[moskie]

I don't get the general perspective that the concept of what the Surface Pro is trying to be is a pointless/undesirable thing.

Now, I totally understand the Surface Pro and Windows 8 might not be a _good_ solution to a problem... but there is a problem. And that problem is that I have too many devices. I have a tablet. I have a laptop. And I have a desktop. They all serve their function well, but I do imagine that in the future all of these devices will be combined into one. I believe that's inevitable. The Surface Pro is trying to be this solution (again, whether it's a successful solution is TBD). A device with no keyboard when I want a tablet. Attach a keyboard when you need it for whatever reason when you're on the go. Throw it in a dock when you're at your desktop to get your main work done, with multiple monitors, a comfy desk and chair, etc.

To scoff at this idea as not being a valid problem to tackle, and suggest the Surface Pro has no reason to even exist, seems short-sighted to me.

[rmrfrmrf]

I disagree with your premise that 'all devices will be combined into one'. People want devices that do what they're built to do in the best way possible, not one device that tries to please everyone. That's why this idea of building a hybrid laptop-tablet drives me absolutely crazy: it is neither a good laptop nor a good tablet. The reviews of Surface confirm this.

Think about it: where have you seen a good example of any of these hybrids? - Consumer Copier/Printer/Scanner/Fax machines - Integrated Graphics Cards - Integrated Sound Cards - Monitor/Speaker combos - Pants that zip off into shorts - Glittens - etc. etc. etc.

[dpark]

> where have you seen a good example of any of these hybrids?

Did you try checking your pocket? You likely have a single device in your pocket right now that serves as a GPS, an MP3 player, a camera, a calendar, a clock, a calculator, a tiny computer for web browsing and email, oh, and also as a phone.

[moskie]

You're cherry picking bad examples. Good examples I can think of include cameras and phones. The iMac. Hell, the computer as we know it combines things like typewriters, mail, televisions, record players, phones, etc. etc. etc.