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Acer Iconia w700 Vs Surface/Surface Pro

Good morning
So ...the end of october is coming soon with all new microsoft windows 8 tablets and in this point i'm thinking which Win8 tablet to buy.
at first i was sure i will get the microsoft surface RT but then i found the Acer Acer Iconia w700 and i was amazed ....this machine is rocking!!! it's comes with a stand and bluetooth keyboard and the prices will start in 799$ to 999$ with ivy bridge i5 and 128Gb HDD.
So this changed my mind because i want to have the full Win8 on my tablet and the Surface Pro will only release in the first 2013 quarter.
I will be glad to hear what do you think...
http://youtu.be/lw_n-rrDLeU?hd=1

I'd avoid Acer. Most of their products look good on paper but have serious build quality, software, or battery flaws.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

+1
I would like to hear more about the W700 from people who have some knowledge about the tablet & have had any experience with previous Acer Windows tablets. I am hoping to sell my laptop & buy a Windows 8 tablet, so I really want to make an informed choice.

Another long term positive for the Surface will be accessories. Because manufacturers pump out model after model changing every spec on the machine, nobody really will invest in model specific accessories like the iPad and iPhone get. Because the Surface is being done by Microsoft itself, you'll probably see a lot of third party accessories and customizing for it. That's another major reason that I'm going with the Surface, even if HP, Dell, Asus, etc come out with something equivalent.

Tempest790 said:
Another long term positive for the Surface will be accessories. Because manufacturers pump out model after model changing every spec on the machine, nobody really will invest in model specific accessories like the iPad and iPhone get. Because the Surface is being done by Microsoft itself, you'll probably see a lot of third party accessories and customizing for it. That's another major reason that I'm going with the Surface, even if HP, Dell, Asus, etc come out with something equivalent.
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The best arguement for surface vs oems yet. still don't believe it will sell enough to justify any 3rd partys making accessories for it, though.
will Microsoft pump out some cool boom boxes, charging docks or protective shells? someone is going to have to build them.... hmmmm

The W700 has a cradle, not a dock, meaning that the keyboard is wirelessly detached. IMO, I think that the cradle looks hideous, and the detached keyboard is a dealbreaker for me. It's a shame.
I'm weighing up between the Surface Pro, Samsung Series 7, HP Envy X2 and ASUS Vivo TAB.
I've made a table in OneNote with all the tablets I deem interesting for myself, with known specs/dimensions/etc. There's missing information for some stuff, but here's a link anyway: https://skydrive.live.com/redir?page=view&resid=5304A0F127ADA4A1!6466&authkey=!APoZUZMhsksoqf0
Some notes: Colours and notes are subjective. Red text is a turnoff for me. Green text is very good. Orange is iffy. If there's a + next to storage, then there's a microSD slot. If there's a ++, there's a full SD slot. The number in brackets next to the pen type is confirmed sensitivity levels, but I imagine that most will be 1024 anyway. The note 'can close' means that the tablet is confirmed as being able to close just like a netbook if it is docked.
The bracketed number next to the i5 cores is the maximum turboboost speed. Intel's Clover Trail cores have a 0.1Ghz higher clock than the i5s, offer the same number of cores (including multithreading), offer much better battery life, have NFC (In all cases?), offer better graphics performance, but (AFAIK!) can't turboboost at all.
Right now, my decision really depends on how good the battery lives are. I guess we'll soon find out.

I have an acer w500 with win8 installed and it's fine.I've only had it for about a year (got around dec/jan). This is my first serious tab (wife has asus transformer) so I don't really have anything I can compare it to. I love being able to tether it to my phone and play my steam games for about an hour and still have decent (50-65%) battery left. Haven't had any problems so far.

