I needed a mobile computer for reading and note taking for the MBA at Berkeley and Columbia, so naturally I got the iPad. It was the only game in town really (I already had a laptop). But I worked for Microsoft and I believed in Windows 8; and had a patent or 2 in there somewhere. So when the Surface RT was announced, I pre-ordered one and landed it as soon as was humanly possible. For the first few weeks of dual ownership the iPad saw stars – I wad enamored with the new toy and scoured the app store for useful applications. But in the end, the truth will assert itself. Over the past year I have slowly settled on the iPad as my go to slate and the Surface for more Microsoft specific integrations: Skydrive photos merged into Office, into email, etc. It’s about 90/10 split in terms of time spent. This is pretty surprising because I use Windows Phone 8 exclusively and now have 3 different phones with the same software that I carry around pretty happily even while owning an iPhone 4S. That split is about 99/1 in favor of Windows Phone.
The answer actually is simple. The Surface hardware is underwhelming. It’s a tad too thick (and no I don’t mean Surface Pro, I shudder at using that one in the way I use tablets – it’s basically a very small laptop and I don’t need that) and its 11 inches and 6:9. Look folks Steve Jobs called it: the best form factor for a tablet is not 9:6 its 4:3. And for you video purists out there, you can go suck it. The fact is that video use is occasional, but app use and reading is constant and 4:3 just works better – vertically using a 9:6 tablet is just…. weird. And pretty soon I’ll be moving to a mini tablet. I don’t really need a 10 inch screen if I can get a 7 incher with enough screen resolution. It’s lighter, more pocketable and provides a clearer separation of duties between my phone, tablet and laptop….until I get onto the Phablet bandwagon.
The fact is that there are many things about the iPad that infuriate the hell out of me. The quirks of software, the clumsier multitasking even with IOS 7, the lack of side loading, the walled garden nature of it, the list goes on. But none of these are enough to make me take on an 11″ screen and a 9:6 form factor. I’m what you call an easy lay – can someone just make that? A thin 4:3 windows tablet at 10 or 7 inches? How hard can it be?
It’s gratifying that Nokia seems to be listening with its Sirius tablet. Disappointing that Microsoft is not with Surface 2.
It’s not that hard folks. Figure out what people want. Give it to them.
