The Surface RT is still a great tablet. I strongly disagree with the fact that it was a flop, or a failure as you have stated. It should be in all the schools and perfect for a college student who wants access to everything at the palm of their hands, such as the text books we read, to the MS Word or One Note that one can take and organize their notes.. :)
This is the only comparison video which gave me clarity about the differences between the 2 different devices. I went with the pro. Thanks for the help!
Thank you so much for such a detailed video and showing that both carry powerpoint, word, and excel. You have cleared everything I needed to except if it had outlook. Still, no other review I've seen really clarified the difference.
Great review as always, keep up the good work. Just one thing, if you had a little more light in your videos it would be awesome, apart from that its perfect. Always a joy to listen and watch your videos :)
I got myself the Surface 2 over the Pro version. I have a full-out gaming rig and I just wanted something to sync my documents with in regards to my course/class/school work. Surface 2 complements my desktop and doesn't limit or hinder any of the formatting in my course work. Also, I like having passive cooling, not having to worry too much about driver issues, and the slim form factor. I'm glad MS revised the RT edition of the Surface. I believe they have themselves a winner.
I considered returning the type for the touch cover when more came in stock, but I have found that I have almost no issues on the touch cover in regards to typing speed when working on documents. I actually prefer it over the type now. The touch cover 2 is also more accurate than the previous generation of touch covers.
OMG you exclaimed that you felt it was the same display over and over then around 9-10 minutes in you pick up the RT and say how you CAN see some great difference! What? Having said that i appreciate that you do realize that for some users it will be a great product. Speaking of the RT version because many people hate it without understanding.
This was really helpful. Before i couldn't figure out which one to get because i was unsure about the processing system and what apps would come with the tablets. After watching this i came to conclusion the pro 2 is the one for me.
Great review! Excellent job with explaining the your views backed by actual facts. Found this review really useful unlike many other Surface reviews out there! Kudos!
This helped so much. I just purchased a surface pro 2 because I need a laptop, but also something I'm able to do graphic designing with. Even though the surface pro 3 is coming out soon, the pro 2 seems better for someone on the run
RT has full Office and it works usually more smoothly for some reason. It is more than a tablet but less than a PC. If you dont need any random apps from internet, go with RT. You wont be disappointed
Hey NachBear, Microsoft will be releasing a keyboard bar/adapter that attaches to the touch/type keyboards so you can use them as wireless keyboards if you would like i.e. w/a PC. Without the dock, the keyboards physically attach to the surface with hard connections; they only work when attached to the surface through a proprietary connection.
One thing worth noting, is that the Surface 2 comes with Microsoft Office preinstalled, whereas the Surface Pro 2 only comes with a trial version. You will have to buy the full version after a limited time.
This is exactly why I'm getting one. My desktop has rendered my (well specc'ed) laptop kind of redundant, and I really just want something for on the go. This is a really, really nice tablet.
If you use things day to day like MS office, internet browser, look at PDFs, social media, email all you need is the surface 2. If you need a full computer that needs legacy apps and active digitizer pen go for the Pro.
I wonder if the difference in screen quality can be attributed to the different graphics chips. One being Intel, the other NVIDIA. Also the pro has the digitizer layer added. From my understanding, having watched the Microsoft press event for the new surfaces. They claimed to have increased the color accuracy of the screen on the pro, then took that screen and put it in the surface 2. So from that it seems like they both should have the same screen, other than digitizer support.
Hey Matthew, I have the touch cover 2 in black/grey (w/backlight). I'm fairly proficient with it and I don't like feeling tactile keys if I rotate the keyboard to the back of the device while its attached. I only got it because Best Buy price matched the 10% student disc. and I was concerned they wouldn't price match when the type covers came in because of when I went in a few days earlier a manager wouldn't approve the price match; neither would two other local BB. This day a diff manager did.
