# Microsoft Surface commercial - Fail **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 4, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976 "2012-12-04T18:23:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/41 "2012-12-05T17:43:22Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > I’m also wondering what happens when the kid produces something that the parents don’t want to display. “This one’s SO GOOD I want to make sure the sunlight doesn’t fade it out, so let’s hang this up inside the closet!” ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/42 "2012-12-05T17:53:26Z")
it seems many folks are not understanding the purpose of commercials are. They are primarily for product and name recognition and to provide some interest,not to outright sell the product to you. Having said that, I do think the surface ads fail in the product recognition part to some degree. The whole commercial seems to be about attaching the keyboard and not so much about it being a tablet. And I agree that if it wasn’t for the price I would probably get one. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/43 "2012-12-05T17:59:16Z")
Is that the one with the Dom girl scouts dancing fiercely? It scares me. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/44 "2012-12-05T18:22:38Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I understood that they’re selling a tablet. The commercial I didn’t get was the one showing people drawing lines and circles on the screen. Apparently they’re demonstrating a visual password system, but this wasn’t clear to me. I’m not sure why since the ad repeated the phrase “Picture Passwords… Only on Microsoft Surface!” like six times. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/45 "2012-12-05T18:35:48Z")
For the past day or so, I’ve actually not been fast-forwarding through commercials, waiting to see that one again so I could see what I missed. I still haven’t seen it again since I found this out. And I couldn’t find the ad on YouTube. (I’d love a link if anyone can find one.) ---
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/46 "2012-12-05T18:44:30Z")
“All flash and no heat” is how Microsoft has survived over 30 years. I say death to the Surface and the Windows Phone. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/47 "2012-12-05T18:59:07Z")
Well, I dunno about your youtube but it’s the very first hit when I search [windows picture password commercial](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBmtde_XNBs), picture password commercial and windows 8 commercial. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/48 "2012-12-05T19:05:28Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > I believe the price is a little over a grand. And battery life of approximately half that of the Surface RT (so 4-5 hours). If you want an ultrabook, just buy an ultrabook. It’ll be cheaper and have more features. If you want a tablet, buy a tablet. I don’t see why people want to turn their tablets into overpriced underpowered ultrabooks. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/49 "2012-12-05T19:09:05Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > I’m not sure why since the ad repeated the phrase “Picture Passwords… Only on Microsoft Surface!” like six times. I don’t know what commercial you’re watching, but the one I’m thinking of is linked a couple posts before this one, and shows “Picture Password” exactly once on screen and if you’re only half paying attention to the commercial (as I normally am during commercials), it’s pretty easy to miss. It took me several viewings of the commercial before I got that part. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/50 "2012-12-05T19:15:57Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > Well, the cover for the Surface tablet includes an integrated keyboard, so that perhaps explains or justifies the $150 cost. I doubt that the Surface covers attach magnetically, as I’ll bet that Apple patented that idea. > > :rolleyes: > > First of all yes, it’s a magnetic cover. It attaches strong enough that you can hold the keyboard and dangle the computer from it. > > Second, nice job on rounding up on the price of the keyboard. The keyboard shown in the advertisement costs $119 when purchased as an accessory, and if you buy the Surface with a keyboard it’s only $100 more. Don’t you roll your eyes at me. First of all, as **Inner Stickler** said, he or she was the one who mentioned the $150 price for the cover. Second, Apple did, in fact, obtain a [patent](http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.htm&r=16&p=1&f=G&l=50&d=PTXT&S1=%2820120320.PD.%20AND%20Apple.ASNM.%29&OS=ISD/20120320%20AND%20AN/Apple&RS=%28ISD/20120320%20AND%20AN/Apple%29) on the magnetic cover for the iPad. And it’s not their first ridiculous patent either; they also have, for example, [one on the rounded corners for its devices](http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.htm&r=16&p=1&f=G&l=50&d=PTXT&S1=%2820120320.PD.%20AND%20Apple.ASNM.%29&OS=ISD/20120320%20AND%20AN/Apple&RS=%28ISD/20120320%20AND%20AN/Apple%29). So do you work for the company based in Redmond, Washington or the one based in Cupertino, California? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/51 "2012-12-05T19:19:56Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I don’t know what commercial you’re watching, but the one I’m thinking of is linked a couple posts before this one, and shows “Picture Password” exactly once on screen and if you’re only half paying attention to the commercial (as I normally am during commercials), it’s pretty easy to miss. It took me several viewings of the commercial before I got that part. And I’m sure if they repeated it 6 times, the thread would be full of people indignantly stating that Microsoft thinks they’re idiots. ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/52 "2012-12-05T19:40:07Z")
