Category Archives: SurfaceRT

May
13
2015

Microsoft’s Surface 3 (Initial Impressions)

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Just got a newly released Microsoft Surface 3 tablet which is next in line from the Surface 2.

The Surface 3 is slightly larger, uses a different power connection, and most important of all is an Intel platform vice an ARM platform.  For the first time, the “low” end Surface device can run any software from the x86 (and x64) software base.  In the old Surface 2, applications could only be loaded from the Windows Store…not bad, but running Firefox, Photoshop Elements, etc. were not available on the ARM-based Windows RT operating system.  Now, with the Surface 3, a full Windows 8.1 environment exists…and all my favorite software can run.

Once set up, I installed my favorite Firefox browser and a few other tools.  I took the Surface 3 on a trip recently and used it as time permitted.  One noticeable problem was with the TYPE keyboard…it appears the SPACE-bar doesn’t always respond to depressing the bar – especially at the very end of the bar.  It appears that there may be slightly too much flex in the bar and the two points of switch contact toward the center of the bar don’t receive enough “depress” to create the space character.  I’ll have to try some other TYPE keyboards to see if a similar problem exists…it didn’t on the Surface 2 with either the first or second generation Type keyboard.

Another interesting challenge is the power connection…the Surface 3 uses a micro USB.  This means it can only go in one way vice the two way alignment of the Surface 2 and Surface RT.  I am concerned that the USB plug could be damaged/broken if too much front/back pressure is applied by non-delicate handling.  Additionally, the Surface 2 used a 12v power brick with a more flexible wire…since the Surface 3 uses a 5 volt (actually 5.2 volt) power at higher current, the wire size is larger and consequently stiffer.  This is a challenge in wire handling and storage.

The Surface 2 came with the full suite of Office installed.  Surface 3 comes with a year’s free Office 365.  Nice, but after a year, an additional $70 or so will be needed for another year’s subscription…considering Home and Student is about $140 and it works for multiple years…the perceived “cost” of the Surface 3 is significantly more than the Surface 2.

In general, I like the Surface devices and don’t need the powerhouse of the Surface PRO line.  The Surface 2 was a very good device, small, lightweight, and very functional.  It appears the Surface 3 is the same and even better in that I can load some software I really like.

Best deal in town…I pre-ordered the COSTCO package…Surface 3, black type keyboard, pen…savings over $80.  Loss of color of keyboard and pen, but no big deal considering the savings.

 Overall I like the Surface 3.  My rating for the Microsoft Surface 3 — 4 out of 5 stars.

Pros:

  • It runs Windows 8.1 software…yea!
  • It can run my favorite Firefox!
  • Pen capable (I haven’t tried it yet)
  • Expandable micro SD storage
  • No detectable speed/performance problems for my use

Cons:

  • Type keyboard SPACE-bar is a challenge to composing any material without paying attention to space character insertion
  • USB power connection may be subject to breakage, and the stiffer wire doesn’t afford the flexibility of previous Surface devices.

Note: Any names/trademarks used are NOT an endorsement of those items…but are provided for reference only and are owned by their owner.

Oct
31
2013

Dell Venue 8 pro – An 8″ Tablet – First Impressions

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Today, I received the new Dell Venue 8 pro tablet, an 8″ form factor running an Intel x86 platform (Atom processor, up to 1.8GHz).  I had ordered the 32GB storage version and used a 16GB micro SD card for secondary storage.  I also ordered the optional active pen.

Here’s some first impressions:

