It's interesting that the TechCrunch article quotes Panay as saying "This is the tablet that can replace your tablet" which I read as a shot across the bow at Apple, but The Verge article quotes him as saying "This is the tablet than can replace your laptop," which is totally different.
As a long time Linux and Apple user, I am actually thinking of getting one of these. After working as a software developer for forty years I am retiring (from paid work) so a hopefully short term hit in productivity with a new research/development system does not bother me, and it would be fun to use a different system. As long as it well supports IntelliJ, Haskell Platform tools, etc., it should be more that sufficient.
RT's lackluster sales and noticeable absence from this announcement makes me think Microsoft could be narrowing focus to just x86 versions of Windows going forward.
They said nothing about RT so I think you are right and the main focus will be on full win8 experience with Intel for what is related to 12'screens. For the smaller I think RT can be still part of microsoft strategy, at least to fight in the low price market zone.
RT seems to be a better fit for the rumored 8" device. I imagine Microsoft is attempting to reconcile RT on smaller devices and Windows Phone on larger devices (phablets).
Microsoft is well positioned to combine RT with Windows Phone, I'm guessing 2 years out?
I really like my Surface Pro but Microsoft need to fix Windows for very high DPI screens. Yeah, if you fiddle enough you can change most settings, but often it's too much effort so I just strain my eyes.
I find myself sometimes wishing that the screen had a lower resolution - I never thought I'd say that!
In this session they stressed that they worked hard to get the perfect dpi effect on the surface 3. Hope they show what they mean in a video on their channel
