Microsoft Surface 2 review
Posted by: Timothy Tibbetts on 10/31/2013 07:05 AM
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Giveaway has ended but your comments are still welcome. Congratulations to Woody Smith from Virginia!
Introduction:
After hearing that Microsoft beat estimates and seeing the numerous commercials about the Surface 2 RT commercials, I finally decided it was time to try out the Microsoft tablet. My thought was that a tablet that could double as a laptop. Like most small business owners, I never stop working. So a tablet I could browse while watching TV, and a laptop I could do some work on seemed like a dream come true. At $449, it is a bit cheaper than an iPad so why not?
Normally I wouldn’t discuss the unboxing but it seems Microsoft took a page from Apple in this area. It’s attractive, simplistic and easy to open. No cutting the plastic, stick-on seals; they have a unstuck edge to lift and peel back easily. The power cord is magnetic instead of a plug in. I think plug-ins are better. It's pretty, though. It has both a USB port and a MicroSD card reader. Nice.
Wait, where’s the keyboard? It turns out that while the Surface 2 wants to be a laptop and a tablet, you really only get the tablet in the box and need to shell out over $100.00 for the keyboard. Now you are back in iPad or touch screen laptop pricing territory.
Go ahead and watch the commercial below. At 1:10 seconds they mention the keyboard, and in a hard to read text, they briefly mention it’s not included.
Editor’s Note: Some asked if I bought the keyboard for this review. I opted to not buy the additional keyboard to make a point. If you want to call a device a laptop\tablet hybrid and not include a keyboard, I feel this is a very important thing to know. As you read, you will find that Microsoft is being very deceptive in how they market it as it relates to the keyboard and I want you to know that.
You first notice that the Surface 2 is wider than most tablets taking on a more familiar laptop style screen. The case still leaves a bit to be desired with squared off edges rather than the more familiar, comfortable rounded edges. With the included kickstand, however, I found that I spent a lot less time actually holding the Surface 2 but more on that later. The volume and power buttons are well placed and speakers are on both sides so you always get sound regardless of where the Surface 2 is placed. It weighs just less than 1.5 pounds so that is very close to other 10” devices.
And We’re Off:
After a quick setup common with any device, Windows quickly starts up. I must say the display is beautiful and fast. I was able to load up numerous apps and the Surface just kept speeding along. The Surface 2 is fairly easy to use but setting up the tiles takes a little time.
The tiles are all different sizes and you can shrink the size of all the tiles at the same time allowing you to fit more on the screen which might make most happy. If that’s not good enough, you can hold down any tile and choose to resize, pin, uninstall and turn that tile off. After just a few minutes the Surface 2 main screen can look however you want. Another option is to name folders allowing you to swipe from folder to folder. You can easily get a list of all apps by placing your finger in the middle of the screen and swiping up. Then you can choose from recently installed, most used and more to access and pin any app you like.
Like most tablets, there are two ways to figure out how things work. Randomly swipe around on the edges looking for options or in the case of the Surface 2 we have “Help&Tips” right on the main screen. I learned a lot of what I have discussed so far by browsing the Help&Tips.
A Microsoft Live account was required and is used to login, sync, email and more. I use complicated passwords for security and don’t want to have to enter my password when I use my tablet. I can’t find a way around it and was asked to either login or create an account during the initial setup.
The kickstand! It’s awesome. One of the coolest things I have used on a tablet. You have 2 positions available, where there only used to be one. One is for setting the Surface 2 on a desk or table and the other is for your lap. It’s different and it’s perfect. While the Surface 2 does not feel quite as good in my hands as some competition including Apple and Samsung, I also found I rarely had to actually hold it thanks to the kickstand. A brief search for a similar kickstand based cover for my iPad returned nothing. They do make them, but nothing I found was full width like this and most are the fold-up style that I have found annoying. I know I am gushing over something so simple but sometimes the simple things in life make all the difference.
Apps:
Here’s where we bump into some problems. Microsoft Office is included so if you need to do some work, that’s pretty awesome. It’s essentially the Home and Office version, so if you plan to use it for business, get out your credit card. The Outlook mail program works very well, something I feel the competition falls a bit short on however this is the Office version of Outlook because Outlook Express, which I used to love, is long abandoned. The Surface 2 runs Windows RT and that changes a few things. This isn’t exactly Windows 8.1. First off, you can’t simply download and install anything you want. You are limited to the “Store” and that remains a problem for some of us. For example, I like Google Chrome and Candy Crush Saga. Neither one is available at the Microsoft Store. There are, however, plenty of apps available and included. I should be able to download and install Windows apps Microsoft can’t provide. In other words, Windows RT is doing essentially what Apple’s iOS does; limiting what you can do to make your device more secure from the bad guys out there. As a Windows user, I prefer control. I think it also would turn off most Android users and especially Apple users who already live like this with millions of apps to choose from.
Most people use Google in some form or another so you will want to read up on how to sync Google services with Windows. You can’t sync your Google Calendar with the Calendar app. Microsoft should be on the ball here making sure these things work. This could drive away some Google users from the Surface 2 and there are a lot of those.
