So, I have not been very good about writing here lately. I am not sure that will change, but here I am again.
For my birthday, I bought myself a refurbished Microsoft Surface. Yes, the one that runs Windows RT. No, not the new Surface 2, but the original Surface. I found a very good price on a refurbished Surface and I jumped on it when I had the money.
So, some of you may be wondering why I decided on the Windows tablet that may be doing least well of them all. Well, that is why I am here writing today.
First, I reject completely the argument that Windows RT is bad because it does not run Windows legacy apps. That is completely and utter balderdash. No, I do indeed understand that Windows RT does not run Windows legacy apps. What I reject is the idea that this is a mark against it. Will Android run Windows apps? No. Well, is that a mark against it? Does iOS run Windows apps? No. Does iOS run MacOS apps. No. Why is Windows RT judged differently from iOS and Android? Windows RT is Microsoft's attempt to enter the low end tablet market. Just like the tablets that it competes directly against, it does not run Windows or MacOS apps intended for desktop systems. So, all three are even.
Windows RT only fails when compared to Windows 8 tablets, and that is understandable, except that with an ARM processor, it can have a much longer battery life, and a lighter weight. I would put that as two in the plus column for Windows RT.
I have a new Windows 8 laptop that I am typing this on, so I do not really need a full Windows 8 tablet. Though I must admit to being tempted by the Dell Venue 11 Pro, but at more than twice what I paid for my Surface, I was willing to sacrifice a few things I did not really need.
There are plenty of apps in the Microsoft Store. I have installed Kindle, Netflix, and I already had a news, sports and mail app. Once I updated to Windows RT 8.1, I was all set. I also get Office, and I do not mean an Office clone, like you get on Android or iOS, I mean Office, the original and still the best. I haven't installed many games, but that will come as I work my way through figuring out what I want.
One big thing for me was that I wanted a keyboard. 10"+ tablets are a little useless without one. I had a 10" Android tablet and it screamed out to me constantly for a keyboard. I ended up trying out three different ones. Swype is nice, but it is really hard to do more than a few words. By the way I prefer Swype to Swiftkey. Swype is fine for stuff about the length of a text message. I am sure it works great in Twitter...then again I do not use Twitter. But, for longer emails, or writing something like this post...not so much.
The only other Windows tablet in my price range was the Asus T100, which is a great machine at a great price....with an unusable keyboard. At least, it is unusable for someone with my big hands...or at least me with my big hands (no, you can't have them). I have tried out both the TouchCover and the TypeCover at my local Microsoft store and surprise, I can use both of these. They are actually full size keyboards.
I have a TypeCover that I hope will be arriving this week.
Most importantly, the price was right. None of the other tablets I was looking at could match the price. Oh, there were some lesser Android tablets, but the ones in the same price range are not ones I want. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, which would be my Android preference was twice the price.
So, I am starting off the new year on the Surface, and as the year progresses I will let you know what it is like to live with the Surface.
