Is there any good reason to buy a Win RT

[davidhk129]

I keep reading the demise of Windows RT in particular and I wonder if buying a Microsoft Surface RT is logical at all. The price is not exactly cheap either, comparatively speaking.
Any advice ?
I am now using a laptop with Win 8.1 and Win 10 TP dual boot, and an android 4.2 tablet.

 

[Jazmac]

Its not a bad buy and a good computer to have. It does a lot but if you get an RT, I wouldn't get anything less than RT 2.

 

[xandros9]

Well if you look at it, the biggest complaint about RT is the lack of legacy Windows programs. which your Android tablet doesn't do anyway.

It's logical I'd say under the following conditions:
You don't mind missing Windows 10. (NOW, we can reasonably expect Windows 10 for these devices, there's speak of an ARM preview and whatnot, but people cast doubt on whether 10 will appear for these tablets. I'm willing to bet yes, but still, there are doubters, who aren't unreasonable.)
You don't need x86 compatibility. (You have an Android tablet, so you're probably good.)
The design is worth it. I almost traded my x86, much speedier Dell Venue 8 Pro for a Surface RT (similar value) because its design, build quality and kickstand brought a lot more value to me than the raw power and full Windows the Dell had.

My reservations are this:
Performance, the original Surface RT isn't the speediest. It's tolerable, but still, kinda slow.
No x86. (no viruses and stuff too)

buuut I would look at other tablets, like older Atom tablets or current ones first. They are more capable and powerful, albeit not as well designed. (just slates, I have yet to see a kickstand in one, or one to make me pause to admire it in the cheaper end of the market.)

 

[realwarder]

They are great in that they are super-secure, but I question the upgrade potential as we don't know that Windows 10 will be released as an RT build. A modern Intel based Windows Tablet like the HP Stream tablets are better value and more capable.

 

[vaultsurvivor]

Just don't expect a machine that does everything. I use the web for most stuff and my rt is brilliant. To be honest it has a native leg up on other stuff by supporting flash and Silverlight... It runs the web so the need for apps is kinda negated. I'm happy with mine and not even particularly bothered if it gets windows ten or not. It works fine without it...

 

[onlysublime]

I think what you're really asking is whether to buy a Surface RT machine?

In that case, at this point, I would say no unless you need a machine that's light, with long battery life, is mostly for Office work, and for lightweight tasks. The Surface RT has decent performance, especially when you leave plenty of free storage space. If you go below 3 GB free, it tends to run slow. I refreshed my Surface RT and was shocked how fast it was compared to before I refreshed it.

The Surface 2 also has Windows RT and I would completely recommend that machine. Extremely long battery life, lightweight, great performance, etc. Plus, it's going to get Windows 10. I love the Surface 2.

As for Windows RT itself, the main advantages are long battery life (because let's face it, ARM processors are still more efficient than x86 in terms of battery life, Atom processors don't match in terms of battery life) and no need for antivirus/security software (because again, virus and malware makers target the biggest demographic which is x86/x64 Windows).

 

[davidhk129]

Thank you everyone responding to my post.
xandrosa9's comment on the design is exactly what draws me to Surface.
onlysublime is correct intepretating my intention.... to buy a Surface.

My main choice has been Asus Transformer Book T100TA , but the Surface design is irresistible.
My main worry on Surface is whether Microsoft is going to abandon Windows RT.

 

[mathsisbest]

My main worry on Surface is whether Microsoft is going to abandon Windows RT.

I don't think Microsoft will ditch the RT. Many believe that the RT will get Windows 10 and is part of Microsoft's dream of a unified experience. It will continue to be essential to Microsoft.

The surface RT is a beautiful device, and is as secure as Windows phone (no viruses/malware). Go for it!

 

[upsidedown]

As an owner of a Lumia 2520 I really like it for many things. Quick editing of office docs, email, media consumption. That being said, even as a media consumption device there are still gaps (Amazon Instant Video, Showtime, etc). If I was buying now I would get one of the 10" Atom tablets under $199 from Microcenter of Best Buy.

 

[dirtyvu]

As an owner of a Lumia 2520 I really like it for many things. Quick editing of office docs, email, media consumption. That being said, even as a media consumption device there are still gaps (Amazon Instant Video, Showtime, etc). If I was buying now I would get one of the 10" Atom tablets under $199 from Microcenter of Best Buy.

The screen on those cheap tablets are terrible. I don't know how people can do any work on them. And movies look bad on them. Your 2520 has a terrific screen. Some would argue they're better than the screen on the Surface machines. Budget is always a consideration but valuing features and price while sacrificing the computing experience is something I wouldn't do especially if you want to live with the machine a long time.

 

[vaultsurvivor]

You can get around a lot of the apps by just using the webpages... I dont know about showtime but amazon instant video definitely works on the browser. I know the plug ins aren't compatible on the browser but it has full Silverlight and flash support.