MS Surface RT or Surface Pro? Or Something Else?

Image Credit:
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/which-surface-is-right-for-you

Microsoft Surface Pro or Surface RT? 

What would be the best choice for your library patrons?

These devices have their own list of pro's and con's. [See link below for stats.] The best way to address this issue is to compare the Surface devices with another brand to find out where your 'wants and needs' stand. Hopefully these articles will help us weed through the stats and make constructive decisions over the summer.

Surface RT vs. Surface Pro

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/which-surface-is-right-for-you

http://www.gizmag.com/microsoft-surface-pro-vs-surface-rt/26117/

Replacing your laptops?

If you are thinking about replacing your library laptops, the Surface Pro might be the way to go, weighing in at only 2 lbs.  You can add a 'type cover' for  the keyboard for $129, less if it's bundled.

With the apps running just like a laptop, it's definitely a better production device for college students  than the RT. 

Image Credit:
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/which-surface-is-right-for-you

 

Image Credit:
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/which-surface-is-right-for-you

Touch Cover might be an issue:

There are some negative reviews in Amazon concerning the 'touch' cover because the space bar seems to miss as you type. This would be very frustrating to continually edit your work. I'd rather be practical, even though some patrons might like the look of the 'touch' cover in Amazon's beautiful summer color choices.



Why not the Surface RT?  1.5 lbs.

What advantages or disadvantages does this device have over the iPad or the Kindle Fire HD? Seriously this is an upgraded tablet.  The RT is ultra-thin and light with a long battery life. The pixels are lower to enhance the battery life. The chart below reads, 'always connected and always up to date'.  It doesn't function like a laptop because it doesn't have the Pro's core processor.  The RT has a bit larger display, almost one inch; storage starts at 32GB, weighs a tiny bit more than the iPad and Kindle Fire HD, plus it comes pre-installed with Microsoft Office Home Student 2013.^.

Tablet Fight: Surface vs. iPad vs. Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 

Be sure to review this article that has an excellent chart for comparison.

http://mashable.com/2012/10/16/microsoft-surface-vs-ipad-kindle-fire/




Image Credit:
 http://www.gizmag.com/surface-vs-ipad/24591/

Surface RT vs. iPad
http://www.gizmag.com/macbook-air-vs-microsoft-surface-pro-specs-comparison/26175/

 

Image Credit:
 http://www.gizmag.com/macbook-air-vs-microsoft-surface-pro-specs-comparison/26175/

MacBook Air vs. Surface Pro
The cost of the Surface Pro plus the touch cover is the same as the Macbook Air.
http://www.gizmag.com/macbook-air-vs-microsoft-surface-pro-specs-comparison/26175/

Galaxy Note 8 vs. Kindle Fire HD 8.9



All Images this post: Credit: http://alturl.com/49ra8
 

iPad still tops the tablet arena!  Both the full size and the mini outsell all of the rivals.  Apple’s two biggest competitors, Amazon and Samsung, are showing what they are made of.   Galaxy Note 8.0 and Kindle Fire HD 8.9” are the newest successes. Both of these are terrific alternatives to the iPad and iPad mini.  See specs below to compare the Note 8 and Fire 8.9.



Kindle Fire's pixel density is 34 percent higher and  a much sharper image than the Galaxy Note.

Remember to consider speed, size, pixels, weight, cost difference, software, cameras, battery, fees for wireless, storage, RAM, processor and material type. These two devices are both plastic.



Note 8 has a faster processor
 

If you don't like plastic, you may want to consider the Surface or an iPad. Sounds like all these issues are similar to the topics we research when buying a smartphone, PC, laptop, iMac or MacBook Pro. See this excellent article below for all the specs to help unravel your decision.



$130 difference in price

Article from Gizmag April 23, 2012

http://www.gizmag.com/kindle-fire-hd-8-9-vs-galaxy-note-8-0-specs-comparison/27231/

 

Note 8 has double the RAM

 

Click on this link below. Scroll down to pictures and articles for comparing various iPads and tablets.
http://www.gizmag.com/kindle-fire-hd-8-9-vs-galaxy-note-8-0-specs-comparison/27231/pictures

iPad mini 7.9" vs. Kindle Fire HD 7"




Image Credit: http://www.apple.com/ipad/

iPad mini fits in one hand —

Yet it can do everything an iPad can do!

So, how do you decide what's best for your library? 

