My Surface 2 experience (Non-Pro version)

[pcsavvy]

Did the research about the Microsoft Surface 2 Pro and non-Pro version. Decided for my budget and needs the Surface 2 (RT) version would fit my needs for ~10 inch tablet that would be a media consumption device, do some productive work and integrate with my Windows home computer and Windows phone.

I have had it for a few days and so far this is what I like and have experienced:

Windows 8.1--Learning curve involved but it seems more user friendly for tablet use. No lag with switching from desktop to charms to any screen. Instantly recognized my wireless laser printer and allows file sharing between desktop and tablet. Save files directly to skydrive.

One of the easiest tech toys to set up and synch with my home computer, just sign in with your Microsoft Account and synch with your home computer. Very easy and fast.

Microsoft Office 13 Student and Home includes Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Also 200 GBs of Skydrive for 2 years and 1 year Skype premium subscription included.

If there is no app for a media streaming service just go to the website and watch from there or any service you would want to use that has a website to access. Have a few more steps to go through but not impossible. Depending upon how well the site is coded and how much is going on while on the site your experience will vary from excellent to ok a little stuttering(?) going on. I have the same problems on my desktop at times too. So I am not totally convinced all problems with websites are surface related.

So far as apps are concerned I have found most of the ones I use on a daily basis: Hulu Plus, Netflix, Kindle, Amazon and a few others. I would like to see a Vizmedia app but I can log onto their website and access my purchased items to read or watch streaming videos.

While watching hours of streaming shows, the tablet does not run hot nor any stuttering due to heat problems. The display is beautiful to look at. I am not a hard core gamer more a casual gamer and I find no issues with the Surface 2 casually gaming.

I have the Type Cover 2, it is great especially the backlit keys. I find it very easy to switch between using the keyboard and the touchscreen.

I can leave it on (sleep mode) overnight without being on the charger and it will still have over 75% charge left. It charges fast and the light on the charger lets you know that your are hooked up correctly.

Need a desktop/laptop replacement, this is not it. Need a tablet that allows you to consume media, work on office documents while away from your work/home computer this is it.

So far as a non power user, I am not finding any negatives, the surface feels lightweight, balanced and thin while carrying it around either in your hands or in a bag. It is bit awkward to hold in your hands while viewing the surface for any length of time. The 2 position kickstand and keyboard combine to make it more like a laptop experience without the bulk of a laptop.

It would be nice if Microsoft included your choice of keyboard in the price, I find I leave the keyboard attached all the time. It makes it more convenient when I need to enter passwords, website addresses and anything that requires keyboard usage.

I am enjoying owning and operating the Surface 2 and learning all the things this tablet is able to do. :awe:

As time wears on, I will try to report on what I find and experience.

Please no flame, just trying to inform those who maybe interested in purchasing a Surface 2 (RT) or just interested in how the Surface 2 performs in the real world versus artificial benchmarks.

 

[SAWYER]

I think in the next couple years Windows tablets and hybrids will be awesome and extremely popular, probably own the market

 

[noacess]

The only thing that really keeps me away from the surface tablets and Windows phones is the lack of software. Its just not there yet. I wish Microsoft would sell the devices to MSDN subscribers at a discount. I think that would certainly help on the software front.

 

[pcsavvy]

I don't really understand everyone harping on the fact that Windows RT doesn't allow software to be loaded up. I believe Microsoft wanted to create a Windows tablet similar to the Ipad in the sense both tablets are media consuming devices and not productivity devices. You can't load up Mac software onto an Ipad, just apps and what you purchase through ITunes. At least, with the Surface you can access Office documents, direct file share with your home/work computer or your network, do vpn, load selected files to skydrive, and use Internet Explorer to go to any website you want to with no or little problem. There is no jury rigging or jail breaking needed to be done. And you don't have to worry about accidently downloading malicious code or Trojans from some website or from some poorly written app. If you need more than this you step up to either the Surface Pro or a laptop. If more people request apps for certain functions over time these too will be added to enhance the functionality of the Surface 2 (RT).

Edit: also being able to split the screen and have 2 or more apps or things going on at the same time. The split screen doesn't have to be 50/50, it can 60/40 or 75/25, however you need it, it is neat that you can run more than one app or function at the same time.

