Michael Linenberger's Blog

December 4, 2012

For the last four or five weeks in this blog and in my newsletters I have a put a lot of attention on the new Windows tablet releases, and their big impact on the MYN/1MTD systems—and I’ve focused on their impact on mobile productivity strategies in general. I hope those articles have been helpful.

As a result, though, I received a number of comments asking me why I was not putting as much attention on the Macintosh or iOS devices.

Well, in the past I have covered those devices, especially as new products came out that impacted usage of the MYN/1MTD system in a big way.

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November 30, 2012

As you may know, I am monitoring the release of the Microsoft Surface Pro tablet, due out in January. That’s mainly because it can run a full client copy of Outlook, which is key to the MYN/1MTD productivity solution. Keeping your task list at hand and well linked to your e-mail is core to the MYN/1MTD systems, so anything that makes that easier—like a new lightweight tablet with Outlook—is important.

The latest news on that is the pricing. Pricing was just announced at $899 with 64GB and $999 with 128GB. As expected by many, it is about the same price as a low-end Ultrabook.

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November 22, 2012

In my blog two days ago I mentioned that no lightweight Windows 8 Pro tablets were shipping yet, or at least none were really in stock.  Well, there are two models that you might be able to find right now, and they both hold position number six in the Windows 8 chart in my blog (a Core i5 processor).  Both are about 2 pounds, so in my mind both are true tablets.  But neither really competes with the upcoming Microsoft Windows 8 Surface Pro device (due to the keyboards), so you may want to hold off.  But if you need something now, here are your choices (with links into Amazon):

Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro 700T

This device weighs 1.9 pounds and gets good reviews for computer capability and battery life.  But it gets terrible reviews for it’s snap-on keyboard, and that’s why I would wait.  Microsoft’s snap-on keyboard is fantastic.

Acer Iconia W700-6691 11.6-Inch 64 GB Tablet (Silver)

This uses an i5 processor as well and weighs 2.1 pounds. Good reviews on Amazon and “in-stock.” But its Bluetooth keyboard still doesn’t match the convenience of the Microsoft keyboard. But that’s just me, you may be okay with it.

Michael

November 20, 2012

Windows 8 raises a number of questions about what next PC computer to buy—choices are a lot more complex than before since there are so many different types: various tablets, laptops, Ultrabooks, all-in-ones, (and hybrids across these types). And the old pros and cons for each of these have now completely changed from years past.

To think this through, I’ve narrowed the choices down to 6 types that each represent a specific niche of usage. I’ve summarized them in 6 numbered orange rectangles in the chart below. I hope this chart, and the recommendations in the article below it, will help you make up your mind on how to buy a Windows 8 computer in the months ahead.

Happy shopping!

Choose the Form Factor First

With Windows 8’s new touch capability, you need to understand how you’ll be working on the computer. March down the chart and corresponding numbered article sections below to pick your from factor first, then do your own research on various brands. I am not mentioning many specific brands or models in each section since that list is changing so fast, but I have links to many.

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November 16, 2012

It’s interesting to note how many small-format Windows 8 Pro tablets have slipped their availability dates. For example the Lenovo ThinkPad 2, a compelling unit due to it’s very small size and light  weight (1.5 pounds), has slipped twice now. Originally all articles said it would be available October 26, then their website said November 16, and today (November 16) their website just says “coming soon.”

Rumors have it that the Microsoft Surface Pro will also be delayed past January. Those articles speculated that battery life has been the issue, and that makers are scrambling to get lower power chips in place.

Maybe a full-powered Windows machine the size of an iPad is not so easy to make after all? Hopefully they’ll all pull it off.

Michael

November 15, 2012

Continuing with my posts about computer hardware, I want to briefly mention Ultrabooks. In my last post I stated the ideal computer setup is really two computers; an Ultrabook and a Windows 8 Surface-like tablet. I also said the Ultrabook could be either Windows 7 or 8.

It is interesting to note that as of today, well past the Windows 8 launch, PC Magazine lists only one Windows 8 Ultrabook model in their “Top 10 Ultrabooks” listing—the other nine are Windows 7. I personally think Windows 8 really shines when used with touch, and perhaps its advantages are not so apparent without touch. In fact, some reviewers say Windows 8 is a bit clumsy in a mouse- and keyboard- only format. I guess my point is, since Windows 7 is currently your main choice on the Ultrabook line, it is certainly good enough.

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November 11, 2012

One thing is becoming clear to me as I use the Windows 8 tablet part of the day: I am going to be living in a two device world for a while—I’ll be using both a “full sized” Windows machine, and a small Windows 8 tablet. No matter what tablet brand or model I buy, I think that using two devices is inevitable for some time to come.

Hybrids Are Too Heavy

I know a lot of us hoped that with Windows 8 we’d merge a tablet and PC into one hybrid device. And while that is happening to some extent, for me it is clear I’ll still need two machines. Why?

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November 12, 2012

As I was studying my Surface RT tablet this past week I couldn’t have learned it all without using the following book: Windows 8 Secrets by Paul Thurrott. So I feel I need to give some credit where credit is due.

Normally I’d get one of the Missing Manuals book by David Pogue, but the Windows 8 book in that series is not coming out till December 22, and I couldn’t wait. And, this Windows 8 Secrets book is really good — I may be buying from this series from now on.

Why do I like it so much? The main reason is that in writing the book, Paul made a decision I agree with: don’t cover any Windows 7 material that we probably all know anyway—instead just show the new stuff that is coming with Windows 8. Most authors update their previous OS books and include all the previous features, and so it’s often hard to find the real juice of the new product. I am so glad Paul opted for just highlighting the differences; it works brilliantly. It also makes the book a lot shorter. And Paul has been a respected Windows insider/writer/blogger for a long time—the quality of the material seems very high (I don’t know Paul personally—this review is totally unbiased).

By the way, Paul also does a fairly good job of highlighting how given features vary depending on whether you are using the touchscreen or a keyboard/mouse, and that’s important in Windows 8.

Finally, let me say this. As I’ve mentioned earlier, unlike the iPad, these Windows 8 tablets have a lot of power under the covers that will not be obvious unless you learn it somehow—I think you do need a book (or a knowledgeable buddy). This book is probably your best bet right now.

Michael

November 12, 2012

Okay, I am well past a week of use with the Surface RT and Windows 8, and here are some more thoughts.

• I like the Surface RT much better than my iPad. As I said in my previous post, I’ve stored the iPad away and now carry the Surface RT in my briefcase (along with my Ultrabook laptop). The two together weigh far less than a single older laptop.
• I love the keyboard cover… the keyboard is always there when I need it, and I do switch back and forth between using it like a laptop and then folding it back and using the tablet as a tablet—even in the middle of writing one article. You may know there are two versions of this and I settled on the Type version (see earlier post on differences between the two kinds of keyboard covers and why I landed on Type).
• Minor point: I just discovered that the Windows Logo at the bottom of the tablet screen is a button. Tapping it takes you right to the Start Screen (where you find all your apps). Sort of similar to the home button on the iPad.

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November 11, 2012

You may know that there are two Surface keyboard/covers available. One is called the Touch, and the other is called the Type. I’ve used both and I’ve cut over completely to the Type. Here’s why.

First, let me list the similarities. Both are quite thin and make a nice cover for the Surface. Both have a very nicely designed magnetic connection mechanism that allows you to quickly snap it on and pull it off. Both have a felt- or fleece- like texture on the outer side that helps prevent the unit from sliding when attached. Both are quite lightweight. In the picture below the Touch is on the left and the Type is on the right.

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