My first hand experience with Microsoft Surface PRO. Microsoft recently launched Surface PRO with Windows 8 OS this Feb 9th. We missed the fanfare mainly due to the storm in east coast but also partly users didnt even realize that there was some new product that Microsoft was launching :) I still hear ppl. asking questions what is Surface PRO and what is Windows RT? Is this a PR mistake by Microsoft not revealing one brand identity to end users who are not tech savvy! Apple has iPad (thats it :)). On top of this Windows Surface comes in different forms - one developed by HP, Acer, Asus, Dell and what not.... all adds to confusion to end users!
Below, are few of the pointers where I try to list differences between Windows PRO and Windows RT. Should you go for Windows Surface RT or Windows Surface PRO? There is no one answer but purely depends on your needs -
Here are few pointers that I can list that can help you choose between the 2 products -
1> Windows RT is an exciting new version of Microsoft Windows that is built to run on ARM-based tablets and PCs. Works exclusively with apps available in the Windows Store. ARM based tablets cannot run existing old windows applications.
Surface PRO run all previous version of Windows applications and integrates with your existing enterprise management infrastructure. Use your existing programs and the apps available in the Windows Store as well as it is based on Intel chips i5 processor.
2> Ofcourse, price is something still debatable in the market, as Windows RT is what you can get for $499 odd, v/s PRO @ $899. If you add the additional accessories like Touch keypad, wedge mouse and others you may have to shelve out more - $134 for keypad and 70 for bluetooth wedge mouse. Along with taxes you are looking at somewhere $1300 which is lot even if you are just looking for a high end laptop.
3> PRO does come with Stylus pen - which I think is pretty cool. Remember, however that's not a luxury, but really a necessity as when you switch to OLD windows applications you really need the pen as the fonts (such as the menu bar) really gets small.
4> Strorage is constantly debatable, and it seems there is 32 GB odd of strorage that is already used by OS and backup, thats not kewl! Technically if you buy 64 GB tablet that would leave you with just 32 GB to begin with. Thats the very reason Microsoft didnt even come up with 32 GB Surface tablet, you will get maybe 1 MB of free storage and oh yes they claim you can always put more on cloud :)
5> Camera on PRO is decent enough to do live chat, but not video recording of high quality. Regardless, cannot imagine video recording thru' Surface.
6> You dont get Microsoft Office free with Windows Surface PRO, but it does with come with home/student edition with Windows RT. Remember, this is one of the key product that MSFT is publishing as productivity app.
7> Battery life - PRO claims to have 3-4 hours of battery life v/s Surface RT which can last for 8 hours plus,
8> PRO is slightly, heavier than Windows RT but less than regular laptop weight. Comes with USB 3.0 which is faster I/O devices connect compared to USB 2.0. You can connect with HDMI devices.
Both Windows RT and Surface PRO do not come with wi-fi from Microsoft manufactured devices (though learn that AT&T has started selling those!). I find this little wierd and loses the concept of device everywhere!
Regardless, I can bet that Windows Surface PRO is much better option that Windows RT (infact when i was in Microsoft Store, RT displays were not even looked by customers :)). Price is still a big concern for me but i would love to buy one!
Cheers - Dipesh
Here are few pointers that I can list that can help you choose between the 2 products -
1> Windows RT is an exciting new version of Microsoft Windows that is built to run on ARM-based tablets and PCs. Works exclusively with apps available in the Windows Store. ARM based tablets cannot run existing old windows applications.
Surface PRO run all previous version of Windows applications and integrates with your existing enterprise management infrastructure. Use your existing programs and the apps available in the Windows Store as well as it is based on Intel chips i5 processor.
2> Ofcourse, price is something still debatable in the market, as Windows RT is what you can get for $499 odd, v/s PRO @ $899. If you add the additional accessories like Touch keypad, wedge mouse and others you may have to shelve out more - $134 for keypad and 70 for bluetooth wedge mouse. Along with taxes you are looking at somewhere $1300 which is lot even if you are just looking for a high end laptop.
3> PRO does come with Stylus pen - which I think is pretty cool. Remember, however that's not a luxury, but really a necessity as when you switch to OLD windows applications you really need the pen as the fonts (such as the menu bar) really gets small.
4> Strorage is constantly debatable, and it seems there is 32 GB odd of strorage that is already used by OS and backup, thats not kewl! Technically if you buy 64 GB tablet that would leave you with just 32 GB to begin with. Thats the very reason Microsoft didnt even come up with 32 GB Surface tablet, you will get maybe 1 MB of free storage and oh yes they claim you can always put more on cloud :)
5> Camera on PRO is decent enough to do live chat, but not video recording of high quality. Regardless, cannot imagine video recording thru' Surface.
6> You dont get Microsoft Office free with Windows Surface PRO, but it does with come with home/student edition with Windows RT. Remember, this is one of the key product that MSFT is publishing as productivity app.
7> Battery life - PRO claims to have 3-4 hours of battery life v/s Surface RT which can last for 8 hours plus,
8> PRO is slightly, heavier than Windows RT but less than regular laptop weight. Comes with USB 3.0 which is faster I/O devices connect compared to USB 2.0. You can connect with HDMI devices.
Both Windows RT and Surface PRO do not come with wi-fi from Microsoft manufactured devices (though learn that AT&T has started selling those!). I find this little wierd and loses the concept of device everywhere!
Regardless, I can bet that Windows Surface PRO is much better option that Windows RT (infact when i was in Microsoft Store, RT displays were not even looked by customers :)). Price is still a big concern for me but i would love to buy one!
Cheers - Dipesh
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