I didn’t catch the ‘picture passwords’ part of said ad either, & I’ve been subjected to it far too many times. I hate the consumer electronics ads that are virtual copies of Apple ads. If you want me to think you are different and better than Apple, stop mimicking their commercials. And the ads that mock the Apple users standing in line? I use an iphone (never stood in line for it tho) and refuse to think of buying a product from a company that relentlessly mocks me for using an iphone. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/53 "2012-12-05T19:42:25Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > And I’m sure if they repeated it 6 times, the thread would be full of people indignantly stating that Microsoft thinks they’re idiots. I suppose. That said, I actually am intrigued by the tablet and would like to see one in person to see how it compares with an iPad in terms of user interface, look, and feel. And app support. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/54 "2012-12-05T19:51:43Z")
> [@well\_he\_s\_back](#): > > And the ads that mock the Apple users standing in line? I use an iphone (never stood in line for it tho) and refuse to think of buying a product from a company that relentlessly mocks me for using an iphone. Samsung galaxy s3. Love the principled stance; guess you were asleep for the year Mac Vs. PC ads reigned in the public ad consciousness, tho. Or does it only count if the company doing the mocking is one you don’t use, already? > [@pulykamell](#): > > That said, I actually am intrigued by the tablet and would like to see one in person to see how it compares with an iPad in terms of user interface, look, and feel. And app support. I really liked it and would have happily played with it for ages in the store. The only thing that really bothered me was that on the smaller screen of the surface, a lot of the touch options in actual programs were fuzzy. Selecting Bold often also chose Italics and Underline and so on. But on the actual desktop monitors, that functionality worked a lot better. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/55 "2012-12-05T19:53:59Z")
There’s a Microsoft store in Chicago and another in Oak Brook, IL, so you can play with one in either store. ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/56 "2012-12-05T19:55:48Z")
good point, Inner Stickler, and please accept my mea culpa. Though I’d say the Samsung ads are more mean spirited. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Jocko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uncle_jocko/32/2932_2.png) [@Uncle\_Jocko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Jocko)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/57 "2012-12-05T20:02:49Z")
> [@well\_he\_s\_back](#): > > good point, Inner Stickler, and please accept my mea culpa. Though I’d say the Samsung ads are more mean spirited. Holding a spot in line for your _parents_? Ouch. That’s designed to burn the hipsters … (although “This is the line for apps, right?” was pretty darn funny.) On another note about the Surface commercials … WTF with the stomping schoolgirls? They’re all wearing their schoolgirl outfits defiantly thrusting the Surface into our faces, with looks of stern umbrage on their faces. And they’re STOMPING. What’'s up with that? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/58 "2012-12-05T20:06:40Z")
It’s hip cuz it’s gangsta and cute cuz they’re little girls. I dunno. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/59 "2012-12-05T20:08:37Z")
> [@Uncle\_Jocko](#): > > On another note about the Surface commercials … WTF with the stomping schoolgirls? They’re all wearing their schoolgirl outfits defiantly thrusting the Surface into our faces, with looks of stern umbrage on their faces. And they’re STOMPING. What’'s up with that? The front two are pretty darn scary looking - it’s like they want to stomp the crap of of someone, but the third one back has a big shit-eating grin on her face. At least someone was having fun that day. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976/60 "2012-12-05T20:13:52Z")
For all the crap people are giving the new Metro interface, it is based on current thinking in OS design, the gist of which is “We were wrong. Windowing interfaces are a Bad Thing because people spend too much time moving windows around, when they actually spend most of their time in full screen mode. So optimize for full screen.” I am perfectly comfortable without a Start menu, and will move to Windows 8 as soon as my current concert season is over. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-surface-commercial-fail/642976.md?page=4)