IMHO, this is a marketing attempt to get the word out that Surface Pro/Book are competing for the same market as the Macbook <whatever>. They could spend a lot of money on advertizing and try to reach end users, or come up with a scheme like this where they might not actually fork out too much money and let news media do the job for them. At the sortof discounts they'll actually end up giving on average, its a win for them irrespective of how many people actually make use of the offer.
Your opinion is spookily similar to the Techcrunch story we're discussing....
"Sure, it’s all promotion, but it’s the sort of gag that affords the company opportunity to showcase its perceived advantages over Cupertino as the company looks to appeal more and more toward creatives – a category long dominated by Apple"
Shouldn't Microsoft have made the trade in page prettier if the goal is to get the word out that "Surface Pro/Book are competing for the same market as the Macbook <whatever>"?
Selling something on eBay can be such a huge pain in the ass. I wouldn't be surprised if people were willing to pay for the convenience of doing it through Microsoft.
Great! Why don't you come here and do all that work for me!
(Sorry just a snarky lead in for my commentary).
I try to avoid selling at ebay if at all possible. I did just sell an iphone 6 and honestly if you don't sell regularly it's a bit of work plus you have fees and have to worry about the buyer complaining. In my case they wrote to me saying that they thought it was a 6 plus and would I take it back if they paid shipping? (No was no returns) So the withheld feeback and filed a complaint with ebay. It went in my favor (obviously it was listed correctly) however the entire experience I would have rather avoided and it took time and effort and writing to clear it up.
The advantage of a trade in program like this is if you are not trying to squeak out the last dollar in value you don't have to worry as much when you ship the item that everything is 100% perfect.
Edit: Of course the money does matter so I am talking in general about selling on ebay of course I'd see exactly what the delta was taking into account all fees and time involved.
you are also better off selling your old car yourself instead of taking the dealer's trade-in offer. That doesn't stop a lot of people from doing things the easy way and potentially missing out on hundreds/thousands of dollars.
I'll be parting out my 2011 Macbook Air, and I'll only be out ~US$200 after purchasing a new 2015 Macbook Air.
Details:
3 months ago, I bought a new Macbook Air to replace my mid-2011 for CAD$1300 incl taxes (Approx US$1000).
They had an academic discount-promo for a free-pair of Dre Beats BT headphones, which I promptly Ebay'd for CAD$230.
I'm parting out my mid-2011 Air now on Ebay for CAD$950 total, and that's excluding a $40 part I broke, a worn-out battery, and a destroyed power adapter.
So, after 4 years, I practically traded in my old Macbook for a new one for $100 (excl Ebay and shipping costs, but still).
They hold their value, and people bother to repair broken 5 year old models.
As always, I'm creeped out by the fact that Microsoft is tracking how often everyone uses touch input. Are they tracking what app the user was interacting with? Exactly where/how they touched? What was under the touch? I'm just not comfortable sharing that information with anyone. If they were to provide a complete opt-out of all information sharing I'd definitely consider it, but until then I'm out.
This is in response to the giant quote box they have in the article on the actual blog post.
"97% of people that have a Surface Pro 4 or Surface Book use on-screen touch input regularly."
That has to be one thing Apple has going for then, security. They don't often talk about it on stage but the thought and work that goes into protecting users looks pretty strong.
The touch ID in the new Macbook pro actually uses an apple watch chip with security enclave on it, and the web cam is routes through there too so the CPU doesn't have direct access, making it harder to hack.
I'm not sure I've heard Microsoft talk about protecting users or avoiding exploiting their data...
Upgrading to Windows 10 enterprise/Pro allows turning off of such creepy telemetry.
I understand they probably want to understand how users are using touch that they may not have taught yet but it should not be forced on regular Windows 10 users.
Still, on regular windows 10 home devices, tools like Spybot's anti-beacon seem to be at least somewhat effective in minimizing such calls home.
Really? They're offering me $400 for my 256gb / 2.4ghz late 2013 retina model. Pretty bog standard and 3 years old. That's enough to make me seriously consider it, since I've been eyeing the surface book for a bit. Mainly I need to figure out its Ubuntu compatibility now.
