Surface RT vs Surface Pro vs Surface 2

[kyriacou48]

Hi Guys,

So I've finally made the choice - I want to get a Microsoft Surface tablet. I have a Nexus 7 model 1, but have no use for it in the past 3 months - I have a desktop PC and a lot of the time I can achieve what I want from a 7 inch tablet on my Nokia 1520. However, I would really like a 'Tabtop' style setup, where I can browse the net, do programming/word processing and some light gaming.

I haven't considered the surface pro 2, based purely on it's high price. So my choice is this: Surface RT, Surface 2, or Surface Pro.

Which one can you guys recommend, and from your experience, which is the better device?

Any help would be great - If you guys can help me decide I may even go out and get one today

Thanks!

Chris

 

[DBDev]

If you want to do programming you would need the Pro model since RT and 2 can't run legacy programs

 

[hopmedic]

Depending on your needs, the Surface Pro or the Surface Pro 2 would be what you want, since you want to do some programming. You can't install Visual Studio (or other development environments) on the RT version. I wouldn't completely rule out the Pro 2. If you're not afraid of a used unit, you may be able to find a good deal, and the battery life is a lot better, given the Haswell i5 that it has.

I bought my SP2 here on WPCentral in the Marketplace forum, and paid $950 for the SP2 (128GB) and a Type Cover 2, shipped. Not a bad deal at all.

 

[WillysJeepMan]

If you want to do programming you would need the Pro model since RT and 2 can't run legacy programs

To add to that, if you want to do programming and use an IDE then forget even the Pro. I'd lose my mind of I had to use Eclipse or Visual Studio on a 10.6" screen. :crying:

 

[dugenhiser]

To add to that, if you want to do programming and use an IDE then forget even the Pro. I'd lose my mind of I had to use Eclipse or Visual Studio on a 10.6" screen. :crying:

I don't think he meant to use it as a main programming device. More of something to edit the programs with when you are out and about and to show simple demos. His desktop will probably be the main area for programming.

I would buy the pro and not the pro 2 and just buy the power cover when it comes out. I've seen the pro go for 450 to 500 more often lately and 200 for the power cover. That's 650 to 700 still cheaper than the cheapest pro 2. And it will give you longer battery life.

Does anyone know how long the pro will last with the power cover, all I could find was pro 2 life estimates.

 

[Cruncher04]

Hmm though question. The "programming" requirement would rule out the Surface 2/RT as others pointed out already. Main reason is, that while editing and compilation is possible (at least for C#), running and debugging is currently not possible.
The downside of course is, that you are shooting for the significantly heavier and thicker device if you are going with the Pro. Not a particular good device as tablet (due to weight, thickness and battery duration) but rather an ultrabook replacement.