Is Windows RT really that bad? (Surface 2 tablet)

[dizmo]

I've been looking at tablets pretty hard over the past week, and I've found that the Surface 2 can be had quite cheap.

Then I noticed that they're all the RT models, and I remember all the hate.

Is Windows RT really that bad?

Is there a way to install new keyboards? Are there sufficient apps?

It'd mostly be a sitting on the couch and want to look stuff up kind of tablet.

TL:DR

Should I get a Surface 2 with Windows RT, or just get a smaller Android based tablet?

 

I have an Android based phone. No desktop PC. And a Windows based ultrabook.

[ShadowCaptain]

SNIP

 

RT is pretty bad and I believe they are stopping doing it as of windows 10!

 

Poor app store, you cannot install any normal windows applications etc, its not a great OS

 

There are alternative windows tablets that run windows 8.1 on quad core atoms like the HP Stream etc

[s3ns3]

its the worst tablet experience

[QueenDemetria]

"Is Windows RT really that bad?" No, but its not that good either, lol. The app support is lacking in comparison to Android or iOS, but not too bad(this is assuming you aren't too reliant on apps). Its kind of slow and laggy, but still very usable. I would choose an Android based tablet over it, but that's my opinion. Also its not getting Windows 10(or any forked version for that matter), so support for RT will become limited(whenever), so there could be a day where apps just aren't compatible(like how some apps updated to 8.1, but wouldn't work on 8).

[Geekazoid]

I've been looking at tablets pretty hard over the past week, and I've found that the Surface 2 can be had quite cheap.

Then I noticed that they're all the RT models, and I remember all the hate.

Is Windows RT really that bad?

Is there a way to install new keyboards? Are there sufficient apps?

It'd mostly be a sitting on the couch and want to look stuff up kind of tablet.

TL:DR

Should I get a Surface 2 with Windows RT, or just get a smaller Android based tablet?

 

I have an Android based phone. No desktop PC. And a Windows based ultrabook.

I haven't had really any experience with Windows RT or a Surface 2, but from what I understand it's a tad limiting compared to the full desktop version of Windows as you have a limited number of apps that you can install, for example, I don't think that you can install regular desktop applications on a Windows RT-based tablet. I could be wrong though, but I think that that is the case.

[QueenDemetria]

 I don't think that you can install regular desktop applications on a Windows RT-based tablet. I could be wrong though, but I think that that is the case.

You are right, the only applications that you can use have to come from the App Store(or whatever its called).

[Geekazoid]

You are right, the only applications that you can use have to come from the App Store(or whatever its called).

Thought so. Thanks for that.

[jayctech]

It'd mostly be a sitting on the couch and want to look stuff up kind of tablet.

For this kind of use - android is miles better.

[MuffinTopMike]

You can get a pretty reasonably priced tablet that runs full Windows 8.1, which means you can install full Windows applications and use Windows in desktop mode.

[dizmo]

Thanks everyone, pretty much what I figured I'd hear.

 

 

RT is pretty bad and I believe they are stopping doing it as of windows 10!

 

Poor app store, you cannot install any normal windows applications etc, its not a great OS

 

There are alternative windows tablets that run windows 8.1 on quad core atoms like the HP Stream etc

Yeah that's kind of what I feared.

The other tablets in the 10"+ category are all quite a bit more than the $180 I can pick up a Surface 2 new for.

I might just wait for a Dell tablet to drop to around the same price and take the 2" screen real estate loss.

 

Thanks!

[ShadowCaptain]

Thanks everyone, pretty much what I figured I'd hear.

 

 

Yeah that's kind of what I feared.

The other tablets in the 10"+ category are all quite a bit more than the $180 I can pick up a Surface 2 new for.

I might just wait for a Dell tablet to drop to around the same price and take the 2" screen real estate loss.

 

Thanks!

