Microsoft Surface 2 review: Sink or swim
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- Anonymous
- gyf
- 30 Nov 2013
iPad Air supports 4G LTE,it has a screen with higher ppi,it's lighter and thinner and it has more apps and games and better battery life and it support multi-touch up to 10 fingers and it's cellular model supports A-GPS with GLONASS and it has EDR technology for bluetooth
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- AnonD-210977
- 3sr
- 30 Nov 2013
Nono nono no RT
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- TheNeighbor
- v0q
- 30 Nov 2013
AnonD-126844, 30 Nov 2013that's why,you're a part of the niche user,a 5% of the elec... moreI was doubtful with the first Surface RT. I saw no point with hardly any apps, lower resolutioned screen, no Wacom digitizer, and my old netbook ran a full Windows XP. Then I had a Galaxy Note tablet and a heavy Alienware laptop this year. Keyboard accessories on Android devices keep giving me frustrating character errors, and carrying some 5kg of weight (with the power adapter) on your backpack all day isn't a good thing.
The Surface Pro 2 would've been perfect for, if my Alienware isn't powerful with lots more RAM for 3D model making and rendering for my commissions. No, I NEED something more than a mere tablet for writing without errors but not bulky.
When I saw the Surface 2 with the productivity bundle, I was stoked in replacing my Android tablet for a Windows-like experience. Without those, I wouldn't consider getting the Surface 2 at all.
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- Anonymous
- v0X
- 30 Nov 2013
Who the hell uses a tablet with 1080p res these days? Lol
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- Synonymous
- sED
- 30 Nov 2013
TheNeighbor, 30 Nov 2013And no one complains about iOS compared to a full Mac OS. A... moreOn iOS case, that's because there's no available choice.
If, say, Apple release an iPad with full-featured OSX Mavericks on it, with same battery life, same price range, I'm sure people will choose it over regular iOS iPad.
I don't say Surface 2 is bad. It's a decent tablet.
But if I have to choose, between $450 Surface 2 with ARM Tegra 4 + limited Windows RT + 15 hours battery life,
and $350 Asus T100 tablet with x86 Baytrail + full Windows 8.1 + 11 hours battery life,
then I already know which one the right tablet for long term investment.
Or, if I want some stylus support, I can pick $350 Dell Venue 8 Pro instead, with similar spec to Asus T100. Of course it's not as great as Surface Pro 2 or Note 3 stylus, but it gets the job done quite well.
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- AnonD-126844
- tV0
- 30 Nov 2013
TheNeighbor, 30 Nov 2013I'm an architect working on site at times, I part-time teac... morethat's why,you're a part of the niche user,a 5% of the electronic consumer ,i think surface 2 suit for you,and i respect what u do.
but for most of us,surface rt just pointless,that reflect on sales.
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- TheNeighbor
- v0q
- 30 Nov 2013
AnonD-211087, 30 Nov 2013But the thing is ,what a difference full windows8.1 can't d... moreThe Surface 2 does "mobility/entertainment.help people kill time or enjoy some games/movie after/during work." The Windows RT store is still young and has limited entertainment apps. I don't really care much for them.
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- TheNeighbor
- v0q
- 30 Nov 2013
AnonD-126844, 30 Nov 2013How's it not good for work? A full working Office Suite, Ou... moreI'm an architect working on site at times, I part-time teach, occasionally write for a magazine, and about to enroll for a graduate school program. I'd like to be out when I need to write using the type cover. I would find it very useful for both work, teaching and as a researcher.
RT runs more efficiently with less electrical consumption and therefor gives me more productive time. That's the idea of phone and tablet OSs. I want that 10 hours + of working time on a thin and light form factor with full 10" full HD screen.
I see the Surface 2 as being my entertainment device for shows and movies as well. My current Galaxy Note tablet only gives me 7 hours of actual screen on usage.
I know what are desktop and laptop PCs are for. I have them. I use them a number of times in the week for my projects, entertainment, Office suite, photo editing, 3D model rendering, and 3D teaching demonstrations for my 3DS Max and Revit course teachings.
I understand what the RT's limitations are. I'm getting it soon for serious Office Suite and great useful kickstand, backlit keyboard integration, long power stamina, full virtual & wired data synchronization, and virus free confidence.
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- Anonymous
- J5P
- 30 Nov 2013
AnonD-36554, 30 Nov 2013I think its much more productive than android or ios based ... moreI never use Microsofts "office" when editing word or excel or powerpoint, there are many better alternatives!
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- AnonD-126844
- tV0
- 30 Nov 2013
TheNeighbor, 30 Nov 2013How's it not good for work? A full working Office Suite, Ou... moreHow's it not good for work? A full working Office Suite, Outlook, browser, photo editor and SkyDrive are there.
(why we need rt just for those?i can easily do it in my laptop,we rarely move outside our workplace just do to those work,we have computer in our workplace)
It's a better alternative than an iPad for reports, spreadsheets and even able to hook up to a projector to present slides.
(bro,situation you mentioned only good for student who did their work last minute,edit ms power point in class ready to submit,in office,we can do last minute editing with computer and hook it with usb drive before present a report,most of our room have a dedicated computer with a projector,no need for hook an extra tablet)
that's why people say its good for student,not for work.