Surface 2 should have been lighter, possibly under 500g like GT Pro 10.1 and iPad Air. I can understand the weight of Surface Pro 2, because it is a full laptop. But the Surface 2 is an ARM-based tablet which competes with the two forementioned tablets.
is it true that the Surface 2 comes with Office for free? I mean, you get Office for free forever, no license, no having to repay for Office at any time (until Office issues a version that can't be used by Office 2013) If so, that alone is a big selling point as Office is around $100/year....
brilliant review. other videos completely the surface 2 and make it out to be this unbelievable difference in the pro2. thank you, you've just save me £250!!
Not by a lot. I'm sure everyone would rather have a cheaper-to-produce metal backing than microsofts fancy magnesium, and then add a digitizer. If they did that then I'm sure the price wouldn't have changed much.
what laptop has a Wacom digitzers.. they don't use the magnesium just because its fancy, its very light strong allow, and I was saying that Wacom do not come cheap
Actually, I dont agree with you. It has everything I need from a PC. 1080p touch screen, full office, no lag, UA-cam works 10/10. Web browsing is very smooth and fast. Some neat apps in Store... Social media works 10/10 too
I'm more of the Gaming on the go type of guy.Would The Regular surface 2 tablet be good for playing game such as Team fortress, Civilization, etc.?? I know the pro can, but i'm not sure about the original.
Tawhid Chowdhury No surface 2 can only run apps from the micosoft store, no photoshop no visual studio. you do get a free copy of word with the surface 2 though. i would highly recommend the pro & if you're a school student you get office free :3
I want to buy a new laptop, because my old one is broken. I looking for a laptop that is easy to carry anywhere and light, but I'm also looking for a laptop that can turn into a tablet. Would you think I should buy surface pro 2 or surface pro ? What do you recommend ?
If you use Office a lot and don't usually download application from the web, I will suggest you to buy Surface 2, because you can get office for free. But if want a real PC than buy the pro one
Which Surface would be better to use for school? And are documents downloadable? I hate to use laptops, but since I'm in college, it's looking like I will need one soon. But I've been doing some research, and I am becoming more interested in tablets and so far Surface products are catching my attention.
get the pro. If not solely because of the pro pen. you can use the pro as a notebook and write out notes, and write over powerpoint and excel documents and such. its a good tool to edit word documents also. Documents can be downloaded onto the normal surface, but you'll be able to download software like you can on a normal laptop on the pro. you will only be able to download apps from the store on the regular surface.
If you don`t buy the Pro, you pretty much can`t do anything. By this I mean no actual programs, only apps. Ain`t no college gonna use W8 apps over actual programs.
The Surface is pretty much the only tablet you can use that has the availability of a laptop class Microsoft Office Suite and can also double as a perfectly usable computer provided you don't need to install 3rd party software for Windows.
How big is the difference between the 32GB and 64GB Surface 2, cause honestly I mostly just want to use this thing for school. So for reading online textbooks, notes, and stuff like that.
Nice review. I have to say that the whole apps thing for Surface tablets is pointless. Like you said, they both have a full-blown web browser with HTML 5 and Flash support. Just create a desktop shortcut or pin a metro tile and BOOM, there's your app.
Which one would you recommend for a high school student? I currently take all honours courses and will be going into AP, so I'm going to have an abundance amounts of papers, presentations etc. Also buying one for the next three years so I won't be upgrading every year. I take finance classes and accounting too, and I'm not sure if there are anyapplications onwindows for that. Thank for you help. Merci beaucoup!
You are right but I feel some what restricted coz I wont be able to use photoshop and video editing tools...I am just wondering 128gb ssd would be good for normal use?
Starting up college soon and still unsure of which one to get. Do I go for the one with the stylus and buy office or do I go with the one without the stylus?
If I have 2013 Microsoft Office Professional and I am able to redeem it on up to five computers, am I able to download it on this? Does it work the exact same as a normal PC?