  • Size is OK and easily held in one hand portrait or landscape.
  • It runs Windows 8.1 so the added desktop and other flexibility is welcomed.  Since it runs 8.1, I could install my favorite browser, Firefox, and that worked out just fine.
  • To conserve main storage, I installed Firefox to the micro SD drive…no performance problems noted.
  • “Activating” Windows 8.1 was not a problem, but turning on the included Windows Office required entering the 25 character license string…difficult at best.  (Don’t know why Office had to be activated since it came OEM from Dell as part of the package).
  • My normal setup is to create a local-only admin account, and then create a connected user account with user only privileges…works OK on the tablet.
  • Once I signed in using the user account, the Venue 8 pro loaded up my standard Windows Store applications…a nice touch with Windows 8 and 8.1, even RT.
  • Windows Update took a long time.  I suspect that this Dell Tablet is not as fast as the Surface 2 (note the Surface 2 is significantly faster than Surface RT), but maybe not as slow as the Surface RT.
  • I had also ordered the Active PEN from Dell.  Given the small real estate on the 8″ and the sometimes small area for touch, the pen worked OK sometimes!  Sometimes it multiple character-ed an entry requiring clearing the field and re-entering.
  • I especially like the soft keyboard in Windows 8 and 8.1.  I find it far superior to that of Android systems which are generally better than my iPad experiences.  In each of the three platforms, there are context changes in the soft keyboard, but I still find the Windows 8 versions the best of the breed.
  • No heat problems were noticed although a little warmth was detected in the back middle of the tablet, and the small power brick where the USB cable plugs into for device power. (I haven’t tried to drain the battery yet.)
  • Screen image and resolution were OK for my eyes, although the brightness changes with the ambient light – dimmer in darkness, brighter in more light – and if you are in a “grey area” the brightness changes back and forth – an annoyance.
  • Applications seem to run OK.
  • The new icon sizes on the START screen are a help…especially the small icon…enabling more icons to appear on a single START screen.  Scrolling by touch is good on this device.
  • In my setup of the Surface 2, the wi-fi search saw 4 networks…the Venue 8 pro in the same location only saw 2 networks…potentially indicating a less sensitive radio.  (I have 2 networks in my house…the others are neighboring networks).
  • With all the applications basically installed, about 8 GB of main storage is free, the rest being taken up by the OS, the applications, and the restore partition.  Redirecting folders – Pictures, Documents, Downloads, Music – to the D: drive (the micro SD) is easy via the properties.  Good for managing space.
  • No full size USB port, only the micro port.  Connecting a flash drive will require a USB On The Go adapter…or just make multi-use of the “power cable” and get a A-female to A-female adapter.
  • The micro SD card has a nicely protected slot; documentation suggests a SIM card will also have a future slot (on a future model release).
  • The Windows Key is on the top (portrait mode) but I didn’t have any difficulties with its placement.
  • The Dell active pen works with Windows Journal…a nice feature of Windows 8.1 x86 and bringing me back to my first tablet usage, and early Motion Computing M1200 tablet…my best way of taking notes via the Journal application and passive pen.

As with other tablet devices, I consider the Dell Venue 8 pro to be a consumption device and not much of a production device; my general usage does not require large amounts of “disk” storage.  Windows 8(.1) in general suffers from a lack of applications that are common on the iPAD and Android platforms…especially some tools I like to use and news readers.  Hopefully those developers will offer same in the Windows Store.

Dell is suggesting a future keyboard, and you can connect a Bluetooth keyboard now, thus providing some easier productivity capability.  Still even with an 11″ screen, there is not enough real estate for complex operations that often require multiple desktop screens at once.  That’s why I don’t want to see the desktop go away and why some of my machines will stay at Windows 7.

Pros:

  • Windows 8.1 x86 platform
  • Light weight, easy to hold
  • Compact size
  • Windows Journal

Cons:

  • Like most tablets, not a productivity platform for me.
  • Overly sensitive brightness in non-uniform lighting areas
  • Pen occasionally causes rapid multiple character entry (perhaps needs mouse adjustments).
  • Music sound via tiny speaker…use ear phones
  • At times noticeably slow – even with Windows Update
  • Don’t lose the Pen…it costs $35.

Overall rating 3 out of 5 stars.

Recommended configuration:  Base machine with 32GB storage; 16GB and greater micro SD; active pen; a protective case with pen storage,

ED

Oct
24
2013

Hello Windows Surface 2 (RT version) – Updated

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Having retired my RT Surface 1 last week at Best Buy, on Tuesday (22 Oct) it was time to go back to Best Buy and redeem my $200 trade-in card, plus some additional monies, for a new Microsoft Surface 2.