I would in a 1-to-1 deal. They are both overpriced hardware for what they bring to the table, but at least the SPro has a Wacom touchscreen which makes it a great little thing for taking notes and on-the-go whiteboarding. I would've loved one for my daily commute when I had 30-45 mins to kill on the bus. An MBP offers me nothing valuable over laptops at ~half the price.
Sounds like you have a lemon then and should have it replaced. I'm on a SP3 right now that I bought two years ago... since then upgraded to Win 10 and then to the Anniversary Update. Other than the battery drain issue that struck earlier this year, it's pretty much been flawless and I bang on it every day. I for one am sold on this form factor.
Highlights how much Apple and Microsoft are targeting the same market with very different products, which is good for consumers.
Unfortunately consumers can also be the casualties. Less popularized "specs" would be the manufacturing and software issues that have plagued windows devices like the surfacebook being extremely buggy at launch and the del XPS 13 completely lacking drivers when launched with win 10... Apple seems to have a but better of a job at hardware and software integration.
That is very true, I've never had a Macbook that the OS didn't know how to drive, but the early flakiness of the detach/attach with the Surface Book was very maddening (and the crappy WiFi). Since that time and post "anniversary" update it has been rock solid for me but that was nearly 9 months after I originally purchased it.
But it was clear from both the Surface Book original announcement and Wednesdays thing that Microsoft considers the Macbook the "only" competition it wants to compare itself too.
I've had to RMA it twice, but otherwise my surface pro 3 has been the most reliable computer I've ever used. My only machine for work and play for the last 2 years, and right now it looks like a Surface will replace it.
Some people here are complaining about the trade in value, but Microsoft's quote for my 2011 Macbook Pro was pretty close to what I could get for it on eBay.
However, I would not expect the resale value on any Surface product to be very good at all.
One of the nice things about owning Apple products is that you only pay full price for the first one -- when you replace it, you can trade in or sell the one you have for a lot more money than any non-Apple product of a similar age.
Well, it looks as though they are striking while the iron is hot. There is enough disappointment by people wanting a serious unixy workstation who have been using the Mac for that purpose that if MS puts serious effort into their Windows Subsytem for Linux and pushes hard enough, they may well seriously grab developer market share from Apple.
"Up to $650". You plug in your exact model and get a value thats <= $650 based on resale value, similar to value to just selling to a service like Gazelle. Smart marketing though.
If they were serious they would make it 1000. Or even refund almost new prices. It would work. Ms in the past was very aggressive when they put their minds to getting market share. Remember when they offered web browsers for free. Bye Netscape. They offered 30pct a few years back on everything on eBay, these were compelling deals.
I do not like iPhone but sorry iPads are nicer than surface tablets. They should go hard if they really want to displace iPad. As a tablet surfaces are a little too heavy and expensive.
I was open to trade my Mid 2012 (upgraded RAM and HDD to SDD), but they offer me $350. I just bought a new charger for $80 dollars (you have to include it in the trade to be eligible)...
Surfaces, to be fair, aren't really direct competitors with iPads. iPads run a mobile OS, surface run Windows. You're using Photoshop, Flash, Illustrator on a Surface, not iOS apps.
[+] [-] ssivark|9 years ago|reply
(Quite clever, methinks)
[+] [-] exodust|9 years ago|reply
"Sure, it’s all promotion, but it’s the sort of gag that affords the company opportunity to showcase its perceived advantages over Cupertino as the company looks to appeal more and more toward creatives – a category long dominated by Apple"
You didn't read the article did you.
[+] [-] matthjensen|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] lpa22|9 years ago|reply
[1] https://microsoftsurfacetrade.cexchange.com/online/home/inde...
[+] [-] fletchowns|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] gist|9 years ago|reply
Great! Why don't you come here and do all that work for me!
(Sorry just a snarky lead in for my commentary).
I try to avoid selling at ebay if at all possible. I did just sell an iphone 6 and honestly if you don't sell regularly it's a bit of work plus you have fees and have to worry about the buyer complaining. In my case they wrote to me saying that they thought it was a 6 plus and would I take it back if they paid shipping? (No was no returns) So the withheld feeback and filed a complaint with ebay. It went in my favor (obviously it was listed correctly) however the entire experience I would have rather avoided and it took time and effort and writing to clear it up.