redthunda69 said:
I'd avoid Acer. Most of their products look good on paper but have serious build quality, software, or battery flaws.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
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Idk what issues you had with acer but I had a a500 and it was a great tab. No issues at with at all and good build quality
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

i have been using acer for past 3 years, timeline notebook, W500 and a S3 right now, i will not buy another acer as my brand new S3 hard drive crashed in 2.5 months and again crashed in 3 more months later, now my S3 is crawling again, i have to change the HDD to SSD as soon as i get my Windows 8 copy, as Acre told me they will charge me $50 to create an image of my windows 7 as the SSD will be diffrent size then the HDD (so the back up is useless..
acer is cheap and good on paper but seems like its just cheap...
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thundr51 said:
I have an acer w500 with win8 installed and it's fine.I've only had it for about a year (got around dec/jan). This is my first serious tab (wife has asus transformer) so I don't really have anything I can compare it to. I love being able to tether it to my phone and play my steam games for about an hour and still have decent (50-65%) battery left. Haven't had any problems so far.
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i got the W500 when it came out and as it has SSD its working great, i have win8 preview on it and works perfectly, or should i say great... just thich and heavy... my son loves it...

sold out, but how many?

I see Microsoft reported on version of the surface sold out of pre order. initial estimates were 2-5 million units (including all the models) were on hand for pre order.
I'm curious if anyone has seen links to estimated numbers of sales of the sold out units. a million,100000, 10000?
haven't seen a big grinning "I told you so" mug from balmer yet... hmmm
post whatchafind here.

I'm sure that the stock they have made available online is nowhere near the number of units that they have actually produced for availability. The online stock was probably a small quantity. Of course, I'm sure we won't know much about numbers till after launch.
Don't forget they need to have units available to ship to other retailers and they need to have units to ship to their own stores. I think at this point, pre-ordering at a Microsoft Store is your best bet.

The number would be really small maybe even not an amount but a clever marketing person going after x amount of time we will display the cheapest version as out of stock! This then creates a panic in the wait and see crowd who then jump in and pre order the higher models. Basically I wouldn't believe anything you see till they produce numbers as this is the typical rubbish people pull. I mean isn't it amazing how EVERY xmas the current games consoles go out of stock only to all of a sudden have loads in the last couple of weeks??? They know that loads of people would want to wait and see but if they do then you don't get high first sales and you stall but if you make people think they might miss out its amazing how many people will jump at it.
That said I hope they have sold loads and cant wait to get mine, after an initial worry on pricing I have decided its worth it, after all you can run bluestacks for apps so that's now not a problem

lumpaywk said:
The number would be really small maybe even not an amount but a clever marketing person going after x amount of time we will display the cheapest version as out of stock! This then creates a panic in the wait and see crowd who then jump in and pre order the higher models. Basically I wouldn't believe anything you see till they produce numbers as this is the typical rubbish people pull. I mean isn't it amazing how EVERY xmas the current games consoles go out of stock only to all of a sudden have loads in the last couple of weeks??? They know that loads of people would want to wait and see but if they do then you don't get high first sales and you stall but if you make people think they might miss out its amazing how many people will jump at it.
That said I hope they have sold loads and cant wait to get mine, after an initial worry on pricing I have decided its worth it, after all you can run bluestacks for apps so that's now not a problem
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BlueStacks is a regular desktop application - RT does not run desktop applications, unfortunately.

Valerianus said:
BlueStacks is a regular desktop application - RT does not run desktop applications, unfortunately.
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Please check this link http://bluestacks.com/technology/ You will see that there will be an ARM bluestacks for windows 8 launch (maybe a small wait).
"•Android on Windows (for ARM):
Run Android on Windows on ARM architectures starting with the Windows 8 release"

lumpaywk said:
The number would be really small maybe even not an amount but a clever marketing person going after x amount of time we will display the cheapest version as out of stock! This then creates a panic in the wait and see crowd who then jump in and pre order the higher models.
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The trouble is that the higher models of the Surface are now on backorder too. Some people may not bother preordering, anymore.

Looks like the last week of October will be a fun week. All three of the Big Boys (APL, MSFT, GOOG) will be releasing new toys: iPad Mini, Surface RT, and rumored Nexus 10 by Samsung.
The Samsung Nexus 10 if true should be a beast. 2560x1600, likely Exynos 5 Dual (5250) based on Cortex-A15. Base pricing should be same as iPad. If so, we'd be looking at three 10"-ish tabs from the three platforms at the same $499 price.
Out of the three, Nexus 10 would win on hardware, iPad on software (apps). Doesn't look good for Surface RT, no matter how MS spins the "low-res is just as good as hi-res".

e.mote said:
Looks like the last week of October will be a fun week. All three of the Big Boys (APL, MSFT, GOOG) will be releasing new toys: iPad Mini, Surface RT, and rumored Nexus 10 by Samsung.
The Samsung Nexus 10 if true should be a beast. 2560x1600, likely Exynos 5 Dual (5250) based on Cortex-A15. Base pricing should be same as iPad. If so, we'd be looking at three 10"-ish tabs from the three platforms at the same $499 price.
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Meh... It's still just Android, only on a bigger, high-res screen, running smartphone apps... Double meh for iPad Mini and the same boring UI on a 7" screen...
Although, I do agree on the screen resolution. I don't understand why MS didn't specify at least a 1080 screen on the RT especially with Office pre-installed. Windows Phone 8 on a 4"-5" screen, Windows 8 RT on a 10" tablet, Windows 8 Pro on a 27" desktop, Xbox w/ kinect on a 50" TV and SmartGlass to connect them all... what more do you need?

>I don't understand why MS didn't specify at least a 1080 screen on the RT
I think it's because of a long development cycle. The Surface specs were probably finalized some time last year, when 1280x800 tablets (and the $499 price) were still the norm. The low-priced KFs and N7s didn't exist then.
BTW, here's a good read on Steven Sinofsky, the exec in charge of the whole Windows initiatives, including Surface. His rigid management style, as depicted in the piece, may be the underlying reason for Surface's current state.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57536905-75/steven-sinofsky-microsofts-controversial-mr-windows-8/

e.mote said:
>I don't understand why MS didn't specify at least a 1080 screen on the RT
I think it's because of a long development cycle. The Surface specs were probably finalized some time last year, when 1280x800 tablets (and the $499 price) were still the norm. The low-priced KFs and N7s didn't exist then.
BTW, here's a good read on Steven Sinofsky, the exec in charge of the whole Windows initiatives, including Surface. His rigid management style, as depicted in the piece, may be the underlying reason for Surface's current state.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57536905-75/steven-sinofsky-microsofts-controversial-mr-windows-8/
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I think also going with a higher res screen has its tradeoffs - requires more battery consumption(screen is the main factor in battery life) and smoothness of the OS. Isn't this an issue wit hthe Ipda3 vs the Iad 2 - I head battery was worse. My wife has a Nexus 7, and the great thing about it is the OS is snappy, partially because its only a 7 inch screen but running a quad core to drive it.
I know the screen display has become a big issue with Apple - But the Surface is at least better than the Ipad 2 (maybe not the Ipad 3) but again, aren't we all getting caught up in specs without knowing implementation and real world use. Its funny how Apple is focusing on how their screen is better, but they are still running a dual core processor, and fall short in so many other areas including usb, micro SD. But one thing I am curious about is implementation of USB devices on RT - how compatible will it be considering there may not be drivers for everything.
I do agree with MS that resolution alone isn't everything - Contrast has a lot to do with it. I am still running a 2005 50" Panasonic plasma at home that is only 720p but I have to tell you it looks just as good as some cheap 1080ps I have seen lately. There's the same argument when it comes to megapixel counts on camers with cheap CMOS (More is not always better).
We have to remember we are also just talking about a 10" screen.
I have my 64gb Surface with touch cover on orderand will have on or before 26th (Ordered it before the backorder came on). I Am curious what the return policy is for Microsoft Online store if this thing turns out to be a dud after all.

