70
Criteria
Comments
Rating
- Features Lack of key applications (like Pandora and YouTube). IE10 feels/is slow compared to the desktop experience.
- Display Display looks nice but I would like more real estate (pixels) on a 10.6" display.
- Battery life Battery life seems OK. Since the charging interface is proprietary, USB charging is not an option.
- Ease of use Although there is a slight learning curve, I like the Windows 8 interface (on a touch screen device).
- Storage capacity The OS and default/installed apps consume a significant amount of the factory installed memory.
- Design and form factor USB port and SD card slot are a definitely plus.
- Portability (size / weight) Feels a bit heavy.
- Durability Solid and functional construction.
Detailed review
Let me preface the review my saying that I really wanted to like this product. For a $500 device (without the cover), I expected more performance.
The fact that it comes with Office Home & Student 2013 RT is a key feature. Since it runs in a Desktop window makes it feel old compared to the tile screen apps.
I purchased the product with the Type-Cover, which unlike the Touch-Cover, required no learning curve. The fact that that the open side of the cover does not adhere to Surface makes the carrying experience less than satisfying. Although you can use it sitting on your lap, the cover really needs to be on a hard/flat surface.
The lack of key applications like Pandora or YouTube is a definitely negative.
Although a majority of web sites load without any problem, a few of them like Engadget take forever to load. I assume that this might have something to due with the amount of flash content since the mobile version loads quickly. I noticed this in both the tile and desktop version of the (IE10) browser.
I tried to add a network printer that the OS found but when I “Updated” the driver list, I was presented with the message "Windows was unable to get a list of devices from Windows Update. Please try again later." I tried later and was presented with the same message.
I guess Microsoft is suggesting that this device is a PC instead of a tablet since it only come with a proprietary wall charger.
On a more positive note, I like the OS (Windows RT). Although there is a bit of a learning curve, Windows 8 begs for a touch interface like the Surface.
The fact that it comes with Office Home & Student 2013 RT is a key feature. Since it runs in a Desktop window makes it feel old compared to the tile screen apps.
I purchased the product with the Type-Cover, which unlike the Touch-Cover, required no learning curve. The fact that that the open side of the cover does not adhere to Surface makes the carrying experience less than satisfying. Although you can use it sitting on your lap, the cover really needs to be on a hard/flat surface.
The lack of key applications like Pandora or YouTube is a definitely negative.
Although a majority of web sites load without any problem, a few of them like Engadget take forever to load. I assume that this might have something to due with the amount of flash content since the mobile version loads quickly. I noticed this in both the tile and desktop version of the (IE10) browser.
I tried to add a network printer that the OS found but when I “Updated” the driver list, I was presented with the message "Windows was unable to get a list of devices from Windows Update. Please try again later." I tried later and was presented with the same message.
I guess Microsoft is suggesting that this device is a PC instead of a tablet since it only come with a proprietary wall charger.
On a more positive note, I like the OS (Windows RT). Although there is a bit of a learning curve, Windows 8 begs for a touch interface like the Surface.
good review!
1 person found this review helpful
review history
- 2012-10-31
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Updated detailed review
Updated detailed review