I'd like to have both:]

Image credit:

http://alturl.com/fv93g

iPad mini                                   Kindle Fire
Anodized aluminum                                   Plastic
Cost $ $329                                                7" $199
Lower pixels 163ppi                                   Higher pixels 216 ppi
Camera front/rear                                        Camera front
Superior apps library                                   Nominal # of apps
Not so crisp text/images                              Extra crisp text/images


So, the questions looms, does the extra iPad mini's 0.9" make a difference for the low pixels and at a higher price? [$329 vs. $199]

Would we pay extra for the best software selection and design of the iPad mini or buy the Kindle Fire for less and get a sharper image and faster processor? One funny comment I've read: "If it doesn't fit in my cargo pants, I'm not buying it....."  This guy is keeping his 7'' Kindle Fire.

Makes us wonder if the clothes designer's will make those cargo pant pockets bigger for the larger 'mini' electronic gadgets in the future or perhaps for the Samsung Galaxy4 and other super-sized smartphones? It's certainly interesting what drives the market these days.

 

 

Another choice might be the new Kindle Fire 8.9"

$269 with 254 ppi.





Image Credit: http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Fire-HD-9-inch/dp/B008GFRE5A



What do you think is the perfect device for library check out? 

Let us know what you are doing in your library.

 

Stats for iPad mini and Kindle Fire HD

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000846051

 

 

Overview for Kindle Fire HD 7"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GFRB9E/ref=fs_j

 

Overview for Kindle Fire HD 8.9"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GFRB9E/ref=fs_j

 

 

Overview from Apple

http://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/overview/

 

Image credit: http://alturl.com/j3ffs

What's new this week?
Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, an iPad mini rival,
to hit stores Thursday
Check out this article today:
http://alturl.com/qy8o2

189ppi, Wi-Fi, front/rear camera, 5 megapixel/1.3
$400

 

New iPad this summer?
http://alturl.com/pwmyy

Quote from USAtoday.com: "Speculation into the launch of a new iPad kicked off last week, after Fortune reported last week retailers such as Best Buy and Walmart were slashing prices on iPads and iPad Minis, suggesting Apple is poised to launch a new model."

The Best iPad Apps of 2012 from Gizmag

http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-mini-review/24855

Kindle 4G and New Tablet

Kindle Fire HD 4G and other new Kindle devices

 

All pictures on this page image credit: http://alturl.com/cpatv

 

 

It's just amazing what is being offered this holiday season in eReaders, tablets and iPads.  Good luck sorting all this out. Doing your research will definitely get you and your patrons the best fit for your library. At our academic library, we like the new choices, especially on a tight budget.  The cost shown below is for the low end memory devices.  See Amazon's web site for specs and all pricing.  http://alturl.com/cpatv

 

Presently we are using the 3G Kindle3 models to replace many of the worn out 'original' Kindle1's.  These older models served us well for the last four years and hope the new devices hold up just as well. Kindle1's were $359 in 2008, which makes even the 8.9" Kindle HD Wi-Fi device at $299 and the new $199 Kindle Fire HD 7" a bargain. 

 

We have many required titles for class reading that transfer smoothly to the new models. The Kindle Fire is popular here for required reading, assignments and terrific in class when students work in groups researching for a class project.

 

Next Blog:
New iPad mini

 

 

 

 

All pictures on this page image credit: http://alturl.com/cpatv

 

$499 HD 4G LTE Wireless 8.9"

$299 for Wi-Fi model

 

$159 no HD

$199 HD model

$139 3G w/keyboard

 

3G $179

Wi-Fi $119

 



6" B/W $69

Windows Surface tablet arriving Nov. 2012?

The new Windows Surface looks like a very exciting addition to the growing collection of tablets!

Image Credit http://alturl.com/nv42j

What's in it...
Intel-based processor Surface RT and the Windows 8 Pro Surface tablet to run a full-blown version of Windows 8 Pro  [to come out 3 months later]

32GB and 64GB configs
10.6-inch screen, thickness of 9.3mm, wide enough for a full-size USB
Gorilla Glass 2.0 screen
1.8 lbs.
Kickstand that pulls out when you want to watch a movie
Dual-antenna Wi-Fi
Touch Cover with multi-touch keyboard

Quote from Wilson Rothman, Gadget Box on MSNBC.com Tech June 21, 2012
http://alturl.com/nv42j 

"The Surface tablet has a pen interface as well. The Touch Cover may be quite a cool tool: It's like a rubber keypad, and it knows when you're not using it because of a built-in accelerometer, and it shuts off and doesn't drain the battery. The technology behind the covers is pretty snazzy -- it tracks your finger movements, using logic to determine if you're typing or just resting your hands. There is actually a second cover, as well. The Type Cover has a slightly raised keyboard for more traditional clickety clack."

