By: iPadfanzz staff on October 31, 2012
Microsoft Surface tablet, which has been launched in the US, has received mixed reviews by tech bloggers and reviewers who call it a tablet with beautiful design but with clumsy software that can easily repel users.
One tech blogger said the tablet has a lot of potential but Windows RT, is underpowered and lacks functionality. Mat Honan of Wired wrote that it is one of the exciting pieces of hardware he has ever used. “It is extremely well-designed; meticulous even. … It is a new thing, in a new space, and likely to confuse many of Microsoft’s longtime customers. … But overall it’s quite good; certainly better than any full-size Android tablet on the market. And once the application ecosystem fleshes out, it’s a viable alternative to the iPad as well.” He found the OS easy to use and even addictive, but the lack of apps troubled him.
Sam Biddle of Gizmodo said the tablet’s Touch Cover is a letdown and it costs over $100 extra. “Windows RT has major apps missing like Facebook and Twitter. There’s no image editing software.” Gizmodo gave thumbs down to purchasing it.
The Surface tablets run a pared down version of Windows 8 called Windows RT, which is designed to only work on tablets. It is same as Windows 8, except that you can’t run older Windows program on it. Further, you have to purchase whatever Microsoft offers in its app store.
“Windows RT does not have the full range of Windows apps like the Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system, which is also available on tablets,” Vincent Nguyen at Slashgear said.
The Surface offers good features that classic Windows users haven’t seen right from multitasking swiping between different apps. The device makes it easy to run two apps simultaneously on the same screen. It means that you can watch a Nextflix video while checking your email. The Live Tiles feature lets you pin to the main menu so as to get real-time updates with weather, news, and new messages. The Tile features makes information viewing experience as fluidic as possible and saves you from getting information by clicking on the app icons.
On the outside, Microsoft tried to give Surface an industrial look, with sharp angles and edges. The kickstand is quite useful and doesn’t add any bulk to the device. However, you can choose any angle when you prop the tablet on a table. Thus the efficiency as a laptop is missing.
On the same line, the Surface offers battery life that is on par with other top-tier tablets as you can receive eight hours of power with a single charge.
An interesting aspect of the tablet that it allows users to connect it to thumb drives, printers, and even an Xbox controller for gaming. The device features a 10.6-inch display with 1366-by-768 resolution at 148 pixels per inch, Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB or 64GB flash storage, microSD card, USB 2.0, micro HD port, and offers a beta version of Office 2013 Home and Student. It is 0.37-inches thick and weighs close to 1.5 pounds. The tablet doesn’t come with 3G or 4G LTE connectivity.
You can also attach Surface's optional keyboard cover to the bottom of the tablet with a satisfying snap, effectively turning the device into a laptop, mouse pad and all.
The Surface RT can be considered a good option as a second computing device, much like users who may own an iPad and a notebook. It can be used to browse the web, video chatting on Skype, emailing working in Office and for playing casual games. But before going for the purchase, do try out the device in-store. Surface will only be available at Microsoft's own retail stores.
Microsoft Surface tablet, which has been launched in the US, has received mixed reviews by tech bloggers and reviewers who call it a tablet with beautiful design but with clumsy software that can easily repel users.
One tech blogger said the tablet has a lot of potential but Windows RT, is underpowered and lacks functionality. Mat Honan of Wired wrote that it is one of the exciting pieces of hardware he has ever used. “It is extremely well-designed; meticulous even. … It is a new thing, in a new space, and likely to confuse many of Microsoft’s longtime customers. … But overall it’s quite good; certainly better than any full-size Android tablet on the market. And once the application ecosystem fleshes out, it’s a viable alternative to the iPad as well.” He found the OS easy to use and even addictive, but the lack of apps troubled him.
Sam Biddle of Gizmodo said the tablet’s Touch Cover is a letdown and it costs over $100 extra. “Windows RT has major apps missing like Facebook and Twitter. There’s no image editing software.” Gizmodo gave thumbs down to purchasing it.
The Surface tablets run a pared down version of Windows 8 called Windows RT, which is designed to only work on tablets. It is same as Windows 8, except that you can’t run older Windows program on it. Further, you have to purchase whatever Microsoft offers in its app store.
“Windows RT does not have the full range of Windows apps like the Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system, which is also available on tablets,” Vincent Nguyen at Slashgear said.
The Surface offers good features that classic Windows users haven’t seen right from multitasking swiping between different apps. The device makes it easy to run two apps simultaneously on the same screen. It means that you can watch a Nextflix video while checking your email. The Live Tiles feature lets you pin to the main menu so as to get real-time updates with weather, news, and new messages. The Tile features makes information viewing experience as fluidic as possible and saves you from getting information by clicking on the app icons.
On the outside, Microsoft tried to give Surface an industrial look, with sharp angles and edges. The kickstand is quite useful and doesn’t add any bulk to the device. However, you can choose any angle when you prop the tablet on a table. Thus the efficiency as a laptop is missing.
On the same line, the Surface offers battery life that is on par with other top-tier tablets as you can receive eight hours of power with a single charge.
An interesting aspect of the tablet that it allows users to connect it to thumb drives, printers, and even an Xbox controller for gaming. The device features a 10.6-inch display with 1366-by-768 resolution at 148 pixels per inch, Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB or 64GB flash storage, microSD card, USB 2.0, micro HD port, and offers a beta version of Office 2013 Home and Student. It is 0.37-inches thick and weighs close to 1.5 pounds. The tablet doesn’t come with 3G or 4G LTE connectivity.
You can also attach Surface's optional keyboard cover to the bottom of the tablet with a satisfying snap, effectively turning the device into a laptop, mouse pad and all.
The Surface RT can be considered a good option as a second computing device, much like users who may own an iPad and a notebook. It can be used to browse the web, video chatting on Skype, emailing working in Office and for playing casual games. But before going for the purchase, do try out the device in-store. Surface will only be available at Microsoft's own retail stores.