The advantage of a trade in program like this is if you are not trying to squeak out the last dollar in value you don't have to worry as much when you ship the item that everything is 100% perfect.
Edit: Of course the money does matter so I am talking in general about selling on ebay of course I'd see exactly what the delta was taking into account all fees and time involved.
[+] [-] lukewink|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Scoundreller|9 years ago|reply
I'll be parting out my 2011 Macbook Air, and I'll only be out ~US$200 after purchasing a new 2015 Macbook Air.
Details: 3 months ago, I bought a new Macbook Air to replace my mid-2011 for CAD$1300 incl taxes (Approx US$1000).
They had an academic discount-promo for a free-pair of Dre Beats BT headphones, which I promptly Ebay'd for CAD$230.
I'm parting out my mid-2011 Air now on Ebay for CAD$950 total, and that's excluding a $40 part I broke, a worn-out battery, and a destroyed power adapter.
So, after 4 years, I practically traded in my old Macbook for a new one for $100 (excl Ebay and shipping costs, but still).
They hold their value, and people bother to repair broken 5 year old models.
[+] [-] invokestatic|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] vnglst|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tristanj|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tedmiston|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dep_b|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] zaptheimpaler|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] BipolarElsa|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] saberworks|9 years ago|reply
This is in response to the giant quote box they have in the article on the actual blog post.
"97% of people that have a Surface Pro 4 or Surface Book use on-screen touch input regularly."
[+] [-] marricks|9 years ago|reply
The touch ID in the new Macbook pro actually uses an apple watch chip with security enclave on it, and the web cam is routes through there too so the CPU doesn't have direct access, making it harder to hack.
I'm not sure I've heard Microsoft talk about protecting users or avoiding exploiting their data...
[+] [-] j45|9 years ago|reply
I understand they probably want to understand how users are using touch that they may not have taught yet but it should not be forced on regular Windows 10 users.
Still, on regular windows 10 home devices, tools like Spybot's anti-beacon seem to be at least somewhat effective in minimizing such calls home.
https://www.safer-networking.org/spybot-anti-beacon/
[+] [-] empath75|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] thesimpsons1022|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dorianm|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] pfooti|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bruceb|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mixedCase|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] duaneb|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] unknown|9 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] eric_the_read|9 years ago|reply
My follow-up question is: How do I get in on that action?
[+] [-] WrkInProgress|9 years ago|reply
As someone pointed out, it's just a re-branding of am existing third party "trade in" company.
Here's one for the Xbox https://microsoftconsoletradeca.cexchange.com/online/home/in...
[+] [-] blitzd|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] nu5500|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] marricks|9 years ago|reply
Unfortunately consumers can also be the casualties. Less popularized "specs" would be the manufacturing and software issues that have plagued windows devices like the surfacebook being extremely buggy at launch and the del XPS 13 completely lacking drivers when launched with win 10... Apple seems to have a but better of a job at hardware and software integration.
[+] [-] jrockway|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ChuckMcM|9 years ago|reply
But it was clear from both the Surface Book original announcement and Wednesdays thing that Microsoft considers the Macbook the "only" competition it wants to compare itself too.
[+] [-] passive|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ant6n|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] stomato|9 years ago|reply
Even though the new MB pro has the weird strip and lack of function keys, the OS is still better. Windows 10 has more quirks.
[+] [-] emsy|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] twblalock|9 years ago|reply
However, I would not expect the resale value on any Surface product to be very good at all.
One of the nice things about owning Apple products is that you only pay full price for the first one -- when you replace it, you can trade in or sell the one you have for a lot more money than any non-Apple product of a similar age.
[+] [-] SiVal|9 years ago|reply
I wonder if Apple would even notice.
[+] [-] wmeredith|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] drham|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Steeeve|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] a13n|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] unknown|9 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] dpweb|9 years ago|reply
I do not like iPhone but sorry iPads are nicer than surface tablets. They should go hard if they really want to displace iPad. As a tablet surfaces are a little too heavy and expensive.
[+] [-] cuchoi|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ralusek|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] passive|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] sheeshkebab|9 years ago|reply
Went browsing apple.com macs after seeing all their $2k+ prices on surface books...
[+] [-] ruffrey|9 years ago|reply