Its a shame I don't wanna hate on RT but for me it's not the lack of apps honestly it isn't because the Windows Store I find is growing each day. My beef is you can't run legacy apps on it. I wish they could and would allow RT to run legacy apps and on both Windows platforms get rid of the desktop all together ! I have the Acer W510 and love it although it is an Atom processor
Andrew Brown I use a Surface 2 with a wireless laptop and mouse while in the field for documentation and remote desktop. I don't see a problem with the desktop you can just ignore it because trust me if they took it out people would lose their minds. I used to use my Iconia W3 but the screen is annoying.
I hear ya I just find that the desktop t date is not equipped for mobile use a la tablet - especially Chrome ( which I enjoy as a browser ) pretty much most of the control panel can be made into icons and put to the start menu like yrs ago from 95 to Vista to win 7 only difference is now the start menu is a separate screen/window and instead of widgets/gadgets they are Metro apps/Live Tiles there really is no need for the desktop honestly save for people and there love of Cat Wallpaper lol which can be now thanx to Win 8.1 update can be used as a back drop in the Metro/Live Tile interface/START menu
Way too long for a handing waving video. Nice voice for video bit too long. No one has enough time to listen for 27 long minutes. I just want a synopsis
I always think there is a scratch on my screen when I watch your vids. Good videos though. Good knowledge
Same here...
Who else thought their screen was cracked?
Scared the sht out of me -.-
The Surface RT is still a great tablet. I strongly disagree with the fact that it was a flop, or a failure as you have stated. It should be in all the schools and perfect for a college student who wants access to everything at the palm of their hands, such as the text books we read, to the MS Word or One Note that one can take and organize their notes.. :)
i agree
This is the only comparison video which gave me clarity about the differences between the 2 different devices. I went with the pro. Thanks for the help!
This is about as in depth a review as one can get. Excellent job.
Thank you so much for such a detailed video and showing that both carry powerpoint, word, and excel. You have cleared everything I needed to except if it had outlook.
Still, no other review I've seen really clarified the difference.
Great review as always, keep up the good work. Just one thing, if you had a little more light in your videos it would be awesome, apart from that its perfect. Always a joy to listen and watch your videos :)
MY bad, my brightness was on only 20% :P Wow, what a difference hehe :D
I got myself the Surface 2 over the Pro version. I have a full-out gaming rig and I just wanted something to sync my documents with in regards to my course/class/school work. Surface 2 complements my desktop and doesn't limit or hinder any of the formatting in my course work. Also, I like having passive cooling, not having to worry too much about driver issues, and the slim form factor. I'm glad MS revised the RT edition of the Surface. I believe they have themselves a winner.
Sir, is there any method for me to install applications in my Surface 2?
You are one of the best reviewers out there. Great job
I considered returning the type for the touch cover when more came in stock, but I have found that I have almost no issues on the touch cover in regards to typing speed when working on documents. I actually prefer it over the type now. The touch cover 2 is also more accurate than the previous generation of touch covers.
OMG you exclaimed that you felt it was the same display over and over then around 9-10 minutes in you pick up the RT and say how you CAN see some great difference! What?
Having said that i appreciate that you do realize that for some users it will be a great product. Speaking of the RT version because many people hate it without understanding.
Its really interesting, because looking on youtube here, clearly to my eyes the tablet on the left has the sharper more crips screen and text.
This was really helpful. Before i couldn't figure out which one to get because i was unsure about the processing system and what apps would come with the tablets. After watching this i came to conclusion the pro 2 is the one for me.
Great review! Excellent job with explaining the your views backed by actual facts. Found this review really useful unlike many other Surface reviews out there! Kudos!
This helped so much. I just purchased a surface pro 2 because I need a laptop, but also something I'm able to do graphic designing with. Even though the surface pro 3 is coming out soon, the pro 2 seems better for someone on the run
Your good at fully explaining your thoughts. Great review!
RT has full Office and it works usually more smoothly for some reason. It is more than a tablet but less than a PC.
