Having had the Microsoft Surface for nearly a week, it's plain to see that it really isn't correct to call it a tablet in the truest sense of the word.
It's more like an ultrabook, more like a slate, more like a MacBook Air. With a touch screen.
Of course, being an ARM device, it has its limits.
For the duration I can't use any virtualization/emulation possible, so there's no way to get another operating system on it to bring back normal Windows functionality. Linux won't be installed in any way, shape or form on it.
That leaves the Windows Store apps and the hobbled desktop which will only run Office...and roughly 12GB of onboard user space.
Oh well, at least the store is starting to fill with more apps with each week. However, the selection for Twitter clients is still sparse. That's one category still a bit too sparse for my liking, since the majority of my computing needs revolve around using social media in emergency management. By contrast, there are enough apps for media which allow custom URLS, so my favourite CFA (Victorian Country Fire Authority) scanner feeds can be used on the Surface.
It's not too bad a device, but you have to be really sure what you're going to be using it for to get the best value out of it. It's clear if you want full Windows program usage, the Pro version is more the way to go. If you want good web programs, social media and content consumption, it's a reasonable little gadget.
Except it's not little.
My previous post I pointed out the size and aspect ratio make it a hefty thing to hold. So I'm spending my time using it more on tables and holding it in my lap on the couch rather than carrying it about and trying to hold it one-handed.
I've also invested in the Type cover as opposed to the Touch cover. It's clear just from the past hour of using the Type cover that it's the better of the two versions. It works straight way with no need to learn a new way of typing and doesn't really add that much extra to the thickness. It just feels more weirder when it's flipped back to use only the touch interface. I'm also hoping the keys are solidly attached as I can see some problems there when it's around the back of the device.
Office 2013 has a few features that aren't there, such as macros in Word, but otherwise it's great having it as part of the Surface productivity side of things. I'm also finding I use OneNote 2013 now since it's part of the suite and can see how that may end up being my most favoured desktop program side of things. I tend to read and research a lot, so it's a definite plus on any device like the Surface.
Apart from that, though, I'm not really spending much time on the desktop side of the Surface. I am adapting to using the Modern (Metro) interface relatively easily.
Quite simply though, I can't really see it being the greatest tablet Microsoft will ever make. For that, I'm waiting till later in the year when I see a 7" Windows tablet...when we see how the Modern Interface works at the size a lot of people are switching to.
A 7" Microsoft Surface with perhaps Windows Blue?
Yeah, I'd like to see that.
It's more like an ultrabook, more like a slate, more like a MacBook Air. With a touch screen.
Of course, being an ARM device, it has its limits.
For the duration I can't use any virtualization/emulation possible, so there's no way to get another operating system on it to bring back normal Windows functionality. Linux won't be installed in any way, shape or form on it.
That leaves the Windows Store apps and the hobbled desktop which will only run Office...and roughly 12GB of onboard user space.
Oh well, at least the store is starting to fill with more apps with each week. However, the selection for Twitter clients is still sparse. That's one category still a bit too sparse for my liking, since the majority of my computing needs revolve around using social media in emergency management. By contrast, there are enough apps for media which allow custom URLS, so my favourite CFA (Victorian Country Fire Authority) scanner feeds can be used on the Surface.
It's not too bad a device, but you have to be really sure what you're going to be using it for to get the best value out of it. It's clear if you want full Windows program usage, the Pro version is more the way to go. If you want good web programs, social media and content consumption, it's a reasonable little gadget.
Except it's not little.
My previous post I pointed out the size and aspect ratio make it a hefty thing to hold. So I'm spending my time using it more on tables and holding it in my lap on the couch rather than carrying it about and trying to hold it one-handed.
I've also invested in the Type cover as opposed to the Touch cover. It's clear just from the past hour of using the Type cover that it's the better of the two versions. It works straight way with no need to learn a new way of typing and doesn't really add that much extra to the thickness. It just feels more weirder when it's flipped back to use only the touch interface. I'm also hoping the keys are solidly attached as I can see some problems there when it's around the back of the device.
Office 2013 has a few features that aren't there, such as macros in Word, but otherwise it's great having it as part of the Surface productivity side of things. I'm also finding I use OneNote 2013 now since it's part of the suite and can see how that may end up being my most favoured desktop program side of things. I tend to read and research a lot, so it's a definite plus on any device like the Surface.
Apart from that, though, I'm not really spending much time on the desktop side of the Surface. I am adapting to using the Modern (Metro) interface relatively easily.
Quite simply though, I can't really see it being the greatest tablet Microsoft will ever make. For that, I'm waiting till later in the year when I see a 7" Windows tablet...when we see how the Modern Interface works at the size a lot of people are switching to.
A 7" Microsoft Surface with perhaps Windows Blue?
Yeah, I'd like to see that.
