Surface 2... any thoughts on it?

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#972467 22-Jan-2014 20:09

mattwnz:
joker97: i have android tab ipad and windows tablet. here are my thoughts

- if you want to do proper computing you need windows tablet WITH A KEYBOARD AND TRACKPAD.
as in - select cut and paste, flash, surf web pages that need you to key in words and numbers, surf any web page, do work like MS office, etc
but don't even thnk about äpps". there are no apps that are any good. waste of time browsing the store.

- if you want to do all the cool things your ipad friends can do with their ipad, then only an ipad will let you do that. but don't hope to do anything other than reading on a lot of web pages on web browsers. also, can't copy files to it. well not easily anyway.

- android - umm ... i'm not sure why it even exists. a glorified portable harddrive? it has millions of apps. but nowhere near as good/fluid as ipad ones. not sure why. maybe the platform? but at least you can copy things onto it easily. and there are lots of free apps that can do things you want to do, just not as fluidly as ipad, and be prepared for 99% shameless plugging of ads ads ads

As the windows rt web browser has flash built in, you don't often need apps. eg You don't need the tvnz ondemand app, as you can view the ondemand website. There are some good apps for windows, and many of the games are now in the windows store. But it is missing some of the essential ones, things like google now, maps, imdb, youtube. But some of the thord party app replacements aren't too bad, and there are some good youtube and video replacements.

it does intrigue me sometimes that peoples world revolves around apps rather than the browser these days

what's the difference, for example from buying the Metservice app vs pinning the website favourite to my launch screen

the Appification of the world

Dairyxox

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#972469 22-Jan-2014 20:12

True it does seem like a bit of a fad.
But what is an app? Its just a program?, and those have been around for a long time.

mattwnz

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#972480 22-Jan-2014 20:51

Dairyxox: True it does seem like a bit of a fad.
But what is an app? Its just a program?, and those have been around for a long time.

Many are just replacement for websites anyway that would normally run under flash. It is interesting how many companies are prepared to pay thousands developing an app

crackrdbycracku

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#977824 31-Jan-2014 09:16

I'm looking at buying a Surface 2, stock is still pretty thin on the ground and I'm not sure what my requirements will be.

The Pro is probably the best Ultrabook around $1500, beats me why there isn't a decent Air alternative but there you go.

The Surface (RT) would be about perfect for personal use for me, mostly a tablet but able to be productive when I want to be. Built out of metal, HD screen blah blah for about $850 depending on keyboard which you kind of need. Sure, there are cheaper laptops but ... and sure, RT isn't 8.1 but really apart from iTunes what are you missing?

The T100 looks cool but I'm sick of buying electronics made of out plastic.

As far as apps go personally I think it was an amazing example of Apple marketing. Ban flash from the browser then convince people to make apps which are really just links to the website in most cases. This ensures control of your platform, not app no access. Absolutely brilliant.

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

Dairyxox

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#977838 31-Jan-2014 09:39

I think you you're all going a bit far by saying apps are just websites. They mostly work offline and often do real processing thats just not feasible with web code.

rp1790

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#977846 31-Jan-2014 09:51

Just a word of warning for anyone considering a Surface. If you have a warranty issue, the retailer is not allowed/able to help or provide a replacement, even if they want to.

I bought a Surface Pro 2 (8GB/256 SSD), USB port failed, logged case on 13/1, still no replacement. Email on 21/1 saying replacement to ship within 2 biz days, nothing, nada, zilch. Managed to work out how to talk to a person but they were no help and I still don't have my machine back. It feels like it has just disappeared and there's no way for me to do anything about it.

So, moral of the story is if you are going to depend on a Surface, just be aware that warranty is only through Microsoft and it may be weeks to get a replacement. Nearly 4 weeks now for me without a working machine.

Having said that, it's a surprisingly good device and even win 8.1, is good, with the touch screen.

nathan

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#977862 31-Jan-2014 10:07

please send me a message and I can escalate within Microsoft and find out what happened to your warranty repair. Please include your SR #

Also if you send me you courier address I can send you a loaner (if you want) till you get your Surface Pro back

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

nathan

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#977863 31-Jan-2014 10:08

also for business customers who are buying Surface through Commercial channels, we will soon be lauching an extended warranty service, that includes forward replacement service etc

rp1790

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#977865 31-Jan-2014 10:13

Thanks Nathan, sent you my SR number, and appreciate any help!

Loaner, thanks for the offer but just want my machine back. Hadn't fully committed to the Surface yet so a loaner not necessary.

Cheers

crackrdbycracku

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#977871 31-Jan-2014 10:23

rp1790: Thanks Nathan, sent you my SR number, and appreciate any help!

Loaner, thanks for the offer but just want my machine back. Hadn't fully committed to the Surface yet so a loaner not necessary.

Cheers

Thanks for that, now re-evaluating alternative to Surface. Sorry Nathan.

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

nathan

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#977880 31-Jan-2014 10:37

FWIW: don't see m(any) other OEMs engaging on Geekzone forums responding to questions, offering to courier out loaner machines etc

and BTW don't be sorry. I don't just care about Surface in NZ but all Windows Tablets :)

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#977882 31-Jan-2014 10:39

I'm selling my near new Asus transformer T100TA with MS Office Key (unused) if you are interested

crackrdbycracku

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#977889 31-Jan-2014 10:52

joker97: I'm selling my near new Asus transformer T100TA with MS Office Key (unused) if you are interested

Thanks but requirements may be changing very soon so I think I'll hold off for now.

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

Dairyxox

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#977892 31-Jan-2014 10:59

Just thought I'd chime in to backup nathan here, it really is good to have him participating and supporting this 'community'. He goes well beyond reasonable efforts to help fellow geekzoners with Microsoft products out.

rp1790

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#977929 31-Jan-2014 11:13

Dairyxox: Just thought I'd chime in to backup nathan here, it really is good to have him participating and supporting this 'community'. He goes well beyond reasonable efforts to help fellow geekzoners with Microsoft products out.

I'd agree, look at how quick the response was from Nathan once I posted my (valid) warning.

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