Sven53
Sven53's Stats
- Review Count1
- Helpfulness Votes34
- First ReviewNovember 15, 2013
- Last ReviewNovember 15, 2013
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating4
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- Answer Count6
- Helpfulness Votes5
- First AnswerNovember 15, 2013
- Last AnswerNovember 15, 2013
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Sven53's Reviews
Microsoft - Surface 2 - 10.6" - 64GB
Microsoft Surface 2 Tablet: Mix work and play with a tablet that juggles business or homework just as easily as it keeps pace with your gaming and Skype chats. The touch-optimized version of Microsoft Office RT keeps you productive on the go, and the built-in kickstand features just the right angle for viewing, whether on a table or your lap.
Great all around portable device
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Sven53
from Colorado Springs, CO
on November 15, 2013
Ease of Use
4.0
Features
4.0
What's great about it: Weight, battery life, flexibility
What's not so great: It's Windows RT (but....)
Great device for those who grew up with/are comfortable with Windows, and need to do a bit more than an iOS (iPad) or Android tablet can do. Understand Windows RT is not full Windows. You get the basic Office products free, but you can't load other desktop programs, like Paint Shop Pro or iTunes, or Chrome. The programs you can load are generally excellent and cover a lot of what you may want to do with music, photos, and there are lots of games. You can absolutely do e-mail, web browsing, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, all that stuff, and the Surface 2 (which runs Windows RT) does extremely well. It takes a little bit of getting used to, as does full Windows 8. It is no harder than picking up an iPad or Android for the first time though.
The hardware is gorgeous. Very premium feeling. While the screen specs may not be as awe inspiring as some other devices, you'd never guess looking at it. It sports camera's on the front and back, an integrated kickstand for holding it up while Skyping or watching videos, a full sized USB 3 port and microSD expansion. You can read the other specs. It offers BT so you could hook any BT keyboard and mouse to it, or a USB keyboard and mouse with a little hub for that matter, but the optional keyboards are genius additions. If you may just want to type a little now and again, look at the Touch keyboard. If you want to really get some Word on, check out the Type cover. Both the 2nd generation boards are backlit. Neither cover adds much thickness or weight, and both protect the screen in transit beautifully. There is a decent choice of colors in the keyboards as well.
The only drawback, which is also a plus, is the fact that it runs Windows RT, which at this point limits the number of apps available. There are 100s of thousands, but that one you feel you have to have, may not be there. The plus is that the OS is extremely safe. Viruses developed for the Windows we all know and love, don't run in the Surface 2. You can accidentally (or on purpose) click on the hidden executable all day long and nothing will happen.
The Surface 2 is a great device for a lot of folks, but you do need to understand what it does and does not do.
This product is... responsive touch screen, easy to set up, Sharp graphics, Great screen size, Comfortable to hold
About me... Technology guru, retired, Comfortable with technology, technoholic
I would recommend this to a friend!
Verified Purchaser:Yes
My Best Buy number: 2644078896
My Best Buy number: 2644078896
+31points
34out of 37found this review helpful.
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Sven53's Answers
Microsoft - Surface 2 - 10.6" - 64GB
Microsoft Surface 2 Tablet: Mix work and play with a tablet that juggles business or homework just as easily as it keeps pace with your gaming and Skype chats. The touch-optimized version of Microsoft Office RT keeps you productive on the go, and the built-in kickstand features just the right angle for viewing, whether on a table or your lap.
doe this come in 3 g or 4 g?
No. It plays very nicely with a tethered cell phone though. In fact, if you have a Windows Phone with a tethering plan, you associate the Surface with the phone via BT, and then your phone's SSID (wireless name) shows up in the list of available WiFi access points. You select it and it sets your phone up to be an access point and connects the Surface through it. When you are done, disconnect the Surface from the WiFi panel and the phone will turn off tethering. Quite painless, and you don't wind up with a second data plan.
10 years, 6 months ago
by
Posted by:
Sven53
from
Colorado
Microsoft - Surface 2 - 10.6" - 64GB
Microsoft Surface 2 Tablet: Mix work and play with a tablet that juggles business or homework just as easily as it keeps pace with your gaming and Skype chats. The touch-optimized version of Microsoft Office RT keeps you productive on the go, and the built-in kickstand features just the right angle for viewing, whether on a table or your lap.
Microsoft-Surface 2
Which to purchase Surface 2 and it's key pad. How can I order the Surface 2? Can I use a jump drive with the Surface 2? Do I need to order an AC cord?
You are on Best Buy's site. Go to a Best Buy and get one or order one from the site.
Yes on the Jump drive, the Surface 2 has a (single) full sized USB 3 port.
The AC adapter is included.
Yes on the Jump drive, the Surface 2 has a (single) full sized USB 3 port.
The AC adapter is included.
10 years, 6 months ago
by
Posted by:
Sven53
from
Colorado
Microsoft - Surface 2 - 10.6" - 64GB
Microsoft Surface 2 Tablet: Mix work and play with a tablet that juggles business or homework just as easily as it keeps pace with your gaming and Skype chats. The touch-optimized version of Microsoft Office RT keeps you productive on the go, and the built-in kickstand features just the right angle for viewing, whether on a table or your lap.
