Microsoft Surface 2 review: Sink or swim

29 November 2013
There is a tall task ahead of the Microsoft Surface 2. The first generation of the Microsoft tablet arrived with much fanfare but had little success, and the newcomer has to entice new customers, proving along the way that Redmond can be a factor in...

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  • C
  • Cyd07
  • HDQ
  • 30 Nov 2013

"There're options with the full-blown Windows 8.1, some at a lower price"

Said many times but...do you put that in the review of each iPad, and each Android tablet ? Why buy an Android tablet/iPad when you can have the compatibility with all the legacy software written for Windows ? Basically, if you say that and want to be consistent, you should compare every tablet reviewed to a Windows 8.1 tablet.

Or you consider that you must only compare things inside an ecosystem (for example because you'd think people choose an ecosystem and only after comes the question of the hardware), but in that case be sure never to compare an iPad to an Android tablet, and the same for phones.

    • D
    • AnonD-159252
    • nCE
    • 30 Nov 2013

    Really good review but totally useless and other devices could have been reviewed instead of this( quote: "the Surface 2 is bound to remain a niche product - full of character but not quite hitting the bar").I really want to see reviews and review updates of phones more and niche products less.

      • g
      • gnodeb
      • gL9
      • 30 Nov 2013

      I would add these to the "key features" list:
      - winrt, just like win, has support for multiple user accounts...
      - you can extend (not clone) your screen to external monitor. with mouse&keyboard you got nice little multi monitor setup
      - remote desktop can be used to overcome ARM limitations
      - Xbox controller can be used and it has nice support in games

      I don't think support for x86 software is that huge if you don't have a power to run it properly. Atom CPU is not enough in most cases..

        • F
        • Fruitcake
        • 3pH
        • 29 Nov 2013

        Microsoft think they can compete with Apple,but it seems they are still miles behind them,Until Microsoft offer more Applications on Windows,then they will still not be able to attract people away from iPads or Android Tablets or Smartphones

          • E
          • EspHack
          • 8xu
          • 29 Nov 2013

          at the end, if you look for this kind of tablet you most likely have a desktop windows computer and WP, and neither android tablets nor ios ones can match the level of synchronization between these devices, so.. in short.. we dont give a fuck that the ipad or nexus 10 can play candyrush, we are here for the microsoft ecosystem, 3rd party apps are only that THIRD party apps

            • D
            • AnonD-118519
            • gyD
            • 29 Nov 2013

            Hey GSM,
            Please review Sony Vaio Tap11 as well and compare it with iPad Air and Note 10 2014.
            Im really in a dilemma in buying a good tablet.

              • D
              • AnonD-210953
              • Prw
              • 29 Nov 2013

              Wow, "a much better optimized tablet experience" on Android? Reeeaaalllyyyy?????

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