MS Surface: Quick Review

[mcs328]

I played with it at the MS Store in VA. The tablet interface is really nice as well as the option to go to desktop you're all familiar with. I think it's a good tablet/desktop OS system but man that hardware is terrible. The screen is small but you know that but why only 1 usb port? The kickstand is nice it's just one angle and so think I think it'll snap right off. The cover keyboard thing is terrible unless you get the clickable keyboard cover which is way better.

If you don't have to get a tablet just get an ultrabook or tablet/ultrabook convertible.

[renovation]

thanks i'll keep the wife Ipad !

[ufcrusher]

I have a friend who bought a surface as soon as they came out and the way he gushes about it is akin to a post-coital cigarette;

[a-10tankkiller]

I played with it at the MS Store in VA. The tablet interface is really nice as well as the option to go to desktop you're all familiar with. I think it's a good tablet/desktop OS system but man that hardware is terrible. The screen is small but you know that but why only 1 usb port? The kickstand is nice it's just one angle and so think I think it'll snap right off. The cover keyboard thing is terrible unless you get the clickable keyboard cover which is way better.

If you don't have to get a tablet just get an ultrabook or tablet/ultrabook convertible.

It's a 10" screen isn't it? It equates to the IPad, which was the idea I am pretty sure. How many USB ports on an IPad? From what I gathered it is their competition for the IPad not to a laptop. They have a ways to go just based on how far behind they are on apps, and as a pilot I admit the apps for flying for the IPad are killer, but I would guess they can be developed for the Surface.
Anyway I have so far resisted any tablet, as cool as they maybe. I flew with a buddy and his IPad and it was pretty sweet, except when the sun hit it, and you couldn't see a thing on the screen. I am falling into the category of too much tech. I am burning out on all the issues I have to trouble shoot with all my tech. You know, the tech that makes my life so much more efficient. The same tech that I spend too many hours trouble shooting this problem or that, or making sure I have this update or that, or that runs up my electrical bill, or beeps and buzzes non stop because people no longer get they don't have to tell me every second of their lives. Or that tech that is perfectly secure, except it was only actually secure for the 5 minutes after it went public, and now I have to double check my credit, bank accounts, etc on a regular basis, as some ******* can actually scan your phone as you are using it to pay in a store. I will be the last to pay via phone.

Peace

[Jeffbx]

So I got a Surface tablet at launch, and I have to say that it's way, WAY better than an iPad for business use, and I've owned every generation of iPad. Email is easier to set up; it has an easy & intuitive interface (MUCH easier than using Win8 with a mouse); it has the full suite of actual Office apps; and best of all, there are frigging ARROW KEYS on the keyboard! That's always drove me crazy about the iPad.

The kickstand is actually very durable - Wired tested it by breaking one, and the guy had to put amost his whole weight on it before it snapped: http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/10/microsoft-surface/

So for personal / entertainment usage, I'd still point you to an iPad. But for a tablet to be used in a business environment, the Surface blows away the iPad.

[cruelpupet]

I am falling into the category of too much tech. I am burning out on all the issues I have to trouble shoot with all my tech. You know, the tech that makes my life so much more efficient. The same tech that I spend too many hours trouble shooting this problem or that, or making sure I have this update or that, or that runs up my electrical bill, or beeps and buzzes non stop because people no longer get they don't have to tell me every second of their lives. Or that tech that is perfectly secure, except it was only actually secure for the 5 minutes after it went public, and now I have to double check my credit, bank accounts, etc on a regular basis, as some ******* can actually scan your phone as you are using it to pay in a store. I will be the last to pay via phone.

Peace

Agreed. The more I "automate" tasks, the more it seems I have to do.

[gwilks98]

So I got a Surface tablet at launch, and I have to say that it's way, WAY better than an iPad for business use, and I've owned every generation of iPad. Email is easier to set up; it has an easy & intuitive interface (MUCH easier than using Win8 with a mouse); it has the full suite of actual Office apps; and best of all, there are frigging ARROW KEYS on the keyboard! That's always drove me crazy about the iPad.

The kickstand is actually very durable - Wired tested it by breaking one, and the guy had to put amost his whole weight on it before it snapped: http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/10/microsoft-surface/

So for personal / entertainment usage, I'd still point you to an iPad. But for a tablet to be used in a business environment, the Surface blows away the iPad.

Jeff,
Just curious if you tried this yet: How well does it play with certificate enrollment/active directory?

[LPMiller]

You cannot get Windows RT on a domain. So it doesn't play nicely with AD at all. We learned that AFTER we picked some up.

We have some Windows 8 ones in for testing and so far we are having a hell of a time with the wifi drivers. But we finally got one going and that one works like you'd expect.

[Jeffbx]

LPM is correct - the RT cannot attach to a domain. It's really just like a Windows iPad - whatever limitations apply to the iPad probably apply to the Surface RT as well.

However, I'm going to be all over the Surface pro next month - I've gotten a couple of other tablets meanwhile (Samsung Slate & Lenovo Tablet 2) - the Lenovo is underpowered (Atom processor, 2GB RAM and 32-bit OS) while the Samsung is overpriced & has an abysmal battery life. If the Surface Pro can solve these issues (and on paper it's looking good), the I see that machine as a game changer within corporate environments.

[a-10tankkiller]

Somebody stop me! After wasting too much time researching, I think I am going to cave into the Ipad. I have thought about an Android platform, but not sure there really is a cost savings. I'll use it for reading my periodicals for work, and pleasure, pay for a gps app, and use it for aviation. Some of the aviation material is ridiculous. Anyone who has a thought about a better or comparable platform feel free to offer it up. I'll stick with a wifi model, as I don't think I need a data plan. Now I'll have to see if I can crack open the wallet and actually do it.

[Markel]

Somebody stop me!

Don't turn to the dark side!

[a-10tankkiller]

Don't turn to the dark side!

Wife did it for me as Valentine's gift. Anyone care to give me an idea if the 16 gig model is probably more than enough space, or should I jump to the 32gig? Probably use a couple of aviation apps, a gps app, read work materials and pleasure reading, and I guess throw music on it. I'm sure I'll find a few other things to do also, like watch a movie or whatever.
Thanks