Surface Reviews Thread

[jdevenberg]

I think the only bad review was gizmodo. Even Cnet's 3.5 stars is considered "Very Good" in their rating system. Everyone else saying something to the effect of if you need a tablet good for productivity the Surface is for you, or if you want something different than iPad or Android, Surface (and Windows RT in general) is the next best option.

 

[blehblehbleh]

Here's Time Magazine's:
Microsoft Surface Review: The PC of the Future Needs More Apps | TIME.com

 

[SlickShoesRUCrazy]

Hands on with Microsoft's Surface RT: Can it hit the sweet spot? | ZDNet

zdnet had a decent review also.

 

[oblivman]

#1 - Agreed - the form factor is awkward and nigh unusable in either orientation. I can't believe Microsoft failed to perform ergonomic studies. There is a certain width that you hold your arms apart that crosses a threshold into causing fatigue and it seems this device crosses that boundary. I bet everyone in the Surface group though this thing looked really cool and did ZERO ergonomic studies. Yes the kickstand is useless except for desk usage.

#2 - The average consumer will see "Windows" and be confused as to why it has a Desktop but it can't install VLC. Another branding FAIL. Should have called it Zune RT or something.

Anyways I think Windows RT is an innovative OS, but the form factor kills it.

How many times are you going to claim they did no ergonomic studies? Also, how is the form factor unusable? I have owned 2 different 10" android tablets (virtually the same form factor) and they are fine. Finally...what were you expecting with the stand? Its pretty much been known since day one it wasn't meant for your lap.

That said, I will be going with one of the x86 alternatives because I would like to ditch my current laptop at the same time.

 

[lemonsteveo]

Not too concerned about the lack of apps. The built in apps fills 90% of my needs.
Just worried about the performance issue someone mentioned, which review was this?
Hmm, I wonder how the Acer W510 stacks up to the Surface RT at the same price.

 

[smoledman]

How many times are you going to claim they did no ergonomic studies? Also, how is the form factor unusable? I have owned 2 different 10" android tablets (virtually the same form factor) and they are fine. Finally...what were you expecting with the stand? Its pretty much been known since day one it wasn't meant for your lap.

That said, I will be going with one of the x86 alternatives because I would like to ditch my current laptop at the same time.

Because I know Apple did extensive ergonomic studies and that's why they adopted the 4:3 form factor. I know from my own iPad usage that it's "just right" and wider/taller would be epic FAIL.

 

[the_thunderbird]

ABC News Video Review (video)

 

[the_thunderbird]

Mashable

"There’s no doubt that Surface will appeal most to Windows users. In fact this is the tablet for Windows fans. It won’t win over Apple iPad owners, but for all those who hate Apple, find Android confusing and underwhelming, and are ready to enter the world of touch-screen computing this is the alternative you’ve been waiting for."

 

[berty6294]

Because I know Apple did extensive ergonomic studies and that's why they adopted the 4:3 form factor. I know from my own iPad usage that it's "just right" and wider/taller would be epic FAIL.

GO HOME, your comments are pointless and unhelpful! We know you like your iPad, but you have nothing constructive to say! If you want to gloat about your iPad, may I please direct you here!

 

[Blackwood504]

Because I know Apple did extensive ergonomic studies and that's why they adopted the 4:3 form factor. I know from my own iPad usage that it's "just right" and wider/taller would be epic FAIL.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I think you are wrong. I also have an ipad (well my 2 year old son does now) it works fine but holding a 16:9 tablet is no difference...I know because I have held a surface while using it for a period of time...no difference from my experience.

 

[camptime]

ABC News Video Review (video)

So the surface is looking like it is made tough. Good to see it survive a drop test.
This is looking more child friendly then an Ipad.

 

[Gken]

It is good to see that that hardware meets most peoples expectation and that the software is their only gripe because as we know Microsoft pushes out updates and fixes once everything is said and done like OCTOMOM, pushes out babies. Minus the doing porn as a side job.

 

[iggypop120]

ouch new york times. they were drooling over the hardware and ports. then the software part came. they pretty much trashed the software. They say if things get fixed make no mistake its awesome but as of now no go.