If you dont need any random apps from internet, go with RT. You wont be disappointed
Hey NachBear, Microsoft will be releasing a keyboard bar/adapter that attaches to the touch/type keyboards so you can use them as wireless keyboards if you would like i.e. w/a PC. Without the dock, the keyboards physically attach to the surface with hard connections; they only work when attached to the surface through a proprietary connection.
One thing worth noting, is that the Surface 2 comes with Microsoft Office preinstalled, whereas the Surface Pro 2 only comes with a trial version. You will have to buy the full version after a limited time.
Good catch. Thanks for the correction.
This is exactly why I'm getting one. My desktop has rendered my (well specc'ed) laptop kind of redundant, and I really just want something for on the go. This is a really, really nice tablet.
The Surface 2 is already 4 months in, I think I'll save up some money and get the Pro 3.. Great video though.
I am upgrading from surface pro 1 to 3
*****
You don't really need rumors to assume that they will release a SP3.
***** was announced a few days ago. comes out june 20th
Is there a pen that can work with the surface 2?
If you use things day to day like MS office, internet browser, look at PDFs, social media, email all you need is the surface 2. If you need a full computer that needs legacy apps and active digitizer pen go for the Pro.
I wonder if the difference in screen quality can be attributed to the different graphics chips. One being Intel, the other NVIDIA. Also the pro has the digitizer layer added. From my understanding, having watched the Microsoft press event for the new surfaces. They claimed to have increased the color accuracy of the screen on the pro, then took that screen and put it in the surface 2. So from that it seems like they both should have the same screen, other than digitizer support.
Thank you so much! This was a great review!!! I had no idea the difference and now I do.
I loved this video. You're very thorough and knowledgeable !!! Thanks for posting it :)
That particular stylus doesnt work with the regular 2 tablet because it is a digitizer however you could use a rubber felt stylus.
If you love your Surface 2, why would you want to switch to the Pro?
Hey Matthew, I have the touch cover 2 in black/grey (w/backlight). I'm fairly
proficient with it and I don't like feeling tactile keys if I rotate the keyboard to the back of the device while its attached. I only got it because Best Buy price matched the 10% student disc. and I was concerned they wouldn't price match when the type covers came in because of when I went in a few days earlier a manager wouldn't approve the price match; neither would two other local BB. This day a diff manager did.
Awesome comparison. I'm so tired of explaining the difference between these two devices :)
Very unbiased and practical reivew... THANK YOU!!
John, you wont be able to. The regular surface 2 runs RT (reduced OS) and thus you wont be able to install
Also not enough cpu power to run it...
Surface 2 should have been lighter, possibly under 500g like GT Pro 10.1 and iPad Air. I can understand the weight of Surface Pro 2, because it is a full laptop. But the Surface 2 is an ARM-based tablet which competes with the two forementioned tablets.
An amazing review. Thank you. Please do more videos
Best review I have seen so far. Thank you.
Can u connect a USB DVD drive on both of them
can soeone tell me if the stylus for pro still works on the normal #2???
Is it possible to buy a Surface Pro 3 stylis/digital pen and use it with the Surface 2?
is it true that the Surface 2 comes with Office for free? I mean, you get Office for free forever, no license, no having to repay for Office at any time (until Office issues a version that can't be used by Office 2013) If so, that alone is a big selling point as Office is around $100/year....
Very well put together 👌watched of my surface pro 2 💃
can you attatch the keyboard to the surface 2
great job
u actually said everything I needed to know
thanks
Very helpful review!
brilliant review. other videos completely the surface 2 and make it out to be this unbelievable difference in the pro2. thank you, you've just save me £250!!
Let me summarize your review. Tablet vs. laptop.
What are the differences between the Surface pro and Surface pro 2 ?
can the pro 2 pen be used for the surface 2? what is it like?
