Well guys the people at Microsoft have been hard at work making something new and exciting...at least they think so. The new Microsoft surface is a table computer that you operate without a mouse or keyboard, simply by using your hands or various other objects to touch the screen. Personally I think it looks interesting but not nearly as practical as people at Microsoft believe it to be. The parody I've posted basically goes along with how I veiw the Microsoft Surface.

Here's the site with info and the trailer- http://www.microsoft.com/surface/index.html

And here's the parody- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZrr7AZ9nCY

So what do you think?

So, basically it does all the same stuff a regular computer does, just in a different way. That seems pretty pointless. And it seems like it would be impractical for a lot of stuff. How would you type out a long report? I mean looking at pictures and videos, and being able to move them around with your fingers, is a little. Would it be cool to have one? Sure. Would I ever buy one? Probably not. And I doubt bars and restaurants will pay thousands of dollars for a table that people put their food and drinks on.

Actually one hotel/casino in Las Vegas seems to think differently, they use the table to let people order drinks they want and to chat with people across the bar as well as "taking a virtual walk down the las vegas strip" as the Surface's home page puts it.

I could picture it being used in bars, resturaunts, and cafe' type environments but I personally doubt it'll see much use from the general public...not any time soon at least.

We've been talking about devices like this at work and thought it would be pretty cool for meetings and things like that, because you could read documents together or throw one document over to someone else (not sure that'd work with Surface but...)

I do not think this is something you will find in every home in ten years time, but there are a lot of valid applications for something like this. At least if they remember to implement multi-touch.

Yeah I suppose there could be many different ways to make use of this but if there are I think they should've showcased them better because basically what they made it look like was a rather large and also expensive device for storing/sending pictures and videos.

"It's not an iphone, it's a big _____ table"

best thing ever.

I don't understand why I would want to buy a computer that was built in to my table when I can just place my laptop on any table I choose. I wouldn't need it any more than I need an iphone. (Which is not at all)

You notice gaming was not mentioned at all. While it would be cool to see your games played on so large a screen I think there'd have to be special games designed to be controlled by the fingertips for it. So .. no, I would never buy it. Even if it came in purple.

It doesn't seem to be made for personal use but rather at businesses and stuff. Well, who knows what they were thinking, but I think it could have practical applications in hospitals, restaurants, casinos, banks, airports, etc...

They could be used as the maps/directories in malls, airports, college campuses, themeparks and ski hills so people can twist the image to different 3d angles, zoom in and out, and look up information on various aspects of the area.

Yeah I actually think this idea has come possibility to it, just not as a PC.

By watching that Surface video and then watching some more videos from the same guys (Sarcastic Gamer.com) I got to watch a few Fable 2 videos from E3 which were heart-warming and quite refreshing to say the least, if compared to the previous Fable.

I especially like the co-op segment but I dread the fact that it's only possible by way of Xbox Live and not simply someone taking a seat next to you and taking a controller. That's what I am deathly worried about, since I really want to play Fable with a friend.

Anyway, sorry to be so off-topic, but I owe thanks to the one who posted that Surface video. So thanks a lot!

Actually cooperative features the ability for a friend to drop in/out on one console with another controller (much like lego starwars) as well as through xbox live support.

IGN Article- http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/853/853367p1.html

I also started a thread about fable 2 in the RPG discussion thread here as well, its got a link to a wikipedia page for fable 2 that you might find interesting as well as my take on the original fable vs what I've seen/read of fable 2 so far.

Click- http://chorrol.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3891

How come I haven't seen this before? Thanks very much for the link, Kiln.

And good to know that co-op works both ways. Thanks for coming to my rescue.