Surface 2?

[Toasted Waffles]

I'm looking for a Christmas present for my self, I would most likely max my budget at 600$ MAX. I really want a laptop that I can surf the web and use flash website and do some work hopefully. I'm looking at the Surface 2 and it runs Windows RT, couldn't it run normal Windows 8? Also could it be possible to upgrade the ram inside or storage space with a little DIY?

 

Edit -

 

My first choice would be a laptop but no idea what I can get that's good. My third option is the new IPad Air 16gb.

[obsidian1200]

AFAIK, Windows RT will not work with Flash (maybe with hacks, which I don't even know if they exist, but out of the box it won't). It also can't run normal Windows 8 because it is running on a Tegra chip, which is ARM, not x86, which you'd need for Windows 8.

 

Also, I'm pretty sure the RAM is soldered onto the device's board, so that's a no-go for RAM or internal storage upgrades. That being said, the Surface tablets do allow for expansion via a MicroSD card.

 

It sounds like you'd be better off with a Surface Pro (running W8 and Flash at least) or something else to give you more flexibility with upgrades and software. Granted, that's out of your price range, but it'd be able to do what you want. There are also plenty of laptops around this price range to fill these needs, too.

[Coombzy]

no it can't run Windows 8 its not x86 its Tegra its not designed to run it also if you really want something like that get a convertible laptop.

[Toasted Waffles]

AFAIK, Windows RT will not work with Flash (maybe with hacks, which I don't even know if they exist, but out of the box it won't). It also can't run normal Windows 8 because it is running on a Tegra chip, which is ARM, not x86, which you'd need for Windows 8.

 

Also, I'm pretty sure the RAM is soldered onto the device's board, so that's a no-go for RAM or internal storage upgrades. That being said, the Surface tablets do allow for expansion via a MicroSD card.

 

It sounds like you'd be better off with a Surface Pro (running W8 and Flash at least) or something else to give you more flexibility with upgrades and software. Granted, that's out of your price range, but it'd be able to do what you want. There are also plenty of laptops around this price range to fill these needs, too.

Well for one, RT works with flash -.-

[Toasted Waffles]

AFAIK, Windows RT will not work with Flash (maybe with hacks, which I don't even know if they exist, but out of the box it won't). It also can't run normal Windows 8 because it is running on a Tegra chip, which is ARM, not x86, which you'd need for Windows 8.

 

Also, I'm pretty sure the RAM is soldered onto the device's board, so that's a no-go for RAM or internal storage upgrades. That being said, the Surface tablets do allow for expansion via a MicroSD card.

 

It sounds like you'd be better off with a Surface Pro (running W8 and Flash at least) or something else to give you more flexibility with upgrades and software. Granted, that's out of your price range, but it'd be able to do what you want. There are also plenty of laptops around this price range to fill these needs, too.

I realize I can get a laptop, but with a laptop i'd like a thin one that has an i5 at least.

[chromeboy42]

Look at the new convertibles coming out for win8. Like the T100 from asus or the W4 from acer. Personally surface isn't very good IMO.

[obsidian1200]

Well for one, RT works with flash -.-

It didn't originally, I didn't know they changed that. Don't got to be a dick, bro. Also, my other points still stand. If you're fine with a device that hits one item on your list, go for it.

 

I realize I can get a laptop, but with a laptop i'd like a thin one that has an i5 at least.

No need to be a dick and double post, one is bad enough without the other.

[xox]

Surface 2 looks so good; I would quite like one for myself.

[GoodBytes]

I'm looking for a Christmas present for my self, I would most likely max my budget at 600$ MAX. I really want a laptop that I can surf the web and use flash website and do some work hopefully. I'm looking at the Surface 2 and it runs Windows RT, couldn't it run normal Windows 8?

Surface 2 has Flash plugin support in IE11, if I am not mistaken. Surface 2 is a very nice device, especially if you beleive in the ecosystem. I am considering myself a Surface Pro 2. I need the pro for running Visual Studio, Eclipse, and other demanding software as it will be also replacing my 5 year old laptop (Dell Latitude E6400). Oh and I want pen support for taking notes in class, I need it for Math, diagrams, graphs, theory which requires often usage of special symbols, which you just can't really manage with a laptop.

Sadly, the Surface 2 cannot run x86 (Windows desktop) programs. The reason for this is, beside the fact that the point of the device is not this, even expect no more Desktop mode as soon as Office for Modern UI app is finished, and Start Screen, 'cause that's really the only reason it's there. Already the desktop tile is not on the Start Screen by default, you need to look for it. But also, because the CPU architecture is drastically different from Intel's x86 one (AMD licenses from Intel, the x86 architecture). So the Nvidia Tegra 4 ARM based procesor cannot understand x86 programs.

 

Also could it be possible to upgrade the ram inside or storage space with a little DIY?

Sadly no. Like all tablets, due to the size and form factor, the device is not servicible.

The RAM and SSD are soldered on. The device is also glued shot, which is fine, if you see bellow... no serviceble parts, why bother having it to open in some fashion?

Here is the inside of the Surface 1 (the rest is battery, and screen):

(picture from iFix it)

Orange is where the SSD is. I expect the Surface 2 to be a similar design.

The Surface Pro, has the SSD that is not soldered on (the only thing that isn't), but again, due to the size, it's not serviceble...

Also, Microosft wants to keep it's sleek deisgn looks, and not have panels on the back of the device.

But it must be noted that the Surface 2 and Pro 2 comes for 2 years 200GB SkyDrive, and a micro SD card reader.

 

My first choice would be a laptop but no idea what I can get that's good. My third option is the new IPad Air 16gb.

If you want an alternative, check out the Dell Venue 8 or Latitude 10, or the coming up Venue 11.

