MS could have at least beaten Apple on RAM and SSD specs, where Apple charges $200 extra for $20 worth of hardware… but they didn't.
HW+SW integration is Apple’s whole schtick. I can just put an iPad next to my Macbook and it turns into a secondary display.
2. The surface tablet was to promote the "converged" windows 8 experience since traditional Windows laptop manufacturers were more interested in pursuing android tablets at that time.
3. To have a test bed to try out ideas that may not take off enough that other manufacturers won't try them (S mode, etc.)
These are mostly the reasons it felt they got into the market, and everything since has just felt like a business unit producing new stuff because it already exists so people are going to do what they're employed to do, rather than a big strategic play. It makes about $2 billion, and is presumably profitable if it's been left just continue for so long, even if it's not particularly exciting these days.
That's the whole reason this thing exists
Either Microsoft is completely incompetent in its supply chain management since a comparable Asus, HP, Dell laptop is at most 1/2 price for similar specs. Or grossly overpricing the design. Heck even the reviewer mentioned a $300 Gateway laptop surpassing this easily.
No wonder Panos Panay jumped ship. Uncertain whether he signed off on one this willingly or forced to.
What ringing praise. Yikes, this review is worse than if they had just said "I hate this thing and it has no redeeming qualities".
