Microsoft Surface 2 (32 GB) $298
Microsoft Surface 2 (64GB) $398
Microsoft Surface 2 (Non-Pro) (32 GB) $298 (64GB) $398 @ JB Hi-Fi
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Lbobsburger on 27/11/2014 - 18:17 jbhifi.com.au (345 clicks)
Last edited 27/11/2014 - 19:15 by 1 other user
Last edited 27/11/2014 - 19:15 by 1 other user
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Well not entirely useless, you can still use it as a backlit chopping board.
That's really not fair, unless you consider everything that doesn't offer a full Windows experience useless.
For productivity, you have Office.
For web browsing, you have Internet Explorer (which is a great tablet browser) + flash; it boasts excellent performance with sub 400 sunspider results
For media, you have a high resolution screen, a USB port & microSD for extra storage, and a micro HDMI for output.Other pros:
Split screen multitasking.
Connects readily to your home network.
Explorer for file management.
Good build quality, a handy kickstand, and solid battery life.Cons:
Games & poor app selection.You also have to consider other Atom based tablets runing x86 Win into consideration. It's very likely next year, we can get fairly decent $300 Windows 10 inch tablets that include Office 365 (although only 1 year subscription) as part of the package.
Right now the T100 refresh is $323 USD on Black Friday sale. I know it's not as cheap as the Surface 2, but it does come with Office Home + Student, and a keyboard dock / battery combo.
If I had to make a choice for say, a student needing a Windows based device, I'd get the x86 option, unless your needs are so basic you can put up with a limited complement of apps for Win RT, don't mind using Internet Explorer as pretty much your only browser plus the other limitations of an ARM processor.
Also don't forget Windows 10 is on the verge of release, making these devices orphans in terms of app development and software updates.
Even so, it's a dying ecosystem. No developer love. I don't see why a regular person would spend $300~400 on a Surface 2, when there are great alternatives available from ASUS, Dell, Acer, HP and Lenovo packing x86 CPU's.
To me this product seems no longer relevant because the tray prices of x86 Atom processors are so cheap now that even chinese whitebox tablet makers are now using it in their devices.
And you know what, the Surface 2 hardware wise is a pretty good device, just marred by the fact that it runs an oddball operating system that nobody uses. If it could run a Unix based OS or Android, I wouldn't mind spending $300 dollars on it ( 32GB Surface rt2 for $300 would beat the heck out of an equivalent priced Samsung Tab 4 10.1 in terms of specs).
Ipads are not surface pro models making them pretty well useless, but how much do you pay for them? 2x? 3x?
could the same argument be said for Apple, ie an ipad is not a MacBook Pro, therefore an ipad is useless?
I don't think bringing Macbook vs iPad comparison is helpful.
People are complaining about usefulness of the RT because of lack of apps. Even Windows 8, I think the apps there are crap, it's just that it runs x86 and x64 programs that makes it good. I think RT is trying to be a office tablet PC like Surface Pro is. At the very least, RT is fairly limited in the content consumption bit, and many people who like it praises the MS Office. iPad on the other hand, is just for consuming contents like movies and listening to music. Well not saying that iPads cannot be used for office works, but its main purpose I think still lies on content consumption.
Though be fair, they have been trying to integrate RT and Windows Phone which has slightly more apps than RT but still not as many as Android or iOS. So number of apps might increase as a result of this. Also I think Windows 10 is trying to integrate the Windows Phone and the desktop environment little bit more as well.
I still think it is a bargain for those who are looking for decent enough 10 inch tablet, mainly for document editing and office uses, with decent tech support at decent price.
EDIT: I didn't sum it up well. Basically RT is competing, whether it was on purpose or not, against x86 and x64 tablets because RT is very limited in what it is capable of doing, whereas iPad is not competing against Macbook.
Thanks for that.
I just didn't understand why everyone complained about an RT tablet. I didn't expect to be able to install standard windows desktop software on a windows tablet. I always assumed you were limited to being able to install whatever apps were available in the windows store, in a similar way to what you can install on an android tablet or ipad.
Trying to decide whether this would be suitable for the wife for uni and possibly work after uni.
I always assumed you were limited to being able to install whatever
Yes, whatever microsoft allows. It is DRM-ed up the wazoo. Unlike normal PCs, Surface Pro, Mac or Android which usually let you install what you want. IOS is similarly locked in, but people seem to like it :) Android lets you install from other sources, even if the bootloader is locked.
@bwilso06:
Buy this device with a type cover combo and it will be the best portable workhorse for uni, there is no other device that compares without buying a whole heap of 3rd party accessories.If you buy a surface 2 you will get
Long Battery Life
Office Which includes Outlook 2013 in desktop mode! If you guys have not used Outlook before you have no idea..
Large keyboard
Large screen for editing docs
Portability
Priting via USB or WIFIEveryone keeps forgetting this device has a USB port vs Ipad that doesn't. And whats best is that it doesn't contain the crap viruses and spyware that Android tablets are loaded with.
If you want some sort of obscure app that some creep with no life uses then of course stay away from it.
almost spat my mountain dew out thinking this was for the spro 2
spew the do, bro!
Well, I think it's at least a deal for someone who only wishes to have a tablet for Microsoft Office. Or at the very least, it's as cheap as the last deal from MS store.
I bought a 32Gb on the MS snap sale $299 and loving it - email, browser, basic apps - great screen, quality build - i'm happy with RT as it is and don't need installable apps (that's what my desktop pc is for)
ditto debo - its also great for travelling.
I am returning to school next year and need office.
I have a macbook air but will this thing do for assignments?
This is not the Surface being advertised - it's a very limited version which will run MS Office, but does not run other normal windows applications. The one you've probably seen advertised as a Macbook Air replacement is the Surface Pro, which runs the full version of Windows.
but it does have Microsoft Office, meaning you can use Word and Excel etc.
Yes of course it will do.
I work in the property industry, i'm using this now at one of my inspections now. Setting appointments, emails with attachments. Ipads do not have a file system so you cannot attach files to emails like you can on a pc or a surface. I have Internet explorer open, the same one that you run on your pc now with 6 tabs open plus a number of other programs open. eg excel, outlook, windows explorer.
I've even got a wireless mouse plugged in now.
I use the original surface rt as a teacher at school. Meets all my day to day classroom needs, as well as an ideal bring my own device for students. So much so I bought one for my daughter to use at school as a student. beats the dept. laptops in NSW. I must say I bought the hard keypad.
These are not Surface Pro models, making them pretty well useless.