Apple CEO Likens Microsoft Surface to a Flying Car

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Apple said to be preparing a new version of just-unveiled, yet-to-be-released iPad 4 due to Surface threat.

Despite every single Surface variant selling out during its pre-order stages in several regions including the U.S. and UK, Apple CEO Tim Cook has labelled the device as a "compromised" and "confusing product".

During Apple's third quarter earnings call, Cook admitted that hasn't "played with" the Windows 8-powered Surface tablet yet. However, based on what he's heard about it, he's not too keen on the device.

"I haven't personally played with the Surface. But from what I've read it is a fairly compromised, confused device," he said.

Apple has made "hard trade-offs" in terms of designing products such as the iPad in order to ensure the user experience is "incredible," Cook added, implying Microsoft hasn't carried that out with its own tablet.

"I suppose you could design a car that flies and floats, but I don't think it would do those things very well," he continued.

Despite Cook's dissatisfaction with Surface, it's said that Apple is purportedly preparing a slimmer and lighter version of the iPad 4 for a launch early next year due to the threat Microsoft's device poses.

Microsoft launched Surface worldwide on Friday, alongside its operating system Windows 8.

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70 Comments Comment from the forums
  • techcurious
    Quote:
    "I suppose you could design a car that flies and floats, but I don't think it would do those things very well."

    I wonder if Tim said the same thing to Steve Jobs right before Steve took the stage to announce the very first iPhone that "(It) Is an iPod, a phone, and an internet browser!" I remember he kept saying that over and over again.. :P
    Reply
  • Kami3k
    Uh, comparing something to a flying car only makes it more badass.

    Thanks Tim!
    Reply
  • Thomas_89
    Apple's CEO doesn't like Microsofts newest competing product. Surprise surprise..
    And what Kami3k says!
    Reply
  • damianrobertjones
    "Cook admitted that hasn't "played with" the Windows 8-powered Surface tablet yet." - Then his opinion is like that of many people who comment on Windows 8/surface - Pointless.
    Reply
  • Cue the infringement lawsuits in 3... 2...
    Reply
  • i have update my win 7 cant complain now saveing to buy me a 23 multitouch screen to go with it and i will buy my wife awindows slate so she can use it to her work sence she is a teach and did not whant ipad for working
    Reply
  • Despite pre-orders, Tim Cook has a low opinion? THose things have very little to do with each other - Microsoft has a big following, so the preorders will sell out. Tim Cook has used one, and is unimpressed. Only the most tangential relationship.
    Reply
  • No first-hand experience = no valid opinion = total bias = bullshit.
    Reply
  • Can't carry a tablet in my pocket. I'll take my Samsung phone and my trusty Dell D630. My d630 cost $200 refurbed. Parts are cheap. Runs W7. I'm a Systems Dude with (read em) 40 years experience. When they come up with a 3gz quad core 4GB 500GBSD 14" tablet that runs W8 for under $500 I'll buy one. Oh one more thing . A 14" screen means 14" not a 2" wide bezel. Looks like my next tablet will be a 5.5" Samsung phone.
    Reply
  • Surface and Windows8 are no "flying car" at all.

    It's a very poor attempt and combining 2 things that really didn't need to be combined at all: Making a desktop computer act like a very poor table. Making a tablet act like a very poor desktop.
    Reply