Microsoft Surface 2: We Go Hands On
Check out the Surface 2 up close!
Microsoft today announced a brand new version of the Surface RT. Except, this time, it's not called the Surface RT. It's just called the Surface 2. We were on the scene at Microsoft's New York City event this morning, and we've got hands on for you! Check out our first impressions below:
The device still runs Windows RT (version 8.1), it just doesn't have the name, and it boasts a 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD display and comes with support for microSD, USB 3.0, and HD video out. The tablet comes in two variations, 32 GB or 64 GB, and ships with Office 2013 RT and 200 GB of SkyDrive storage (for two years). It's priced at $449, the same money customers were asked for when the original Surface RT launched. Of course the Touch Cover or Type Cover will cost more.
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Idiots.
I'd like to know what SoC is in it, and what clocks, etc.
I hope Windows keeps this RT going why people say for this price might as well get so and so laptops are under $300 now you don’t like RT buy a laptop and shut it. Most 10 inch tablets are 400 plus (Samsung tab 3 ~$375 And the note 10.1 is over $400) this is windows tablet its note a full blown computer get a grip its closer to a computer than any other tablet with a arm cpu and all people can say is kill the RT and trash it because what it’s not a full Windows OS well then kill Chromebooks because they suck I know two people that bought them then brought it back. If having two Windows OS (windows/ Windows RT) confuses you then you should not be trolling on a tech site plan and simple Windows plan is a good one but is being held down by simple minded haters
Example:
Mac: Compatablity wise
Mac OS (X “Maverick”) ≠ Ipad (OS 7) : (no apps work together)
Chrome book (Chrome OS) ≠ Android Tablet (Jelly Bean) (some maybe apps work together (play movies music))
Windows PC (windows 8) = Windows RT (all apps are synced all songs integrated drop box, Office etc..)
Slightly bias but imagine cross platform sync among devices if chosen Windows is the only one in a position to do so
1. Surface price (original) is $350 cheap/normal for a good 10 inch tablet
2. Multi user login.
3. USB built in and I can plug just about anything even my Creative labs tactic Alpha USB gaming headset, Any thumb drive, web cams, printers etc.. its hard to find something it cant recognize. Huge plus
4. Type or touch covers that magnetically clips and folds over screen. (kinda expensive)
5. Comes with FULL version of office 2013.
6. Has windows desktop very easy to navigate file directories especially with to new explorer ribbon with copy to, move to, select all shortcuts yes I know it was all there before hidden somewhat. Icon driven
7. To the people at my job bragging about their Samsungs tablets that can do dual view. Wow bragging about something that was done in windows years ago. Surface does that in desktop view and “app” view in any program not just a selected few and its easier; just swipe down and to the side and with 8.1 you chose what size of the screen it takes up.
8. Wifi printers; no need for apps or e-print mine hooks up directly to them like a computer (print only). With HP app my large format hp office jet 7500A all the function (scan/print) work same with my pinnacle 90? Lexmark (numbers may be off).
9. As far as power the Tegra 3 is more than enough never had a problem.
10. Not a big deal but Picture pin code login is cool.
11. Hook up Microsoft 360 controller or many others and it WORKs with games as an input I bought a controller for my Samsung S3 and found out it just does a directional pad bought an analog one and it needs an app that taps into a few Popular games (at the time about a year ago) Point is there is no universal controller input there has to be a bridge between controller (driver) and app (this is why windows works Android is not mature enough to have this as a standard) it’s the wild west.
12. live tile is great read a review of a apple sheep thinking he knows what people want in a computer. The name of the article was something like: “Why Windows live tile is useless and why apple is not worried” dumbest article ever written with not consecpt of how it works and why some people would like to use it.
a. Live tiles can be shut off
b. live tile info and be cleared
c. don’t have to go into app to get simple info
d. tiles can be grouped and resized (yes like android)(androids widgets are better useful in its quickness to use)
14. MicroSD (yes apple and google nexus)
15. HDMI out (with special cable)
16. Metal casing and
1. Music app is horrid only have mp3 I bought on it and still makes me watch commercials and now since 8.1 preview the commercials don’t play they just go in limbo and when you back out to replay it plays the song and commercial at the same time ( my internet connection is fine) {easy fix get different music app}
2. Screen resolution is 1366 x 768 not bad but compared to others.
3. Wifi continuity is lost 50% time it goes into sleep mode using battery.
4. Surface RT needs special HDMI connector (the pro uses a more popular connector)
5. Main reason people may hate the surface RT is the amount of apps (but it is getting better)
6. Stylus for the pro does not fully function with RT (requires different touch screen so not surprised) but Samsung Note has a cool stylus at this price range