Should i or should i not? Surface RT

Forums › Microsoft Windows › Should i or should i not? Surface RT

tripp

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#127179 1-Aug-2013 16:41

So it would seem that i might be able to get my hands on a surface RT with touch keyboard for NZ$371
I already have a windows tablet (samsung windows 8 atom chip set) but at $371 can i really turn the RT down?

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#870138 1-Aug-2013 16:50

You should read some of the negative press about RT mate.
Push for Pro if you can, I think you won't regret it in the end.

The little things make the biggest difference.

tripp

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#870140 1-Aug-2013 16:51

Shindig: You should read some of the negative press about RT mate.
Push for Pro if you can, I think you won't regret it in the end.

I don't need the pro as my samsung is already tablet/laptop with way better battery life.

I guess i don't really "need" the RT more of "oh look cheap toys"

sidefx

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#870468 2-Aug-2013 09:06

Is it new? I'm wary of jumping on the Windows RT bandwagon, as given the poor sales I think there's a chance it might dissappear.... but at that price for tablet + keyboard I'd be very tempted.

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macuser

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#870470 2-Aug-2013 09:09

Get an RT, just forget about desktop apps. Most if not all Windows Store apps work on RT. A better option would be waiting for Atom Bay Trial in a few months and getting a fast enough x86 tablet/keyboard combo that is much cheaper than the Pro.

tripp

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#870473 2-Aug-2013 09:11

sidefx: Is it new? I'm wary of jumping on the Windows RT bandwagon, as given the poor sales I think there's a chance it might dissappear.... but at that price for tablet + keyboard I'd be very tempted.

Yes its brand new.

I have asked the person if they can see if they can get one for me as well.

semigeek

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#870482 2-Aug-2013 09:25

Get the RT, its actually a great device, sure it doesn't run the Desktop apps, but it has Word, Excel, Power Point, One Note and Outlook(once updated to 8.1)
I actually get sick of all the negative press towards it, as its not a bad machine. People seem to compare the RT to an iPad, well its better than an iPad. Does an iPad have USB connector? External Storage? etc. I think not.

People also say there aren't many apps, well how many do you need? Buy it, try it, I think you will like it

GBristow

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#870515 2-Aug-2013 10:17

As I always ask: what do you want it to do? Write down everything you can think of and check it off against RT. It's clearly better than an iPad, but I wouldn't get one because I would want a full OS on my laptop.

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geekiegeek

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#870527 2-Aug-2013 10:34

GBristow: It's clearly better than an iPad.

That's a big statement and doesn't really mesh with lining up what you want to do against the device capabilities. I for one prefer an ipad as it does everything I need it to do including apps that are not on the windows platform so for "me" an ipad is the better device.

Its horses for courses. I don't need a USB or extra storage on my tablet so those are not things I look for. If they are show stoppers for you then yes a device that has them is better "for you" then an ipad but that does not make that device the clear winner of the tablet genre.

Oh and I'm not an apple fan boy. Microsoft has helped pay my wages for the last 15 years and I have an all PC house but also have an iPhone, ipad and apple tv.

Batman

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#870530 2-Aug-2013 10:43

I'd wait for something with haswell

LazyDr

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#870541 2-Aug-2013 10:52

joker97: I'd wait for something with haswell

That's a reasonable statement, but assumes that money and time isn't an issue. I'd be surprised if something with Haswell came out any time soon (i.e. the next few months) and at a reasonable price (compared to <$400 for an RT).

My personal opinion is that MS were on the right track, but the RT wasn't quite what people were hoping for, whereas the Pro ticked most boxes, but was too expensive unless you really were trying to replace your usual PC with it. As a tablet only, it's huge money.

I've read mostly good things about both, but as someone's already said, that depends on your intentions for it's use

toyonut

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#871380 3-Aug-2013 20:27

If you already have an x86 based win8 tablet, you are not gaining anything with the RT. save your money and get another toy later. The RT is a nice toy for sure, well built and works well, but so is the samsung and that can have a keyboard too can't it?

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

LazyDr

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#872934 6-Aug-2013 22:55

The Surface Pro has gone on sale in the USA now as well, i think something like $100USD off, so that might be worth looking into if you're still keen

crackrdbycracku

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#873200 7-Aug-2013 13:55

I think the risk with the Surface RT is that MS abandon it and you never get any new app or upgrades. Considering how much money they just lost this isn't a crazy idea.

I've had a look at it and considered buying one but I'm going to wait until I know whether MS will continue to support it. At this stage if they do they will probably be the only (major) device maker that supports RT as Asus have walked away.

As a device it does pretty much everything I want in that it is a tablet that can be used for word processing when the main computer in the house is busy. For me, the ability to run office is a real advantage.

It is a pity that MS executed this project so poorly. When you write down $900 million I don't think there is a lot of argument against poor execution.

What is it they say about MS products? Wait till version 3.0? That's probably what I'll do.

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billgates

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#873217 7-Aug-2013 14:23

Microsoft prob spent 4 years to 6 years porting Windows to ARM. There is no way that they are going to abandon this. They are going to make their own hardware. Would not be surprised of a Surface Phone if Nokia backpedals or goes under etc which seems highly unlikely.

For a version 1.0 product that started with 0 Windows 8 store apps, it's a great device. It's only going to get better. Microsoft managed to sell over 1.7 million units of RT and Pro combined of Surface considering this is the first time they build their own PC. That's very impressive.

Do whatever you want to do man.

wasabi2k

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#873220 7-Aug-2013 14:27

for $400, yes.

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