Can Microsoft Surface, Best Buy Save Each Other? - InformationWeek

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Comments
Can Microsoft Surface, Best Buy Save Each Other?
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melgross
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50%
melgross,
 User Rank: Ninja
12/17/2012 | 4:16:54 PM
re: Can Microsoft Surface, Best Buy Save Each Other?
The case isn't made out of a cutting edge alloy. It's made of injection molded magnesium. There's nothing new about that. The finish is what's different. No better or worse than the anodized aluminum alloy Apple uses.

As far as the lack of outlets goes, that's just nonsense. If Apple can sell over a million iPad Mini's from their web site in presales, and they can sell several million over the weekend alone of a new iPad, much from their web site, so can Microsoft, if they have a desirable product. So they certainly should be able to sell several million during the holiday quarter.

If they are struggling to sell these, perhaps it's because people simply aren't interested. Their silly Ads don't help. All they seem to be interested in showing are people dancing around, clicking on the cover/keyboards. There's no more than a couple of seconds of people actually using them. And people buy tablets so that they DON'T have to have a keyboard. These Ads make it pretty clear that Microsoft expects that you WILL need a keyboard. Exactly the opposite of what people want.

But then, Microsoft doesn't understand people's needs and wants. We saw that clearly with their Win Phone Ads, where they explained that people spent too much time on their smartphones, and that with theirs, you would take it out and put it right away. But people LIKE using their smartphones, so those Ads bewildered people, and turned them off.

They're doing the same thing here.
melgross
50%
50%
melgross,
 User Rank: Ninja
12/17/2012 | 4:15:18 PM
re: Can Microsoft Surface, Best Buy Save Each Other?
Both are made out of metal. Both get cold if the air temp is lower. No difference there.

It is heavier though.
EVVJSK
50%
50%
EVVJSK,
 User Rank: Apprentice
12/17/2012 | 3:07:25 PM
re: Can Microsoft Surface, Best Buy Save Each Other?
Brick and Mortar is going to continue to have trouble because it has a tendency to add significant cost to the devices (in many cases without adding significant value for many). If Best Buy is aggressive on pricing (can't start out selling devices at SRP and expect to get much market share with an unproven product like Surface. If they price them to sell, they may make some money on accessories, value add, etc...). I also think Surface Pro is possibly where Best Buy may make some strides, but also only if they aggressively price.
One final note, I am accessing the site with an Android ICS tablet and it is MUCH slower than other IT sites with respect to loading, responsiveness, etc... Maybe you need to review how much content you are pushing to devices (not really interested in the mobile sites as they usually end up limiting interactivity too much).
VasyaPupkinsan
50%
50%
VasyaPupkinsan,
 User Rank: Apprentice
12/15/2012 | 7:41:45 PM
re: Can Microsoft Surface, Best Buy Save Each Other?
PC sales are hurt not by business presence. They are hurt by crappy products.
VasyaPupkinsan
50%
50%
VasyaPupkinsan,
 User Rank: Apprentice
12/15/2012 | 7:40:08 PM
re: Can Microsoft Surface, Best Buy Save Each Other?
buy a case with keyboard for iPad, a much more usable combination than that fugly touch cover for sure-feces.
newyorkcitymale
50%
50%
newyorkcitymale,
 User Rank: Apprentice
12/15/2012 | 6:28:02 PM
re: Can Microsoft Surface, Best Buy Save Each Other?
I own one and I don't find it slow or buggy. And, as far as looks go, I think it's the best looking tablet on the market (and that includes the iPad). But aesthetics are just a matter of personal taste. I prefer dark electronics. I also like how the Surface feels in my hands. It feels solid, but not heavy. The iPad feels fragile in my opinion... and kind of cold (maybe because it's made of aluminum).

Either way, for a first gen product, I think Microsoft scores an A.
newyorkcitymale
50%
50%
newyorkcitymale,
 User Rank: Apprentice
12/15/2012 | 6:20:56 PM
re: Can Microsoft Surface, Best Buy Save Each Other?
Maybe Microsoft got into the brick and mortar business because they're concerned that Best Buy might go under. Something like that could really hurt PC sales.
JPolk
50%
50%
JPolk,
 User Rank: Apprentice
12/15/2012 | 6:01:55 PM
re: Can Microsoft Surface, Best Buy Save Each Other?
I hear a lot of pundits talking about the Surface and mostly in a positive way. However, you don't hear them talk about using it much. I managed to hear a passing comment from one who noted she just doesn't care for it. "Buggy and slow" I believe were the words she used. I kinda think her's was a moment of honesty that maybe others are just avoiding.


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