day One”

By: Brett

Brett — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 07:14:54 +0000

and the american pricing doens’t include their local state taxes as well. So for 2 years local warranty, its not so bad at all.

By: Chad

Chad — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 07:07:29 +0000

You’re forgetting GST. When you factor in the longer warranty, the cost to ship it out here, and the volatility of our currency, the price is fine.

By: Master T

Master T — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 07:06:04 +0000

I quickly scrambled through price this morning. Average cost of shipping here would be around $60 bucks (incl of insurance).

I dont trust customs so insurance is a must – other things I’ve bought overseas that are the latest and greatest and had shipped here or brought through customs were opened, checked and in two cases; used. I’ve even got one photo of the chap that used my Galaxy Tab 10.1 when it launched. Taken via the front camera’s security I set up.

The $60 bucks difference would put it in pretty close proximity of price to the US.

By: Stephen H

Stephen H — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 06:31:08 +0000

Still not impressed with that mark-up.

Based on today’s exchange rate of $1.0313 USD to $1.00 AUD, the direct price conversion would be AU$483.86. Australians are being charged a total of AU$559, or US$576.50, a markup of US$77.50 or 15.5%.

My sister is in the US on release date and will hopefully be able to grab me one.

By: jo

jo — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 05:32:12 +0000

Personally I don’t see the point of the Surface Pro and in fact the surface design when used as a laptop. You have to use it on a flat surface. Its pretty awesome looking and designed really well but for me I’ll stick to one of the tablets that come with a dock.

I’m pretty much set on getting an ASUS tablet with x86 processor and keyboard dock. Something like this would really be able to replace both ultrabook and tablet: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/04/asus-transformer-book/ if only they would release one.

By: jo

jo — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 05:14:55 +0000

Yep :)

As it should be, after all we are paying a premium as we do with the iPad.

By: Brett

Brett — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 04:56:55 +0000

I’m pretty sure us Aussies get 2 years warranty compared to United States’ one as well

By: Master T

Master T — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 04:48:04 +0000

I agree, totally waiting for the Pro.

Any excuse to toss my Ultrabook, the better.

As much as I love Samsung’s Series 9, its a pain in the ass. I’d rather have the surface which is modestly more compact, works perfectly with my Lumia 920 and will sync seamlessly with my PC.

Unfortunately seamless syncing is just something both Android and iOS just cant do as well as Windows.

Call me a fanboi or whatever but I’m really warming to the idea of WP8 + Windows8 over Android on my S3.

By: James

James — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 04:39:25 +0000

Wasn’t meant to be a reply..
:P

By: James

James — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 04:38:15 +0000

Waiting for the Pro version before I make the ‘Surface or Ultrabook?’ decision, but I’ll be going into JB (or wherever) to try it out as soon as I can.