???? 如果所有事情都能按照微軟的計劃，按部就班地向前推進，這款平板電腦就會轉變為一臺筆記本電腦。它所采用的功能完備的操作系統、與云應用和傳統企業級軟件的協同運作、再加上搭載Windows系統、能自動同步的智能手機，這些都應該會讓首席信息官們為之傾心。對獨立的Windows開發者來說，他們也同樣會心馳神往。微軟認證的開發者已達數百萬人（有人估計，全球至少有800萬人）。今年第4季度，Windows 8就將正式發布。對開發者來說，有這么一個可供開發的新平臺也是件賞心樂事。

理由3：微軟的假想敵是筆記本電腦和谷歌，而絕不僅僅是iPad

????現在，微軟為自己設定的目標是，開發更輕、更便攜的設備。2012年，主要硬件供應商已紛紛推出依托于英特爾公司（Intel）平臺架構的“超極本”——即超輕、配置高端的筆記本電腦，主要是模仿蘋果大獲成功的MacBook Air而來。而Surface可能會將這種競爭推向縱深。托普羅斯基稱：“盡管提到要推出混合型的產品，它將同時具備平板電腦和PC的功能，但讓業界迄今還蒙在鼓里的是，微軟究竟打算怎么利用Windows 8。但是Surface似乎使有關Windows 8的消息變得確鑿起來，并且它將這一不斷進化的操作系統植入了一個合情合理的產品包中。”

????谷歌（Google）則是這一競爭方程式的第三個要素。憑借安卓（Android）系統，谷歌通過大量原始設備制造商和電信運營商的銷售已賺得盆滿缽滿，但它還是無法撼動iPad的霸主地位。Surface可以和谷歌展開較量，但還無法真正和iPad叫板。來自券商Cowen & Company公司的分析師布萊恩?普羅姆稱：“我們確信，基于快速成型技術（RT-based，Rapid-tooling）的Surface平板電腦將只能算是iPad一個實力平平的挑戰者——鑒于其支持Office套件的能力，這一點主要是針對企業級市場而言。進一步來看，因為iPad已證明，即便它不支持Office套件，照樣能夠廣受終端用戶的青睞，因此我們相信，快速成型的平板電腦很有可能將蠶食企業級PC的市場（而不是iPad的市場）。我們希望，Surface在拓展平板電腦市場上的表現要比Android的平板電腦截至目前的表現要更漂亮。”

????一直以來，業界流傳著一個看法，導致微軟落后于人的根本原因是鮑爾默緊抓著操作系統不放，導致公司缺乏活力。但是現在開辟的新方向將催生一個完整的Windows生態系統，這可能會成為一臺導向成功的引擎，讓微軟重新煥發勃勃生機。

????譯者：清遠

????If everything goes according to Microsoft's plan, this tablet will have morphed into a laptop. A fully functioning operating system that works with cloud applications and legacy enterprise software, and Windows-based smart phones that synchronize should perk the ears of CIOs. Same goes for independent Windows developers. Microsoft's certified developers reach in to the millions (with at least one estimate coming in at 8 million globally). With Windows 8 on the 4Q horizon, a new toy to develop for is likely a good thing.

Reason #3: Microsoft's targets are the laptop and Google, not just the iPad

????Microsoft is setting itself up for lighter, more portable form factors. In 2012, the major hardware vendors have been pushing Intel-based (INTC) 'ultrabooks' -- the super light, high-end laptops modeled after the success of Apple's MacBook Air. The Surface will potentially push that even further. "Despite allusions to hybrid products that function as both tablet and PC, it's never been clear what Microsoft intended to do with Windows 8," wrote The Verge's Topolosky. "But the Surface seems to solidify the message of Windows 8, and it puts the evolving OS into a package that makes sense."

????Google (GOOG) is the third piece of this competitive equation. With Android, Google has multiple flavors being sold by a host of OEMs and mobile carriers, but hasn't bitten the iPad. Surface has a chance to compete with Google here, but not really the iPad. "We believe the RT-based Surface tablet will prove to be only a modest challenger to iPad - most specifically in the enterprise, given the device's support of Office," wrote analyst Bryan Prohm of Cowen and Company. "Moreover, because iPad has proven to be popular with end users despite lacking Office support, we believe RT-based tablets are most likely to cannibalize enterprise PC sales (not iPad sales). We expect the Surface will expand the tablet market more than Android tablets have to date."

????The argument that what has kept Microsoft behind as a company is Ballmer's grip on the OS and it's a stranglehold, but this new direction for a full Windows ecosystem may end up being the success engine that keeps it thriving.