Seriously considering an RT but.....
- Thread starter oneniner
- Start date
nicholas1983
New Member
I have an old Alba TV in the bedroom which occasionally gets plugged into the Surface to watch a film or two. I am not sure what its resolution is, but I know it doesn't quite match the Surface's resolution. This, however, does not mean it is unwatchable; far from it in fact. In fact I get the best size when I duplicate the screen instead of assigning the 'second screen only' option. Both my main TV and my desktop monitor are 1080p and they work perfectly, and produce a great picture.
This forum post is quite helpful.
When I was doing research on what device to buy I found it helpful to write down features that you would need and want you device to do, then you can rule out your different options. Also, I read user reviews on Amazon as they often contain bits of information that are left off technology websites' reviews. You may have to sift through the rubbish to find a couple of intelligent reviews.
I don't know about anyone else but I found a lot of reviews very biased and lacking any fundamental understanding of the market that both of the Surfaces were aimed at. For instance: The iPad was compared to the Pro (apples and oranges); the lack of apps in the Windows store being compared to Android and iOS's offerings. CNet and the Verge were some offenders I can remember off the top of my head. Again, you may have to sift through the rubbish to find some objective, intelligent reviews.
I have had to reset my Surface back to factory twice, both times following an update. I have to admit it was annoying at first and thankfully the last one was a while ago. I use mine a lot and it has been very stable only needing restarting a few times after getting a bit sluggish. I find IE10 difficult sometimes, but it doesn't detract from the overall experience.
I noticed they are selling them for £399 with a touch cover now looks like it will be the best time to buy. I got mine for £385 with a touch cover so still happy that I got it cheap.
This forum post is quite helpful.
When I was doing research on what device to buy I found it helpful to write down features that you would need and want you device to do, then you can rule out your different options. Also, I read user reviews on Amazon as they often contain bits of information that are left off technology websites' reviews. You may have to sift through the rubbish to find a couple of intelligent reviews.
I don't know about anyone else but I found a lot of reviews very biased and lacking any fundamental understanding of the market that both of the Surfaces were aimed at. For instance: The iPad was compared to the Pro (apples and oranges); the lack of apps in the Windows store being compared to Android and iOS's offerings. CNet and the Verge were some offenders I can remember off the top of my head. Again, you may have to sift through the rubbish to find some objective, intelligent reviews.
I have had to reset my Surface back to factory twice, both times following an update. I have to admit it was annoying at first and thankfully the last one was a while ago. I use mine a lot and it has been very stable only needing restarting a few times after getting a bit sluggish. I find IE10 difficult sometimes, but it doesn't detract from the overall experience.
I noticed they are selling them for £399 with a touch cover now looks like it will be the best time to buy. I got mine for £385 with a touch cover so still happy that I got it cheap.
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OP
oneniner
New Member
Thanks to everyone for the information. I agree with the bias in some reviews. I find it best to explore the forums and get user experiences. That's how I learned about Nexus 10 problems and the issue some have with Surface and HDMI connection. I saw that MS is offering the free keyboard. I wonder if this a prelude to a liquidation in preparation for a new offering. At any rate I'm leaning toward MS, and I think I will put up with my Thrive a few more months. I think something new is on the way.
I have not connected my Surface RT to an external monitor, but I have been very happy overall with it. I replaced an iPad2 with the Surface and couldn't be happier. If you really need Vine or some specific apps that are only available on iOs or Android, the Surface might not be for you. Here's what I like about the Surface and Windows RT in general.
1. Real Office Programs. If your company uses MS Office, there is no substitute for the real thing.
2. File Access. Browse network folders, open links to doc on network folders - it all works just like your desktop.
3. Printing. No other mobile platform does printing better. Assuming your printer is supported (only found 1 so far that isn't supported), it works just like printing from your desktop.
4. Family Safety. If you have kids, you can manage their access, filter internet, and get reports on what they are doing.
5. UI. I really like the new Windows way of presenting notifications and status through the live tiles. The clean text-based UI really works well and is pleasing to use.
6. MS services. Outlook.com, Skydrive, Windows accounts - everything works together nicely across all your devices. MS has come a long way since the Live junk days.