>I know the screen display has become a big issue with Apple - But the Surface is at least better than the Ipad 2 (maybe not the Ipad 3)
This is PR spin coming out of MS. Nobody knows how Surface RT fares in a head-to-head match against iPad 2/3, because MS still hasn't let anyone review it. May be the spin is right, and may be not, but I'd rather hear it from a less biased source.
Anyway, the spin falls apart when one considers that MS is pricing the RT against iPad 3 (actually higher than the 3), not the 2.
>aren't we all getting caught up in specs without knowing implementation and real world use
Sure, geeks tend to obsess with specs. Regular Joes care about other things, like screen image, size/weight/style, brand, price, and apps. RT loses in most if not all these categories.
>Its funny how Apple is focusing on how their screen is better, but they are still running a dual core processor, and fall short in so many other areas including usb, micro SD.
I thought we weren't going to talk about specs. About that, you do realize that the Teg3 used in Surface RT is a year-old design that's now used in the $200 Nexus 7, right? You also realize that the Exynos 5 dual blows away the Teg3 quad, right?
>I do agree with MS that resolution alone isn't everything - Contrast has a lot to do with it.
Here's a counterpoint: If low-res is just as good as high-res, then why not put the same low-res on Surface Pro?
Yes, the PPI thing is partly a marketing thing, just as was the megahertz war of yore. Part of it confers real benefits, part of it is hype. But understand that MS is pooh-pooh'ing high-res display because its own product use dated components. Surface RT has 2011 parts, and MS simply didn't keep up with the fast pace of advancing technology.
>I Am curious what the return policy is for Microsoft Online store if this thing turns out to be a dud after all.
http://google.com/search?q=microsoft+store+return+policy

e.mote said:
>I know the screen display has become a big issue with Apple - But the Surface is at least better than the Ipad 2 (maybe not the Ipad 3)
This is PR spin coming out of MS. Nobody knows how Surface RT fares in a head-to-head match against iPad 2/3, because MS still hasn't let anyone review it. May be the spin is right, and may be not, but I'd rather hear it from a less biased source.
Anyway, the spin falls apart when one considers that MS is pricing the RT against iPad 3 (actually higher than the 3), not the 2.
>aren't we all getting caught up in specs without knowing implementation and real world use
Sure, geeks tend to obsess with specs. Regular Joes care about other things, like screen image, size/weight/style, brand, price, and apps. RT loses in most if not all these categories.
>Its funny how Apple is focusing on how their screen is better, but they are still running a dual core processor, and fall short in so many other areas including usb, micro SD.
I thought we weren't going to talk about specs. About that, you do realize that the Teg3 used in Surface RT is a year-old design that's now used in the $200 Nexus 7, right? You also realize that the Exynos 5 dual blows away the Teg3 quad, right?
>I do agree with MS that resolution alone isn't everything - Contrast has a lot to do with it.
Here's a counterpoint: If low-res is just as good as high-res, then why not put the same low-res on Surface Pro?
Yes, the PPI thing is partly a marketing thing, just as was the megahertz war of yore. Part of it confers real benefits, part of it is hype. But understand that MS is pooh-pooh'ing high-res display because its own product use dated components. Surface RT has 2011 parts, and MS simply didn't keep up with the fast pace of advancing technology.
>I Am curious what the return policy is for Microsoft Online store if this thing turns out to be a dud after all.
http://google.com/search?q=microsoft+store+return+policy
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Regarding return policy - I guess I was looking for a more real world understanding from someone. Had previously read the official, and it basically says that if its a computer, which it is, and it has been opened, then they won't take it back. So basically we are all screwed if we don't like this thing after opening it and bought it from Microsoft online.
not a very good return policy.

Nobody really knows about MS return policy, because this is the first time MS is selling a whole computer (as opposed to just peripherals). I think your best bet is to phone or go to a MS store and get the low-down on Oct 26.
Really, if you're unsure, just don't get RT on launch day. Wait for reviews, and to see what other choices are there. There'll be lots. Personally, I think once Clovertrail tabs show up at $499, that'll be the best option for Win users who want regular Windows on a tablet.
BTW, news peeps who went to the MS Surface "Hardware R Us" shindig have all gotten a Surface RT unit for review, and NDA should be lifted today (Tues Oct 23), so we should have a better idea of what Win RT is shortly.

e.mote said:
Really, if you're unsure, just don't get RT on launch day. Wait for reviews, and to see what other choices are there. There'll be lots. Personally, I think once Clovertrail tabs show up at $499, that'll be the best option for Win users who want regular Windows on a tablet.
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Or AMD-Z60 as it should be cheaper has more graphics ability (run call of duty at 30fps) and has better support for bluestacks. That said it uses more power gets hotter and needs more airflow.

