AndroidMan
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AndroidMan's Reviews
Microsoft - Surface 2 - 10.6" - 32GB
Microsoft Surface 2 - 10.6" - 32GB: 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.Learn more about Windows 8.1 ›Free Windows 10 UpgradeUpgrade for free to Windows 10 when it's available*, and get the best combination of the Windows you know, plus lots of improvements you'll love.
Promises a lot, delivers little
Customer Rating
1.0
Ease of Use
1.0
Features
3.0
What's great about it: Includes Office, has a full size USB port, Kickstand
What's not so great: User interface is clunky, drops connection to store, no PCoIP in VMWare View
This review is based on business use, personal use may be different.
I am the IT Manager for a company with about 150 employees. We completely passed on the first round of Surface tablets in lieu of the Android and iOS tablets we had already been purchasing. I had finally started hearing some good things about the Surface when version 2 came out and because it includes full blown Office, decided to give it a try.
The first thing I noticed was an issue with SSL certificates. We use a web filter that employs full SSL web filtering. Upon unboxing the tablet, I was unable to connect it to my Microsoft account because I needed to install a certificate. The tablet did let me skip the login process offering to 'help me set this up later'. I then installed the certificate for the local user account from a USB flash drive and the certificate was successfully imported into the certificate store. However, when browsing to https://www.google.com I still received a certificate error indicating the certificate had not been installed correctly. I then reinstalled the certificate into the Local Machine certificate store and restarted. Still receiving certificate errors and not able to access things like the Microsoft Store because of it. (Note: Our iOS, Android, Win 7, and Win 8 devices all accept the certificate except the Surface 2)
Once I got home and away from our filtered work internet, I was finally able to link my Microsoft account to Surface 2. Adding the account requires a verification via text, phone, or email. I first selected text but after several minutes, I had not received one so I opted for email. That also took several minutes but finally arrived. (14 hours later and the text still has not arrived) Once signed in, I immediately hit up the app store. There are no official apps for Google Chrome available which may not be Microsoft's fault but it is a set back. Also in the same boat is VMWare View which only supports RDP on the Microsoft Surface. Anyone who is serious about VDI and VMWare View is likely using the highly optimized PCoIP protocol and the reviews for the app suggest that as well. I have yet to be able to download the VMWare View app as my connection to the Microsoft Store consistently drops just as I am about to do anything of importance. Upon inspection, I still have full access to the internet via the web browser. Go back to the store - works for a minute and then zonks out. All of my other devices work perfectly in the same area.
The interface - CLUNKY
Switching back and forth from the desktop and tile view is non-intuitive and leaves much to be desired. The battery indicator is only available in desktop view as is the network indicator. The notification panel found on iOS and Android is nowhere to be found on Windows 8. The hidden menus on the corners and sides of the screen seem to work alright with the touch pad (mouse) but seem awkward when using the touch screen. The desktop mode gives you false hope that you can run powerful applications and multitask well but the truth is, you have the taskbar for 'desktop applications' like Office and a side bar for 'mobile applications' so you will still find yourself having trouble figuring out where your application went.
Switching back and forth from the desktop and tile view is non-intuitive and leaves much to be desired. The battery indicator is only available in desktop view as is the network indicator. The notification panel found on iOS and Android is nowhere to be found on Windows 8. The hidden menus on the corners and sides of the screen seem to work alright with the touch pad (mouse) but seem awkward when using the touch screen. The desktop mode gives you false hope that you can run powerful applications and multitask well but the truth is, you have the taskbar for 'desktop applications' like Office and a side bar for 'mobile applications' so you will still find yourself having trouble figuring out where your application went.
The good:
Includes Office
--Office suite is not exactly designed for a small/touch screen but at least all of the functionality is there
Full Size USB
--Supports USB hub, mouse, keyboard, and USB storage. All tested.
Magnetic keyboard connector
--Good and bad. Good because it is fun to connect and bad because it limits the possibilities with limited connections
Magnetic power connector
--Again, it is fun to connect and doesn't seem like it would break or become loose easily. However, it also limits the connection options.
Includes Office
--Office suite is not exactly designed for a small/touch screen but at least all of the functionality is there
Full Size USB
--Supports USB hub, mouse, keyboard, and USB storage. All tested.
Magnetic keyboard connector
--Good and bad. Good because it is fun to connect and bad because it limits the possibilities with limited connections
Magnetic power connector
--Again, it is fun to connect and doesn't seem like it would break or become loose easily. However, it also limits the connection options.
On it's surface, this seems like a decent device that will solve the issues of working on a tablet in the field, remotely, etc. However, when you dive deeper, you will likely find that this device is going to cause more headaches than you want to deal with. Honestly, this is one of the worst devices I have ever used and would not recommend this to a friend, colleague, etc.
PS. While I was writing this article on my Windows 8 Pro laptop, my Surface 2 received a BSOD (blue screen of death) and rebooted.
About me... Budget Conscious, Parent with kids, Technology guru, Business Professional
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Microsoft - Windows 7 Professional With Service Pack 1 64-bit - License and Media - 1 PC
Asus - Refurbished - TF700T-B1-CG 10.1 Tablet - Nvidia Tegra Quad-core 1.6GHz 1GB 32GB Android 4.0 - Champagne Gold - Champagne Gold
Apple - iPad® Air with Wi-Fi - 16GB - Silver
(4,326)My Best Buy number: 2214707645
+8points
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AndroidMan's Answers
Microsoft - Surface 2 - 10.6" - 32GB
Microsoft Surface 2 - 10.6" - 32GB: 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.Learn more about Windows 8.1 ›Free Windows 10 UpgradeUpgrade for free to Windows 10 when it's available*, and get the best combination of the Windows you know, plus lots of improvements you'll love.
bluetooth
Does it come with bluetooth?
Bluetooth is built in to the device but it does not come with any Bluetooth accessories. It is also the latest version of Bluetooth at version 4.
10 years, 4 months ago
by
Posted by:
AndroidMan
from
St. Peters, MO
Microsoft - Surface 2 - 10.6" - 32GB
Microsoft Surface 2 - 10.6" - 32GB: 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.Learn more about Windows 8.1 ›Free Windows 10 UpgradeUpgrade for free to Windows 10 when it's available*, and get the best combination of the Windows you know, plus lots of improvements you'll love.
If the tablet crashes will I be able to get Office back?
Microsoft Office is included in the factory image for the Surface. As long as you use the built in Windows restore functionality, you should be fine. Please see this page at Microsoft for details on reseting the device to factory conditions. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc
10 years, 4 months ago
by
Posted by:
AndroidMan
from
St. Peters, MO