Image Credit http://alturl.com/nv42j

The ARM-based Surface tabs, [Surface RT] will come in 32GB and 64GB configs, and ship around the Windows availability.  The price is to compete with other ARM tablets probably similar to iPads. The Intel-powered Windows 8 Pro Surface tablets to be released 3 months later will have a 64GB and 128GB configs and be more like ultabooks.  There seems to be a lot of chatter about battery power in both Surface tablets.  The power ratings in the specs they have sent out show the battery power will be a little less than the iPad.

Image Credit http://alturl.com/nv42j

Surface RT Tablet is mostly for people who don’t need the performance of a PC or laptop. "RT" is an abbreviation of Windows Runtime. Continue reading this site below. See "Microsoft Surface Tablet Review" under paragraph two. http://alturl.com/tcgzx

Information to help explain the technology:
ARM=Advanced RISC Machine
ARM is a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) instruction set architecture (ISA) developed by ARM Holdings. It was named the Advanced RISC Machine and, before that, the Acorn RISC Machine. The ARM architecture is the most widely used 32-bit instruction set architecture in numbers produced.[2][3] Originally conceived by Acorn Computers for use in its personal computers, the first ARM-based products were the co-processor modules for the BBC Micro series of computers.

iPads vs. Kindles vs. Nooks-2012





Image Credit: http://alturl.com/6whj8

"With ultra-affordable e-ink readers, mid-priced color tablets like the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet, and even the more expensive iPads all vying for your e-book dollar, what's the best choice for you? It depends." This quote from CNET's John Falcone

Image Credit:  http://alturl.com/n75j5

Many students, faculty, staff, and neighbors ask me almost every day...."What eReader or tablet do you like most? or "Which one should I buy?"  These are difficult questions to answer if we don't know their lifestyle and budget. My first question is budget, second question is,  "Are you going to read 90% of the time or use the internet, social networking and email most of the time?"  Third question, "Do you want to replace your laptop?"

Now that the market place has a  nice variety of good quality devices under $200, it's time for consumers to do their homework.  No guessing!  Go to the different stores and try each device.  Go to the library or at home and do some internet research.  Go back to the store and look at your top three choices. 

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/dxb3c

 

I have found several good web sites they might help you get started.  Take notes and ask all your friends and neighbors what they like. Make a 'pros and cons' list. You might not find anyone to loan you one, unless you try a library.  You might find that you are a trusted friend indeed if someone loaned you their precious device, because after you have your own, you won't let it go.  Good luck on your adventure into the digital eReader world!

 

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/q5hi6, http://store.apple.com/us

 

"Kindle vs. Nook vs. iPad:

Which e-book reader should you buy?"

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/dxb3c

May 5th, 2012 CNET

by John Falcone

http://alturl.com/6whj8 

 

"I want my kids to read.
They want to play games."
2nd device purchase? 

Quote and Image Credit: http://wearebothright.com/2012/05/ipads-kindles-and-nooks/



 

Readers who don't want to share their eReader/tablet/iPad with their kids or grandkids. What 2nd device to purchase? Can they find a device that could meet both of these requirements?

 

Quote from Tracy from her blog, We Are Both Right.

"The iPad was the first to be eliminated. I deemed it too expensive and too heavy for little hands prone to dropping things. Yes, there are many cool book apps. However, my goal was to get them to read first and then shoot birds across the screen later. Book apps aside, there’s just too many other media offerings on the iPad to distract my children from reading." 

Many of us believe that good readers make great students.

  Good parenting skills Tracy!

See her blog below for more tips!

http://wearebothright.com/2012/05/ipads-kindles-and-nooks/

Apple Rumors: 8 inch iPad? 3 different iPad3's? 8 GB iPad? Dual processor iPad3? iPad 2S or iPad 2X? Apple Announcement on March 7th

Apple Event in San Francisco March 7th

Image Credit:http://http://alturl.com/gndif

We have found so countless rumors concerning the March 7th announcement for the new iPad3 release concerning the level, mid-range and high-end market divisions.  Maybe an 8 inch iPad, 8GB iPad2  or iPad3, iPad2s or iPad2x and the new iPad3 with dual processor...Quad core A6 CPU or Logic Board with A5X?

 The rumor mill is endless!

