So this is Microsoft Surface

I don't care how long have you been using Windows 8 (Developer Preview, Consumer Preview, Release Preview, Final edition) on whatever hardware (Eee Slate, Desktop, Laptop ...), until you physically tried Microsoft Surface device, you can't make any judgment on how good or how bad that device is.  That's why I went to Microsoft Store, and gave this device a solid 2 hours spin.

My first comment on the device is: like the Type keyboard, really hate the Touch keyboard.  The best advantage of Surface to me comparing with iPad and Android is this awesome portable Type keyboard.  The Touch keyboard on the other hand reminds me everything I HATE about typing on iPad.  So there's now way I will buy a Surface device with anything but a Type Cover.

The kickstand is a nice touch, but it can be a double edge sword, like I can't adjust the viewing angel.  But I know I am just being pick.

The memory size of Surface can be misleading since you DO NOT get to use the full 32Gb for your 32Gb device.  In fact, in this demo unit I am using, which is a 32Gb device, I only get to 13Gb of space to use, and I DID NOT see a lot of app being installed (quite the opposite, I DID NOT see any Windows store apps other than the default ones.)  This mean that if you a serious about using this device, you better shell out the $699 to get the 64Gb one, plus I need to pay $129.99 for the Type cover.

Traditional Chinese handwriting was working fine after I installed the input method.  However, I didn't see a lot of fonts that I can choose from while I was using Microsoft Word.  Well, I can say to same to iPad, so, fine.  I did, however, managed to crash the application while I tested out handwriting on Word.  I also found that when I am in handwriting mode on desktop, playing with Windows size on my document so that the handwriting area won't cover up my writing area fustrated me.  Some day, when Microsoft finally relase a real Tablet specific Office, which takes into all the tablet specific issue and being sensitive to the tablet UI, I might have a better time mixing Chinese handwriting. 

Again, the hardware is top nourch, but again and again and again, it's the software the make or break the device.

So for me, I will buy it ONLY as a DEVLOPMENT device.  For others, it's way better to wait for a tablet that runs those "legacy applications".