Surface RT - Worth it?

[thejadedmonkey]

If you can get a good price, I think you should get one.

Otherwise, don't. The app selection isn't all that great yet, and by the time it gains any hold (probably next year) the Surface RT will be 2 years old and showing its age.

Of course if you only want it for Netflix, it's probably the nicest looking Netflix player on the market

 

[jav6454]

Hello, I was wondering if it's worth purchasing the older generation Surface RT, and can I use the new type cover on it?

One more question, is the battery life better on the second Surface RT? (#2)?

Thanks!

If it's a fair price get it. Otherwise, stay away from it.

 

[Surface2Owner]

I bought the original RT for my parents since I am enjoying my experience with Surface 2. It really depends on what you are looking to do with it. If you are mainly looking for Office and IE, then it is pretty awesome.

Frankly, I think the lack of apps argument is pretty weak. There are enough quality apps that I didn't really miss anything from the iOS side (and I have owned an iPad before). Also, IE on Surface is better than other tablet browsers.

If you are power user who absolutely needs certain legacy apps, then you should definitely look elsewhere. However, as a hybrid tablet/Office driver, I believe the Surface line is the best out there.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Frankly, I think the lack of apps argument is pretty weak. There are enough quality apps that I didn't really miss anything from the iOS side (and I have owned an iPad before). Also, IE on Surface is better than other tablet browsers.

It's not that there's no apps, it's more than that.

On one hand, the apps are low quality. I was trying to play a racing game without internet, and it kept crashing without any notice. Those sort of issues are too common for 3rd party apps on the platform.

The other issue is just a relative lack of apps. Sure there's a fart app, but maybe the UI isn't good, and because of the lack of apps, there's no fart app with a better UI. Only in the past week did I find a terminal emulator with a UI that I liked.

 

[sracer]

I bought the original RT for my parents since I am enjoying my experience with Surface 2. It really depends on what you are looking to do with it. If you are mainly looking for Office and IE, then it is pretty awesome.

Frankly, I think the lack of apps argument is pretty weak. There are enough quality apps that I didn't really miss anything from the iOS side (and I have owned an iPad before). Also, IE on Surface is better than other tablet browsers.

If you are power user who absolutely needs certain legacy apps, then you should definitely look elsewhere. However, as a hybrid tablet/Office driver, I believe the Surface line is the best out there.

In the same vein as, "it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye." "the RT app scene is rosy until you can't find the app that you desperately need".

It's great that with your use case you don't miss any of the apps that are unavailable on RT. But your situation is not typical. Even the most ardent fans of RT will admit that apps are an issue.

I had to test out over a dozen cbr/cbz apps in order to find one that didn't crash on a vintage catalog cbz file. On iOS, every cbr/cbz app I tested handled it just fine.

Even when a company produces an app for RT, like LOGOS Bible software, it is a pale imitator of what is available for Android and iOS. No table of content support for books?

VMWare Horizon View on RT doesn't support PCOIP protocol. The iOS version does.

MSIE is fine, but not having a choice is not. I use Chrome on my other platforms and bookmark/tab syncing is very handy and is sorely missed. Though in MSIE's favor, having adblocking capabilities IS a benefit.

IMO, the ONLY issue with RT are the apps. And that situation is improving, but it is still an issue. Everything else about the Surface RT is either on par or superior to every other tablet I own.

It's not that there's no apps, it's more than that.

On one hand, the apps are low quality. I was trying to play a racing game without internet, and it kept crashing without any notice. Those sort of issues are too common for 3rd party apps on the platform.

The other issue is just a relative lack of apps. Sure there's a fart app, but maybe the UI isn't good, and because of the lack of apps, there's no fart app with a better UI. Only in the past week did I find a terminal emulator with a UI that I liked.

Exactly. We can still like a platform and acknowledge its shortcomings.

 

[AppleRobert]

Returned the Surface back when. I have the Asus T100 and like it. I'll rather have that any day personally.

 

[Surface2Owner]

Exactly. We can still like a platform and acknowledge its shortcomings.

I am not saying that iOS and Android don't enjoy healthier apps ecosystems. They do. I'm just saying that the apps available on the RT side are actually nice especially if you like MS' main set of apps (like SkyDrive, OneNote, etc.) that come installed with Surface. I think like to exaggerate. It's a pretty awesome device, but like I said I wouldn't get one if you relied on legacy apps.

 

[verpeiler]

Hello, I was wondering if it's worth purchasing the older generation Surface RT, and can I use the new type cover on it?

Thanks!

Just don't buy any Win RT device.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

Also, IE on Surface is better than other tablet browsers.

In what ways?

