Surface 2 or asus t100

[the_coolestnerd]

So while the surface 2 isa great product (hopefully) there are the new baytrail tablets coming, particulary the asus t100. With the ability to run full win 8 and includes the keyboard, what particular advantage does the surface 2 have over the t100 other than the higher res screen and kickstand?

 

[Paul Nicholas]

I too have thought a lot about it, so here's my ideas so far

1. RT has no virus' so you can turn that stuff off and it'll run faster
2. The early benchmarks suggest the baytrails have similar benchmarks to the Tegra 4 so you'll be able to run x86 apps but nothing really intensive. So if you want to run x86 games or photoshop then you're probably better off getting a Surface Pro 2. I honestly can't think of any x86 apps I would want on a tablet.
3. The Surface 2 has the same great design and materials as the original which has always had rave reviews.
4. It's made by Microsoft so you'll have a firmware update every month to fully optimise the tablet to Windows 8.1 RT.

I really wish Microsoft would bundle it with a keyboard and offer a small discount for the bundle.

 

[Paul Nicholas]

In before someone says "who says the tegra and baytrail are similar?"

Intel Baytrail vs. NVIDIA Tegra 4: too close to call - Android Authority

 

[the_coolestnerd]

yeah its not eve n the photoshop type apps....one thing i do see is itunes. As it stands right now a lot people use idevices (phone,pod, pad) and being able to use itunes to sync their devices is somewhat of a big factor. Since there's a 99% apple is not going to make a compatiable itunes for rt anytime soon it cuts off the surface to a large market

 

[lafester]

Full windows on bay trail is so much more versatile then rt I don't see why anyone would go that route.

 

[Microsoftjunkie]

I'm in the same predicament. S2 had a better design, direct support from ms, better ffc and rear, compatibility for Surface "Blades", limited free Skype and Skydrive.

Those may not matter, but if it's based more so off of software availability it would be t100. Functionality wise, they're almost identical.

 

[Kebero]

Full windows on bay trail is so much more versatile then rt I don't see why anyone would go that route.

Walled garden . That would be one reason. Or to use as a companion device for a mobile workforce.

 

[wapoz]

For myself, I'd go with the surface 2 over a full windows tablet. Reason being is because it's completely bulletproof (not having to worry about 3rd party software mucking it up), shares almost all the exact same native features as normal windows 8 (screen sharing, remote desktop, etc), and most the apps I'd want to use on a tablet are available through the windows store or already installed (comic book readers, kindle, Netflix, a decent mkv player,.office, the native cookbook app with hands free mode, etc.). Plus I'm not a fan of plastic tablets

 

[doomtuba]

I already have a laptop and desktop for x86 apps. I'm getting the Surface 2 because of its superior hardware, accessories and screen. Perfect for taking notes in class, writing papers and doing spreadsheets.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

 

[Grimlock]

I've been thinking about this recently myself, but mostly that the Surface 2 has competition from not only iPad/android tablets but also from low end Windows 8.1 devices like the Asus.

In the end it comes down to the individual and whether they need to be able to run x86 programs, most people probably don't need to. But even then, wouldn't it be nice to have the freedom that comes with Windows 8? I'm sure there are a lot of casual users that would like to use Chrome browser instead of IE.

Also, I wonder about where Windows RT is going to be in 2-3 years. Intel is going to have very cheap processors that run Win 8.X very well by then, so wouldn't MS be forced to have an Intel processor in a Surface 4 device simply because their partners will be making low end devices that run full Windows quite well? I'm basing this on the idea that Bay Trail runs 8.1 decently and a few more generations past Bay Trail will be significantly more powerful- while Win 8.X won't be significantly more demanding.

 

[bilzkh]

The Surface 2 is an aspirational device in my eyes, a device for those looking for Windows packaged in a premium chassis and clean from Windows' legacy past. That's the new Microsoft, and you need to be a fan in order to appreciate the Surface 2. Otherwise, don't rationalize it. I'm not, and I'll get the Surface 2.

For everyone else, I recommend the Transformer. For $350 you're getting something you're more or less familiar with (re: Windows) plus a keyboard.

 

[coolqf]

Short answer, wait until November if you can. New iOS and Android coming out. As well as more Win8 regular tablets coming out.

It's really a tough call.... Surface 2 is nice, but without apps it just seems so expensive. On any given day I use about 5 apps on my tablet. MS Office... Meh, I have a work laptop for that and a 24" desktop...

The Surface 2 really goes after a niche... People on a tight budget, who need office, but don't need comprehensive multitasking, but also don't really need apps, yet want portability. It's essentially students. You can't really multitask too much on a 10inch screen....

The T100 is nice, but it only has 2GB of ram... I actually wouldn't recommend any Win8 (regular) with just 2GB of ram... Win8 (regular) uses more ram than Win8RT.... You have bay trail with 4GB, but Win8 doesn't support it yet...

In the end, i see the Surface 2 and love how it looks, how it feels, the specs, and love its potential, but at its price range.... Meh... 450 is nice, but without the keyboard it's not really a competitor against android or iOS.

 

[stmav]

I have a Surface RT and am many years removed from a student. I took it on vacation this year instead of my laptop and was able to remote desktop to the servers and it was business as usual. Something I could not do on an ipad or android.

 

[Kebero]

I have a Surface RT and am many years removed from a student. I took it on vacation this year instead of my laptop and was able to remote desktop to the servers and it was business as usual. Something I could not do on an ipad or android.

Precisely . Windows RT can have a place with a mobile workforce, especially with the new BI apps, Direct Connect, etc.

 

[Onager1286]

I just sent an email to the principal of the school I work at, trying to explain how the Surface RT would be a great device look into. It has Office, works with sites using Flash, has mouse and keyboard support, and can print to standard printers... literally every one of those things would be useful on a daily basis in an educational work environment. We have a significant investment in iPads, and I just don't see them being used much beyond a few low- to mid-quality apps for students - simple math and language games and a couple conversation building apps in my classroom. Last year there was a media class that used at least 25 iPads for nothing but half-hearted Garage Band and iMovie familiarization, and the kids learned absolutely nothing. You can tell the school is not getting them for any merit of the iPad in particular; they just want to keep up and incorporate tablets in classrooms. I think tablets can and should be integrated in schools, but the Surface RT (or better yet Surface 2) would be so much more useful overall. Hopefully the principal at least looks into it.