What is
What is Microsoft Office 2013 RT ? Does this have to be renewed every year ?
It is a slightly trimmed down version of the core office products, redone to run on Windows RT. There are features from the full version that are not present. Notably scripting, and macros, and such. For most casual use they are just fine. Ask on a Windows Forum about specific differences in the products.
No, it is yours forever, no renewal fees.
No, it is yours forever, no renewal fees.
10 years, 6 months ago
by
Posted by:
Sven53
from
Colorado
Microsoft - Surface 2 - 10.6" - 64GB
Microsoft Surface 2 Tablet: Mix work and play with a tablet that juggles business or homework just as easily as it keeps pace with your gaming and Skype chats. The touch-optimized version of Microsoft Office RT keeps you productive on the go, and the built-in kickstand features just the right angle for viewing, whether on a table or your lap.
if you attach a hard drive with movies to USB port, will Surface be able to play them?
Yes, as long as the movies are in a format supported by the included video player. You can install apps, but only from the app store. You can't install any normal Windows applications, or add codecs the way you did with Media player.
The USB port is a fully functional port, so it is not a hardware limitation, beyond possibly powering the drive. I have a number of external drives that work just fine without any other power source.
The USB port is a fully functional port, so it is not a hardware limitation, beyond possibly powering the drive. I have a number of external drives that work just fine without any other power source.
10 years, 6 months ago
by
Posted by:
Sven53
from
Colorado
Microsoft - Surface 2 - 10.6" - 64GB
Microsoft Surface 2 Tablet: Mix work and play with a tablet that juggles business or homework just as easily as it keeps pace with your gaming and Skype chats. The touch-optimized version of Microsoft Office RT keeps you productive on the go, and the built-in kickstand features just the right angle for viewing, whether on a table or your lap.
surface 2
how does the 2 differ from the first surface? other than the new improved windows 8?
Higher screen resolution (doubled), longer battery life, better cameras, lighter (a bit) USB3 (vs USB2 on Surface RT) and significant performance improvement. Believe me, I had them both. It's noticeable. The Surface RT was OK, the Surface 2 is great. Oh, and it is silver (magnesium) now instead of black. Looks very nice.
10 years, 6 months ago
by
Posted by:
Sven53
from
Colorado
Microsoft - Surface 2 - 10.6" - 64GB
Microsoft Surface 2 Tablet: Mix work and play with a tablet that juggles business or homework just as easily as it keeps pace with your gaming and Skype chats. The touch-optimized version of Microsoft Office RT keeps you productive on the go, and the built-in kickstand features just the right angle for viewing, whether on a table or your lap.
Will the Surface 2 come out with a stylus??
I am a high school student looking for a tablet but the main reason I want a tablet is to do artwork and graphic design. I am debating between the Surface 2 and the Samsung Galaxy 10. 2014 Edition. There are many pros and cons to both, but I really love Microsoft products but the big con with the Surface 2 is that there's no stylus. The Samsung Galaxy has the "S pen". Just a thought and would love to know. Thanks!
No, the Surface 2 does not support a stylus. At least not an active one, like the Surface 2 Pro, or a number of other full Windows 8 devices. It will of course work with any of the capacitive styluses that are marketed towards cell phones and iPads. Those with the bigger rubber tips.
If you really are going to be doing artwork and graphic design, I would do some more research on the Galaxy and the S-pen. That really doesn't support what you are going to want IMHO. You are going to want something with N-Trig or Wacom technology with pressure sensitivity. You will be wanting to run apps like Photoshop,Illustrator, Paint Shop Pro, and neither the Galaxy or the s-Pen are up to that sort of task. Nor is the Surface 2, BTW. You can't load 'legacy' Windows apps, like those I mentioned, on it. Can't load them on the Android based Galaxy, either. I imagine there are some good artist apps for android and iOS even, but if your intent is to get into that, I'd stay with what the industry uses, Windows and Mac (OSX).
Unfortunately, as you probably already know, I'm suggesting spending a bit more, but I think you would be disappointed with the Galaxy given your intent.
If you really are going to be doing artwork and graphic design, I would do some more research on the Galaxy and the S-pen. That really doesn't support what you are going to want IMHO. You are going to want something with N-Trig or Wacom technology with pressure sensitivity. You will be wanting to run apps like Photoshop,Illustrator, Paint Shop Pro, and neither the Galaxy or the s-Pen are up to that sort of task. Nor is the Surface 2, BTW. You can't load 'legacy' Windows apps, like those I mentioned, on it. Can't load them on the Android based Galaxy, either. I imagine there are some good artist apps for android and iOS even, but if your intent is to get into that, I'd stay with what the industry uses, Windows and Mac (OSX).
Unfortunately, as you probably already know, I'm suggesting spending a bit more, but I think you would be disappointed with the Galaxy given your intent.
Products from my answer
Microsoft - Surface Pro 1st-Generation Latest Model with 64GB Memory - Black
(294)
Lenovo - ThinkPad Tablet 2 10.1 inch - 64GB - Black
10 years, 6 months ago
by
Posted by:
Sven53
from
Colorado