Windows Surface Tablet

[DaveNull]

30 pin for life!

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by DaveNull

30 pin for life!

My cord is wearing out, just past the shrink wrap. Got a pinhole in it. Tried electrical tape but it doesn't stick well...

[Fish]

Originally Posted by DaveNull

30 pin for life!

[Xanathol]

Let me clear up the crap on the Surface RT. Note - I am no fan - if you want a tablet, get the Dell 8" or 11". But this misinformation about the RT is just... sigh...


90% of the 'complaints' people have about the Surface RT completely ignores what a user is after, ie. "its not real Windows!". Perfect example is this thread - nowhere did the OP say they wanted to run 'real Windows'. And guess what? You won't run 'real Windows' or your Windows desktop apps on an iPad or Andriod tablet either. Do people mistakenly expect they can run real Windows apps because it is from Microsoft and MS did a bad job of making that clear? Of course... but a 5 minute product search and that expectation is addressed.

That said, it is real Windows - the difference is it is running on an ARM processor and app signing is enforced. The app signing is easy to get around, thanks to a widely available app that can disable it on boot. The ARM processor is the real 'got ya', when comparing to a Window's desktop, as more than likely, you don't have any apps that can run on an ARM. If you have a .Net app compiled for Any CPU, it runs just fine on a Surface RT with signing turned off; I run my own apps on mine all the time. But don't forget the paragraph above - you weren't running your Windows apps on an iPad or Andriod either! But you can Remote Desktop from your Surface to your main machine...

Network issues have happened, the most common being an apparent DNS issue on wake from connected standby ( other words, you turn it on and can't browse to a website ). The solution is to just disconnect and reconnect, then it should be fine.. at least until you let it go to sleep again. Annoying, yes, but not crucial, plus, the issue seems to be router dependent.

Disconnects during streaming or such are a bit rare; I won't say I haven't hear of them happening but I have never experienced it myself or personally know anyone who has. I've personally heard of no more issues like this than with any other brand.

IE is... well, IE. Twitter works great as does facebook - ie. most of your social sites. Streaming from ESPN3 or the like works terrifically. If you want to watch ripped movies, you have to be careful of the format; MKV support is not built in ( huge miss IMO ) and high encoding settings can choke it at times; just think "can a WD TV Live play this?" when it comes to the encoding issues. If the answer is yes, then the Surface RT can usually too.

Other notes... even on an RT, you get Office apps ( student version ), a Micro SD card port, a USB port, a mini-HDMI port ( yup - can plug it into your TV ), a kickstand, and you can get a keyboard attachment. Honestly, no real reason to choose a similar class iPad or Andriod tablet over an RT, unless there is an app you want that doesn't exist yet or you need an LTE connection.


That said - do yourself a major favor, save some dough, and get a Dell Venue Pro or something like it. Baytrail CPU ( yes, you can run your normal apps ), BT, 4G option ( major issue I have with the Surface is the lack thereof ), Miracast ( WiFi direct to your TV, if supported by said TV ), battery extending keyboard option... hell I could go on. If you're talking ~$300 vs $500 11", go with the $500 one every time. For $180... well, that's your call, but Dell does have the 8" version that compares better in price.

[Lex Luthor]

Originally Posted by Xanathol

Let me clear up the crap on the Surface RT. Note - I am no fan - if you want a tablet, get the Dell 8" or 11". But this misinformation about the RT is just... sigh...


90% of the 'complaints' people have about the Surface RT completely ignores what a user is after, ie. "its not real Windows!". Perfect example is this thread - nowhere did the OP say they wanted to run 'real Windows'. And guess what? You won't run 'real Windows' or your Windows desktop apps on an iPad or Andriod tablet either. Do people mistakenly expect they can run real Windows apps because it is from Microsoft and MS did a bad job of making that clear? Of course... but a 5 minute product search and that expectation is addressed.

If somebody asks for my opinion about a Microsoft Surface RT, I will continue to say exactly what I said the first time. I'm not going to say "Yeah, it's Windows baby!" and leave it up to the person asking the question to go do his own resarch. He'll be severely disappointed if he shells out his hard-earned cash and then discovers that he can't load standard Windows software on a product manufactured by Microsoft and running Microsoft's OS, especially when Microsoft calls the OS Windows 8 RT.

Something as wrong as that needs to be pointed out, especially when someone asks specifically about the Surface RT.

Yes, if you are technically savvy enough you can get around the app signing and you can compile your own apps to be portable and run on the ARM architecture. Bully for you. But that's not what a typical user is going to do. Especially when the user says up front that he will primarily use his new tablet for social networking and watching sports and TV.

The Surface RT was resoundingly rejected by the marketplace. Microsoft took a $900 million loss on it in the 4th quarter of 2013 because those pieces of shit weren't selling, and Steve Ballmer lost his job shortly after that. That's something else a potential buyer should be aware of.

There's nothing wrong the ARM architecture itself. What was wrong was all of the boneheaded decisions Microsoft made regarding Windows 8 on ARM and Windows 8 in general. You obviously agree, and you recommended avoiding the Surface RT. I just found it puzzling that you defended the product so vehemently that you referred to honest criticism of it as "crap" and "misinformation".

If information is correct and useful, it's neither "crap" nor "misinformation".