When will Windows Surface Pro be available in NZ?

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Ultimate Geek

#765776 19-Feb-2013 14:01

You make good points, and ok maybe the data isn't so expensive. However even with a tablet I'll still have my cell, which requires calling and texts (the things tablets don't really do). So the added pre/post-paid data is still going to be on top of those costs. So $20 a month isn't the true cost. $20 on top of the $20-30 we're already spending. And for 1GB those costs really aren't worth it. Imo of course.

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#765782 19-Feb-2013 14:06

Kingy: You make good points, and ok maybe the data isn't so expensive. However even with a tablet I'll still have my cell, which requires calling and texts (the things tablets don't really do). So the added pre/post-paid data is still going to be on top of those costs. So $20 a month isn't the true cost. $20 on top of the $20-30 we're already spending. And for 1GB those costs really aren't worth it. Imo of course.

This has nothing to do with your phone costs. You will incur those regardless of whether you have a tablet or not. $20 IS the true cost of 1GB of data for a tablet. Your phone is irrelevant.

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freitasm

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#765783 19-Feb-2013 14:10

It's a tablet. You don't need calling and text.

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Kingy

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Ultimate Geek

#765785 19-Feb-2013 14:19

You're right, I don't need calling or texts on a tablet. I do use a phone though as I'm sure most of you do.

2degress have shared data yes? So my entire points is that we need better plans in this country. Plans where I don't need to pay extra on top of my monthly phone costs for data on my tablet.

I don't see why anyone would argue about the fact that we pay quite a lot for not a lot of data.

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#765788 19-Feb-2013 14:21

You don't need to have a "plan" for data on your tablet. You only need a plan if you want shared data. There are three telcos, each offering a different set of price points. Anyone can find a good point for them.

If what we have is too expensive for you then you have to rethink if you need a mobile-enabled tablet. I personally don't think it's too expensive because it's not broadband replacement. It's for use when you are out and about.

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Ultimate Geek

#765804 19-Feb-2013 14:40

I'll concede for tablet only data. And yes as a non-broadband replacement you don't need that much.

I'll still argue the point about the costs of plans with lack of data though :)

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#765808 19-Feb-2013 14:47

rockzcm:
CYaBro: I was told by Microsoft themselves that they will not be bringing them into NZ and would not support them in NZ and they strongly advised against importing one yourself as you would have no support.

Are you serious?

Yes, I went to some Microsoft Windows 8 / Server 2012 training late last year and that's what they said.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

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#765813 19-Feb-2013 14:55

ajobbins: The surface pro doesn't even have 3G. That makes it an expensive paper weight in my eyes.

My iPad would be a fraction as useful if it didn't have 3G.

This is exactly my thoughts on the matter, assuming the overseas pricing is correct, for a wi-fi only device it is significantly more than a cellular Ipad.

You "could" tether it but my problem with that is that you are burning thru the battery on 2 devices at a huge rate.

BTW I have a $19 prepaid pack on Vodafone for my Ipad and for $19 per month I think it is cheap and not at all overpriced.

I use close to my 500mb a month at the moment but that is because I am using it at work to try and diagnose some issues we are having over 3G.

BTW before you grumble about how much we pay in NZ actually have a look at what is offered overseas AND compare it to what the working class is paid. We are not THAT much worse than the likes of USA and Aust especially on prepaid

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#765815 19-Feb-2013 15:02

As a resident in AU but regularly returning home to NZ for visits (and having multiple SIMs in both countries), I can say that NZ is pretty competitive at the moment compared with AU.

AU plans can be hard to understand and sometimes misleading, but the current prepaid offerings from all three NZ operators are on par with the value I get here in Oz.

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#765820 19-Feb-2013 15:06

I got a ASUS Transformer Pad here today for my parents in law. Posted in another thread to avoid hijacking this one.

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rockzcm

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#765925 19-Feb-2013 19:34

Kingy: 3G data pricing and caps are still so ridiculous in this country that there is still no point in using it. At least in Wellington we have free wifi to use. Saves blowing my 50mb data cap in 2 minutes.

Most people carry smartphone and it is more than capable of providing very reliable hot spot(wifi). I don't understand what's the point of paying additional money for 3G component on the ipad or surface.

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#765931 19-Feb-2013 20:03

Some people don't want to use the hotspot feature. Sometimes it's not reliable (depending on the device), the WiFi might have interference (depending on location) and it's not always available (steps to turn things on and off, battery usage, etc). I rather have a SIM on a tablet and just use it, without having to worry about "where is my phone now?", without having to have something else around.

Obviously it seems you folks have other preferences. So that's how it is. Some like it, others don't.

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khull

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#765941 19-Feb-2013 20:38

I believe I read somewhere that Microsoft was the distributor and seller. It is kind of mad considering even you have resellers for Apple products that sell out and the only way officially is either online or at a Microsoft store

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Snowflake

#766035 19-Feb-2013 22:16

rockzcm:
Kingy: 3G data pricing and caps are still so ridiculous in this country that there is still no point in using it. At least in Wellington we have free wifi to use. Saves blowing my 50mb data cap in 2 minutes.

Most people carry smartphone and it is more than capable of providing very reliable hot spot(wifi). I don't understand what's the point of paying additional money for 3G component on the ipad or surface.

you are better off carrying one of these personal wifi devices than using your smartphone: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huawei_E5

smartphone doing wifi is a battery flattener

i would pay the extra for built-in 3g. its much more convenient.

my 2degrees connection for $29/mth gives me all the TXT and Phone i need, plus 500mb/mth of shared data. if i need more data i buy the $99 12GB add-on that lasts up to 6 months. not bad value at all.

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rockzcm

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#766183 20-Feb-2013 08:50

Regs:
rockzcm:
Kingy: 3G data pricing and caps are still so ridiculous in this country that there is still no point in using it. At least in Wellington we have free wifi to use. Saves blowing my 50mb data cap in 2 minutes.

Most people carry smartphone and it is more than capable of providing very reliable hot spot(wifi). I don't understand what's the point of paying additional money for 3G component on the ipad or surface.

you are better off carrying one of these personal wifi devices than using your smartphone: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huawei_E5

smartphone doing wifi is a battery flattener

i would pay the extra for built-in 3g. its much more convenient.

my 2degrees connection for $29/mth gives me all the TXT and Phone i need, plus 500mb/mth of shared data. if i need more data i buy the $99 12GB add-on that lasts up to 6 months. not bad value at all.

fair enough. Battery is an important factor. I guess depending what you do with your with your tablet device. I only use it to browse the net on my way to work which only takes 20 mins and I am happy with the hotspot option.

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