Microsoft Surface RT (32GB)

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 New ones are harder and harder to find now days because this product has been replaced by the Surface 2, which is very similar to this one, but with some good improvements, such as a two position kickstand and support for some new features (think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 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).

I have to say, I was incredibly disappointed with this tablet, and I ended up returning it the next day. Returning it was 5 stars- it was quick and easy to drop off at the post office and my refund came in very quickly. The tablet itself, not so much.As a college student, I was looking for a tablet that had Microsoft Office, fairly fast internet speeds, and the ability to write on it. Well, it had Microsoft Office at least. The initial set-up took about 5 minutes, which is actually pretty long compared to the tablet I have now (more on that later).For the stylus, I had a thin-tipped rubber one from The Friendly Swede that should have worked fine, but when I tried to write the lines skipped a lot and only if I put a lot of pressure on it (which you're not supposed to do) would it somewhat work. I thought maybe I needed to increase my screen sensitivity, so I tried to do a search on the internet. It literally took 7-9 seconds to load the webpage, when my phone could load it in less than a second on the same network. After searching for half an hour to no avail, my battery ran down and shut the device off- okay, no problem. I plugged it in, held down the power button.... and nothing. It wouldn't turn on!!I don't know if the charger was bad, if the tablet was bad, if they both were bad...But I knew that I wasn't very happy with it from the start, and I wasn't going to take another chance on this version. So back it went. I was considering going with the Surface 2 until I realized that the stylus feature wasn't going to get much better, certainly not as good as the Pro versions. I finally decided to go with an Asus Vivotab Note 8, and I love it! I managed to catch it at a pretty low price, and it does everything that the Surface Pro does (although it is only 8", it still seems big enough to me!)- 1/3 to 1/4 less than the cost of the Surface Pro 3.If you're okay with slow browsing speeds and you don't need the active stylus with palm rejection, then this is for you. If not, I think you will be happier with another product.