There were also tablets that ran Windows 7, and there are also tablets running Windows RT.

Yes, they have a chance, though uptake will be slow given the others have been in the field longer.

kona... If you're discussing 'The Surface', I think it's more designed to compete with the laptop market...

Hard to know what it's designed to compete with.  Microsoft's not even sure.  They just want a walled app garden they can feast on like Apple and they think this will help build one.  Based on what is a WAG.

Based on what they've got in their 'garden', there's plenty left to do. Last amount of apps... 5,000 in their App Store.

Can you install apps that are not in the app store using the old school method of downloading and installing or using software on disc? Or do they lock you into using the app store?

Surface is a simple concept--it's merging the OS of both desktops and tablets to be compatible and near identical.

If it runs on your PC, it runs on your tablet and vice versa.

That's the theory anyway.

The RT is 'locked' to apps-only.

The Pro is basically just a regular laptop.

The iPad is failed?  LOL

The iPad has nearly a 60% tablet marketshare.

I consider the iPad a pointless device, personally.  I had the opportunity to road test one of the gen twos ages ago for a week or so, and I never really figured out what I was supposed to be doing with it.  Typing is garbage, the screen isn't accurate enough for use as a dedicated art tablet, the lack of flash support kills it and my smart phone does better web browsing.  Apart from being a nice eReader and movie player, which my notebook does for less then half the price, it's basically useless.

The Surface RT is, frankly, a complete and utter waste of money.  Avoid it at all costs.  It's too slow, too restrictive and too expensive.

The Surface Pro, however, well it's a bit of a revolution.  Because it runs legacy Windows based software, and has a USB 3.0 port, it's a decent Laptop with a touch screen that can be converted into a tablet when needed.  Email?  Art?  Coding?  Games?  Movies?  Word processing/Spread sheets?  Multi-tasking any combination of the aforementioned?  This thing has you covered and then some.  It's expensive, but you're not getting a tablet; you're getting the most versatile mobile PC ever made.
Fold it up and read on the couch, lay it out and code up some worker methods on the table or grab the pen and draw a masterpiece.  I can't recall the last time I was this impressed by a piece of hardware.

I completely agree with you. I'm very excited about the Surface Pro. I hope the prices aren't set too high.

Yes it is.

Ask the educators, the medical professionals, etc etc. It is a lot more than an eReader-watch movies device.

There will always be iHaters no matter what.

Nothing wrong with Apple, androids, Windows tablets or Linux units. It's a personal choice for the user.

Absolutely agree. For MS to win, Apple, etc. don't have to lose.

All that's necessary is a high quality product which is easy to use and is not overly expensive...

There's more than enough room in the market place; consumers are free and will decide for themselves.

true but there are equal products that do the same thing and more ( androids that are more opened than the ipad for a lesser price available )
But still ipads are the most faved... i know its a solid device all im  trying to point out is that there are alternatives and that it is the hype that pushed ipads more than the functionallity/ability of the pad but thats how i feel others may feel diffrent about it. I like macbooks but im not into ithings that much in fact i admit there is a little bit hatred for those ithings involved writing this     you got me,

I believe over 50% of Americans have an Apple product, the myth that it's just a select few "lemmings" has been thrown out the window.

Like it or not, Apple makes good hardware and software, has a great app ecosystem, and is easy to use.