Recovery:
Worried about those notorious Windows problems? You can actually reset the device and keep all your files including photos, music and videos or do a complete factory reset. We timed a complete reset and it took 10 minutes from start to the setup screen. Not bad at all to someone used to spending hours doing the same thing.
Conclusion:
If you’re anything like me, you skimmed the reviews and scrolled to the summary, so here it is. After 3 days of use, this review could, and maybe should, be 10 pages long so bear with me as I try to keep it short. I really like the Surface 2. As a card holding member of the “Windows 8 Hater Club”, I naturally expected to hate it. Microsoft has made huge strides from the original Surface.
I was pleasantly surprised from the opening of the box to the USB 3.0 port, microSDXC card reader, speaker and button placement. Battery life, while not benchmarked, seemed good. The 2 position kickstand is so good, I expect to see it copied, at least in the aftermarket for other devices. I can’t remember how it feels in my hands because there’s rarely a reason to hold it. Like switching from an Android device to an Apple product or vice versa, the learning curve is pretty small and the “Helps&Tips” app can answer any questions easily. The 1080p display looks great and the Surface 2 is fast and multitasking is no problem. The 3.5 front, 5 megapixel rear camera is more than adequate but I don’t know any photographers shopping tablets when buying a camera and I am not graphic guru.
What didn’t I like? Apps are hit and miss with many popular apps not available. I like having Microsoft Office included.
Finally, some confusion. One would assume that Microsoft is looking to sell to Android and Apple users because they are, after all, the majority of the market. With Windows RT your apps are from the Microsoft Store or nothing. Developers are not allowed to port desktop applications to Surface meaning any older apps you rely on can’t be used. The developer has to make the app specifically for RT. I can’t picture any Apple fan jumping ship with the limited apps available and I can’t picture Android users wanting to be locked down. So, who buys it?
Not me. I want my apps. Correction, I demand my apps. The only way to do this is to drop Windows RT 8.1. Forget it ever happened. Of course you can always buy the Surface 2 Pro which runs Windows 8.1 but that will cost you $899.00 for the 64 GB model but that really can double as a true tablet and laptop.
The Surface 2 is available at most brick and mortar retailers including Staples and Best Buy as well as online at trusted, fast delivery places like Tiger Direct.
Giveaway: I will be picking someone from the comments below to ship this review unit to. It only has a few days of on and off usage and has been reset to factory settings so you can set it up as new. Winner will be chosen at random from the comments so let us know your thoughts. Winner will be picked towards the end of the week. Due to customs and costs, US residents only please. Review unit is given away as is.
Introduction:
After hearing that Microsoft beat estimates and seeing the numerous commercials about the Surface 2 RT commercials, I finally decided it was time to try out the Microsoft tablet. My thought was that a tablet that could double as a laptop. Like most small business owners, I never stop working. So a tablet I could browse while watching TV, and a laptop I could do some work on seemed like a dream come true. At $449, it is a bit cheaper than an iPad so why not?
Normally I wouldn’t discuss the unboxing but it seems Microsoft took a page from Apple in this area. It’s attractive, simplistic and easy to open. No cutting the plastic, stick-on seals; they have a unstuck edge to lift and peel back easily. The power cord is magnetic instead of a plug in. I think plug-ins are better. It's pretty, though. It has both a USB port and a MicroSD card reader. Nice.
Wait, where’s the keyboard? It turns out that while the Surface 2 wants to be a laptop and a tablet, you really only get the tablet in the box and need to shell out over $100.00 for the keyboard. Now you are back in iPad or touch screen laptop pricing territory.
Go ahead and watch the commercial below. At 1:10 seconds they mention the keyboard, and in a hard to read text, they briefly mention it’s not included.
Editor’s Note: Some asked if I bought the keyboard for this review. I opted to not buy the additional keyboard to make a point. If you want to call a device a laptop\tablet hybrid and not include a keyboard, I feel this is a very important thing to know. As you read, you will find that Microsoft is being very deceptive in how they market it as it relates to the keyboard and I want you to know that.
You first notice that the Surface 2 is wider than most tablets taking on a more familiar laptop style screen. The case still leaves a bit to be desired with squared off edges rather than the more familiar, comfortable rounded edges. With the included kickstand, however, I found that I spent a lot less time actually holding the Surface 2 but more on that later. The volume and power buttons are well placed and speakers are on both sides so you always get sound regardless of where the Surface 2 is placed. It weighs just less than 1.5 pounds so that is very close to other 10” devices.
And We’re Off:
After a quick setup common with any device, Windows quickly starts up. I must say the display is beautiful and fast. I was able to load up numerous apps and the Surface just kept speeding along. The Surface 2 is fairly easy to use but setting up the tiles takes a little time.
The tiles are all different sizes and you can shrink the size of all the tiles at the same time allowing you to fit more on the screen which might make most happy. If that’s not good enough, you can hold down any tile and choose to resize, pin, uninstall and turn that tile off. After just a few minutes the Surface 2 main screen can look however you want. Another option is to name folders allowing you to swipe from folder to folder. You can easily get a list of all apps by placing your finger in the middle of the screen and swiping up. Then you can choose from recently installed, most used and more to access and pin any app you like.