 The competition with the new Kindle Fire's and Nook Color, size and price seems to be key.  Rather than rehash these rumors in this blog, click on the links below that interest you and review the rumors.  Let's see which ones come true. We will be on Spring Break at Palm Beach State College the week of the big announcement and we will get back to this blog the week of March 12.

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/gndif

Feb. 29th Apple rumored to release 3 different versions of iPad3.

From CBS News "techtalk", we find the latest 'new' rumors surfacing of three possible models of iPad 3. The link below reports that 9to5Mac is claiming sources close to Apple revealed this information. This also cites earlier speculation by DigiTimes that Apple gave two versions of the new tablet to "upstream partners for development," code, called J1 and J2.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-57387950-501465/apple-may-release-three-versions-of-ipad-3/



March 1st  iPad News from DigiTimes

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20120229PD220.html

Feb. 14th- 8 inch iPad?

http://blogs.denverpost.com/techknowbytes/2012/02/14/tablet-news-8-inch-ipad-and-galaxy-note-release-date/3280/

Feb. 22nd

Rumor mill is endless... Quad core A6 CPU  or Logic Board with A5X

http://ziarra.net/2012/02/22/ipad-3-specs-release-date-and-other-rumors/




Image Credit: http://alturl.com/gndif

 

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/x85r2


Feb. 9th

Thicker and Sharper?

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-57373866-501465/apple-ipad-3-rumors-thicker-sharper-coming-soon/

Feb. 10th $299-$399 iPad2?

Analysts are predicting that Apple will lower the price of the iPad 2 when they the release the iPad 3.

http://www.fiercecio.com/techwatch/story/apples-ipad-3-will-be-unveiled-first-week-march-says-report/2012-02-10

Feb. 21st- iPad User Satisfaction Chart



Image Credit: http://alturl.com/cykb7

Feb. 21-Office for iPad?
http://blogs.computerworld.com/19754/apple_ipad_3_retina_display_rumors_intensify_office_for_ipad_imminent

Feb. 10th-Apple's iPad 3 will be unveiled first week of March, says report - FierceCIO:TechWatch

http://www.fiercecio.com/techwatch/story/apples-ipad-3-will-be-unveiled-first-week-march-says-report/2012-02-10#ixzz1nKMZwYv7



Image Credit: http://alturl.com/gndif



Kindle Fire is in the LLRC Building!

Image Credit and Quick Tour: http://alturl.com/k72d3

Our library received 10 new Kindle Fire units this month.  We are very excited to implement these into our patron loan program, joining our other Kindle devices, iPads, Nooks and Sony's. 

As we gain experience and a working knowledge of these new devices, we will post again real soon.  Presently the Kindle Fire units are in Tech Services where our Library Tech is adding them to our LINCC catalog system. 

So far these new devices are working flawlessly with our Wi-Fi system here at the college.  By the beginning of our Winter Term, the Kindle Fire should be available for 7 day loan.

Image Credit and: http://alturl.com/k72d3



Steve Jobs-Apple Memorial Today Oct 19-Stores Will Close-Private Memorial Stanford University Oct 16th

Image credit http://alturl.com/8mqc5

Today Apple stores will close for a few hours as employees watch a webcast of a company-wide memorial service to celebrate the life of the co-founder. http://alturl.com/2fi3n

Sunday evening at Stanford University's Memorial Church, a memorial service commemorated Apple's late co-founder Steve Jobs. A small private funeral was held earlier for family and close friends.  In a private ceremony, he was buried at a non-denominational cemetery.   Governor Jerry Brown of California declared Sunday as "Steve Jobs Day". A company memorial is scheduled today, Wednesday Oct. 19.
 
Mr. Jobs struggled for years with pancreatic cancer, has been credited as a visionary. He ushered a string of successful products, including the iPad the iMac, the iPod, the iPhone and Apple's iTunes music store. Steve Jobs masterminded Apple's U-turn from approaching bankruptcy in 1996.   He turned it into the world's most highly treasured technology company.

The innovative iPad is used here at the college for 50% academic and 50% leisure purposes by students, faculty and staff.  We can't keep these devices on the shelf. I'm not quite sure what technology would be like without Mr. Jobs' mix of extreme creativity and technology.  He has truly brought us into the future of not only the iPad technology, but giving others his contagious enthusiasm, energy and drive to excel.

 Even at our state college library we are re-thinking how we can assist students by adding eTextbooks to these exceptional devices.  We can only hope Steve Jobs' insanely different creativity will continue to be cultivated in others.  Mr. Jobs will be a very challenging act to follow.