 

[DeathTheKid]

It Really Depends on What You Are Using It For

I don't really buy into that the more apps the better. The Windows store has the basics covered: Kindle, Nook, Facebook, Twitter Clients, and there are generics of sites like Instagram. There are also some pretty decent games in the Marketplace, an SNES emulator--so now you have a lot more games opened up to you. You also have an Office suite for productivity.

You also have flash implemented. That opens you up to even more games. There are quite a few apps on Android and iTunes are just versions of their flash sites.

If you have a laptop or desktop already, you can set it up to allow remote desktop, so if you need some legacy app, you can just remote in and do the same stuff you would do on a Pro/Atom tablet.

 

[sracer]

I don't really buy into that the more apps the better. The Windows store has the basics covered: Kindle, Nook, Facebook, Twitter Clients, and there are generics of sites like Instagram. There are also some pretty decent games in the Marketplace, an SNES emulator--so now you have a lot more games opened up to you. You also have an Office suite for productivity.

You also have flash implemented. That opens you up to even more games. There are quite a few apps on Android and iTunes are just versions of their flash sites.

If you have a laptop or desktop already, you can set it up to allow remote desktop, so if you need some legacy app, you can just remote in and do the same stuff you would do on a Pro/Atom tablet.

Forget about the quantity of apps... the WinRT app store doesn't even have the QUALITY of apps.

Honestly, if all one needs are "the basics", then why spend money for a device that has the capability of doing so much more? Why not get a nook HD+ for $150? It has "the basics" too.

 

[Surface2Owner]

In what ways?

Try playing a YouTube video on one third of screen while checking airline prices. Try using Spotify. The reason why there are all these apps that don't have more functionality than the website for iOS is because Safari doesn't use Flash.

Also, last time I checked you also couldn't have two browsers windows open at the same time on the same screen. Handy to check prices or having the Mail app open while checking the browser on the same screen.

It is also more intuitive to use with swiping back forth between pages. It is just as smooth and responsive (at least with the Surface 2), and you always get the full webpage, which I generally prefer over news aggregators other than the occasional Flipboard dalliance (which is also very nicely implemented on RT).

 

[SlCKB0Y]

If you have a laptop or desktop already, you can set it up to allow remote desktop, so if you need some legacy app, you can just remote in and do the same stuff you would do on a Pro/Atom tablet.

Not really a point in favour of Windows RT given that there are numerous Remote Desktop apps for both iOS and android which accomplish the same thing.

 

[Michael Goff]

Forget about the quantity of apps... the WinRT app store doesn't even have the QUALITY of apps.

Honestly, if all one needs are "the basics", then why spend money for a device that has the capability of doing so much more? Why not get a nook HD+ for $150? It has "the basics" too.

I wouldn't recommend buying a Nook HD+ for anyone. It just isn't likely to get the same support that the Surface RT will. I wouldn't be surprised if within a year there weren't many updates, if it takes that long.

 

[sracer]

I wouldn't recommend buying a Nook HD+ for anyone. It just isn't likely to get the same support that the Surface RT will. I wouldn't be surprised if within a year there weren't many updates, if it takes that long.

The big difference between the RT and nook HD+ is that the HD+ can be rooted and unlocked and currently enjoys community support. As much as I love the Surface RT, if I had to choose between relying on MS to support the RT or the community to support the HD+, I'd gladly take the HD+.

 

[Michael Goff]

The big difference between the RT and nook HD+ is that the HD+ can be rooted and unlocked and currently enjoys community support. As much as I love the Surface RT, if I had to choose between relying on MS to support the RT or the community to support the HD+, I'd gladly take the HD+.

I wouldn't. The community is great, but the community is no multi-billion dollars corporation. People don't have their livelihoods resting on good Nook HD+ updates. I rely on people with Bachelors and Masters a lot more than pro-bono workers who do these things because they like to.

We know that Microsoft is going to support the RT until 2017, I can't say the same about the community and the HD+

 

[SlCKB0Y]

The big difference between the RT and nook HD+ is that the HD+ can be rooted and unlocked and currently enjoys community support. As much as I love the Surface RT, if I had to choose between relying on MS to support the RT or the community to support the HD+, I'd gladly take the HD+.

Me too. I put much more faith in the talented developers with a vested interest because they own the device over a corporation which could decide at any time that it is not financially viable to continue support.

 

[Michael Goff]

Me too. I put much more faith in the talented developers with a vested interest because they own the device over a corporation which could decide at any time that it is not financially viable to continue support.

You do know that if Microsoft cuts support early that there's a great chance for a lawsuit where they have to pay out millions, right?

Edit: Also, just saw it has a TI-OMAP processor... ugh.