Now that NDA is lifted, looks like the first Surface RT review is up. Unsurprising verdict: Still too many unknowns.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/23/microsoft-surface-rt-review/

So no Chrome or Amazon Prime Videos yet?

I like the tablet a lot, it has some good stuff, but I'm kind of regretting the ARM chip inside since I can't really install much, only what is on the Microsoft store. I suppose I could wait a bit and see if apps come out. Anyone buy a Win8 Tablet with an intel processor? Which did you buy?
edit: meh, as I play, i'm liking it more. It could be great for the business world, I know my workplace would LOVE these since everything is networked. But the price is a bit much for this tablet, anyone know of any cheaper arm win 8 tablets?

RT isn't the best for a domain environment. If you like the current surface, I'd wait and see what Win 8 Pro tablets start showing up on the market. You'll find that they will be better suited for a network environment as they will have domain join and security features that the RT tablets can't provide.

dude2k5 said:
I like the tablet a lot, it has some good stuff, but I'm kind of regretting the ARM chip inside since I can't really install much, only what is on the Microsoft store. I suppose I could wait a bit and see if apps come out. Anyone buy a Win8 Tablet with an intel processor? Which did you buy?
edit: meh, as I play, i'm liking it more. It could be great for the business world, I know my workplace would LOVE these since everything is networked. But the price is a bit much for this tablet, anyone know of any cheaper arm win 8 tablets?
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I think for the most part OEM's and MS will run close together on price, so unless you hit a store sale somewhere in future, it will be standard price.
If you give it time, I am sure you will find a China made clone RT with less then legal copies, but there you run risks, and you will get no official support.
There again it could end up being a poor copy of Android with a Win 8 skin.
I hate to say it ( no pun intended), but something should surface soon

dude2k5 said:
I like the tablet a lot, it has some good stuff, but I'm kind of regretting the ARM chip inside since I can't really install much, only what is on the Microsoft store. I suppose I could wait a bit and see if apps come out. Anyone buy a Win8 Tablet with an intel processor? Which did you buy?
edit: meh, as I play, i'm liking it more. It could be great for the business world, I know my workplace would LOVE these since everything is networked. But the price is a bit much for this tablet, anyone know of any cheaper arm win 8 tablets?
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It seems like something changed on Amazon. I just watched an Amazon Prime video on the Desktop IE10 on the Surface RT. The RT version still gives the same "flash needs to be updated" as yesterday.

wahwka said:
It seems like something changed on Amazon. I just watched an Amazon Prime video on the Desktop IE10 on the Surface RT. The RT version still gives the same "flash needs to be updated" as yesterday.
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Tried it again, I think it's "working". Amazon instant video has been laggy lately, and doesn't even load the video on my desktop at times. So I think it's their side, DDOS attack or server problems.
Still miss chrome/tab sync. And all my extensions. Hopefully something will come soon...

I am not having any issues so far either with the Amazon streaming vids. I need to use the prime video service more. I always forget about it.

REALLY REALLY wanted this to be a good tablet.

