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 New ones are harder and harder to find now days because this product has been replaced by the Surface 2, which is very similar to this one, but with some good improvements, such as a two position kickstand and support for some new features (think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'm writing this review with a couple certainties:1. The hardware is fantastic. It is sexy, svelte, smooth, beautiful. Durable, premium, luxury car feeling. It takes iPad and if not on par, one ups the build quality one. It's beautiful. It's thin.2. Windows RT is still a little bit Alice in Wonderland down the rabbit hole for me. I will go into that later.From the perspective of tablets with Windows 8 or RT, this is the finest, most beautiful functional one I've used so far. I've used Lenovo Yoga's, I've tried an Asus VivoTab, and I got an Acer Iconia tab to review. This Surface RT tablet is my absolute favorite among all of those. The Lenovo was RT, the Vivotab and Iconia were Full Windows 8.When it comes to Windows 8 and RT, either you can function with it, or you don't. If the answer is "YES" you like it or need what it does, the real deciding factor between the options is the hardware. This hardware is premium to the hilt-- it gets no better than this. It feels perfect, the thickness, weight, and kick stand feel fantastic compared to other tablets. It is the tablet's tablet. Everything about it is "just right." It doesn't get hot or even warm during use, and the battery life seems phenomenal.But on to the software: This part makes my stomach hurt a little bit. Once you've learned to interact with Metro (what MS calls their tablet square box interface), you are faced with the question: Do I want to approach this question/need from the perspective of a tablet, or the perspective of Windows? This very basic question causes a lot of problems when trying to do things that would be obvious on either a PC, or on a tablet, but are not so obvious on tablet Windows 8 and RT alike.First example: I want to visit twit.tv, and download some full length video podcasts. Do I want an app for this? On an Android or an iOS device, the answer would be yes. For Windows, the answer would be no. For the Surface, there is no good app, and so then you do it in the browser like a PC. Ok. I lived through that experience. I kind of expected an MS branded podcast app, or music store style app for downloading podcasts. I didn't find that.Second example: I need the MAC address of the device to get it on the wireless due to MAC filtering for security. On any regular iPad or Android, you'd go into settings/about and you'd find that kind of information right there. Not with this. You have to go into "desktop" mode, figure out how to "run" something, and go to a DOS prompt. Then do an ipconfig / all. Yup. As Steve Jobs would have said, on this one they totally blew it.Third Example: Music. It tells me that I can import my iTunes playlists. But it doesn't say any more about how to do that. Is there an applet to install on my PC to transfer the music? Is there an app for my PC to upload it to SkyDrive and down to the tablet like Amazon and Google have for their respective devices? The answer is: I don't know. I suppose I could drag some music onto a USB drive and plug it in. Yes, it has a USB slot. A beautiful one. But to me, this feels like it was designed in a way that was "current thinking" rather than future thinking. If the essence of Bill Gates had designed the iPad, this is what you'd have. And I don't mean that as a negative thing, but it definitely makes you, "think different."I've been reading some posts about how much of an improvement version 8.1 is, and that many recommend the preview. I really look forward to that update if it comes soon, so I can better understand where this fits in the spectrum of tools, and if it has a place in my life. I love the hardware enough that I don't want to give up, but the strattling of old and new windows causes enough heartburn, along with such a lack of apps ( do I really need apps here!? Do I!?) I don't know.Some apps I expect on a tablet that I didn't find, for example: Amazon Video. Google Maps. Gmail app. Dropcam app. And again: Do I need apps? Should I just use the browser? The browser should probably work, but it's a lot more work to do that in a browser every time. And to my final conclusion: A keyboard is more of a useful tool on this kind of thing than your standard Android or iPad.And on the exploring continues. I will report back. Please ask questions and educate me where my normal exploring has led me elsewhere and led to brick walls here.Finally: I call it headbanger's delight because it makes me 'bang my head' a lot trying to figure out things. But I really love the hardware enough that so far it's been worth it. A little sadistic.UPDATE: I have started using this device as my kitchen cooking device. This has given me some more "slow low stress" time to use the device and adjust more. I like it more. It still doesn't have much of an app store, but I have a better feel for who I'd recommended it to. And that is great!