 

[sracer]

You do know that if Microsoft cuts support early that there's a great chance for a lawsuit where they have to pay out millions, right?

"Support" is a nebulous term. In Microsoft's official statement of 4 years of support for the RT, they neglected to provide specifics for what that means. Having owned Zunes in the past, I have a good idea of Microsoft's definition of "support" is.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

I rely on people with Bachelors and Masters a lot more than pro-bono workers who do these things because they like to.

Because you think the two are mutually exclusive? Many of the most respected, talented and educated computer scientists on the planet contribute to open source software for free.

If you have no faith in non paid developers you better stop using Linux, Android, FreeBSD, OS X, iOS, the internet, your tv, your home router and pretty much any non MS smart device you can buy. Oh and MS pilfered plenty of BSD code back in the day so maybe don't use that as well.

We know that Microsoft is going to support the RT until 2017, I can't say the same about the community and the HD+

Define "support". Support can be a year of actual updates and then nothing but bug fixes for the next few years.

 

[Michael Goff]

Because you think the two are mutually exclusive? Many of the most respected, talented and educated computer scientists on the planet contribute to open source software for free.

If you have no faith in non paid developers you better stop using Linux, Android, FreeBSD, OS X, iOS, the internet, your tv, your home router and pretty much any non MS smart device you can buy. Oh and MS pilfered plenty of BSD code back in the day so maybe don't use that as well.



Define "support". Support can be a year of actual updates and then nothing but bug fixes for the next few years.

Linux- Somebody's using it to make money, it's safe.
Android- Same thing.
FreeBSD- I don't use it.
OS X- People make money from the sales of Macs, so it's going to continue being supported.
iOS- Used to sell the iPad and iPhone, it's safe.
Internet- Are you serious? Profit motive out the rear, it's not going anywhere.
TV- Profit motive.
Router- Profit motive
Pilfered BSD code- Microsoft has a profit motive.

Community that hacks a version of Android onto the Nook HD+? NO PROFIT MOTIVE. They have no reason to keep going for too long.

As for what support means? Not sure. I think the 2017 was just for the hardware, though. They're apparently going to keep supporting Windows RT 8.1 until 2018. That's Mainstream Support, not extended support, which is more than just bugfixing.

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecy...=0&esdate=0&medate=0&spdate=0&Filter=FilterNO
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifecycle-consumer-hardware-faqs

 

[SlCKB0Y]

Linux- Somebody's using it to make money, it's safe.
Android- Same thing.
FreeBSD- I don't use it.
OS X- People make money from the sales of Macs, so it's going to continue being supported.
iOS- Used to sell the iPad and iPhone, it's safe.
Internet- Are you serious? Profit motive out the rear, it's not going anywhere.
TV- Profit motive.
Router- Profit motive
Pilfered BSD code- Microsoft has a profit motive.

Community that hacks a version of Android onto the Nook HD+? NO PROFIT MOTIVE. They have no reason to keep going for too long.

Congratulations for either completely misinterpreting or misrepresenting what I said in response to your comments.

 

[Michael Goff]

Congratulations for either completely misinterpreting or misrepresenting what I said in response to your comments.

I don't think I'm doing either. I don't trust developers who have no profit motive, or something that isn't tied to a profit motive of some sort. Well, no, that isn't completely true. I just trust that a product is going to be supported for longer if there is a profit to be had. That is what capitalism is about.

I don't trust that some random people with no profit motive are going to continue to hack a new version of Android onto a device. I do trust that a multibillion dollar corporation is going to keep supporting a product they have come out and said they'd support.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

I don't think I'm doing either. I don't trust developers who have no profit motive, or something that isn't tied to a profit motive of some sort. Well, no, that isn't completely true. I just trust that a product is going to be supported for longer if there is a profit to be had. That is what capitalism is about.

I don't trust that some random people with no profit motive are going to continue to hack a new version of Android onto a device. I do trust that a multibillion dollar corporation is going to keep supporting a product they have come out and said they'd support.

The point I was trying to make was that none of those things I listed would exist in any form approximating their current state if it wasnt for developers who have no profit motive.

If you want an example of developers without profit motive providing support for devices long since forgotten by your multibillion dollar corporations, look at the hundreds, if not thousands of projects on XDA.

 

[Michael Goff]

The point I was trying to make was that none of those things I listed would exist in any form approximating their current state if it wasnt for developers who have no profit motive.

If you want an example of developers without profit motive providing support for devices long since forgotten by your multibillion dollar corporations, look at the hundreds, if not thousands of projects on XDA.

And I still trust them less than I would somebody with profit motive. There is no reason to assume that the Nook HD+ is still going to be supported in 2017. There is every reason to believe the Surface RT will be.