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Bloomberg: Microsoft Surface Tablets Will Debut as Wi-Fi Only

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One of the things Microsoft didn’t talk about in its recent unveiling of its Surface Tablets for Windows RT and Window 8 was connectivity beyond Wi-Fi. No mention of 4G, no mention of 3G, no mention of any G’s whatsoever. Quite a few folks have been wondering about that issue with this new foray by Microsoft into building its own mobile gadgets.

Well, we still don’t know for sure, but Bloomberg is reporting that the new Tablets will debut as Wi-Fi only units when they first roll out. Microsoft isn’t commenting on the story but the usual “people familiar with the matter” are telling Bloomberg this is the case.

Microsoft wouldn’t be the first Tablet maker to release a Wi-Fi only version first so there’s no news there if the Bloomberg story is true. That said I think the expectation with these devices is that they will have some sort of mobile coverage in addition to Wi-Fi. Although I’m sure there are quite a few Wi-Fi only Tablets sold and we still seem to be in a world where it is acceptable to charge a higher price for mobile connectivity as an option.

What do you think? If you’re interested in a Surface Tablet does having a 4G connectivity option or not affect your thinking? Let us know.

9 Comments

9 Comments

  1. ChrisRS

    06/21/2012 at 7:26 pm

    WiFi only would be my preference. I’ll go the mifi route with my preferred carrier. It is unlikely that MS would relase versions for each carrier.

  2. Randy

    06/21/2012 at 8:00 pm

    I have to echo Chris and add that I think that in the future your phonw will be your router.

  3. Michael

    06/21/2012 at 8:24 pm

    I have to echo both these guys, I feel like more and more we’ll be seeing it as the norm that people get connectivity for their additional devices, from a phone or from a MiFi (MiFi in my case).

  4. Somename

    06/21/2012 at 11:37 pm

    1) Modular WAN slot or
    2) Software radio

    Accompanied by a Bluetooth earset slot with magnetic retention so we can all throw away those stupid little telephones.

  5. Erich

    06/22/2012 at 9:41 am

    G ? I also agree, MiFi or the phone is the way to go it seems.
    By the way, my wife told me that I did not know where the G spot is.
    I was told that it can be found at the end of the word “shoppinG”

    And what about the PEN? Have not read anything about the PEN or Stylus.
    Either Wacom or N-Trig? Is there any pen? I seem to remember that back in early 2000,
    (2001?) Bill Gates showed a tablet with a PEN and said that, the PEN/Tablet,
    was the future. What has happened?
    Not too long ago I installed Win 8 in my new Samsung 7 (Intel i5, 4GB RAM, 64 GB SSD)
    and took it out in less than two weeks. The pen did not work like Win XP or Win 7,
    or did not work at all. And that Metro stupf? Was not impressed at all! Just a bunch of squares,
    or rectangles that when activated takes you to standard old Windows. I don’t get it.

  6. dstrauss

    06/22/2012 at 1:58 pm

    1. Agree with using a smartphone hotspot – no need for separate 3G/4G.

    2. Pen – likely Wacom based on the nib and eraser in the video – heaven help them if it is N-Trig. That will doom it.

    3. Win 8 on Samsung S7s (same configuration but 128GB SSD) – pen is working fine; much snappier; great multi-screen support; Metro – can take it or leave it, but works well (launcher on steroids), particularly with other Metro full screen Apps. Love the active tiles – far superior to any other notification on iOS or Android.

    • Erich

      06/22/2012 at 4:43 pm

      Interesting, no problems with the pen in Win8. I could not use it properly. It must have been me then.
      I like the pen with Win7 much better than Win XP. Have been using Toshiba M205 since 2004.

      By the way I have also an HP Slate 500 with N-Trig.

      1-Don’t like how noisy N-Trig pen as compared with the no noise, smooth Wacom pen. Problen with the HP 500 is the 600 pixels vertically. Really?

      2-I like the Pen Priority mode, where as soon as the pen is detected, the Touch is disconnected, BUT can be activated by double tap with finger and remains in touch mode until the screen detects the pen again. Neat.
      I wish Wacom had this feature. If they do I would like to know how to set it up.

  7. Roger J

    06/23/2012 at 7:17 am

    I travel to many different countries, so wifi only is ok, I assume I can use a USB modem on the Surface for those places where I need 3G broadband, like now in Zanzibar.

  8. Mike

    10/20/2012 at 6:53 am

    The fact that they will not have 4G is the single reason that I will not buy them. We are contractors and spend all day on the road. Cellular connectivity is a must. This is very disappointing. I have been waiting for something worthy of replacing our iPads which make dealing with Google Drive difficult and, in some ways, impossible..

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