I've been excited about the Surface since it was first announced... and my excitement held true even after getting my hands on a demo unit... but now, considering the price, looking at the future of Windows RT and finally their announcement that they're cutting order amounts has me second guessing my upcoming purchase.
I just don't think it's a viable platform anymore, I feel like RT will be dead in a year and this device will be the Commodore Amiga of the Tablet world.
Any current users feel the same? Differently? I'm just scared to buy one now.

ih8sense said:
I've been excited about the Surface since it was first announced... and my excitement held true even after getting my hands on a demo unit... but now, considering the price, looking at the future of Windows RT and finally their announcement that they're cutting order amounts has me second guessing my upcoming purchase.
I just don't think it's a viable platform anymore, I feel like RT will be dead in a year and this device will be the Commodore Amiga of the Tablet world.
Any current users feel the same? Differently? I'm just scared to buy one now.
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You bought a good tablet, mate. build quality and software is awesome, that's why u got interested in the first place.
On the other hand, will it get support?, i believe in time it will. My reasons is touch screen. Touch is the future, yes x86 apps already exist but they dont exist in touch. So the future being touch will revolutionize the existing apps for touch and this will make room for metro apps. And this is were rt will win.
Secondly the future is portable, x86 is not, rt is. Windows 8 is bridge to what will become sindows of the future, a touch only windows. Besides if MS fails in marketing RT, someone else will want a cut of the pie and market RT.
Lastly, modders will break this device before xmas, sideloading will b possible,emulation will happen and i foresee a future were android emulators will run on this beast. A lot will happen
RT has potential, surface may fail but RT will not cos its light weight and its future proof.

I think RT will not fail. PPL will wait till they see their lovely apps on it but they will come. Windows is used on more than 90% of the computers in the world. So I think its just a matter of time to developers finish and publish their apps. Even if winRT won't get as popular as win8, the code is almost the same which makes easy to publish the same app for Arm.
Sent from my Windows 8 device using Board Express

you know, the only pros of surface pro over surface IMO is the MKV support and 1080p screen.
2 things that made me return surface are
- lack of MKV support (which 90% of my movies are in mkv)
- low resolution. When i used it while lying down the bed, i tend to use it closer to my eyes than when i'm sitting down. The text doesn't look crisp and i can see pixels in the pictures.
If those 2 reasons won't bother you, surface is one hell of a tablet and for 499$, it's a steal. Remember that it's a tablet, apps would be optimized for touchscreen and you will have great mobility over laptop. The apps are pretty limited for now but i believe developers will start developing for it. I love the surface even though i return it.

I think that the biggest hurdle for Windows RT is the WinRT runtime. It's horribly gimped. I was honestly amazed at how god awful and stunted C# was in WinRT. It's almost as if they intentionally limited it for reasons only MS knows.

First off, Microsoft haven't announced a halving of orders. It is merely conjecture. What they have announced is support for Surface RT until 2017 though we dont know any details around this.
I dont think that Windows RT will be a big platform in the way that other lightweight OS's are - iOS and Android - but I do think it offers something unique. If you use tons of popular apps on other platforms, you will be disappointed in the Surface RT. If you live in a web browser, you will love Surface RT. I am not sure this will change unless those apps come for Windows 8 and can also be cross compiled for Windows RT.
If a 10" tablet is what you want and it fits your life, I see only 2 usable options - an iPad or a Surface RT. Android is awful on 10" tablets.
Sounds to me though that if you want the form factor the Surface brings, then Surface Pro might be more suitable, but I am not convinced it is a viable tablet as Windows desktop mode is horrible to use with touch.

quoted:
Sounds to me though that if you want the form factor the Surface brings, then Surface Pro might be more suitable, but I am not convinced it is a viable tablet as Windows desktop mode is horrible to use with touch.
pro =$1000, 4ish hour battery life.
no sales numbers released from rt.
ruh roh.

What about the Lenovo Twist? Windows 8 Pro, i5, 128gb SSD 12.5 touch screen and it is a tablet and laptop.. I returned my Surface and bought a Twist for $699 on BF.. Hoping it will do it all....
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

Got to agree with some of the above posts.
RT is the future of windows, it is the new NT, and some of us older users will remember how that was initially received...

