That contradicts your original point?

No it doesn't. There will be a Windows Surface offering that is 100% Windows 8 Intel-based. That is what my entire post is about. You are choosing to focus on the other unit. I devoted 0% of my post to that other offering.

The fact that MS if offering a version of Surface that will not run standard Windows programs is of no consequence. There will be lots of valid use cases for that device. What is important here is that MS if offering consumers something very valuable: A choice.

> You are choosing to focus on the other unit. I devoted 0% of my post to that other offering.

Or,min other words, you're choosing to ignore the other unit, where the consumer isn't offered a choice

Which the consumer will buy, believing that all Windows 8s are the same.

Yeah, that's a problem I don't have a clear idea of how they'll handle. And since the x86 one will likely run whatever legacy windows apps you want, I see a lot of pissed off people who feel like MS is cheating them somehow.*

I'm perfectly willing to be wrong, though.

*When the cheap model won't do that.

I think consumers and Microsoft are smarter than you give them credit. I have zero doubt that these devices will be sold for exactly what they are. "Surface" for one ecosystem and "Surface PRO" for full Windows 8 software compatibility. It really isn't that complicated.

Time will tell.

And because it's cheaper, thiner, lighter, quieter...