Microsoft Surface RT

[dwilsonfl]

So I've got a few Thinkpads at school and home, a Nexus 7" tablet, an iPad 2 the school lets me use, and 6 Chromebooks I use at school. So why am I looking at the $200 refurb Surface RT+ touch keyboard deal I just saw?

RT is almost certainly going away.
The Surface might be too.
It won't support my favorite browser (Chrome) and I hate Internet Explorer.
The Office version it has is a preview of a subscription version.

Apparently I am a sucker for gadgets.

[underclocker]

Well, at $170 delivered, it's hard to say no --> http://www.ebay.com/itm/181265693099

So far today 12,500 have been sold via this eBay item. [Update: Over 18,000 were sold in one day.]

I have one and really like it, after all the updates including Windows 8.1. It's a really snappy and amazing machine. It runs all the apps that I use, Netflix, Skype, etc., it comes with the FULL Office 2013 (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint), it has a Windows desktop, easy remote control of other machines/servers, plus it has a larger screen.

Search YouTube for "Why I love my Surface RT" and you'll see some great, explanatory videos.

It's nice to see three viable tablet platforms, IOS, Android and Windows RT

[Temetka]

I have been seeing some great deals on the Surface RT. So many that I am tempted to sell some extra gear and buy one. I figure it would be a cheap investment to get my feet wet with Microsoft's tablets and Windows 8 in general. I ran Windows 8 on my X61T and it ran wonderful. I have also watched some videos on youtube of people showing off their RT's and as much as I wanted to NOT be impressed, I was. The UI ran fluid, the apps available are pretty good. But I would want the touch keyboard. Does that work with the RT or just the Pro?

[underclocker]

The UI ran fluid, the apps available are pretty good.

I was surprised as well, by the video and reality. The performance is shockingly good on the original Surface RT.

But I would want the touch keyboard. Does that work with the RT or just the Pro?

Either keyboard works on any model. I purchased a bundle that included the touch keyboard. The craziest thing is that the Surface RT has a normal USB 2.0 port and Bluetooth. You can just use any wired or wireless keyboard and mouse you wish, not just the Microsoft options. It also has an HDMI port, so you can just use the RT as a desktop box and use a normal keyboard, mouse and display. You basically have Windows 8.1 and Office 2013 running like a normal computer. You can print to any printer that supports Windows 8.1. It's pretty nice.

It won't be long before your (Windows) phone is your desktop box.

[dorronto]

Thanks Ed. Convinced me! Just bought one....

Here we go again...............

Ron

[Temetka]

Thanks for the info UC.

Hmm...phone as primary computer.

Totally possible with today's quad and octa core phones.

[underclocker]

One more feature to love, playing games with the Xbox 360 controller, wired (via USB) or wireless (with the USB wireless receiver). Asphalt 7: Heat, for example, is a great driving game that runs incredibly and work really well with the controller. Or, just use the HDMI out to a large HDTV and the Surface is like an Xbox console.

[dwilsonfl]

So who has the best price and do I go Surface 1 or Surface 2 or does it matter?

[RealBlackStuff]

Well, at $170 delivered, it's hard to say no --> http://www.ebay.com/itm/181265693099

So far today 12,500 have been sold via this eBay item. [Update: Over 18,000 were sold in one day.]

All gone!

[underclocker]

Microsoft was selling the Surface RT 32GB for $199. They sold out and they also sold out of the newer Surface 2 32GB & 64GB and the original Surface RT 64GB. Best Buy sold out and Micro Center sold out, too.

Good for Microsoft. They finally built a nice tablet and got the pricing right.

[Unknown_K]

Is the $199 a clean out inventory price or the original?

[Temetka]

Yeah, i'd like a Surface RT but I just can't justify it. I have too many expenses and not enough income to be able to afford more gear.