Looking into buying a Surface 2

[Toasted Waffles]

I'm looking for a simple tablet, lightweight, fast, cheap and realiabe. I want a big screen bigger than 7" and I'm really looking at the surface 2 tablet from Microsoft. Has anyone had experience with this and give me feedback or give me advise for a better solution. Max budget is around 100-600$, 600$ being max.

I am buying a gaming laptop next year some time.

[Kyuubixchidori]

I love my samsung tablet, my friend has a microsoft. Im correct, its the ARM based tablet. those are fine for media consumption, but very limited on app choice. 

[Dylan522p]

What about a Asus T100? It's full Win 8 but still a tablet or laptop whenever needed.

[Giddyguy]

The Surface 2 is a really nice piece of hardware. The screen is gorgeous and the magnesium body is well built. The issue with the device is the software. Windows RT is quite limited in app choice so most of the times, you won't be able to follow the latest app trends whether it be games like 2048 or social like whatsapp/snapchat (these are just examples). You cannot install regular desktop applications which really limits the power of Windows however you will still have an advanced file management system and such. The Windows App store may get better (but they've been saying this since day one) because they are now joining all the platforms together ( i think wp8, windows 8, and xbox one) but still I suggest you look into it more to make your decision.

 

Personally as good as the hardware is, I would skip the Surface Tablets because the app market is not good enough. I have a Surface Pro and never install anything from the store, just use regular desktop programs.

[Thebman712]

asus t100 with a 500gb hdd and a 64gb ssd

[Sharp_3yE]

OK to really answer your question I have to ask you one first.

 

What are you planning on doing with the tablet? Is this going to be your only mobile computing machine, for work related stuff or just for fun consumption?

[GoodBytes]

I don't have the Surface 2 but I have the Surface Pro 2. And i have to say, it is truly a fantastic device. The build quality is there, and the device is well designed.

The Surface 2 packs some nice performance, so anything you do, should be smooth and responsive.

 

The Surface 2 is an excellent choice if you just web surf (IE 11 is pretty good, it has come quite far. Flash is included), watch videos (VLC player Windows 8 App is coming soon for videos that Windows doesn't support out of the box. 'cause you can't install codecs on Windows RT), and use Office suit (included). However, if you want to do more, as mentioned by Giddyguy, the app selection is small.

 

You have some few apps (beside Windows built-in ones), such as News Bento, Adobe Reader (windows can view already, and Word can view and edit PDF's.. but if you the official apps, you have it), and a few others... but the selection is very small. If you have Windows 8, check out the Windows 8 app store, and see what you have.

[Toasted Waffles]

Should I look into the iPad Air, I have apps already - trust apple and microsoft office 365 can be installed on the device aswell

[Nickolas47]

i am very pleased with my ipad mini perfect size and with jailbreak you have unlimited potential

[jezza39]

i am very pleased with my ipad mini perfect size and with jailbreak you have unlimited potential

 

iOS 7.1 has practically ruined jailbreaking forever. But still, an iPad mini is a great option, even better an iPad air. I love the 4:3 form factor, and it's paired with great zippy software. Best of all it has so many more games and apps etc. 

[Nickolas47]

iOS 7.1 has practically ruined jailbreaking forever. But still, an iPad mini is a great option, even better an iPad air. I love the 4:3 form factor, and it's paired with great zippy software. Best of all it has so many more games and apps etc. 

a friend of mine has an ipad air and it is absolutaly amazing best screen ever on a tablet and extremely fast processor, fortunately we both jailbroke on ios 7.0.6

[jezza39]

a friend of mine has an ipad air and it is absolutaly amazing best screen ever on a tablet and extremely fast processor, fortunately we both jailbroke on ios 7.0.6

 

Nice, jailbreaking really unlocks the full potential of the amazing hardware. After 7.0.X though jailbreakings been blocked

[Nickolas47]

Nice, jailbreaking really unlocks the full potential of the amazing hardware. After 7.0.X though jailbreakings been blocked

last jailbreak is on ios 7.0.6 http://theunlockr.com/2013/12/22/jailbreak-iphone-ipad-ios-7-7-0-4-video/

[jezza39]

last jailbreak is on ios 7.0.6 http://theunlockr.com/2013/12/22/jailbreak-iphone-ipad-ios-7-7-0-4-video/

 

My 5C came with 7.1 pre-installed no jailbreaking for me

[Nickolas47]

My 5C came with 7.1 pre-installed no jailbreaking for me

very bad luck

[Assassin]

I'm looking for a simple tablet, lightweight, fast, cheap and realiabe. I want a big screen bigger than 7" and I'm really looking at the surface 2 tablet from Microsoft. Has anyone had experience with this and give me feedback or give me advise for a better solution. Max budget is around 100-600$, 600$ being max.

I am buying a gaming laptop next year some time.

I own a Surface Pro (1st gen). I brought it during Microsoft's sale but Best Buy has it on sale for $600. I think its a pretty good value considering that you get full Windows 8.1 Support and run all the native Windows apps. But the battery life isn't great and is on the heavier side. 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/microsoft-surface-pro-with-128gb-memory/7952262.p?id=1218862422867&skuId=7952262&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=7952262&extensionType=pla:g&s_kwcid=PTC!pla!!!40084359319!g!!44398554559&kpid=7952262&k_clickid=741d06ba-a332-7e49-7ae5-00007a294b2f