MS Surface Hands on

[TheBama]

I like the packaging. Heavy box. All the seals have pull tabs for damage free opening and removal of the product. Tablet itself is completely covered in plastic.

The keyboard magnets are strong, and "snapped" the cover into place without me having to fiddle to get the contacts right. The keyboard is wonderful. Much easier to use than a virtual keyboard. Set-up is identical to Windows 8.

After set-up my Start page had all my settings from my 8 install, including my Facebook updates and desktop settings.

 

[AFPoster]

Just got mine 10 min ago. Still unopened

 

[SilentPanda]

Nice! That keyboard cover seems very cool! I don't have need for another tablet but glad to see some more competition in the marketplace. Let us know what you think after a week or so of use.

 

[DingleButt]

Awesome! Post up more about it after you use it more since you have Win8 too.

 

[Sensamic]

I'm sooooooo jealous!

I was thinking of buying one, but some reviews threw me back, mainly that's it's more heavy and bulky than the iPad (which was obvious from the beginning, I know), the awkward screen aspect ratio when in portrait and some early software bugs.

I think it's more of a pc than a tablet. Maybe I'll look at Asus if they are thinner and lighter.

Tell us everything you can about your new machines! I want to know everything

 

[Night Spring]

After set-up my Start page had all my settings from my 8 install, including my Facebook updates and desktop settings.

What do you do if you DON'T want to replicate your desktop settings on your tablet? Or you want some things synced, but not others? For instance, I might want my Facebook settings to be the same on my desktop and tablet, but want a different home screen layout for each.

 

[geek36]

nice!

will probably wait for x86 version to replace my laptop.

 

[DingleButt]

What do you do if you DON'T want to replicate your desktop settings on your tablet? Or you want some things synced, but not others? For instance, I might want my Facebook settings to be the same on my desktop and tablet, but want a different home screen layout for each.

In settings you choose what to sync

 

[Night Spring]

In settings you choose what to sync

Good to know, thanks!

 

[Stuntman06]

I would still prefer a tactile feel to the keyboard when I depress the keys. The review that I saw for this device indicate that the keyboard feels like a touch screen keyboard without the screen. I hate touch screen keyboards.

 

[beyondthepale35]

I would still prefer a tactile feel to the keyboard when I depress the keys. The review that I saw for this device indicate that the keyboard feels like a touch screen keyboard without the screen. I hate touch screen keyboards.

I got to play around for a little bit in the store today, its definitely an improvement over a touch screen keyboard. The touch cover is quite responsive and I have no doubt after a week i could type close to my normal typing speed on it. And if you prefer tactile, the type cover is always an option.

 

[pesos]

Nice! Still waiting for mine to arrive. Will be doing a short more enterprise-oriented review focusing on ActiveSync, Office, RDP/Citrix, etc...

 

[PhoneI]

Got mine today too. I like the device, but I dont love it. The screen resolution is a major problem. I will not be using the Win8 Kindle app a lot because the lower resolution really bothers my eyes. It also doesn't help that I HATE the Windows 8 font.

Other than that, Windows 8 seems to be pretty fun. I dont know if its because its new or what, but I like it.

One last thing, who was the genius at MS that came up with the idea to refuse to sell the 64GB version without the touch cover. I wanted to buy the Type cover and I couldn't.

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I'm sooooooo jealous!

I was thinking of buying one, but some reviews threw me back, mainly that's it's more heavy and bulky than the iPad (which was obvious from the beginning, I know), the awkward screen aspect ratio when in portrait and some early software bugs.

I think it's more of a pc than a tablet. Maybe I'll look at Asus if they are thinner and lighter.

Tell us everything you can about your new machines! I want to know everything

While it might not be, it feels far heavier than the iPad3 in your hand. Portrait is also useless. I will say that the Asus Win8 RT tablet is extremely light.

 

[Renzatic]

I'm sooooooo jealous!

I was thinking of buying one, but some reviews threw me back, mainly that's it's more heavy and bulky than the iPad.

From what I've heard, it weighs just as much, and is about 1mm thinner than the iPad at its thickest point. The reason it looks fatter is because it doesn't have as extreme a taper towards the edge.

 

[Faux Carnival]

Looks really elegant. No doubt feels elegant too.

 

[PhoneI]

From what I've heard, it weighs just as much, and is about 1mm thinner than the iPad at its thickest point. The reason it looks fatter is because it doesn't have as extreme a taper towards the edge.

It is about the same weight, but it feels a lot heavier in hand. Probably has something to do with the weight distribution.

 

[mcman77]

very nice! Is that windows RT guys?

I'm really looking forward to UK pricing on a core i3.

 

[Renzatic]

It is about the same weight, but it feels a lot heavier in hand. Probably has something to do with the weight distribution.

Yeah, I could see that. It's longer and thinner, which probably makes it feel a little more awkward than the iPad. Specially if you hold it with one hand.

 

[beyondthepale35]

very nice! Is that windows RT guys?

I'm really looking forward to UK pricing on a core i3.

Yep, Surface only comes with RT as of now. Pro is supposedly coming out in January with full Windows 8.

 

[Vetvito]

It's RT.

Surface Pro not due until next year.

 

[mcman77]

Yep, Surface only comes with RT as of now. Pro is supposedly coming out in January with full Windows 8.

thanks, is there a list anywhere so I can find out what program (apps) can run on which OS version?

 

[beyondthepale35]

thanks, is there a list anywhere so I can find out what program (apps) can run on which OS version?

RT only runs pre-approved Windows apps through the Microsoft store. It has no capability to run legacy apps from previous Windows versions. Pro will be able to run any Windows program from previous generations in theory.

 

[DingleButt]

RT only runs pre-approved Windows apps through the Microsoft store. It has no capability to run legacy apps from previous Windows versions. Pro will be able to run any Windows program from previous generations in theory.

Just to clarify it runs legacy apps that were built for ARM by Microsoft such as Notepad, Office RT, calc and such, but NOT 3rd party desktop apps.

Btw to the guy that was asking, heres the sync part of options

 

[mcman77]

Just to clarify it runs legacy apps that were built for ARM by Microsoft such as Notepad, Office RT, calc and such, but NOT 3rd party desktop apps.

Btw to the guy that was asking, heres the sync part of options

RT only runs pre-approved Windows apps through the Microsoft store. It has no capability to run legacy apps from previous Windows versions. Pro will be able to run any Windows program from previous generations in theory.

Thanks guys

 

[Night Spring]

One last thing, who was the genius at MS that came up with the idea to refuse to sell the 64GB version without the touch cover. I wanted to buy the Type cover and I couldn't.

That was my thought too. I suppose you could buy the Type Cover in addition to the 64Gb+touch cover bundle, but then you'd be left with a cover you aren't using.

Fortunately, there's a Microsoft popup store near me, so I'll be dropping by to try the covers before buying one. If I buy a Surface at all, that is. It's an intriguing idea, but I'm far from convinced that it's actually usable.

Btw to the guy that was asking, heres the sync part of options

Thank you, good to see it's very customizable.