Microsoft Surface RT

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Reviews for the Microsoft Surface RT

60% Microsoft Surface RT review
Source: Techradar Archive.org version
Surface makes you want to pick it up and play, pleases you with the delivery of Windows RT and the live tiles make it feel personal and alive. Performance is a real issue, but since Tegra is at the heart of high performing tablets, we hope that RT can be tweaked to iron out slowdown issues. Microsoft's hardware designers should be applauded for delivering a solid tablet which delivers a great experience, but now it's down to the fortunes of the Windows Store to decide whether Microsoft Surface is remembered in history.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/27/2013
Rating: Total score: 60%

60% Microsoft Surface RT review
Source: Techradar Archive.org version
Surface makes you want to pick it up and play, pleases you with the delivery of Windows RT and the live tiles make it feel personal and alive. Performance is a real issue, but since Tegra is at the heart of high performing tablets, we hope that RT can be tweaked to iron out slowdown issues. Microsoft's hardware designers should be applauded for delivering a solid tablet which delivers a great experience, but now it's down to the fortunes of the Windows Store to decide whether Microsoft Surface is remembered in history.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 08/27/2013
Rating: Total score: 60%

67% Microsoft Surface RT review
Source: PC Pro Archive.org version
One of our biggest original criticisms of the Surface RT was its lack of performance. That objection has mostly been wiped away by the firmware updates. The new version of Office also feels much better tied to the operating system, even if it still has those annoying restrictions. Another reason to think twice before buying the Surface RT is that the Surface Pro is very nearly here. While the price is set to be on the high side once more, it offers the distinct advantage of running Windows 8 rather than Windows RT.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/15/2013
Rating: Total score: 67% price: 67% performance: 67% features: 83% workmanship: 83%

67% Microsoft Surface RT review
Source: PC Pro Archive.org version
One of our biggest original criticisms of the Surface RT was its lack of performance. That objection has mostly been wiped away by the firmware updates. The new version of Office also feels much better tied to the operating system, even if it still has those annoying restrictions. Another reason to think twice before buying the Surface RT is that the Surface Pro is very nearly here. While the price is set to be on the high side once more, it offers the distinct advantage of running Windows 8 rather than Windows RT.
Comparison, online available, Medium, Date: 02/08/2013
Rating: Total score: 67% price: 67% performance: 67% features: 83% workmanship: 83%

67% Review: Microsoft Surface with Windows RT
Source: PC Authority Archive.org version
The Surface RT is an incredibly hard device to define. Microsoft’s first tablet is bold, unique and the most fully-featured device of its type. No other tablet makes it as easy to get to work straight out of the box; no other tablet has its broad compatibility with a range of peripherals; and no other tablet has such over-arching ambition.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/03/2013
Rating: Total score: 67%

Apple iPad vs Microsoft Surface RT vs Google Nexus 10 head to head review
Source: V3.co.uk Archive.org version
Despite very stiff competition from its new rivals, the Apple iPad retains its crown as top 10in tablet, boasting a compelling complete ecosystem offering, a decent - albeit not on a par with the Nexus 10's - screen, fast performance and excellent battery life. However, we should point out that for those looking for a full-on laptop replacement, the Surface RT is currently the only valid option, featuring support for Microsoft's email and a full version of Office 2013. The only downside of this is that people wanting to use the Surface in this way will have to buy its Touch Cover keyboard add-on, which adds an extra £80 to the device's cost.
Comparison, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/04/2012

Microsoft Surface RT vs iPad 4 comparison review
Source: Tech Advisor Archive.org version
It really is difficult to say one of these tablets is "the tablet you should buy" as the needs of each person are completely different. We can say - in very loose terms - that if you're looking to buy a tablet to be used alongside your laptop, then the iPad 4 is probably the more polished of the two. However if you want a tablet that you can put in your bag and use instead of your laptop, then you'd have more of a fighting chance with the Surface (and its Touch Cover) in your arsenal. On a side note it's worth mentioning again (in case you missed it) the iPad 4's app store wipes the floor with the Surface's, so if it's apps you're after, then we suggest you go for the iPad 4 all day long, however, if the Surface gets its apps in order then it has the potential to be huge and a real game changer.
Comparison, online available, Medium, Date: 11/20/2012

60% Microsoft Surface review
Source: T3 Archive.org version
Full Microsoft Office support is the jewel in the crown of the Surface which along with the keyboard makes it a great tool for productivity, but whether that is enough along with the other notable features to warrant recommending over the iPad or the Asus Transformer Infinity we are not so sure. If you are truly sold on the idea of the Surface, we suggest waiting on the second generation version.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/13/2012
Rating: Total score: 60%

67% Microsoft Surface RT
Source: It Pro Archive.org version
Make no mistake: this isn’t a full laptop replacement and it does have its obvious frustrations if you’re trying to use it in a business environment. For now, it’s also held back by a lack of high-quality apps. But, and it’s a big but, the Surface is a great piece of design, looks great and is well built. While some have baulked at the price of £332 ex VAT for the 32GB version, there’s an microSDXC card slot so you can bolster the storage cheaply.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/09/2012
Rating: Total score: 67%