The Surface RT is one helluva sexy tablet. In build quality, specs, and screen beauty it just is awesome. Really without software it is way ahead of the whole pack..... I played with it a long time....
But every time I interacted with the windows interface, there was just that familiar slow feeling. I am even now very serious about the Surface RT and am hotly debating buying it. But the software is just slightly underwhelming. I love the Metro interface, but not whats under it.
IF you do web browisng, games, movies and pics ONLY - this is an ABSOLUTELY must buy. The gorgeous experience is unbeatable. But the whole interaction at the windows level tends to wake me up from my dream. Having support for proper PowerPoint with HDMI ouput makes this a traveling presentation platform etc. But apps? apps? apps? You cannot entice people if the apps are missing - you cannot say " buy it now, I guarantee that apps are coming". It does not work with consumers. That it may lead to a slow down fro the Surface is one of my biggest fears.
On a tablet I browse the internet, listen to music, read books, email, and watch some sports. So by my own standard I should buy it. But Windows keeps me away...
One thing I do not agree about as said above - that windows desktop is not for touch. Using the touch laptops I find this to be quite intuitive, coming from a tablet world. Yes, on vertical screens one's hands can get tired to do a lot of touching - holding it up to the screen for extended periods. But I find it much more natural than trackpads - I hate trackpads, even Apple's "magic" trackpad ....
My 2 cents.... I need to decide if I just want a tablet, or a tablet that can double as a small laptop.

saryu said:
you know, the only pros of surface pro over surface IMO is the MKV support and 1080p screen.
2 things that made me return surface are
- lack of MKV support (which 90% of my movies are in mkv)
- low resolution. When i used it while lying down the bed, i tend to use it closer to my eyes than when i'm sitting down. The text doesn't look crisp and i can see pixels in the pictures.
If those 2 reasons won't bother you, surface is one hell of a tablet and for 499$, it's a steal. Remember that it's a tablet, apps would be optimized for touchscreen and you will have great mobility over laptop. The apps are pretty limited for now but i believe developers will start developing for it. I love the surface even though i return it.
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In less than a month after the release there are at least two applications tha support some mkv. They are still not perfect but it took developers more than a year to get the same result for the iPad.
Sent from my Windows 8 device using Board Express Pro
---------- Post added at 01:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:34 AM ----------
Yes, I'm worry about the cut down the numbers of orders for RT reported by suppliers and Microsoft rushing to release the PRO version acting like it will be the saver.
http://ultramobilepc-tips.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-high-risk-behind-surface-pro.html#links
Sent from my Windows 8 device using Board Express Pro

ctitanic said:
In less than a month after the release there are at least two applications tha support some mkv. They are still not perfect but it took developers more than a year to get the same result for the iPad.
Sent from my Windows 8 device using Board Express Pro
---------- Post added at 01:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:34 AM ----------
Yes, I'm worry about the cut down the numbers of orders for RT reported by suppliers and Microsoft rushing to release the PRO version acting like it will be the saver.
http://ultramobilepc-tips.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-high-risk-behind-surface-pro.html#links
Sent from my Windows 8 device using Board Express Pro
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After hearing the pricing of the pro and the battery limitations, I actually like my Surface RT more now. Unfortunately there is so much pressure for it to beat the IPAD that people write it off without giving it a chance . I like it more and more every day.

ih8sense said:
I've been excited about the Surface since it was first announced... and my excitement held true even after getting my hands on a demo unit... but now, considering the price, looking at the future of Windows RT and finally their announcement that they're cutting order amounts has me second guessing my upcoming purchase.
I just don't think it's a viable platform anymore, I feel like RT will be dead in a year and this device will be the Commodore Amiga of the Tablet world.
Any current users feel the same? Differently? I'm just scared to buy one now.
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It very depends on your propose, what you need for it.
for me, i do need a lot excel , ppt, word, and I tried do it on iPad, it sucks. I own a Macbook Air, but a bit trouble while checking something on street .....
After testing Surface for an hour, I love it. Of course if you looking for fun more than a working tab, its not a good choice at this moment as lack of apps support.
Just hope Chrome will come and get more apps soon , then will be the king of tablet im sure.