 

In the UK we have this which is pretty decent - 8" being the best value but there is a 10" model

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Linx-Tablet-Z3735F-storage-Windows/dp/B00O636WPY

[dizmo]

In the UK we have this which is pretty decent - 8" being the best value but there is a 10" model

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Linx-Tablet-Z3735F-storage-Windows/dp/B00O636WPY

Alas there isn't anything like that here.

[ShadowCaptain]

Alas there isn't anything like that here.

 

This would be closest

http://www.ncix.com/detail/hp-stream-8-5801ca-intel-50-105293.htm

 

Although I did find these

 

http://www.amazon.ca/Digital2-Trail-T-Storage-Bluetooth-Windows/dp/B00OBFY4SO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1422617804&sr=8-2&keywords=windows+tablet

 

http://www.amazon.ca/Digital2-10-Inch-Trail-T-Storage-Bluetooth/dp/B00OBFY4Q6/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1422617804&sr=8-11&keywords=windows+tablet

[dizmo]

This would be closest

http://www.ncix.com/detail/hp-stream-8-5801ca-intel-50-105293.htm

 

Although I did find these

 

http://www.amazon.ca/Digital2-Trail-T-Storage-Bluetooth-Windows/dp/B00OBFY4SO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1422617804&sr=8-2&keywords=windows+tablet

 

http://www.amazon.ca/Digital2-10-Inch-Trail-T-Storage-Bluetooth/dp/B00OBFY4Q6/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1422617804&sr=8-11&keywords=windows+tablet

Thanks! The HP Stream would probably be most tempting, but 8".

 

Have you used Windows on a tablet? If so how does it compare to Android?

[ShadowCaptain]

Thanks! The HP Stream would probably be most tempting, but 8".

 

Have you used Windows on a tablet? If so how does it compare to Android?

 

its just like windows on PC haha, honestly its fine, I am not a massive android fan, so I am not the best person to ask

 

I would say its on par ish, android has a nicer interface, though touch on windows 8 is rather nice, I like that windows tablets use full fat desktop programs, itunes, steam etc, great for installing some retro games on too (or some lower end titles) and not shitty android games

[dizmo]

its just like windows on PC haha, honestly its fine, I am not a massive android fan, so I am not the best person to ask

 

I would say its on par ish, android has a nicer interface, though touch on windows 8 is rather nice, I like that windows tablets use full fat desktop programs, itunes, steam etc, great for installing some retro games on too (or some lower end titles) and not shitty android games

Yeah I have a friend who refuses to use Android. Hates it with a passion. It amuses me to no end.

I used to have a Blackberry tablet, how does it compare to that? I found that reasonable for what I used it for.

Actually I could probably get one of those for like $40...

 

How's the on screen keyboard? I've heard it's garb.

 

I've been kind of tempted to go with a Jolla tablet. But. That battery. The fact it's only 4400mah saddens me.

[ShadowCaptain]

Yeah I have a friend who refuses to use Android. Hates it with a passion. It amuses me to no end.

I used to have a Blackberry tablet, how does it compare to that? I found that reasonable for what I used it for.

Actually I could probably get one of those for like $40...

 

How's the on screen keyboard? I've heard it's garb.

 

I've been kind of tempted to go with a Jolla tablet. But. That battery. The fact it's only 4400mah saddens me.

 

 

I dont refuse, I have android devices, I just never like it that much

the playbook? I wouldnt bother, it has very little scene around it these days and is not that powerful compared to newer hardware,

 

On screen keyboard is fine I guess, not much different to android or iOS, not had enough experiance to say but it seems fine

[jayctech]

Thanks! The HP Stream would probably be most tempting, but 8".

 

Have you used Windows on a tablet? If so how does it compare to Android?

Windows on a tablet - not as elegant or mature as either Android or iOS when it comes to the user experience.

 

Arguable more functional because of the full Win8 desktop support (I'm presuming at this point you're no longer looking at RT?)

[PhantomChevron]

Well, it has gotten like 1.5% better then last time, which is ok I guess, I have a surface tablet, which I am not really using, but may go back and look at what has changed(if anything has, which I doubt)