67% Microsoft Surface RT review
Source: PC Pro Archive.org version
It remains an attractive device in its own right, but more than anything, it whets our appetite for the full Windows 8 version of the Surface that’s due to arrive early next year, which will have a fully unlocked desktop and all the benefits of a regular laptop. If you can hold out until the new year, we think it’s going to be worth the wait.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/07/2012
Rating: Total score: 67% price: 67% performance: 67% features: 83% ergonomy: 83%

90% Microsoft Surface RT review
Source: Pocket Lint Archive.org version
The acid test of any gadget, for us, is how sad we are to give it back once we've finished reviewing it. In this case, we're beyond sad, and have moved in to a state of great turmoil that is likely to end up in an expensive online shopping trip. The Surface might not be perfect yet, but we can see a bright future for it.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/07/2012
Rating: Total score: 90%

100% Microsoft Surface with Windows RT review
Source: V3.co.uk Archive.org version
In fact, Microsoft's estimate may be a little conservative, as we used the Surface to take notes in Microsoft Word during a 4-hour meeting, after which the battery life had dropped by only 20 percent. It also recharges quickly, in just a couple of hours in our tests. It may surprise some readers, but overall, we found Microsoft's Surface with Windows RT an impressive device that is worth considering, not least for the built-in Office apps.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/06/2012
Rating: Total score: 100%

80% Microsoft Surface Review
Source: Stuff TV Archive.org version
So for many people the Surface will be a little too niche and compromised compared to getting an iPad. Or a laptop. Or whatever else Microsoft thinks it’s going up against. But for a dedicated, contrary minority this could be precisely the pigeon hole-dodging device they’ve been looking for. And perhaps in the long-run, once it gets the apps it deserves, perhaps they’ll be enjoying the last laugh.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/01/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%

Foreign Reviews

Windows RT vs. Windows 8
Source: Business & IT - 2/13
Comparison, , Length Unknown, Date: 01/01/2013

84% Microsoft Surface RT
Source: MuyComputer ES→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 05/14/2013
Rating: Total score: 84%

70% Análise : Microsoft Surface RT
Source: Wintech PT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 05/07/2013
Rating: Total score: 70% performance: 70% display: 70% workmanship: 70%

60% Microsoft Surface RT
Source: PCM NL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 03/25/2013
Rating: Total score: 60%

Обзор планшета Microsoft Surface RT: альтернатива iPad на Windows
Source: Hi-Tech Mail RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Excellent multitasking; the familiar file manager and simple; stylish look; Negative: Slow; Games and applications for Windows RT is still very little.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/14/2012

Comment

Series:

Both the Microsoft Surface RT and the Surface Pro never really made it big and couldn't compete with its Android and iOs counterparts. A large reason for its low sales figures was due to the unpopularity of the tablet-notebook hybrid category itself. However it is important to note that the Surface Pro 2 is actually a full blown laptop acting as a hybrid. For a start, it comes with Windows 8.1 backed up with an Intel Core i5-4300U ultrabook class processor, 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB SSD. It looks and has the same dimensions as the first version making both their accessories compatible with each other. However, there's also the new optional Type Cover 2 which adds backlighting but is on the heavy side and is rather pricey.

The good thing about the surface is of course its ultra portability and undeniable performance. With its specs, it will quite likely outperform many other ultraportable laptops and hybrids. Also not to forget is the fact that it comes preinstalled with Windows 8.1 and has all the necessary built-in ports making it an actual laptop and not just a replacement. The primary I/O, the FHD screen is also accompanied with an included active stylus. The downside to all this is definitely the asking price for the tablet and detachable keyboard combination. There may be some serious competitors giving almost if not the same kind of specs for a lower price. Its kickstand, although improved, is still a letdown as it doesn't conveniently sit on a lap despite being a laptop. All in all, the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 is worthy laptop if budget is not an issue.

NVIDIA GeForce ULP (Tegra 3): Integrated Ultra Low Power (ULP) graphics card in the Tegra 3 SoC. Similar to the Tegra 2 GPU but with additional pixel shaders and optimizations.

These graphics cards are not suited for Windows 3D games. Office and Internet surfing however is possible.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.

3: High-End-SoC for tablets and large smartphones which integrates 4 ARM Cortex A9 Cores and a power saving companion core. Furthermore, a GeForce LP GPU is included that is based on the old GeForce 7.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.

10.60":

This is a standard display format for tablet computers or small convertibles. You see more on the screen than on a smartphone but you can't use big resolutions well. On the other hand, mobility is not a problem.

Microsoft:

Microsoft smartphones and tablets have been tested since 2012. There are many reviews with average ratings. The reader's interest is quite given, but the market share is not big enough for the Top 5 smartphone manufacturers (as of 2016).

72.4%: This rating is poor. More than three quarters of the models are rated better. That is rather not a purchase recommendation. Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.

» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

Devices with the same GPU

Devices with Same Screen Size and/or Weight