 

[pcsavvy]

Sat at a local Starbucks with my Surface 2 and worked on a word document while listening to music streaming from my Xbox music account. Just before I was streaming an anime from Hulu Plus. My Surface did not overheat and it handled both functions at the same time just fine. I was also able to split screen so I could access the internet while I was working on my Word document. Saved the document to skydrive. Worked like butter. I can see that Microsoft may need to fine tune Word for touch capabilities a little better but it worked ok. I think I may need to do a bit more reading up on Microsoft Office 2013. It is kind of neat you can use the Surface to control your Xbox, if you have one, or set up an Xbox account and access your home/work computer. For a media consumption device, this is a win win situation.

 

[Rottie]

Let me know in 6 months.

 

[pcsavvy]

As of right now, it is nice to have a tablet that can stream videos and work on an Office document/project and I don't have to worry about burning my legs or shutting down due to the cpu overheating after an hour of use. I have had that type of laptop, not fun.
One thing real nice thing is the battery seems to last a long time so you don't have to carry the charger with you all the time. I was using it last night, closed the keyboard and put by my bedside and just now I plugged into the charger and I still had 61% charge left on the Surface. I did turn off the Bluetooth so I am sure that saves the battery too. Didn't make any other changes. The display is bright and colorful.

 

[Yuriman]

What games are supported? What apps, if any, are conspicuously missing that are present on either iOS or Android?

 

[pcsavvy]

Here are a selection of games available from Microsoft Store and able to download to the Surface 2 (RT), some are from the Xbox store also.

Pictofeud, Infinity Toy Box, Wheel of Fortune, Battle Bears Fortress, Kodu Game Lab, Fruit Ninja, Angry Birds Star Wars, Angry Birds Space, Bejeweled Live, Dungeon Hunter 4, Asphalt Heat, Green Jelly, Halo Spartan Assault, A World of Keflings, 4 Elements II, Moto X Mayhem, Field & Stream Fishing, Reckless Racing Ultimate, Temple Run Oz, The Harvest, The Moron Test, Avengers Initiative, Mahjong Deluxe, Where's my Mickey?, Mario Jungle Run, Run Bart Run, Uno & Friends.

These are just a sample of some of the games available now. There are games for all age groups and all types. Some you can play both on your Xbox, Windows Phone and Surface tablet. It is a matter of what type of game are you interested in.

 

[Ns1]

Here are a selection of games available from Microsoft Store and able to download to the Surface 2 (RT), some are from the Xbox store also.

Pictofeud, Infinity Toy Box, Wheel of Fortune, Battle Bears Fortress, Kodu Game Lab, Fruit Ninja, Angry Birds Star Wars, Angry Birds Space, Bejeweled Live, Dungeon Hunter 4, Asphalt Heat, Green Jelly, Halo Spartan Assault, A World of Keflings, 4 Elements II, Moto X Mayhem, Field & Stream Fishing, Reckless Racing Ultimate, Temple Run Oz, The Harvest, The Moron Test, Avengers Initiative, Mahjong Deluxe, Where's my Mickey?, Mario Jungle Run, Run Bart Run, Uno & Friends.

These are just a sample of some of the games available now. There are games for all age groups and all types. Some you can play both on your Xbox, Windows Phone and Surface tablet. It is a matter of what type of game are you interested in.

My surface won't connect to the windows store. it's a known issue with no fix.

FAIL

 

[pcsavvy]

Wow, you must have a defective surface, have you tried returning it to Microsoft for servicing.
I have had no problems accessing the Microsoft Store as long as I have wi-fi service. I just tap the app for the Microsoft Store and I am there. I just sign into my surface with Microsoft Account and password and I am automatically signed into my xbox account too. Even though at this time I do not own an xbox.

 

[Ns1]

Wow, you must have a defective surface, have you tried returning it to Microsoft for servicing.
I have had no problems accessing the Microsoft Store as long as I have wi-fi service. I just tap the app for the Microsoft Store and I am there. I just sign into my surface with Microsoft Account and password and I am automatically signed into my xbox account too. Even though at this time I do not own an xbox.

Searching the internets, it's a known issue with no valid fix. I'm not willing to essentially format my surface to try to connect to the store.

 

[tsupersonic]

Searching the internets, it's a known issue with no valid fix. I'm not willing to essentially format my surface to try to connect to the store.