 

[12Danny123]

Gizmodo says - don't buy and I agree with them. Don't be a beta tester!

Dude. Surface RT users are mkt beta users. And I just reported you mate

 

[ironsoulreaver]

#1 - ever hear of a spellcheck? You made 3 spelling errors.
#2 - Why should all reviews be done my MS sycophants? I want to hear the opinions of Apple fans. Steve Jobs would take the criticism in stride and seek to improve the Surface, not get all defensive and insist everything is fine. But Steve Jobs is dead and he never would helm Microsoft. Steve Ballmer is not Jobs. His RDF is 100x bigger than Jobs' ever was.

#1 don't be a douche.

#2 Screw Apple, I have a Mac, an iPhone, and an iPad so don't label me as a Microsoft ******. So you got my opinion as an apple fan. Shutup and color. My premises is on that review is valid. The system needs time to evolve and software needs to be developed and that is no reason to condem an operating system.The man has unreasonable expectations. The iPhone didn't even run apps at all when it was launched.

 

[VagrantWade]

Gizmodo says - don't buy and I agree with them. Don't be a beta tester!

Gizmodo is nothing but Gawker trash

Kimmel Takes On Gawker Stalker - YouTube

 

[Coreldan]

Most of the negative reviews except for the ones about instability I've found a bit weird. They complain of things that are sorta obvious. iPad can't run the full OSX apps, why doesnt it get minus for that? Surface gets minus for.. fixed angle kickstand, why does nobody else get minus for not even having one?

Anyways, some good points sure, but hasnt changed my decision to buy it as most of the negatives mentioned (once again short from apps crashing pretty much, but its software so can be fixed later too) dont really concern me cos I dont fe. need this to run legacy apps. One review was really harsh on the TouchCover that got me thinking if I shouldnt get that at least, but others say it's totally usable and good enough when you get used to it.

As someone said, I feel MS has always been good in pushing updates and fixes to things so I'm not overly worried at that. Besides, I probably still have months before I can get a Surface due to living in Finland, so they get some extra time to polish it

Oh well, then again I'm not our usual tablet consumer, as I would've NEVER bought myself an iPad or any of the android tablets I've seen this far. They just dont fill my needs enough to justify the purchase. Surface does and it's the only reason I was ever interested in a device that even resembles a tablet

 

[AngryNil]

I can't believe Microsoft failed to perform ergonomic studies.

Lol.

How are you still around?

 

[Gken]

Most of the negative reviews except for the ones about instability I've found a bit weird. They complain of things that are sorta obvious. iPad can't run the full OSX apps, why doesnt it get minus for that? Surface gets minus for.. fixed angle kickstand, why does nobody else get minus for not even having one?

Anyways, some good points sure, but hasnt changed my decision to buy it as most of the negatives mentioned (once again short from apps crashing pretty much, but its software so can be fixed later too) dont really concern me cos I dont fe. need this to run legacy apps. One review was really harsh on the TouchCover that got me thinking if I shouldnt get that at least, but others say it's totally usable and good enough when you get used to it.

As someone said, I feel MS has always been good in pushing updates and fixes to things so I'm not overly worried at that. Besides, I probably still have months before I can get a Surface due to living in Finland, so they get some extra time to polish it

Oh well, then again I'm not our usual tablet consumer, as I would've NEVER bought myself an iPad or any of the android tablets I've seen this far. They just dont fill my needs enough to justify the purchase. Surface does and it's the only reason I was ever interested in a device that even resembles a tablet

My thoughts exactly. While although I took the plunge and pre-ordered mine. From the info I knew the hardware was going to be top notch, and of course we all know microsoft and how hard they push out updates with stuff that needs fixing.

 

[thzman]

Because I know Apple did extensive ergonomic studies and that's why they adopted the 4:3 form factor. I know from my own iPad usage that it's "just right" and wider/taller would be epic FAIL.

But wait!? Wasn't it Apple that after their "extensive ergonomic studies" found that the perfect screen size for a smartphone was 3,5"? And now all of a sudden the new iPhone is 4". Has peoples thumbs grown so much longer in just 2 years, or did they mess up the first ergonomic study?
What about the iPad mini? Is it only made for "small" people?