I got a Microsoft Surface

[casterofdreams]

And I like it. It is my third "early adopter" piece of electronics in a row (3DS and Vita) and I really like it. I needed a tablet to put some books on it where I can study on the bus to and from work. iPad is nice and all but I wanted something different and this fit the bill. I've had bad experiences with Android tablets through bad software or cheap hardware so that was out. The thing I like most is the fact that It's got a familiar "Windows" interface and has the same file system that the x86/x64 OS share. So I would recommend it if you don't like the two bigger guys of the market.

[isiolia]

I'm waiting to see how the Surface Pro is when it's released, since that will actually run the win32 software as well. Plus, pen digitizer.

I've had no real problems with my iPad or Nexus 7, but the thought of running real Sketchbook Pro or Painter on a device like that is appealing (considering a 12" Cintiq is $999 anyway).

[casterofdreams]

I did some research before I made my purchase. I couldn't do much research with a product that isn't out yet but from what I've read the battery life is half that of the regular Surface (from 8 hours default), thicker and heavier, and it makes noise due to a running fan within the system. But it has a vastly superior screen plus the things you mentioned. It's expensive as hell though, $999 with the soft touch keyboard for the 64GB model.

Surface does run Windows RT which mimics the closed ecosystem of Apple and Android and it has Office 2013 Home & Student RT (no macros or add-ins) built in with no extra fees. $599 with keyboard I think it was a great deal.

Just go in thinking that it is competing with those two OSs and not your standard laptop/desktop that does it all and you'll do fine.

[GSZX1337]

Groovy, man. Let me know how it does. I've been interested in these for a while since it seems to be like a successor to the ASUS Transformer.

[isiolia]

Heh, it's more that I'm waiting to see if they actually pull off what they were promising. I've come close to buying previous, similar products like the ASUS EP121 and Samsung Series 7 Slate. Some of my hangups with those devices that kept my from actually purchasing them are addressed with the spec sheet. Others, like build quality issues, won't be determined until the product is released.

The downsides of it are acceptable to me as I see it as a potential replacement for my laptop, not for my tablet devices. It's an Ultrabook slate PC.

Windows RT doesn't interest me. As an OS I'm sure it's fine, but I wound up disappointed with Windows Phone 7 due to the lack of relevant apps. I've got iOS and Android app libraries, I've got nothing for the new style Windows. If you're using purely integrated MS stuff, I know WP7 was great for that. My work Exchange account was lovely on that phone.

[MrPopo]

I've been using my Surface for a few weeks now, and it's been extremely useful as a portable internet device. And the built in stand is one of those "how could no one have thought of this before". It's been very nice when I've taken it upstairs to use as a recipe reference. And there's already a media player that runs mkv videos with subtitle support, so the next time I fly I'm planning on catching up on my anime backlog.

That said, if I was going to spend money on it (everyone at Microsoft got a free one, thought technically it's an unmanaged company asset) I would have waited for the Surface Pro so I could run GOG games like Might and Magic on it. I'm also considering picking up the Type Cover at some point, as it feels much nicer.

[casterofdreams]

I've been using it for a few days and I really enjoy it. Windows RT is a great OS when compared to iOS and Android which is the mentality you need to have if Surface is on your list of "possible tablet to purchase", not that "possible PC/laptop to purchase" list. I was looking for a tablet and got one.

It doesn't have the large app library that the others have but it'll get there in due time, so long as the devs code apps for RT while they code for x86/x64 in one shot.