First Impressions:

  • The case is lighter in color – a light grey/silver
  • The power connector connects MUCH easier, and it is easy to tell it is connected with the new ring light
  • My older TYPE keyboard works just fine – no plans on getting the newer version.
  • Once started, it appears to boot faster
  • More importantly, it appears to operate much faster
  • Once setup, and logged in via my Microsoft account, it identified all my software from earlier versions and enabled me to opt to install them – nice.
  • The DESKTOP icon on the Start Screen was not there…it was in the All Apps screen and could be pinned to the Start Screen
  • The Kick Stand, now in two positions vice the older version which had only one; seemed less sturdy than the older model.
  • I elected to continue with a 32GB SSD configuration and used the older model’s 16GB microSD for additional storage memory.  Since I don’t use the Surface for a production machine, 32GB or main storage and 16GB of auxiliary storage is more than sufficient.  About 12GB of storage is available on the main SSD.  (Note: I usually set up the machine with a local admin account and one user account tied to Microsoft login.)  It appears that having a microSD for additional storage is a necessity on tablet computing devices.
  • I like Windows 8.1 RT better than the 8.0 version although I would like to see a Firefox version of the browser.  The desktop IE version is OK.
  • I installed the Google search application…it is a nice way to achieve an alternate browser experience.
  • WiFi seems to be picking up additional neighboring hot spots…means it is probably more sensitive.
  • My usage is not heavily dependent on main storage…pictures are in my camera not in my tablets.  Music is in my iPod.

As with other tablet devices, I consider the Surface 2 to be a consumption device and not much of a production device, although the 10″ form factor makes some productivity possible especially with the included Office Suite.  Windows 8(.1) in general suffers from a lack of applications that are common on the iPAD and Android platforms…especially some tools I like to use and news readers.  Hopefully those developers will offer same in the Windows Store.

Pros:

  • Windows 8.1 platform – and the Office Suite
  • Generally easy to hold – no better than other 10″ devices
  • Significant speed improvement…much, much better
  • Ability to continue to use existing keyboards
  • Apparently the Wi Fi is more sensitive in the Surface 2
  • Full size USB port, and now USB v3 capable

Cons:

  • Productivity potential limited based on real estate
  • Some common iPAD and Android applications/tools not available in the Windows Store.
  • Inability to install my browser of preference – Firefox

Overall rating 4 out of 5 stars.

Recommended configuration:  Base machine with 32GB storage; 16GB and greater micro SD…move some folders to the micro SD to better balance the configuration needs.

ED

 

Oct
16
2013

Goodbye Windows Surface RT (version 1)

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Week of 14 October 2013:  For this week, Best Buy is offering a $200 gift card for trading in a Windows Surface RT (version 1).  Since Microsoft is coming out with Surface 2 (RT and PRO versions) next week, rather then accumulate multiple devices, I took advantage of the $200 offer and it will significantly help in funding a new Surface 2 next week.

Although there is much controversy, I found the RT tablet a very nice device, and its aspect ratio helped with the 10.1″ screen size.  Ability to install applications, having the Office suite, and now with Outlook for e-mail, it is suitable for most of my needs.  For me, the ONLY drawback is my inability to install an alternate web browser such as my favorite Firefox. (The two flavors of Internet Explorer are both frustrating to use and are a serious drawback for RT…with the desktop version being better than the “Metro” version).

For me, 10 inch tablets are more of a consumable device, suitable for many things such as some games, some editing Office documents, and accessible to the file system.  Windows 8.1 RT offered some very nice improvements that accommodated my working style better (on the desktop).  I find that doing original or complex productivity work often requires a larger screen…for me, 22″ or greater – with multiple screens open at the same time.

So for now, goodbye Surface RT, I patiently await Surface 2 next week!

ED

Jun
28
2013

Windows 8.1 RT – Preview

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I installed the 8.1 RT preview on my Surface RT as soon as it was available.  And you could notice some of the changes.  More importantly, some things were reachable within the three clicks I’ve discussed earlier.  And OUTLOOK RT now allows me to access my mail too.  (Note: be careful on setup of e-mail…if you want POP3, then use manual setup…it is complicated to change from IMAP to POP3, and it is also a challenge (I haven’t figured it out yet) to delete an account even if nothing is in it).

ED

Dec
30
2012

Commentary – “Lack of Applications”

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Many commentators are critical about the small number of Applications in the Windows 8/RT ecosystem.  What I fail to see is their mention that the Windows 8/RT platforms are new…thus the number of applications is not at the same level as more “mature” platforms such as Apple’s iPad and Google’s Android.

Where Microsoft and Apple differ is the latter has provided a platform where the iPhone and assorted iPad devices share the same operating system and thus the same application base.  In Microsoft’s case, the Windows Phone 8 platform and the Windows 8/RT “metro” applications do not share the same operating system although they are similar.  The result: different compilations at best and some redesign at worse.