The Venue 8, Latitude 10, and base line Venu 11, comes with a Atom processor (32-bit only), so you get to run Windows 8 (non-Pro) 32-bit on it. It's an Atom, so performance isn't great, but hey you can run x86 programs. Fine if you have nothing heavy and never do anything demanding. You may have to switch web browser... no Chrome, the device is RAM limited to 2GB (max that the Atom supports, if I am not mistaken) and well it's not poweerful. Firefox should be fine, IE 11 too.

Office 2013 is also included (Home and Student - Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote (best note taking software). No Outlook).

In this case, you compromise perofrmance for more flexibility. Digitize pen option availible. But the pen is nothing fancy. it's a primitive one, but should do the job. Nothing like the Surface Pro one, with 1024 pressure sensitivity detection and excellent palm rejections.

The Venue 11 which we don't know the price, will have a Core i3 and i5 options. I expect the i5 to be out of your budget (beside it will be a slower model than the Surface Pro 2, and also, the tablet is fanless.. so I imagine it will be iether hot or throttle a lot if you push things), i3 might be intersting if you don't push the device. Of course, it is expected to have more RAM option, like 4GB.

As for teh iPad or laptop, that really depends onyour needs and what you do.

iPad for note taking is more than stupid. I have not seen 1 single student actually used it for over 3 weeks in school before giving up for note taking. No OneNote, no pen, no keyboard, no external storage.

[GoodBytes]

ok to confirm from Microsoft:

Applies to:

Surface RT, Surface 2, Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2, Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1.

[...]

Internet Explorer 11 is designed to provide an add-on free experience, and will play HTML5 and many Adobe Flash Player videos without needing to install a separate add-on.

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-ca/support/web-browsing/browse-the-web-with-internet-explorer

[Toasted Waffles]

Surface 2 has Flash plugin support in IE11, if I am not mistaken. Surface 2 is a very nice device, especially if you beleive in the ecosystem. I am considering myself a Surface Pro 2. I need the pro for running Visual Studio, Eclipse, and other demanding software as it will be also replacing my 5 year old laptop (Dell Latitude E6400). Oh and I want pen support for taking notes in class, I need it for Math, diagrams, graphs, theory which requires often usage of special symbols, which you just can't really manage with a laptop.

Sadly, the Surface 2 cannot run x86 (Windows desktop) programs. The reason for this is, beside the fact that the point of the device is not this, even expect no more Desktop mode as soon as Office for Modern UI app is finished, and Start Screen, 'cause that's really the only reason it's there. Already the desktop tile is not on the Start Screen by default, you need to look for it. But also, because the CPU architecture is drastically different from Intel's x86 one (AMD licenses from Intel, the x86 architecture). So the Nvidia Tegra 4 ARM based procesor cannot understand x86 programs.

 

Sadly no. Like all tablets, due to the size and form factor, the device is not servicible.

The RAM and SSD are soldered on. The device is also glued shot, which is fine, if you see bellow... no serviceble parts, why bother having it to open in some fashion?

Here is the inside of the Surface 1 (the rest is battery, and screen):

(picture from iFix it)

Orange is where the SSD is. I expect the Surface 2 to be a similar design.

The Surface Pro, has the SSD that is not soldered on (the only thing that isn't), but again, due to the size, it's not serviceble...

Also, Microosft wants to keep it's sleek deisgn looks, and not have panels on the back of the device.

But it must be noted that the Surface 2 and Pro 2 comes for 2 years 200GB SkyDrive, and a micro SD card reader.

 

If you want an alternative, check out the Dell Venue 8 or Latitude 10, or the coming up Venue 11.

The Venue 8, Latitude 10, and base line Venu 11, comes with a Atom processor (32-bit only), so you get to run Windows 8 (non-Pro) 32-bit on it. It's an Atom, so performance isn't great, but hey you can run x86 programs. Fine if you have nothing heavy and never do anything demanding. You may have to switch web browser... no Chrome, the device is RAM limited to 2GB (max that the Atom supports, if I am not mistaken) and well it's not poweerful. Firefox should be fine, IE 11 too.

Office 2013 is also included (Home and Student - Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote (best note taking software). No Outlook).

In this case, you compromise perofrmance for more flexibility. Digitize pen option availible. But the pen is nothing fancy. it's a primitive one, but should do the job. Nothing like the Surface Pro one, with 1024 pressure sensitivity detection and excellent palm rejections.

The Venue 11 which we don't know the price, will have a Core i3 and i5 options. I expect the i5 to be out of your budget (beside it will be a slower model than the Surface Pro 2, and also, the tablet is fanless.. so I imagine it will be iether hot or throttle a lot if you push things), i3 might be intersting if you don't push the device. Of course, it is expected to have more RAM option, like 4GB.

As for teh iPad or laptop, that really depends onyour needs and what you do.

iPad for note taking is more than stupid. I have not seen 1 single student actually used it for over 3 weeks in school before giving up for note taking. No OneNote, no pen, no keyboard, no external storage.

Thanks for the help, I'm hopefully try to reach out of my budget to hit a tablet or laptop that I can work on with descent performance. I'm not a huge fan of Dell, due to having a laptop catch on fire in my lap -.- and them not doing anything. You really helped me choice, hopefully Surface 2 pro will become my primary choice but who knows it all comes down to the cost sad to say. I'd look for something rugged enough for me to do fast internet searches and possible get on steam , Photoshop or Premiere and do some work but Premiere is more for my Desktop. As for taking notes, I can see the surface 2 being more efficient , but in time you can become the same with an iPad as I've done so far; you still need the Apps on the iPad to make note taking easier.

[Toasted Waffles]

I could reach out and get this as one. Let me know what you think of this?

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231085