So cant use The pen on surface 2?... Bummer :\
Yes but that is a capacitive pen stylus because Surface 2 use capacitive Screen.
Awsome great video but I have a question does the pro 2's pen work on the surface 2?
I have a surface 2 and I love it....but now m confused...should I switch to pro 2 or stick with the surface 2?
It's really lame that Microsoft did not put digitizer layer support on RT, otherwise I would definitely pick surface 2 instead of pro 2.
huge omission in my opinion.
but the price will go up a lot :) its Wacom we are talking about
Not by a lot. I'm sure everyone would rather have a cheaper-to-produce metal backing than microsofts fancy magnesium, and then add a digitizer. If they did that then I'm sure the price wouldn't have changed much.
Not to mention laptops at this price running full windows have Wacom digitizers in them.
what laptop has a Wacom digitzers.. they don't use the magnesium just because its fancy, its very light strong allow, and I was saying that Wacom do not come cheap
Actually, I dont agree with you. It has everything I need from a PC. 1080p touch screen, full office, no lag, UA-cam works 10/10.
Web browsing is very smooth and fast. Some neat apps in Store... Social media works 10/10 too
This review type should be set standard. Very good. Thanks..
The pen works good with surface 2?
I'm more of the Gaming on the go type of guy.Would The Regular surface 2 tablet be good for playing game such as Team fortress, Civilization, etc.?? I know the pro can, but i'm not sure about the original.
i was wondering which would be better to use for school but can also be used as a tablet
The surface 2 would be best for school but if only your md5 is re routing are your majoogaly of the oc3 optical line
Tawhid Chowdhury No surface 2 can only run apps from the micosoft store, no photoshop no visual studio.
you do get a free copy of word with the surface 2 though. i would highly recommend the pro & if you're a school student you get office free :3
do both support the pen?
I want to buy a new laptop, because my old one is broken. I looking for a laptop that is easy to carry anywhere and light, but I'm also looking for a laptop that can turn into a tablet. Would you think I should buy surface pro 2 or surface pro ? What do you recommend ?
If you use Office a lot and don't usually download application from the web, I will suggest you to buy Surface 2, because you can get office for free. But if want a real PC than buy the pro one
Which Surface would be better to use for school? And are documents downloadable? I hate to use laptops, but since I'm in college, it's looking like I will need one soon. But I've been doing some research, and I am becoming more interested in tablets and so far Surface products are catching my attention.
I'm wondering this also.
get the pro. If not solely because of the pro pen. you can use the pro as a notebook and write out notes, and write over powerpoint and excel documents and such. its a good tool to edit word documents also. Documents can be downloaded onto the normal surface, but you'll be able to download software like you can on a normal laptop on the pro. you will only be able to download apps from the store on the regular surface.
If you don`t buy the Pro, you pretty much can`t do anything. By this I mean no actual programs, only apps. Ain`t no college gonna use W8 apps over actual programs.
The Surface is pretty much the only tablet you can use that has the availability of a laptop class Microsoft Office Suite and can also double as a perfectly usable computer provided you don't need to install 3rd party software for Windows.
How big is the difference between the 32GB and 64GB Surface 2, cause honestly I mostly just want to use this thing for school. So for reading online textbooks, notes, and stuff like that.
Nice review. I have to say that the whole apps thing for Surface tablets is pointless. Like you said, they both have a full-blown web browser with HTML 5 and Flash support. Just create a desktop shortcut or pin a metro tile and BOOM, there's your app.
Its $899 really. And If you ask me its totally worth it. Its a LAPTOP IN TABLET form factor!
this review is great. very comprehensive
There is no i7....
In the RT u can't download many things from the Internet without the Microsoft Shop. Can you do it with the Surface Pro 2 Hibrid?
what type of keyboard u have with it ?? touch or type and how is your experience ??
At least the RT has a 4g LTE option now.
Who was the dummy that didn't like this detail review best I've seen.
Thought all the surface pro 2 options used the same i5 CPU.
