First of all I would like to mention that I also have a full-fledged Windows 8 Gaming PC, Notebook with Windows 8 and Xbox 360, I'm so used to the Microsoft Windows 8 ecosystem. Only the mobile Windows Phone me had not convinced there I use Android. As I had a tablet iPad4 which lack office and printing facilities however disappeared already for a few months. I then simply no longer there hergenommen maximum 1x per week for 10 minutes Internet surfing on the sofa, but it was too expensive and too bad.
For Surface: What struck me negatively immediately after unpacking, the tablet was completely discharged (0% battery), so I had it once depend on the power and let invite 10min before the Surface was ready. Then it went up on Windows logins and a few basic settings further - up to this point everything is OK. And then negative again: Update-Marathon. But that's one accustomed of Windows, even if everything should change with Windows 8, it does not have everything the same.
So dutifully made all updates and a bit played around, even with the games and the Store. The number of apps I do not care, it's much more important to me that what I need is here. From the work I get every now and then packed images of new documents (Word and Excel with VB), I need to test for everyday suitability. So loaded FTP app and Zip app and the attempt failed already when connecting to the FTP of the company, since the port is probably "exotic" to the app. In the Zip software I still read in the reviews that probably should go no multipart archives, also rather suboptimal. Here, then, would be potential for 7zip and FileZilla, oh moment does not work, Windows RT is.
A solution I have but then found: Network Drive and Remote Desktop for PC. This works surprisingly well and smoothly, even if it sounds totally stupid 2 devices for to have up and running, so the PC in the office on the first floor is sometimes unattainable far away when lounging comfortably on the sofa on the ground floor.
For the actual Tablet benefit, so browsing, YouTube, e-mail and mini-games I no longer have to write a lot, this is just like any manufacturer tablet (eg, Google Nexus and Apple iPad) super useful and also very fast on the road.
Otherwise, the surface makes a very well-made impression, everything great stability. The screen is great, rich colors and exceptional brightness. You can leave the display safely at 50% brightness and read everything very well. When the keyboard and mouse I have choose not to touch or cover type, simply because I look at 120 or 130 as usury. Instead, it does Microsoft Wedge Mobile Keyboard for Tablets and a Microsoft Wedge Touch Mouse, bought and paid for together 60 each through Amazon Warehouse Deals. Thanks to Bluetooth without any dongle ready and the USB remains free.
The next test was the presentation on TV. Thanks to my Canon camera I already have an MicroHDMI to HDMI cable to connect the right next to my bed ends (hooray for laziness) and could use this - works just fine.
Then I wanted to print a document, I have a Ricoh Aficio SG 2100 N network printer, the Surface is the printer in the network and installs it obviously, but unfortunately is thus not print because WindowsRT this classifies as not compatible. Although the printer is installed with the built-in WindowsRT Ricoh "Universal" driver, but then nothing will be printed, only the printer reports to get something, but will not start a print job and returns to Standby. Too bad here I had hoped for something more, and will look for an alternative printer out.
Finally, I then, brave as I am, the update to WindowsRT dared 8.1 Preview and discovered some really nice new features. There is thus again a Start button - for me more accessible than the "Touch" button in the middle, finally, Outlook and you can make the tiles on the Start menu smaller. The Outlook has pleased me most, since I'm already used to this from the PC and enjoy working with it.
For me the purchase of Surface was worth, although I now need another printer and not for anything an App is available, it's fun and I do not want to miss, so 5 stars.
This review is written by the way on the Surface RT described herein, including keyboard and mouse.
