I got a surface RT about 2 weeks ago.......

[Kellzea]

So I have wanted a surface RT since the announcement last year, but i couldn't afford one. Luckily i was born 30 years ago this year, so because of that fact my family got me one.

Two weeks later the surface 2 gets announced, and you know what?

I am very happy. Both with my surface, and the fact a new model is out soon, heres why.

A new model doesn't make an old one bad, and as my purchase was of the "student bundle" it was exceptionally cheep, so i know im not missing anything financially. Secondly, the surface rt is amazing, it has its flaws, there is no doubt about that. But most of these are software or lack of optimisation. Both of which will improve.

That brings me to the final, and most important point. Surface 2 reafirms that rt has a future. This wasn't ever really in doubt from an app eco system point of view as win 8 shares the same apps, and that's not going anyware. No, i mean from the point of view that RT as an os will be polished and updated, renewed and worked on for years to come. This is great, even for us first gen users.

The blades (new covers) show that Ms is serious about this form factor, and the backwards compatibility of all but the battery cover means i can pretty much be asured of more choice later.

All in all, its a great day to own an RT device, regardless of gen.

Thank you for reading.


Kellzea

 

[stmav]

I got mine at launch and feel the same way. I'm seriously thinking of getting one of the new type covers. I'm looking forward to the upcoming 8.1 upgrade.

 

[Kellzea]

I got mine at launch and feel the same way. I'm seriously thinking of getting one of the new type covers. I'm looking forward to the upcoming 8.1 upgrade.

yeah, 8.1 looks awesome, i was a day late (well 11 minutes late) in signing up to the preview.

Backlit covers look so good.

 

[Awhispersecho]

I am seriously thinking about getting a 1st gen RT as you recently did. I was wondering if you could just briefly expand on some of the flaws or issues you have come across. Obviously I have read all the "professional" reviews and opinions and what they feel the problems are. But I just want to know what a normal person thinks of the device. I want a tablet to use like a tablet was meant to be used (consumption, a few apps and games, occasional movie and mostly surfing). If you get a chance, I really appreciate it.

 

[azcruz]

Congratulations! The Surface RT is a very capable device, I use it daily for work (and pleasure, like posting here at WPCentral) so that is a testament to the usefulness of the device.

 

[Daniel Gandolfo]

Yes, I agree, the RT is a capable device but I find the CPU to be slow and finds it particularly hard to stream video content and often crashes and to load rich content in IE10.

I really hope that the Surface 2 (Tegra 4) addresses these issues!! There has been talk of a trade in for RT for Surface 2 but no signs yet from Microsoft. I will be the first in line for one.

Nevica

 

[Kellzea]

I am seriously thinking about getting a 1st gen RT as you recently did. I was wondering if you could just briefly expand on some of the flaws or issues you have come across. Obviously I have read all the "professional" reviews and opinions and what they feel the problems are. But I just want to know what a normal person thinks of the device. I want a tablet to use like a tablet was meant to be used (consumption, a few apps and games, occasional movie and mostly surfing). If you get a chance, I really appreciate it.

i think its weakest point for most people is probably as a traditional consumption device. Its more akin to a laptop in that regard. i personally prefer it that way as i have a usb terabyte drive i just plug in and don't really like the whole amazon apple approach. But its definatly something to be aware of. That said it still has bbc iplayer, 4od demand 5 and Netflix, the browser is pretty strong too so web streaming is usually fine.

The issues i find annoy me slightly are generally software based. For eg, on my old playbook, you could diagonally swipe up from the left to bring the keyboard up. At any point. Its hard coded so cant mess up.

The surface requires you to slide the charms bar out, hit keyboards and then long press the on screen keyboard button. Its not terrible, but blackberry's approach was just much better.

The optimisation isn't quite there, the hardware is fast, usually very very fast. But some apps are slow, and resuming them causes them to reload information. It seems like your data connection plays a big part in how fast the device is. Dropping to start, snapping apps or closing them is always instant. So it shows how fast it "can" be.

Your "favorites" or book marks as normal people call them are synced automatically between ie touch, and ie desktop. Also, desktop ie is where all the options for both are. While i can see what they tried to do, it just doesn't really work. They should be seporate. Its not a big deal, but its hard to hide all your porn bookmarks.

Being 16:9 the surface is a brilliant movie player, but expect to need an app for a few codecs. The movie player is pretty good. But its missing some codecs i would like it to have.

The battery is excellent, and the charging cable looks and feels cool, but trying to plug it in at night makes you think your gonna scratch the side of the case. You wont. But you will still get scared.

Ill post again if i can think of anything else

Kellzea

 

[azcruz]

Streaming video is something I always do. I have a Synology NAS as my video source and there's no hiccups. I also watch from Laola and been excellent thus far.



Sent from my Windows Phone 8S by HTC using Tapatalk

 

[Awhispersecho]

Thanks a lot for your response, and of course if you do decide to share more info, I will continue to follow. It sure sounds like it will be a fine device for me. Probably only use it in bed and when traveling anyway so.. think I might make the move soon. Thanks again.

 

[Kellzea]

Thanks a lot for your response, and of course if you do decide to share more info, I will continue to follow. It sure sounds like it will be a fine device for me. Probably only use it in bed and when traveling anyway so.. think I might make the move soon. Thanks again.

well i go on holiday for two weeks on Sunday WOOOOOT!!!!!

wont have any internet so this will be a good test of how the surface fares as a word processor, movie player and gaming on halo.

FYI, if you can get hold of a 360 wireless adapter for windows, or have a wired 360 pad, Spartan assault rules.

So much better with a pad.

 

[DBDev]

Glad you like your new device! :excited: