Microsoft Surface RT (32GB)

I was all set to purchase my Surface directly through the Microsoft website, then I got the brilliant idea to check amazon. I got more bang for my buck, for sure! the 32 gb and a type style keyboard on amazon were cheaper than the 16 gb and a touch style keyboard from Microsoft. I love what this tablet does because it is enough for me. It does not do EVERYTHING a laptop and my Kindle Fire HD together could do, but those things it does it does WAY better. starts up way faster than any laptop I've ever seen, and while my classmates are choosing their seats based on proximity to outlets, I am typing away and surfing the net without fear of losing power for a full 8 hours. I can quickly switch from Excel, where i'm using functions to calculate answers for problems in my Financial Management class, to a scientific/graphing calculator app for those problems that can't be functioned in Excel. I can't watch my DVR recordings via dishanywhere, and the sling player app is $15, but I can make do with watching in on another mobile device for which there IS an app. I can't seem to get my amazon prime content either, but i'm sure that's user error, or a function that will become more widely available eventually. one major advantage over the Kindle Fire (just addressing the tablet aspect of the device here) is the two cameras, and the ability to take video with sound. since the Surface will typically be within arm's reach, watch for my kitties on AFV. =) I love the tiles feature, and its customizability. apps like weather channel and facebook can have bigger tiles so I can see notifications at a glance, while I've made the email app tile as small as possible, so i'm not broadcasting what I've received to anyone who is looking at my home screen. I love the touch screen password feature, but if you use that remember to clean your screen often, because with all the oils in our skin, repeated touch gestures can EASILY be seen in the residue we leave behind. I would suggest buying an anti-glare screen protector immediately. it is MUCH easier on my eyes since I've installed one with a matte finish. no glare from overhead lights or sunshine! though it IS winter in my neck of the woods so that hasn't been much of a problem. i'm used to a split natural keyboard, so this tiny little thing is a little tough on my hands, but for light application such as status updates or typing reviews on amazon, it's just perfect. my fingers have adjusted quickly and I rarely hit the wrong key. I love that the keyboard detaches quickly and reattaches easily. very powerful magnets, you just get the keyboard close to the right position and it snaps into place. and if you want to do no typing, just pop it off and set it aside. the built in stand on the back of course only works for landscape mode and of course in only one position, but with the non slip backing on the keyboard, you can push the stand in and rest the tablet/screen portion on something else to get the perfect angle for your viewing. if you're looking for a powerful laptop replacement, this is NOT what you want. internet based games run slowly and aren't as responsive as on a traditional PC, it doesn't run Microsoft Access (but runs the rest of the suite including Outlook with the latest upgrade, free in the app store), and you CAN NOT install your own programs (like the plug in necessary to run dishanywhere on the device). but if you want something with more day-to-day functionality than an e-reader and don't need all the bells and whistles of a traditional laptop, this is a great option.

I have used and own several of these original Surface tablets. They're excellent tablets. Build quality is excellent and Microsoft support is as well. This is the first generation of these tablets and they were a good start. They improved a lot after several OS and firmware updates after release. New ones are harder and harder to find now days because this product has been replaced by the Surface 2, which is very similar to this one, but with some good improvements, such as a two position kickstand and support for some new features (think wireless projection). For the price, this is one of the best tablets on the market. I buy them for my company because they are inexpensive and can be used for several solutions, such as kiosks. The biggest negative about this and all Windows RT based tablets is that some popular apps that exist on Apple and Android app stores are not yet available on the Windows Marketplace. However, most missing apps have full function websites that actually work better than the apps and can be used on the Surface browser instead of the app. Choosing mobile devices such as tablets is a very personal experience; everyone has their own opinions about what is best and their own list of needs. I have owned and used this Surface RT, the Surface 2 and I'm now using the Surface Pro 3. I like them all better than anything else on the market. I particularly like their well-made, slim, Type Cover keyboards and their built-in kickstands. It takes a little time to learn, but I really like Windows 8.1; it's nice having access to the Windows desktop and a tablet interface all in one. The Surface tablets also have expansion ports such as HDMI/Mini-Display ports (very handy for presentations and for hooking up to external monitors in the office or TVs in the office or hotel rooms), USB ports and built-in card readers. In fact, I'm currently writing this review on my Surface Pro 3 and I haven't taken my laptop out of the office in over two years. I used my Surface RT and my Surface 2 in place of my laptop whenever traveling or working from home and I now use my Surface Pro 3 and I don't miss the laptop at all. Heck, I used one of these Surface RT's to run the projector presentations at a two-day sales meeting a couple months ago and it worked perfectly. I think Surface tablets can work for anyone willing to take the time to get used to Windows 8.1. However, if there are apps you are using with Apple iOS or Android and you feel you absolutely have to have them to be happy, you need to check the Windows app store to see if the app or an acceptable alternative is available before committing. As I said earlier, most apps have websites that work on these tablets if you are ok using the browser instead of an app; something to consider before writing the tablet off. One other thing to be aware of about this particular Surface tablet is that it is one of the earlier models and after you power it on, it will download and install several OS and firmware updates, which will actually change the tablet interface considerably from the time you first power it on up until the latest firmware and OS updates have been installed. It shouldn't be a problem, but is something to be aware of if you buy this tablet. If you force the updates, it will take a few hours to completely bring the tablet up to date. However, if you allow it to do it at it's own pace automatically, the updates could span several days, because the updates will run automatically in the background and ask you to reboot as necessary.

I'm writing this review with a couple certainties: 1. The hardware is fantastic. It is sexy, svelte, smooth, beautiful. Durable, premium, luxury car feeling. It takes iPad and if not on par, one ups the build quality one. It's beautiful. It's thin. 2. Windows RT is still a little bit Alice in Wonderland down the rabbit hole for me. I will go into that later. From the perspective of tablets with Windows 8 or RT, this is the finest, most beautiful functional one I've used so far. I've used Lenovo Yoga's, I've tried an Asus VivoTab, and I got an Acer Iconia tab to review. This Surface RT tablet is my absolute favorite among all of those. The Lenovo was RT, the Vivotab and Iconia were Full Windows 8. When it comes to Windows 8 and RT, either you can function with it, or you don't. If the answer is "YES" you like it or need what it does, the real deciding factor between the options is the hardware. This hardware is premium to the hilt-- it gets no better than this. It feels perfect, the thickness, weight, and kick stand feel fantastic compared to other tablets. It is the tablet's tablet. Everything about it is "just right." It doesn't get hot or even warm during use, and the battery life seems phenomenal. But on to the software: This part makes my stomach hurt a little bit. Once you've learned to interact with Metro (what MS calls their tablet square box interface), you are faced with the question: Do I want to approach this question/need from the perspective of a tablet, or the perspective of Windows? This very basic question causes a lot of problems when trying to do things that would be obvious on either a PC, or on a tablet, but are not so obvious on tablet Windows 8 and RT alike. First example: I want to visit twit.tv, and download some full length video podcasts. Do I want an app for this? On an Android or an iOS device, the answer would be yes. For Windows, the answer would be no. For the Surface, there is no good app, and so then you do it in the browser like a PC. Ok. I lived through that experience. I kind of expected an MS branded podcast app, or music store style app for downloading podcasts. I didn't find that. Second example: I need the MAC address of the device to get it on the wireless due to MAC filtering for security. On any regular iPad or Android, you'd go into settings/about and you'd find that kind of information right there. Not with this. You have to go into "desktop" mode, figure out how to "run" something, and go to a DOS prompt. Then do an ipconfig / all. Yup. As Steve Jobs would have said, on this one they totally blew it. Third Example: Music. It tells me that I can import my iTunes playlists. But it doesn't say any more about how to do that. Is there an applet to install on my PC to transfer the music? Is there an app for my PC to upload it to SkyDrive and down to the tablet like Amazon and Google have for their respective devices? The answer is: I don't know. I suppose I could drag some music onto a USB drive and plug it in. Yes, it has a USB slot. A beautiful one. But to me, this feels like it was designed in a way that was "current thinking" rather than future thinking. If the essence of Bill Gates had designed the iPad, this is what you'd have. And I don't mean that as a negative thing, but it definitely makes you, "think different." I've been reading some posts about how much of an improvement version 8.1 is, and that many recommend the preview. I really look forward to that update if it comes soon, so I can better understand where this fits in the spectrum of tools, and if it has a place in my life. I love the hardware enough that I don't want to give up, but the strattling of old and new windows causes enough heartburn, along with such a lack of apps ( do I really need apps here!? Do I!?) I don't know. Some apps I expect on a tablet that I didn't find, for example: Amazon Video. Google Maps. Gmail app. Dropcam app. And again: Do I need apps? Should I just use the browser? The browser should probably work, but it's a lot more work to do that in a browser every time. And to my final conclusion: A keyboard is more of a useful tool on this kind of thing than your standard Android or iPad. And on the exploring continues. I will report back. Please ask questions and educate me where my normal exploring has led me elsewhere and led to brick walls here. Finally: I call it headbanger's delight because it makes me 'bang my head' a lot trying to figure out things. But I really love the hardware enough that so far it's been worth it. A little sadistic. UPDATE: I have started using this device as my kitchen cooking device. This has given me some more "slow low stress" time to use the device and adjust more. I like it more. It still doesn't have much of an app store, but I have a better feel for who I'd recommended it to. And that is great!

Pros: - Very smooth design and performance of Windows RT 8.1, the Operating System. Allows for ease of transition between tablet style screen and traditional windows desktop. - Streams well with wifi connection, and video quality is top-notch. - Comes with fully operational Office suite suitable for tablet use. Cons: - Pigeonholes user into Windows Store. - Cannot run applications outside those already installed on device and those available through Windows Store. - Light/Dark sensor erratic when holding device, if autobrightness is enabled. A shadow can adjust the brightness even if you don't see it. In terms of what I used it for: streaming and games, the device worked fine. For internet browsing, you must use Microsoft's Internet Explorer. I find this browser the Forrest Gump to Google Chrome's Stephen Hawking. Neither is perfect, both can get the job done, but side by side one seems much more intelligent and have a greater understanding of the World Wide Web than the other. In terms of the Operating System: Windows RT 8.1 will not - on this device - allow you to upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro. This limits the usability of the device to the applications available in the Windows Store. Which severely limits the breadth of applications one can purchase when compared to the devices offered by Apple, Google and Amazon. But, if you can live with the Windows Store, adjust brightness yourself and don't care about running programs from your PC on your tablet, then this device may be for you. For the stuff that the Surface RT does, it actually does them really well. Just not for me.

I sing high praises of this to anyone who is unbiased and continues to listen after I say "Microsoft" or "Windows 8". Caveat: Do I think W8 is great on a non-touch device? Nope. It stinks. IMHO. W8 on a touch device though? I freaking love it. This is not the Pro, but the RT. That said, you can't install your own software on this one (that's what I've read so far). I have never needed to though as the RT comes with MS Office pre-installed. This is a savings over the Pro, FYI. The Pro doesn't come with MS Office installed. Also, this has a slower processor than the Pro, but it shuts down and boots fast (if you do like me and map the power to the power button, instead of hibernate, that is). I showed a work mate how fast it boots yesterday (he asked because his wife's thinking of getting the Pro) and he was thoroughly impressed as well. Yes, the app store for W8 blows. Blows like the great Northern wind, but it is getting better. As with any new OS, there is a learning curve, but if you go into this with an open mind, you'll have no problems adjusting. Those that fight new, will fight this and give up. Don't do that though, this is a great machine and i take it everywhere with me. Fits in my backpack and is very lightweight. I didn't go with the touch keyboard. To me, that thing is a fail. I like the clicky-clack of the type keyboard much better. The keyboards do snap right onto the Surface (magnetic), but the power cord is a bit weak in the connecting, which is one of the negatives for me. The other being the lack of USB ports (there's one).

UGH! Where to start... OK, at first I liked it. It was slower than my Toshiba Android Tablet but it was a Window's tablet and it had an OS I understood completely! Yeah,, I knew it did not run legacy software but I really did not use anything that I thought would present a problem. First issue really is how unbelievable show this tablet is! SLOW, SLOW, SLOW (did I mention how irritatingly slow it is?). I found it slightly irritating at first then infuriating after a week or so. It reminded me of trying to surf the web with dial-up. Horrible! But I persisted. It did have Office included (though to be brutally honest the newest version is garbage and so much harder to use than previous versions). It did work with my printers (something that Android does not do easily). It did have apps I found useful. The USB worked exactly like it's big brothers: Surface Pros, Regular Notebooks and Desktops. Now let me explain that I am a computer teacher, college level, and have ALWAYS treated my technology with kid gloves. My iPhone did not have single scratch or blemish after six months, my 2 year old Samsung Android phone is pristine, My notebook is perfect. So when one of the screw that hold the kickstand on the right side of the Surface fell out (unbeknownst to me) and got lost in the carpeting, I was a bit dismayed! I realized I was still in the warranty year so I call Microsoft. It took nearly an hour to communicate with the person from customer service for whom ENGLISH was not their first language. Eventually she understood that my kickstand was not correct because the screw had fallen out. I had already read through the Microsoft Forums and discovered it was a common and well documented problem with these first gen MS Surface Tablets. I was told that the issue was one of "user abuse" and MS would not cover the repair. I could, of course, send it along (paying for my own shipping there and back) and pay whatever ridiculous service charge Microsoft has... Now I am usually a even tempered, decent person, I'm an animal lover, a teacher for over 20 years, a fairly patient individual, etc. but... I lost it! "You mean, Microsoft, one of the richest companies in the entire world, a BILLION dollar+++ company is refusing to fix a know problem with their device?" That's right! "Well how about you send me the $0.22 screw and the $1.12 correct screwdriver and I'll fix the damn piece of crap myself?" I asked. Cant do it!!! I hung up! I recommend that if you can avoid MICROSOFT completely, do so. Any company that cares so little about their customers and their products should not be patronized by anyone. Now I completely understand why APPLE is kicking MS's butt! I will never buy another MS product. If they can be this cheap; I will never give them another dime of my money! Here's the funniest aspect. About 2 weeks after this annoying call, Microsoft sent me a letter asking how my experience with MS Service had been. I wrote back pretty much what I stated here and told them I was ready to go on every forum I could find to blast MS for their creepy cheapness. Needless to say that was months ago and I never got a reply back. STAY CLEAR OF MICROSOFT!