A surface 2 shoots 1080p using the back camera, and 720p with the front camera
Also would it be worth it to upgrade to a pro 2 for things such as iTunes and steam and internet downloadable that you can't get on surface 2
Which one would you recommend for a high school student? I currently take all honours courses and will be going into AP, so I'm going to have an abundance amounts of papers, presentations etc. Also buying one for the next three years so I won't be upgrading every year. I take finance classes and accounting too, and I'm not sure if there are anyapplications onwindows for that. Thank for you help. Merci beaucoup!
Just buy the Surface Pro 3 it's WAY better because there isn't a TON of difference between the original Surface and this one
You are right but I feel some what restricted coz I wont be able to use photoshop and video editing tools...I am just wondering 128gb ssd would be good for normal use?
Hopefully Surface Pro 3 will contain better Battery, Wireless ac, and 4g connectivity.
Is the Pen compatible across the Line, between the Surface2 and Pro2?
Which one the pro or the tablet
No, it's about Surface 2 vs Surface Pro 2.
He ask about old Surface Pro vs Surface Pro 2.
Its says on a few things on the internet that I need an upgraded flash thingo, why is that. I have a surface 2
Hi, I would like to ask if the surface pro pen can be used on surface 2? Does it works well?
Would I be able to download and play League Of legends on the Surface 2 (Not Pro 2) ?
No the surface 2 Can only download Apps from windows store
Starting up college soon and still unsure of which one to get. Do I go for the one with the stylus and buy office or do I go with the one without the stylus?
Well done!
What does "RT" stand for?
Could we install adobe photoshop and photoshop lightroom in Surface 2?
is there pressure sensitivity on the surface 2 ? I had a surface 1 RT and it did have it
Thanks a lot
great video!
Make a video surface pro 2 vs galaxy note pro 12.2
If I have 2013 Microsoft Office Professional and I am able to redeem it on up to five computers, am I able to download it on this? Does it work the exact same as a normal PC?
Its a shame I don't wanna hate on RT but for me it's not the lack of apps honestly it isn't because the Windows Store I find is growing each day. My beef is you can't run legacy apps on it. I wish they could and would allow RT to run legacy apps and on both Windows platforms get rid of the desktop all together ! I have the Acer W510 and love it although it is an Atom processor
No I totally agree....I wish the desktop would have disappeared when Win 8 was released.
Andrew Brown I use a Surface 2 with a wireless laptop and mouse while in the field for documentation and remote desktop. I don't see a problem with the desktop you can just ignore it because trust me if they took it out people would lose their minds. I used to use my Iconia W3 but the screen is annoying.
I hear ya I just find that the desktop t date is not equipped for mobile use a la tablet - especially Chrome ( which I enjoy as a browser ) pretty much most of the control panel can be made into icons and put to the start menu like yrs ago from 95 to Vista to win 7 only difference is now the start menu is a separate screen/window and instead of widgets/gadgets they are Metro apps/Live Tiles there really is no need for the desktop honestly save for people and there love of Cat Wallpaper lol which can be now thanx to Win 8.1 update can be used as a back drop in the Metro/Live Tile interface/START menu
Ok I have the surface pro not the the surface pro 2 just the surface pro but I was wondering if it is better than the Microsoft surface 2
yeah much better :) lol like 200% better
Can you download Premiere or Inventor on the Surface 2?
i like the pro 2 but its just to thick for a tablet
Getting the Surface 2 32Gb is better but then you could buy an 64Gb MicroSD card which turns out cheaper than just buying a 64Gb Surface 2
Way too long for a handing waving video. Nice voice for video bit too long. No one has enough time to listen for 27 long minutes. I just want a synopsis
Does the pen for the surface pro 2 work on the surface 2?
what about for school work which one work best surface 2 or the pro version
I'd say the Surface 2, considering it ships with Microsoft Office Home and Student + Outlook.
thanks
thanks