Why didn't you check the store before you setup your device? If there is no fix, return it. Or, try resetting your device/doing Windows updates like Microsoft community recommends. Otherwise, why continue using a device that wasn't intended to function like that?

 

[Ns1]

Why didn't you check the store before you setup your device? If there is no fix, return it. Or, try resetting your device/doing Windows updates like Microsoft community recommends. Otherwise, why continue using a device that wasn't intended to function like that?

Because the issue is that it works for a while and then stops working. There are workarounds which work for some people (there's a command to reset the windows store...) but does not work for me.

The laptop is all loaded up and ready for my everyday use. I'm just too lazy to try the other recommended solution of essentially formatting my device and then having to reinstall everything. Luckily for me (I guess) the MSFT store blows ass and has nothing I want.

 

[podspi]

Searching the internets, it's a known issue with no valid fix. I'm not willing to essentially format my surface to try to connect to the store.

Did you try this? (Note the URL, the file is from Microsoft).


If yes, I got nothin

 

[pcsavvy]

Wow, if I purchase some electronic system and it does not work 100%, I am in contact with customer service or I google the problem to check for solutions. If there is no fix, then it is definitely time to contact customer service ASAP before the warranty expires and get it replaced.

 

[tsupersonic]

Wow, if I purchase some electronic system and it does not work 100%, I am in contact with customer service or I google the problem to check for solutions. If there is no fix, then it is definitely time to contact customer service ASAP before the warranty expires and get it replaced.

Right? I'm the same way. It's best to return/exchange your device within a 14 day period (for cellphones/electronics) as that is the common minimum return window (sometimes 30 days, depending on store/item). I know the Windows store is fairly useless, but there are a handful amount of apps that are great. I mean I don't see the point of using Windows RT without any apps...

 

[bearxor]

Well, he's talking about his Pro, not RT.

And the thing with the Pro is that you kind of have to accept that it's an actual computer and may have bugs or issues that come associated with having the full version of Windows.

Having said that, I have everything synced to SkyDrive, so a wipe and reset isn't really that big of a deal

 

[tsupersonic]

Well, he's talking about his Pro, not RT.

And the thing with the Pro is that you kind of have to accept that it's an actual computer and may have bugs or issues that come associated with having the full version of Windows.

Having said that, I have everything synced to SkyDrive, so a wipe and reset isn't really that big of a deal

He didn't mention Pro in any of his posts in this thread, and this thread is for Surface 2. So, I assumed Win. RT...If you login with your Microsoft account, many things get synced...

 

[mmntech]

The Surface 2 is certainly a big leap over the original, which was honestly overpriced and underpowered. It still has a few shortcomings. I'd like to see the display upped to 2560x1600, since that's becoming the norm. You're also limited to Windows Store apps AFAIK, and apps are still limited. Windows RT does have the potential to be a very powerful OS aimed at power users. I'm keeping an eye on what they're doing since I've grown tired of Apple's walled garden shenanigans. I shouldn't have to crack my device just to use an SD card with it.

 

[podspi]

He didn't mention Pro in any of his posts in this thread, and this thread is for Surface 2. So, I assumed Win. RT...If you login with your Microsoft account, many things get synced...

He mentioned non-store applications though. Is there any way to sideload "Modern" apps? There must be but I'm not aware of any way to do it, and I can't imagine there is a large collection of non-market apps.

 

[Ns1]

He mentioned non-store applications though. Is there any way to sideload "Modern" apps? There must be but I'm not aware of any way to do it, and I can't imagine there is a large collection of non-market apps.

I put .exe files on a flash drive or download them then install it in desktop mode. If it's an app that only exists in the MSFT store then I'm screwed.

 

[pcsavvy]

I will repeat, this is one of the easiest tech toys to sync with your home computer, xbox, and Microsoft account. It is nice that you can visit any website and not worry about getting any error codes due to flash not being supported. It is easy to carry around in a bag of any size and it is fun to operate.

 

[zerogear]

The more I use Surface devices (be it RT/2 or Pro), I find myself finding tablets made by other companies are exceedingly useless, namely those by the fruit company. (Which is kind of the point of Surface devices)

 

[pcsavvy]

Here is a short article about both the Surface Pro 2 and Surface 2 being out of stock at various places: http://www.tweaktown.com/news/34427...o-2-tablets-are-extremely-popular-/index.html