My Surface for Windows RT Review

POB · 25 Nov 2012 at 12:04

I now have a Surface with Touch Cover.

I know its early days, but I'm loving the screen and Internet Explorer, it really is like browsing on a desktop.

theheyes · 25 Nov 2012 at 15:25

Good news for Surface owners - Microsoft have committed to supporting the Surface RT until 11/04/2017 and Windows RT/Office RT for at least as long as that.

For comparison, the 2010 iPad has been out of support for 6 months now.

RSR · 25 Nov 2012 at 15:35

and Android... LOL

cu3ed · 29 Nov 2012 at 10:54

Mine has frozen now twice, with nothing left to do but hold the power button down power it off but it takes about 10 mins before I can turn it back on, anyone else have any lock ups like that?

Rilot · 29 Nov 2012 at 11:21

cu3ed said:
Mine has frozen now twice, with nothing left to do but hold the power button down power it off but it takes about 10 mins before I can turn it back on, anyone else have any lock ups like that?

Nope. I've only rebooted mine when updates have told me to.

DeathStorm · 29 Nov 2012 at 12:46

cu3ed said:
Mine has frozen now twice, with nothing left to do but hold the power button down power it off but it takes about 10 mins before I can turn it back on, anyone else have any lock ups like that?

Not had that happen yet.

cu3ed · 29 Nov 2012 at 13:36

Hmm worrying then, cant remember what I Was doing the first time, but just last night, was watching a YT vid in HD then is just seemed to stutter then freeze completely.

bledd · 29 Nov 2012 at 14:32

cu3ed said:
But he was complaining about not having an Offline Cache for a cloud based service, seems rather stupid to let that annoy you, when, either way, your going to have a folder syncd containing the same files anyways.

Surface isn't online all the time, it's wireless only. So if you're on a train, you don't have access to your files!

Nice to have a local cache of certain folders, Skydrive desktop lets you specify which folders/files you want stored locally.

Rilot · 29 Nov 2012 at 14:55

bledd. said:
Surface isn't online all the time, it's wireless only. So if you're on a train, you don't have access to your files!

Nice to have a local cache of certain folders, Skydrive desktop lets you specify which folders/files you want stored locally.

Exactly!

cu3ed · 29 Nov 2012 at 15:00

bledd. said:
Surface isn't online all the time, it's wireless only. So if you're on a train, you don't have access to your files!

Nice to have a local cache of certain folders, Skydrive desktop lets you specify which folders/files you want stored locally.

Ahh so you are wanting a Desktop RT version?

Glaucus · 29 Nov 2012 at 15:16

For those wanting VLC they require £40k
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1061646928/vlc-for-the-new-windows-8-user-experience-metro

True_Scotsman · 5 Dec 2012 at 11:23

Quick question about the Surface, as its not available here in the Netherlands, but it is in Germany, is there a setup like a mobile phone for language setting etc so I could use it in English or Dutch?

theheyes · 5 Dec 2012 at 18:05

True_Scotsman said:
Quick question about the Surface, as its not available here in the Netherlands, but it is in Germany, is there a setup like a mobile phone for language setting etc so I could use it in English or Dutch?

You can add/change languages, yes.

Glaucus · 5 Dec 2012 at 18:08

do you have any black borders when watching films? or as its 16:9 its just full screen and fits with out borders.

theheyes · 5 Dec 2012 at 18:28

Depends on the content I think. I've been watching 24 on Netflix and it completely fills the frame. Films... maybe a 5mm border top and bottom.

Between the aspect ratio and the built in stand I choose the Surface practically every time over the iPad for video, it does a cracking job. Just a shame the speakers are a bit average.

POB · 5 Dec 2012 at 18:34

Glaucus said:
do you have any black borders when watching films? or as its 16:9 its just full screen and fits with out borders.

Border-less, its great for film watching, screen is super. Only small issue is the speakers are slightly quiet.

Del Lardo · 5 Dec 2012 at 18:36

Glaucus said:
do you have any black borders when watching films? or as its 16:9 its just full screen and fits with out borders.

Depends on the content and source, most TV shows are 16:9 (1.78:1) so fit fine. Most cinematic releases are 24:10 (2.39:1) so you end up with black bars top and bottom like on a widescreen TV though they are nowhere near as bad as on an iPad as 1.78 is closer to 2.39 than 1.33 (4:3 ratio of iPad).

theheyes · 5 Dec 2012 at 21:08

So are people liking their Surfaces after having them for a few weeks?

JBod · 5 Dec 2012 at 21:28

theheyes said:
So are people liking their Surfaces after having them for a few weeks?

I am loving mine even more. Clearly the best Tablet I have used (I own HP Touchpad now with Android and a Nexus 7 also).

We now have epic win - there is a MKV player "mobile.HD" and a couple of SSH clients to choose from, my favourite so far "SSH Terminal" but it needs full screen mode. Also sometimes a little laggy to use.

POB · 5 Dec 2012 at 22:02

I'm still new, I've only had it for around a week but only at home with it for a day.

The kick stand is nice on a desk, but on a plane the angle is too small, (perhaps I need a better plane seat

)

I'm having a few issues copying & pasting when not using the keyboard, its a bit random in IE.

The keyboard is amazing its very satisfying to type on.

Not 100% sure if I will keep it yet, as I might trade it for the Pro version.