[Microsoft Surface] e.mote:
Thanks for the detailed thoughts, although I differ considerably. Comments:

The Pro launch was unbelievably inept, and is emblematic of the whole Win8 affair--inept. Whether the "sell out" was intentional or otherwise, it bodes poorly of MS' attempt to catch up to the frontrunners in mobile. RT's "sell out" didn't help it any, nor did Zune's back in 2009.

Aside: As one old enough to remember the twilight of IBM as a PC & OS company (before it changed to a services outfit), I'm struck by how similar MS-of-now to IBM-of-then--bumbling, stumbling, and tone deaf to its users. MS then was the golden boy with Win95, outmanuevering the leadfooted OS/2--just as what Apple and Google are doing now to MS.

>Basically the [Nexus 10] didn't really solve any problem I had, and it was a playtoy

I agree to some extent. Android/iOS have yet to evolve to be a productivity OS. They're still mainly for consumption, and are still mostly phone OS'es. But their functions largely fit the needs of consumers (whom by definition mainly consume, not create). Hence the reason why people are reducing their laptop buys and getting tablets.

>Enter the Surface Pro. First, it runs all (so far ALL) of the Windows software I use on my laptop.

For productivity work, you still have to sit down, which means you're using the Pro as a laptop. The Pro is not the equal of your avg work laptop. Likewise, it's not a very good tablet. Per Engadget review, it's jack of all trades and master of none. Its touted feature is that you don't need to carry two devices. But given its short battery life, you'd probably end up with a companion device anyway.

The Pro could come into its own if there were a robust library of Metro apps supporting it, which is not true at the moment--and IMO, nor for the near future. Basically, the Pro is a promise of future potential. People don't buy on promises.

Even for productivity, people normally do look-ups and light uses, which fits the Atom better. I think the next-gen Atom has a better future than the Core line--mainly because it's cheaper and more competitive. I realize that the professional segment is price insensitive, but remember that Win8 is mainly a consumer pitch, and early adopters aside, not many consumers will jump for a $1K+ device.

>While on the subject of cost, the power supply is $80!

And the display cables are $40, which is even more than what Apple charges. The "optional" keyboard cover is $120/130. It's beyond ludicrous that a 3rd/4th-place company is charging Apple prices for its new v1.0 devices, and expecting to gain market share as well. Not only that, MS is forsaking its openness mantra and going for a walled garden in Metro. If I were to buy into a closed ecosystem at premium prices, why wouldn't I just buy Apple, instead of an unproven Apple wannabe?

>Kick stand in back is great.

IMO the fixed angle sucks, and is emblematic of the many design flaws with the Surface line, like its inability to perform well in portrait, which one would think would be essential for tablet use.

>I am disappointed there is no charger FROM a micro USB

The highest USB charger is 10W (12W for Apple's proprietary Lightning connector). RT has a 24W charger. Pro has a 48W charger. From simple math, you can see why a USB charger isn't viable. You can use the RT's 24W charger for Pro, but as expected charging will be slower.

>USB to Magnet form...would be a good "all else fails" source of power

This will happen assuming Pro is a runaway hit, as 3rd-party vendors will flock to it to supply accessories, as for iProducts. It's not reasonable to expect a niche device to have the variety of accessories as for the leading popular device. Neither is it reasonable to expect devices to have multiple means of charging; most have only one.

Even if MS did put in a USB "emergency" charging port, the first thing that will happen is that users will complain about its dog-slow charge rate. That's the nature of dealing with end-users; you can't do something half-assed.

>I'm happy with the switch

I can't argue with the personal verdict, as everyone has his own wants. The larger question however is whether there are enough "happy's" out there to make Pro a success. I think some early adopters would be happy to run "real" Windows on a quasi-tablet device. I don't think they represent the bulk of the market that MS is aiming at. We'll know how Surface Pro fares in a couple of months.

TL;DR: $500 tablet + $500 laptop > $1000+ Surface Pro