Microsoft's Surface Book is Exciting →

Tablet mode becomes possible because the battery and Intel Core processor are built into the screen half of the hybrid laptop, while that high-powered GPU is in the keyboard base. The idea is that you’d use the device in laptop mode, while connected to that graphics processor, when playing games, editing video, or typing. When you want to use it as a less-powerful clipboard-size tablet, it detaches from that GPU-packed base for lighter tasks. You can also re-attach the top half of the device display-side up for “draw mode,” which gives you access to that GPU and screen at the same time, albeit with a little more bulk.

That's one way to upend the new iPad Pro's graphics (or lack there of) capabilities. It's interesting to see the benchmarks coming out in November and December. Where's my Skylake enabled Retina MacBook Pro Apple?

Now's your chance to grab an Xbox One & Titanfall for $449

Since Walmart just launched a $50 discount on the Xbox One, I'm sure you can run to Best Buy or your other favorite retailer and pick up the new Xbox One Titanfall bundle for a $449 price match. That's not only $50 off the console but also another savings on the game which adds another $59.99! I've been tempted for over a week since Titanfall came out but now I'm even more excited to go out and grab the console especially since I sold my Xbox 360 Kinect 250GB bundle for $200!

One of the major setbacks though was clearly stated and summarized by Forbes' Paul Tassi:

Trying to control the interface with gestures is like playing patty cake with an octopus, and constantly ends in frustration. What should be the most intuitive way to use the system barely works because despite all the promises, we’re a long way from Minority Report yet.

Microsoft's 2nd Try with the Surface Pro 2

As much as I wanted to like Microsoft's latest Surface Pro 2, the price doesn't justify it's target utility. At $999 for the 128GB model, Apple's MacBook Air is the better laptop and the cheaper iPads or even Android tablets are the better tablet especially when it comes to using many of the apps we are already familiar with. I'm glad to see the upgrade and refinement but I'll be waiting for its next iteration. Until then.

Until then, the Surface Pro 2 is a great machine if you can deal with some of the compromises. If you can't, there are plenty of great tablets, and plenty of great laptops.

via The Verge

A Daunting Task for the Would Be Microsoft CEO

It's Monday and with that, we have an awesome read by Mr. Jean-Louis Gassée on his Monday Note depicting the reality that faces Microsoft's new CEO.

To put it even more succinctly: the iPhone did it.

He also lists a few important bullet points for the next CEO. I'm excited to see where the future lies. I still remember waiting in line for Windows 95!

via Monday Note

Forcing Technology on Pilots

A company looking for a "good" deal implements a technology that's unproven and has been lacking in support. I wonder how much money is really involved in this deal. I know that the pilots aren't too thrilled that the company wants to reinvent the wheel.

"In less than two years, Delta cockpits will be paperless as we roll-out the Microsoft Surface 2 tablet running Windows 8.1 RT as our company-issued device," the airline alerted its employees recently. "The 757/767 fleet will be the first to make the transition with the 777, 747 and MD88 as fast followers. Look for an announcement from Delta and Microsoft in the coming days about our partnership on the initiative."

via Windows IT Pro

Surface Pro 2 or Retina MacBook Pro 15"

Microsoft can't be serious, right?

Therefore, to pick up the flagship Surface Pro 2 SKU, along with the hardware that Microsoft is building for the extension of its use inside the corporate realm, you will spend three dollars under the $2,200 mark. That’s a high price.

via TechCrunch

Also Updated in Tech

Amazon updated their line of Kindles, Microsoft launched their new Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 line and Sony released new Walkmans. (wait... people still use Walkmans?) My takes:

Amazon Kindle:

They are all beautiful devices especially at the new entry-level price of $139 for the Kindle Fire HD.  Unfortunately, I still love reading on the Kindle Paperwhite but for only and additional $20, it's tempting especially to those that are without a tablet and are love the Amazon ecosystem.

At $229, the brand new 7" Kindle FIre HDX is directly competing with Google's Nexus 7.  The screen is rated at an amazing 323 ppi! Once again, if Amazon is your jam, this might be the goto tablet but if you find yourself wanting to directly interact more with the Android system, then the 2013 Nexus 7 is still the best bet.

Microsoft Surface 2:

I want to like them.  I was really impressed with the build quality of the Surface Rt & Pro Gen 1 but as with Gen 2, I still find them too expensive when coupled with a keyboard.  The touchscreen is nice and Microsoft is making leaps and bounds in advancing the Windows 8 system and ecosystem.  I'm still confused on its identity especially with the fact that the pricing model on the Surface Pro 2 brings it inline with the MacBook Air.

The bump in resolution is much welcomed.  The two position kickstand and longer battery life is also a plus.

I have no idea why the new commercials are comparing the Surface RT to an iPad.  They are different tablets for different users.  And I still hate RT.  I mean I guess iOS is a trimmed down OS X but it's not necessarily a bastardised version. If they included Windows 8.1 throughout the lineup, I think it'd help their fragmentation issues.  Because of that, I'm all for the Pro model but then again, the increase in price negates it's as an option.  $899???

Sony

I'm always curious on to who uses Walkmans, but if you want Hi-Res music playback, then I guess Sony is a pretty good bet. At $760, that's a little steep. I'm too lazy right now and don't think this will really interest most of you so I'll just link directly to Engadget's write-up here.

Shift in Computing

Bob O'Donnell, IDC Program Vice President, on the IDC Quarterly report.

"At this point, unfortunately, it seems clear that the Windows 8 launch not only failed to provide a positive boost to the PC market, but appears to have slowed the market..."

It's a bad time to be a vendor of PCs or Windows 8 for that matter.

IDC PC Shipments Steepest Decline

Cluster, meet double fu*k

A great summary by MG Siegler on Microsoft's "new" Surface.

But hey, at least Surface for Windows 8 Pro comes with a pen. To quote a guy I once met, “If you see a stylus, they blew it.”

via Massive Greatness