Like most tablets, there are two ways to figure out how things work. Randomly swipe around on the edges looking for options or in the case of the Surface 2 we have “Help&Tips” right on the main screen. I learned a lot of what I have discussed so far by browsing the Help&Tips.
A Microsoft Live account was required and is used to login, sync, email and more. I use complicated passwords for security and don’t want to have to enter my password when I use my tablet. I can’t find a way around it and was asked to either login or create an account during the initial setup.
The kickstand! It’s awesome. One of the coolest things I have used on a tablet. You have 2 positions available, where there only used to be one. One is for setting the Surface 2 on a desk or table and the other is for your lap. It’s different and it’s perfect. While the Surface 2 does not feel quite as good in my hands as some competition including Apple and Samsung, I also found I rarely had to actually hold it thanks to the kickstand. A brief search for a similar kickstand based cover for my iPad returned nothing. They do make them, but nothing I found was full width like this and most are the fold-up style that I have found annoying. I know I am gushing over something so simple but sometimes the simple things in life make all the difference.
Apps:
Here’s where we bump into some problems. Microsoft Office is included so if you need to do some work, that’s pretty awesome. It’s essentially the Home and Office version, so if you plan to use it for business, get out your credit card. The Outlook mail program works very well, something I feel the competition falls a bit short on however this is the Office version of Outlook because Outlook Express, which I used to love, is long abandoned. The Surface 2 runs Windows RT and that changes a few things. This isn’t exactly Windows 8.1. First off, you can’t simply download and install anything you want. You are limited to the “Store” and that remains a problem for some of us. For example, I like Google Chrome and Candy Crush Saga. Neither one is available at the Microsoft Store. There are, however, plenty of apps available and included. I should be able to download and install Windows apps Microsoft can’t provide. In other words, Windows RT is doing essentially what Apple’s iOS does; limiting what you can do to make your device more secure from the bad guys out there. As a Windows user, I prefer control. I think it also would turn off most Android users and especially Apple users who already live like this with millions of apps to choose from.
Most people use Google in some form or another so you will want to read up on how to sync Google services with Windows. You can’t sync your Google Calendar with the Calendar app. Microsoft should be on the ball here making sure these things work. This could drive away some Google users from the Surface 2 and there are a lot of those.
Recovery:
Worried about those notorious Windows problems? You can actually reset the device and keep all your files including photos, music and videos or do a complete factory reset. We timed a complete reset and it took 10 minutes from start to the setup screen. Not bad at all to someone used to spending hours doing the same thing.
Conclusion:
If you’re anything like me, you skimmed the reviews and scrolled to the summary, so here it is. After 3 days of use, this review could, and maybe should, be 10 pages long so bear with me as I try to keep it short. I really like the Surface 2. As a card holding member of the “Windows 8 Hater Club”, I naturally expected to hate it. Microsoft has made huge strides from the original Surface.
I was pleasantly surprised from the opening of the box to the USB 3.0 port, microSDXC card reader, speaker and button placement. Battery life, while not benchmarked, seemed good. The 2 position kickstand is so good, I expect to see it copied, at least in the aftermarket for other devices. I can’t remember how it feels in my hands because there’s rarely a reason to hold it. Like switching from an Android device to an Apple product or vice versa, the learning curve is pretty small and the “Helps&Tips” app can answer any questions easily. The 1080p display looks great and the Surface 2 is fast and multitasking is no problem. The 3.5 front, 5 megapixel rear camera is more than adequate but I don’t know any photographers shopping tablets when buying a camera and I am not graphic guru.
What didn’t I like? Apps are hit and miss with many popular apps not available. I like having Microsoft Office included.
Finally, some confusion. One would assume that Microsoft is looking to sell to Android and Apple users because they are, after all, the majority of the market. With Windows RT your apps are from the Microsoft Store or nothing. Developers are not allowed to port desktop applications to Surface meaning any older apps you rely on can’t be used. The developer has to make the app specifically for RT. I can’t picture any Apple fan jumping ship with the limited apps available and I can’t picture Android users wanting to be locked down. So, who buys it?
Not me. I want my apps. Correction, I demand my apps. The only way to do this is to drop Windows RT 8.1. Forget it ever happened. Of course you can always buy the Surface 2 Pro which runs Windows 8.1 but that will cost you $899.00 for the 64 GB model but that really can double as a true tablet and laptop.
The Surface 2 is available at most brick and mortar retailers including Staples and Best Buy as well as online at trusted, fast delivery places like Tiger Direct.
Giveaway: I will be picking someone from the comments below to ship this review unit to. It only has a few days of on and off usage and has been reset to factory settings so you can set it up as new. Winner will be chosen at random from the comments so let us know your thoughts. Winner will be picked towards the end of the week. Due to customs and costs, US residents only please. Review unit is given away as is.
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