First of all, you WILL need a mouse and keyboard if you want to properly enjoy this tablet. I use a Apple Wireless Keyboard MC184LL/B and Microsoft Wedge Touch Mouse to do the trick. The tablet comes with Microsoft Word and Powerpoint, which is very useful, especially if you don't already own these softwares already. Now let me compare this with other tablets ranging in the same price. -------------------------The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1-Inch, Wi-Fi)------------------------- The Surface RT is better than Samsung Tab in a couple ways. 1. Clearer screen 2. More web possibilities(can view JAVA scripts, your kid can play Club Penguin!) 3. USB slot The Samsung Tab still has some things that are better than the Surface. 1. More apps(has the Google Play store and lots of free apps, unlike the Surface's Microsoft Store that has apps ranging from $2-5) 2. Speakers do seem louder 3. Chrome can be installed 4. Comes with a pen that has a hover option -------------------------Apple iPad 3rd Generation------------------------- Very much like the Samsung Tab, the iPad 3rd Gen. seems better in MORE apps. As everyone knows, there are tones of free to .99 apps on the iPad. However, putting apps aside, the RT has more internet options as before stated, not to mention that I'm sure Microsoft's store will continue to expand. -------------------------------------------------------- Now lets talk about other things the RT has. It looks and feels a lot like a Chromebook, especially with a mouse and keyboard. However, the chromebook relies on internet. The RT has two "home screen" like features: you can easily flip back and forth by pressing the command/windows key on the keyboard (not onscreen keyboard; for touch you press on the bottom left of the screen). One of the home screens has all of the applications whereas the other one is a window's desktop. Downloading from the internet is very limited, as you can not download chrome or most .exe files(this means no games like minecraft!). However, you should be able to download images, music, and video clips easily enough. Opening up an adobe file on Internet Explorer will conveniently open an adobe application. Browsing the web, like stated above, feels unlimited. HOWEVER, since downloading chrome is currently not an option, waiting for content to load seems slow using Internet Explorer(IE). How slow? Open up IE on your computer, and it will load most webpages as fast as it does on the RT. I got the RT about two months ago, and everything seems to work well! Feel free to ask questions in the comment section.

Sometimes u have to take risks and see things by yourself, and this was my case. i read lots of comments about this tablet before buying it, people say that this is not a good device, the app shop its poor, apple its better. and i said to myself, theres always people who complain about things and there are always people who support it. then i look at my needs, what will i do with this device, and basically was to have a tablet able to handle microsoft office, and an enviroment more like to the one i use in my desktop (Windows), watch some videos, netflix, some games and basically what people usually do with this things, and i have to say this tablet blow my mind. first of all people dont know how useful is to be able to have multiple programs open at once, and just with a finger u can open a tab to see them all and select the one u want to put in full screen, or just scroll sideways to open all your apps one by one. and better of all, u cna split ur screen in 2 and compare things or simply do 2 different things in the same screen, like having 2 monitos or even 2 tablets. in other hand u can open a windows interface where u see my computer thing, and all other stuff you usually see in a windows desktop, and u can manage folders, just like a in a pc. theres another thing u have to try and its the usb port, so u can plug a mouse, a keyboard or a printer, or any other device, simple as that. cons: the keyboard that looks really cool its too expensive i think, around 200us, but it is not neccesary, or u could just plug in a normal usb keyboard, but wont look so cool as the one it should have. and at least until now we dont have autocad in the app store, but i think that should be soon be fixed. Just to let u guys know, i have an ipad 2 in my home, and it is just fine, but i see it like a web surfing device, movie watcher or for gaming a little bit. but if u want something like a mini laptop and more intuitive product, that let u work this should fit u really well. i really love it and im sure if u tried u wont regret it.

Great tablet and great price. Arrived on time and just as it was described it is in excellent condition.

Can't be used as it's an obsolete product that is not supported by Microsoft so I have wasted money on something I cannot use!

I bought this as a Christmas present so it has not been opened yet. I know the recipient will love it because he has one that is getting old. He has been talking about getting another one because he likes the surface pro.

I'm enjoying it very much I'm using it right now and it works great. Thanks alto for the wonderful tablet!

The shipping was accurately described, which I was satisfied with. However this product was not in the condition the pictures insinuated, and its processing speed is slow in comparison to my old RT model. Plus its very glitchy its crashed on me twice while browsing kijiji.