1. Real Office Programs. If your company uses MS Office, there is no substitute for the real thing.
2. File Access. Browse network folders, open links to doc on network folders - it all works just like your desktop.
3. Printing. No other mobile platform does printing better. Assuming your printer is supported (only found 1 so far that isn't supported), it works just like printing from your desktop.
4. Family Safety. If you have kids, you can manage their access, filter internet, and get reports on what they are doing.
5. UI. I really like the new Windows way of presenting notifications and status through the live tiles. The clean text-based UI really works well and is pleasing to use.
6. MS services. Outlook.com, Skydrive, Windows accounts - everything works together nicely across all your devices. MS has come a long way since the Live junk days.
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CrippsCorner
Well-Known Member
In general (despite loving the site) I do agree with what you say about The Verge... however did you see their coverage about iOS 7? Man they really ripped into it! Sometimes I think they kinda just hate all technology lol, which is strange for a technology site.
quadtronix
Member
Well... Ive been using the kindle app for about a week now and unfortunately, I now see what the Verge was talking about... Here's the deal (from my experience)... When I turn pages by tapping the center of the right edge it responds immediately, no problem. When I flip the corner of the screen like a page in a book, it lags like crazy!! 
I don't know why it does this, its not a deal breaker, but I thought I'd let you all know....
I don't know why it does this, its not a deal breaker, but I thought I'd let you all know....
I was really excited about the surface RT, but then I tried it the day it came out and I was disappointed. I was concerned the screen was too small and the processing power was not good enough.
I bought an acer aspire S7 instead, and that was the worst decision, ever. 6 months later I came crawling back to the surface RT, deciding to give it a chance. I absolutely LOVE it! It is basically an ipad in size, weight, and battery life, but then you can charge your phone on it and plug in other USB devices. Then there is the amazing keyboards for it, which if you buy used you can get pretty cheap. Then there is office and skydrive and onenote, which no ipad app can compete with. Then there is torrex, the torrent downloading app. Then there is teamviewer, the app that lets you control your work or home PC from your surface.
I love how thin it is and how it feels way more powerful than an ipad or phone. I thought power would be a problem but I have found it is way more powerful than any ipad and I am able to accomplish pretty much anything on it (although no photoshop since it is not a PC it is a tablet).
I have a portable HDMI projector I bought at brookstone... It works awesome with the surface. It plugs in via mini HDMI I believe and works really well. You can run desktop mode on one and an app on the other screen, but right now you cant run two apps (one per screen). I don't know why but I have read it is a glitch and will be fixed with the next big update (windows blue).
I bought an acer aspire S7 instead, and that was the worst decision, ever. 6 months later I came crawling back to the surface RT, deciding to give it a chance. I absolutely LOVE it! It is basically an ipad in size, weight, and battery life, but then you can charge your phone on it and plug in other USB devices. Then there is the amazing keyboards for it, which if you buy used you can get pretty cheap. Then there is office and skydrive and onenote, which no ipad app can compete with. Then there is torrex, the torrent downloading app. Then there is teamviewer, the app that lets you control your work or home PC from your surface.
I love how thin it is and how it feels way more powerful than an ipad or phone. I thought power would be a problem but I have found it is way more powerful than any ipad and I am able to accomplish pretty much anything on it (although no photoshop since it is not a PC it is a tablet).
I have a portable HDMI projector I bought at brookstone... It works awesome with the surface. It plugs in via mini HDMI I believe and works really well. You can run desktop mode on one and an app on the other screen, but right now you cant run two apps (one per screen). I don't know why but I have read it is a glitch and will be fixed with the next big update (windows blue).
I've been using my Surface for a few months now and I have been using the Kindle app from the Windows Store....I won't say it is not perfect. But it really is not that bad.
Sometimes when you tap for the next page there is lag(about 5 seconds) and the occasional orientation issue but it is good.
I don't judge it too harshly because I feel if i wanted the 100 percent perfect experience, I could buy the Kindle Fire.
Nook actually just updated their App for Windows 8 and it now allows sideloading.
Sometimes when you tap for the next page there is lag(about 5 seconds) and the occasional orientation issue but it is good.
I don't judge it too harshly because I feel if i wanted the 100 percent perfect experience, I could buy the Kindle Fire.
Nook actually just updated their App for Windows 8 and it now allows sideloading.
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