But another factor is key…how many applications does one need.  If there are 10,000 applications available (a very small number on any platform) how many are you going to use???  I have tablets on multiple platforms – iPad 1, Nexus 7, Motorola Xoom, and Microsoft Surface RT.  My average number of applications installed is generally about 50 and the ones I use frequently are probably less than 10.  So if the ecosystem has 10,000 or 100,000, as long as the few I use the device for are available, I’m OK…its the functionality that is import.  (Note: I sometimes install applications to see their functionality and then don’t use it much afterward)

In time, as the number of sales grow, the number of applications will likewise grow.   Look more to the device characteristics and operating system than the application suite…for that will follow for successful devices and operating systems.

ED

Nov
26
2012

Windows 8 / RT Reports

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I just read David Gewirtz’ article on ZDNET about how six ZDNET users feel about Windows 8.  He asked several questions about their experiences with Windows 8 and I’d like to address similar questions here.  So here we go:

  1. How long have you sued Windows 8? Since September 2011 after attending the Microsoft Build in Anaheim CA
  2. Use “Metro” vs. Desktop? Used both
  3. Using “Metro”/”Modern” User Interface Applications? Both; tried multiple applications in the “Metro” interface including: Register, BBC News.
  4. Miss or replaced the classic START menu? Not really.  It is different, adaptable.  Probably missed it most with a conventional PC, but not with a touch (tablet including RT).
  5. Tweaked Windows 8 / RT? For RT, tweaked for larger touch in Office 2013 and desktop; For Windows 8 just normal Windows 7 tweaks…not much.
  6. Using Touch Hardware? Yes; Samsung tablet from Build and, more recently, the Surface RT.  No problems with either.
  7. Which OS to install on a new machine? and Prefer Win7 or Win8 or Windows RT? Depends on machine usage, device connectivity, etc.  General workhorse desk machines with non-touch screens I think I prefer Windows 7; it is stable, and on the large screens enables several things on the desktop.  For touch tablets, clearly Windows 8 / RT.  Recently I used tablet only (Surface) and no keyboard and the touch and START screen were just perfect.  Windows 8 also works well with desktop keyboard and mouse both on the Desktop screen and START screen.  However adaptability to Windows 8 / RT was easy, even overcoming the bugs in applications from dev, to cus preview, to beta was OK.  Some current RT apps exhibit some quirks (see future blog posts).  However, for people who adapt to windows very slowly (and cautiously) and carefully, the change to Windows 8 is too drastic and they are better off staying/using Windows 7.

So there you have some of my views on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows RT.

ED

 

Nov
24
2012

Surface Reports – Wired Ethernet on Surface RT (NOT…no longer NOT)

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UPDATE – 03 Dec 2013:  Apparently Microsoft has relented somewhat and you can now use the wired Ethernet device on Surface tablets, both Surface PRO as well as Surface 2 (RT version).  Specific instructions to follow soon. (:-))

UPDATE – 09 Jul 2013:  The Ethernet device works just fine with Windows RT on my Surface RT.  However, in the Windows 8.1/RT Beta release, which I recently installed on my Surface RT, Microsoft has disabled the ability to use the driver.  In the Beta, the driver is still present from my previous load, however, Microsoft indicates it cannot trust the driver and automatically disabled it with no mechanism for me to over-ride.  So for now, under Windows 8.1, if the Beta release carries forward to GA (scheduled for October), the ability to use wired Ethernet is now non-existent. (:-((

ORIGINAL ENTRY – 24 Nov 2012:  This is the first in a series of reports on the Microsoft SURFACE tablet running Windows RT.  It is based on my personal experiences in using a SURFACE tablet (32GB, type keyboard).

SURFACE has a single USB 2.0 port…wondering if a USB to Ethernet dongle can work under Windows RT (it most certainly can do it with Windows 7 or Windows 8, but RT is the ARM-based processor).

A little research found a lot of USB to Ethernet dongles, but only one concerning Windows RT and adapter from Plugable based on the ASIX AX88772 chipset and only for 10/100 Fast Ethernet (no luck with gigabit Ethernet yet) and available from Amazon for a nice $14.95.

Here is the link to the article and it has the links on downloading the driver and installation:

http://plugable.com/2012/11/16/usb-ethernet-microsoft-surface

The whole process takes a few minutes – you need to install as admin – and works just fine.

ED