kristalsoldier
New member
There are, I think, two ways in which you can view this. First, consider the fact that the original RT is now a generation old. Consider also that within the next few months MS will make some announcements about their Win 8.1 RT (which, technically, should not affect the original RT) and, perhaps, about their future plans for the Surface line. If MS does continue with the Surface line (under the new CEO) - and I don't see any reason why they would not - then between the Oct-Dec timeframe there will be a Surface 3. This will be - spec-wise - much closer to the Surface 2 than to the original RT. In other words, the original RT - while still a capable device - is about to enter the end of. its run. This also means that it is likely that the price of the original RT in the after-market space may go lower than what it currently is.
The second perspective involves considering the Surface 2. Clearly, the Surface 2 is better than the original RT in a number of ways - screen, dual-level kickstand, Tegra4 chip are some examples of this. This suggests that the Surface 2 has at least 1 more year of effective and, more importantly, competitive life even if MS introduces a Surface 3 later this year. When considered in this context, it becomes much easier to favourably compare the Surface 2 to any future iteration of the Surface than it is to compare the original RT.
But, underlying these arguments, there lies the question of money. It is undeniable that one can find the original RT at a heavily discounted price. The trade-off here is between price and performance (when is it ever not???). In other words, it can make sense to buy the original RT - even today - if (1) you want to save money and want something that will perform adequately, but not, brilliantly; and/ or (2) you want to test the Surface (and Win RT) platform because in this case you would be advised to spend the least possible amount of cash considering the possibility that you may not like either the hardware or the platform.
I think this is where your decision-point lies. Good luck!
The second perspective involves considering the Surface 2. Clearly, the Surface 2 is better than the original RT in a number of ways - screen, dual-level kickstand, Tegra4 chip are some examples of this. This suggests that the Surface 2 has at least 1 more year of effective and, more importantly, competitive life even if MS introduces a Surface 3 later this year. When considered in this context, it becomes much easier to favourably compare the Surface 2 to any future iteration of the Surface than it is to compare the original RT.
But, underlying these arguments, there lies the question of money. It is undeniable that one can find the original RT at a heavily discounted price. The trade-off here is between price and performance (when is it ever not???). In other words, it can make sense to buy the original RT - even today - if (1) you want to save money and want something that will perform adequately, but not, brilliantly; and/ or (2) you want to test the Surface (and Win RT) platform because in this case you would be advised to spend the least possible amount of cash considering the possibility that you may not like either the hardware or the platform.
I think this is where your decision-point lies. Good luck!