Review: Microsoft Surface RT tablet PC2

An insight into the future of computing
It must be maddening to think that Microsoft invented the tablet computing genre in 2002 before anybody else. Unfortunately the earliest tablet machines were clunky and expensive, which missed the entire point.
I think it's fair to say that the RT actually embraces the entire point by making computing light, affordable and accessible.exynos 4412 ramos w30
I thought that the metro interface worked beautifully on the tablet's screen. But what impressed me most of all was how on the tablet device you could then go to the Windows 8 desktop and compute and work like you'd probably worked for the last 15 years. The RT comes with specially optimized versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote pre-installed.
By clicking the Windows symbol on the bottom of the screen or on the keyboard you are back within to the Metro screen.
I think the essence of what Microsoft tried to do here is quite impressive. The metro screen with its tiles and apps is actually called the Start screen and the way to think of it is a large version of the traditional 'Start' button that used to pop up on the left hand side of the screen.
I also think what Microsoft has accomplished with Windows 8 on the RT and Pro devices is a signpost to the future of personal computing in that it has stolen a march on Apple and Google.
You see, people will want tablet computing experiences but the option of being able to launch a full desktop to do specific tasks, manage data, etc, is going to be very important.
Don't be too surprised to see future versions of Google Android devices or Apple's iPad sport the ability to launch tablet-optimised versions of Chrome OS or OS X or whatever (tablet pc quad core)it will be known as then. Isn't this exactly the merging of tablet and desktop computing that Tim Cook has been speaking of?
And so I think in this respect Microsoft has humbugged Google and Apple in a clever way.
Microsoft makes good use of the long screen to provide structure for the various apps that are available via the Windows Store. Apps like Netflix, The Irish Times, Skype and CNET come across as simple, tailored and elegant.
However, unfortunately apps is the department where I believe Windows 8 falls down. While Microsoft has done a good job in building up its Windows Store to some 70,000 apps, it still has a long way to go to catch up on Apple's App Store with in excess of 300,000 apps.
Windows 8 does a great job of providing the kind of uncluttered computing experience consumers desire but it also limits their choices when it comes to downloading popular apps. For example, most of the big name apps are there like Skype, Netflix and Eveote, but it feels strange with no direct apps from Twitter or Facebook or Spotify. That said the People section does a great job of pulling all your friends' social notifications together.
However, unless it's already baked into the system or you can download it via the Windows Store, users are limited in the apps they can deploy.
Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote give you a good insight into the new generation of Office apps and they work wonderfully on the Surface RT.
But the challenge for the software industry particularly the guys who make video games will be finding a way of packaging top games for users of Surface RT. In other words, get busy and build some apps.
But even so, it also comes with a strong range of apps like SkyDrive, Explorer 10, Xbox Music, Video and Games to keep you busy.
Hardware
The battery life on the Surface RT is pretty good I'd get about two days on a standard charge. The device is powered by a 31.5 W-h battery. The Surface RT comes with a magnetic power cable that clicks neatly into the side. The only criticisms I have really centre on the actual power plug, which is much larger than those that ship with rival Android or iPad devices.
One of the things that Microsoft has gotten right in particular is the various coection points, including the full size USB 2.0 port and the micro SDXC card slot.
In terms of storage the Surface RT comes in 32GB and 64GB configurations and these can be expanded by up to 64GB via the microSD card slot.ONDA V812 Quad Core
For shooting video, taking photos and doing video conferences the Surface RT comes with two 720p HD LifeCams front and back and it also comes with two microphones and stereo speakers.
The Surface RT it comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology and all the usual accelerometers light sensors, gyroscopes and compass that you'd expect to find on tablet computers.
One of the tricky things about the Type cover is just how compressed it is in terms of space. This is not a machine for men with fat fingers.
That said, when you try working on it you get used to it pretty quickly and when you stop thinking about where your fingers are and just focus on the screen it all comes together quite nicely.
Conclusion
I think Microsoft have really achieved something good with the Surface RT. I hadn't been expecting to like it as much as I have.
It is like Microsoft adopted the lessons of the past three years and instead of just matching requirements it exceeded them.
Instead of a device that is a watered down version of Windows 8, Microsoft has actually been quite generous to the end user. It has managed to stay loyal to its original vision of unleashing a complete Windows experience, only without the excess baggage.
The Surface RT is sleek, elegant and rugged and provides users with the best of both worlds: personal computing as they had known it and tablet computing as they desire it right now.
It is the perfect device for work and play.
The only thing it needs to get right? Hurry up with the apps folks.