Steve Jobs Seven Rules of Success

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44927209

Do what you love

Put a dent in the universe

Make connections

 Say no to 1,000 things

Create insanely different experiences

Master the message

Sell dreams, not products

Quote from this article by Carmine Gallo 10/17/2011 Entrepreneur.com 

"There's one story that I think sums up Jobs' career at Apple. An executive who had the job of reinventing the Disney Store once called up Jobs and asked for advice. His counsel? Dream bigger. I think that's the best advice he could leave us with. See genius in your craziness, believe in yourself, believe in your vision, and be constantly prepared to defend those ideas."



Surprise! Surprise! Apple has a large exhibit at BookExpo America NYC

Image credit: http://alturl.com/qf5bh

BookExpo America is in NYC next week, May 23-24.

BEA is the largest book publishing venue of the year in the USA for those that didn't know. Apple has a prime location on the exhibit floor near Disney, Scholastic and Random House. Media sources say Apple doesn't appear to have any devices or software upgrade announcements this week. What's interesting is, Apple doesn't usually attend these book publishing conferences and they didn't attend last year. What is remarkable is the high volume of eBook and eTextbook sales this past 12 month. [See Wall St. Journal stats near bottom of blog.]

CEO Steve Jobs said Apple has downloaded 100 million eBooks from April 2010 to February 2011. [April 3, 2010 was launch date of original iPad, in case you are new to eReaders and tablets]. Bloomberg cited Goldman Sachs Report in February that states;

Amazon had 58% of the eBook sales

Barnes and Noble 27%

Apple 9%

Border/Kobo 7%

For more information please see the blog below covering The Economics of Digital Content, dated May 17, 2011. http://alturl.com/zpmhr

Image credit: http://alturl.com/rkaey

Also attention-getting is the digital book conference at BEA, The International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) and what they are presenting. They had a 1 hour conference on EPUB3, May 12, online. You can still register and view the Webinar until Dec. 12, 2011. [See link below.] "Learn how the standard impacts the major device manufacturers and the larger eBook ecosystem."  Webinar: EPUB 3, an Insider’s Look. How Will Your eBook Operations be Affected? http://alturl.com/ud8dz

This is the abstract from IDPF’s schedule on BEA's conference page: "IDPF Digital Book 2011 will be a one-and-a-half day educational conference that gives attendees the opportunity to network with global leaders in digital publishing business and technology. Learn about the latest trends in the digital publishing industry through expert panels and in-depth demonstrations and case studies. Included are workshops on the EPUB standard including the new EPUB 3 revision, eBook production, workflow, and best practices."

IDPF Announces Speakers for Digital Book 2011, May 23-24th NYC

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42795908

Another informative blog by the Official BEA Librarian Blogger you should browse:

http://alturl.com/pepce

Image credit: http://alturl.com/vddog

What does all this mean?

Let’s look at these recent stats and I think we will all come to the same conclusion! The eBook and eTextbook market is exploding!

Wall St. Journal, April 11, 2011
The market for digital books was $966 billion last year and is expected to triple by 2015, according to Forrester Research.”

Wall St. Journal- Feb, 25, 2011
“In 2012, e-Textbook sales are expected to more than double to $308 million from $138 million last year according to MBS Service Co.”


Image Credit: http://alturl.com/znha2



We are looking forward to seeing some exiting news from the many blogs and tweets from those attending these conferences next week. This is such an exciting time to be involved in the eReader, tablet, eBook, and eTextbook evolution in a library setting.



E-reader Boom:

The Palm Beach Post Front Page Article Today

E-reader Boom:

"Best of Times, Worst of Times"



Elegant New Skiff Reader 11.5-inch http://alturl.com/isa9r

The Post Times article linked below covers information about new E-readers showcased in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show and the closing of Boca Raton's Barnes & Noble store.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/e-reader-boom-might-prove-bookstores-long-term-1168717.html

Media Reviews of the

Consumer

Electronics Show:

http://www.cesweb.org/news/coverage.asp Links to media reviews
http://alturl.com/gt36r Includes Tablets and iPad success
http://alturl.com/8gm85 Covers 8 trends to watch including tablets
http://alturl.com/agadq Includes  e-readers and tablets
http://alturl.com/xpjib   Kindle vs. Nook vs. iPad vs. Galaxy Tab:

This is going to be one exciting year in

technology and libraries-2011!