guitar1969 said:
After hearing the pricing of the pro and the battery limitations, I actually like my Surface RT more now. Unfortunately there is so much pressure for it to beat the IPAD that people write it off without giving it a chance . I like it more and more every day.
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I completely agree. I can't put the damn thing down! The browser experience is sensational. And Xbox music is phenomenally good! I mean free streaming music, albeit with fairly unobtrusive add support.
And as for apps you needn't worry. The company I work for has figured out that Windows 8 is going onto every budget laptop from here on out and the Windows 8 marketplace presents a great opportunity. As such are having their iOS & Android app ported to Win8 as we speak.
Also as another example the impetus to get into Windows 8/RT the VLC Player devs are going to the extreme of going to Kickstarter for funding to hire full time devs to get VLC Player into the Windows 8 marketplace as fast as possible... http://www.wpcentral.com/vlc-starts-kickstarter-windows-8-and-beyond-development-funding
So I sincerely believe the WINRT app catalogue will really take off.
Also, you know it's a good device when the missus is continually wanting it off you!

I agree with others... The RT has a good life to it. The problem IMO, is that people are holding out to see the Pro, then they'll decide.
Honestly I think people will end up with the RT over the Pro.
You just can't use a 10" screen for full desktop applications. It doesn't work.
Also, and this is big, the Pro is not using a Run Time system, that means you must shut it down when not in use, it will suspend instead of sleep, and it will go through battery like mad (they expect 4 hours max).
If you like how fast the Surface RT turns on, and how your e-mails, status updates, and calendar reminders are there, kiss that goodbye with the Pro. It is, for all intents and purposes, a PC in a thin form factor. An engineering marvel for sure, but I think people will expect it to be like the Surface RT, iPad, or Android tab just beefier. When they find out it isn't, I think RT sales will shoot up.

I also read somewhere that the Surface is not optimized to use all the 5 cores of the Tegra3 and it is still running crippled. I believe it came from Nvidia themselves. Once fixed, it should be more responsive. I hope so, because it does seem a bit slow in opening apps and such, although it is tolerable.

guitar1969 said:
I also read somewhere that the Surface is not optimized to use all the 5 cores of the Tegra3 and it is still running crippled. I believe it came from Nvidia themselves. Once fixed, it should be more responsive. I hope so, because it does seem a bit slow in opening apps and such, although it is tolerable.
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Microsoft will continue to optimise the base firmware of the device to improve performance. They've released one such update already and there will be plenty more to come.
Just look how far they've pushed the Xbox 360.

Surface Pro 2 Still Good in 2017?

I've found a few surface pro 2's for sub 400 dollars, and I was wondering if it is still good in 2017, or if I should save up money for the SP4?
I really don't want the SP3 because of the throttling, and Ivy bridge on the SP1 is pretty old. A 4200u/4300u will suffice for me and the HD4400 is still pretty good for integrated graphics, so spec wise I like it on paper. I just want to know if the bigger screen size and keyboard is worth the +400$ price for the SP4.
P.S. I would also want to know some sub 400$ alternatives to the SP2, if you know any good ones, and if you did know one, I would like to know if it could run Windows 8.1, as I really don't like Windows 10.

Evandarkfire said:
I've found a few surface pro 2's for sub 400 dollars, and I was wondering if it is still good in 2017, or if I should save up money for the SP4?
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I love my SP2. In fact, I'm typing my reply on it right now.
The later SP2 has the same guts as the SP3, but the same screen tech as the SP1. That means if you don't need the latest-and-greatest, you get decent power and all the accessories are really cheap.
I've got a newer one with 8GB RAM, and it's my mobile graphic design workstation. And I have the battery-keyboad, which keeps it alive even longer. I can easily get 10 hours out of this thing, if I'm not doing too much creative work on it.
Hope this helps!

Thank you for your respone, I made up my mind. I decided to go and get a Surface Pro 2, and I also got a Surface 2 because I wanted to do some testing with the windows RT. I'll report back once it arrives!

Yeah, I got a refurbished one off of Amazon, early July for $280. Got an i5-4300, 8gb RAMIA 256gb SSD. Also came with a Type Cover. I stole it basically. Great condition. Smooth upgrade to Win 10 as well