Microsoft Surface RT (32GB)

I was all set to purchase my Surface directly through the Microsoft website, then I got the brilliant idea to check amazon. I got more bang for my buck, for sure! the 32 gb and a type style keyboard on amazon were cheaper than the 16 gb and a touch style keyboard from Microsoft.I love what this tablet does because it is enough for me. It does not do EVERYTHING a laptop and my Kindle Fire HD together could do, but those things it does it does WAY better. starts up way faster than any laptop I've ever seen, and while my classmates are choosing their seats based on proximity to outlets, I am typing away and surfing the net without fear of losing power for a full 8 hours. I can quickly switch from Excel, where i'm using functions to calculate answers for problems in my Financial Management class, to a scientific/graphing calculator app for those problems that can't be functioned in Excel.I can't watch my DVR recordings via dishanywhere, and the sling player app is $15, but I can make do with watching in on another mobile device for which there IS an app. I can't seem to get my amazon prime content either, but i'm sure that's user error, or a function that will become more widely available eventually.one major advantage over the Kindle Fire (just addressing the tablet aspect of the device here) is the two cameras, and the ability to take video with sound. since the Surface will typically be within arm's reach, watch for my kitties on AFV. =)I love the tiles feature, and its customizability. apps like weather channel and facebook can have bigger tiles so I can see notifications at a glance, while I've made the email app tile as small as possible, so i'm not broadcasting what I've received to anyone who is looking at my home screen.I love the touch screen password feature, but if you use that remember to clean your screen often, because with all the oils in our skin, repeated touch gestures can EASILY be seen in the residue we leave behind.I would suggest buying an anti-glare screen protector immediately. it is MUCH easier on my eyes since I've installed one with a matte finish. no glare from overhead lights or sunshine! though it IS winter in my neck of the woods so that hasn't been much of a problem.i'm used to a split natural keyboard, so this tiny little thing is a little tough on my hands, but for light application such as status updates or typing reviews on amazon, it's just perfect. my fingers have adjusted quickly and I rarely hit the wrong key.I love that the keyboard detaches quickly and reattaches easily. very powerful magnets, you just get the keyboard close to the right position and it snaps into place. and if you want to do no typing, just pop it off and set it aside.the built in stand on the back of course only works for landscape mode and of course in only one position, but with the non slip backing on the keyboard, you can push the stand in and rest the tablet/screen portion on something else to get the perfect angle for your viewing.if you're looking for a powerful laptop replacement, this is NOT what you want. internet based games run slowly and aren't as responsive as on a traditional PC, it doesn't run Microsoft Access (but runs the rest of the suite including Outlook with the latest upgrade, free in the app store), and you CAN NOT install your own programs (like the plug in necessary to run dishanywhere on the device). but if you want something with more day-to-day functionality than an e-reader and don't need all the bells and whistles of a traditional laptop, this is a great option.

I have used and own several of these original Surface tablets. They're excellent tablets. Build quality is excellent and Microsoft support is as well. This is the first generation of these tablets and they were a good start. They improved a lot after several OS and firmware updates after release. New ones are harder and harder to find now days because this product has been replaced by the Surface 2, which is very similar to this one, but with some good improvements, such as a two position kickstand and support for some new features (think wireless projection). For the price, this is one of the best tablets on the market. I buy them for my company because they are inexpensive and can be used for several solutions, such as kiosks.The biggest negative about this and all Windows RT based tablets is that some popular apps that exist on Apple and Android app stores are not yet available on the Windows Marketplace. However, most missing apps have full function websites that actually work better than the apps and can be used on the Surface browser instead of the app.Choosing mobile devices such as tablets is a very personal experience; everyone has their own opinions about what is best and their own list of needs. I have owned and used this Surface RT, the Surface 2 and I'm now using the Surface Pro 3. I like them all better than anything else on the market. I particularly like their well-made, slim, Type Cover keyboards and their built-in kickstands. It takes a little time to learn, but I really like Windows 8.1; it's nice having access to the Windows desktop and a tablet interface all in one. The Surface tablets also have expansion ports such as HDMI/Mini-Display ports (very handy for presentations and for hooking up to external monitors in the office or TVs in the office or hotel rooms), USB ports and built-in card readers. In fact, I'm currently writing this review on my Surface Pro 3 and I haven't taken my laptop out of the office in over two years. I used my Surface RT and my Surface 2 in place of my laptop whenever traveling or working from home and I now use my Surface Pro 3 and I don't miss the laptop at all. Heck, I used one of these Surface RT's to run the projector presentations at a two-day sales meeting a couple months ago and it worked perfectly.I think Surface tablets can work for anyone willing to take the time to get used to Windows 8.1. However, if there are apps you are using with Apple iOS or Android and you feel you absolutely have to have them to be happy, you need to check the Windows app store to see if the app or an acceptable alternative is available before committing. As I said earlier, most apps have websites that work on these tablets if you are ok using the browser instead of an app; something to consider before writing the tablet off.One other thing to be aware of about this particular Surface tablet is that it is one of the earlier models and after you power it on, it will download and install several OS and firmware updates, which will actually change the tablet interface considerably from the time you first power it on up until the latest firmware and OS updates have been installed. It shouldn't be a problem, but is something to be aware of if you buy this tablet. If you force the updates, it will take a few hours to completely bring the tablet up to date. However, if you allow it to do it at it's own pace automatically, the updates could span several days, because the updates will run automatically in the background and ask you to reboot as necessary.