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- AnonD-211087
- tV0
- 30 Nov 2013
TheNeighbor, 30 Nov 2013And no one complains about iOS compared to a full Mac OS. A... moreBut the thing is ,what a difference full windows8.1 can't do compare to rt? Surface rt with its keyboard sell for expensive price,you can get a windows8.1 tablet for that.if you think 11 hour battery really useful,I think I will spend that ms office time on a proper office doing my work at office with my computer/laptop.
What the main point for tablet is mobility/entertainment.help people kill time or enjoy some games/movie after/during work.
I don't sure you gonna do your work for 10 hour with ms office only without electric.except you work as Secretary in safari.
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- TheNeighbor
- v0q
- 30 Nov 2013
Anonymous, 30 Nov 2013i think surface rt is only good for student.. not for working ...How's it not good for work? A full working Office Suite, Outlook, browser, photo editor and SkyDrive are there. It's a better alternative than an iPad for reports, spreadsheets and even able to hook up to a projector to present slides.
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- TheNeighbor
- v0q
- 30 Nov 2013
Synonymous, 30 Nov 2013Is this still using Windows RT ?
Oh my, Windows RT clearly... moreAnd no one complains about iOS compared to a full Mac OS. Apple has years of a lead time with its tablet market.
I can't defend the Windows RT store for not having all of our favorite and popular apps but I'm personally interested in Surface 2's productivity capabilities. Yes, it may not catch on, but I'd rather get a Surface now than a iPad or Android tablet.
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- TheNeighbor
- v0q
- 30 Nov 2013
Now I'm sure it was the right decision to order the Surface 2. Thanks, GSM Arena for the battery review which confirms an average 10 hours productive use. I wouldn't need to even carry its charger for the day.
Limited apps? I don't care about those casual games. The Surface 2's full Office Suite, browser, better cameras, that nifty kickstand and the wonderful Type Cover are so much important for my needs. Social media apps still work with a browser. It may not carry my usual CAD and Revit programs I use for work at times, but I see the Surface 2 as my solitude light tool in contrast to my 3kg heavy Alienware laptop. I just find the Surface Pro's battery life short at 5 to 7 hours, and it would be redundant with my new 14" more powerful laptop.
Things about the Surface 2 not emphasized enough are the no perceived lag when it comes to extended display (not just mirrored display) and multi-tasking. The back-lit keyboard cover is so thin and is the most important accessory for writing and not the error-ridden screen keyboard or bluetooth keyboard. It's just perfect. The USB 3.0, micro USB port and integrated SkyDrive makes this even more useful and versatile than the competition in this category. Yeah, people still get confused what to classify the Surface 2.
This sold out along with the Pro in stores in Japan in less than 2 weeks. People were still placing orders for this. I'm getting it there since local distributors are not carrying MS' fantastic hardware.
Bottom line is I'm attracted to its better useful hardware, versatility and long productivity time. It'll be a nice switch from an Android tablet.
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- FromChinaWithLove
- qnS
- 30 Nov 2013
Not really that bad of a review! Got some points there just like everyone's comments here also got a point. And I found cheap price tag on surface does able to fool peoples into buying it, almost. I was at the bestbuy this afternoon, and they're selling the surface (1) for $199. Many peoples pass by and ask about the slate and some are actually interest in buying, but the thing is this is America, if anyone finds the stuff they bought isn't really what they want, they can simply return it and they hurts the surface even more! It's actually sad to see that.
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- AnonD-36554
- utS
- 30 Nov 2013
I think its much more productive than android or ios based tablets with full ms office support...once u have a smartphone u dont really need a tablet as a smartphone can handle all the tasks that ios or android tablets can....but they on the other hand lack on the productivity front like ms office for eg.....true that apps for windows RT are less but its still a better substitute for a laptop....i think ms should go with full blown windows from the next time onwards
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- AnonD-126844
- tZj
- 30 Nov 2013
the problem is rt is not as good as full blown 8.1,why I buy a surface rt where with same or even least the money, I could get a ultrabook (can fold like tablet)with full blown windows8.1? thats why surface1 have to sell cheaper, but still got no response as android/ios tablet did nor entry level laptop.
build quality is great, if only rt=windows 8.1
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- Synonymous
- inV
- 30 Nov 2013
Is this still using Windows RT ?
Oh my, Windows RT clearly has no future.
With recent boom of cheap $300 full-featured Windows 8.1 tablet using Intel BayTrail, I don't think people will want Windows RT anymore.
Also, enterprise user will never use Windows RT. RT requires Windows Store, while enterprise that develop internal app for tablet is unlikely to publish its app in Windows Store. Obtaining license for deploying enterprise RT app locally is also complicated.
No doubt enterprise will go with normal Windows app, never RT.
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- James
- sSV
- 30 Nov 2013
I dont get it. Android and Apple are hopeless as a real business tool as you can only look and not do a great deal. As toys for looking at facebook, movies, a few mails, vids, photos, and for dorks, playing games all day, then good for you. But why the hell bother. If think a light weight surface pro 2 would cream the market. At the moment everyone is in raptures about specs, a romantic interlude with screens and dubious things like benchmarks, that 99% of the market does not care about. What about real cross purpose function. Many of my friends have iPads, but they doing nothing really useful, so why the hell buy it. I think the normal surface 2 has a role. If you are business inclined, then obviously it is far better than Android or Apple. The Apple Air is like attending a bikini model show - the specs are there, but you cannot enjoy the touch experience.
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- Anonymous
- IV$
- 30 Nov 2013
i think surface rt is only good for student.. not for working ...