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Thread: Microsoft Surface R/T 32GB $233

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    Default Microsoft Surface R/T 32GB $233

    What are peoples thoughts on these devices? Pro's, Con's etc
    The price seems ok.

    Leroy
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    Actually it's a surface R/T not a pro. It seems you can't load software on like a normal PC as opposed to the Pro which you can. Is this the case?

    Leroy
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    I got one as a trial at work and I like it. Its now my full time carry device.
    It is very solid with a metal case. Comes with preloaded Office apps etc. Battery life is excellent.
    You need to load apps via the store, so it is similar to the iPad experience.
    There are lots of apps in the store, free and paid, and I believe it can be "jailbroken" to load apps directly, although it is an ARM chip so you need ARM compiled proggies or run an X86 emulator.
    Speed wise it is pretty good, runs full HD video without a glitch and seems to open up apps pretty fast.

    The Pro is an Intel chipset, so it more compatible with standard programs. I haven't played with the PRO but I believe it is faster but thicker with less battery life.

    At $233 (I think mine was $289) I think it is a better buy than the lower/mid end Androids.
    I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy...

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    Thanks for the write up there. After doing a bit more reading it does seem like a pretty good device but Microsoft will kill off the RT platform next year some time so no more apps being developed. Is this really an issue? I'll use it for surfing/email and then it has MS Office installed. Are there enough apps already developed to keep one happy?

    It seems everything has a finite lifespan anyway. I still use an XP laptop and typing on it now! But I got an iPad for the family for Xmas and I'm enjoying using something a little more compact.

    I had a bit of a look at the Samsung tablets but are they going to move away from Android?

    I think you just have to buy for the moment. Nothing lasts forever

    Leroy
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    Damn, I typed out a long response and the browser froze (Not on the Surface, this is my Desktop).
    In short, yes MS is dropping RT. No biggie, still supported just no new major releases. The Surface contains most of what I use out of the box. I mainly use MS Office (Word, Excel and Powerpoint), Internet browser and Remote desktop to the servers at work.
    There are lots of apps already out there. The only extras I have installed are an eBay app and SBS on demand. I am not a "ooooh and aaaahhh" compulsive app loader. I just get what I need.
    I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy...

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    It seems to have most things I use loaded as well so 'no biggie' was my feeling also. I could see there are apps to RDP etc so I figure it has most of what I need. At the end of the day it's not a replacement for a laptop.
    Is office a real cut down version?

    If you use a USB Stick does it mount it as another drive? I saw there is no explorer but an app to download and use.

    Cheers,
    Leroy
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    Good reading on how to do things on Microsoft's website


    Leroy
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    Yes, a USB mounts as a drive, it comes up and asks you what you want to do (browse , use as backup, etc.)
    The office is 2013. I use Office 2010 on the desktop so it is a little different, but it looks like it is full featured.
    I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy...

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    Have been looking at this also
    The only thing missing is GPS but can do without

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    playing with 1 now
    will take a bit of getting use to/ setting up ect but happy so far.
    got 1 for 223 at jm most places are sold out

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    I sent my partner out earlier to get one from Harvey Norman. She should be home with it shortly

    I noticed in the JB website that you could by online but today you could only get in store!

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    Quote Originally Posted by mickc View Post
    playing with 1 now
    will take a bit of getting use to/ setting up ect but happy so far.
    got 1 for 223 at jm most places are sold out
    I see what you mean. I now have the laptop open on the microsoft website to work out a few things lol
    Even simple things like typing in my microsoft username and pw was a hassle! Haven't worked out how to type directly instead of selecting letter then double hitting.

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    I got the keyboard with mine works ok
    The popup keyboard works with single touch same as android
    problem I had was typed my email wrong for the account, took awhile to work out how to change it, still playing.

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    seemed to be a few software bugs so I'm downloading all the updates now. Things like the charger are connected but its status isn't updating, I notice when selecting things there are delays and also the blue out line is left on the screen at times.
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    Leroy. I don't get what you mean by " Haven't worked out how to type directly instead of selecting letter then double hitting" You talking onscreen keyboard or attached keyboard. Both work as expected for me.
    I didn't (and don't) have any of these issues that you are experiencing.
    I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy...

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    When I had to type in the initial microsoft password I had to select the letter and then double hit the username field. I had to do this for every character. It was odd.

    I have another issue. The tablet isn't charging! It comes up with the symbol indicating that power is connected and the little light on the connector is on. It now won't power up due to a flat battery and the charger has been connected all night

    Leroy
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    Mate, sounds like a dud.
    I'd say take it back and get it swapped
    I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy...

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    Quote Originally Posted by autotuner View Post
    Mate, sounds like a dud.
    I'd say take it back and get it swapped
    Yes that's the plan.

    Leroy
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    Ok there was definitely an issue with the old tablet. This one isn't doing the silly things with the keyboard, leaving stuff on the screen from previous screens. I was in 2 minds whether to get a refund or exchange but glad I exchanged now that I know the old tablet had issues.
    I couldn't even scroll with one finger across the screen to see the tiles on the RHS. Same with scrolling down etc. I found I could with 2 fingers on the screen.
    Anyway it's working like a tablet should.

    This is my first experience with Windows 8. It's OK. For the punters in the cheap seats, you can have your short cuts on the desktop/startup screen. But if you start office it loads a desktop like traditional windows with a taskbar with the usual icons etc and there are tabs on the top if running IE as opposed to running the other IE from the startup/desktop screen (yes there are 2).
    Skype is loaded so tried that out and works great with the camera etc. Saved some stuff in the SkyDrive cloud. Like Apples iCloud.

    Overall I'm a lot happier as it's behaving as I would expect a tablet to operate

    Leroy
    Last edited by LeroyPatrol; 29-12-13 at 07:57 AM. Reason: More info since I've had a play with the replacement Surface RT
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    Leroy, good to hear.
    If its not already on it I would suggest to do the upgrade to 8.1. Adds a few more bits and pieces which make it even easier.
    I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy...

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