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Why I'm returning my Microsoft Surface RT

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Re: Why I'm returning my Microsoft Surface RT

#211

Post by CamperBob2 »

Locke1689 wrote: post #68
mtgx wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I installed Windows 8 on one of the first netbooks to appear (eee pc 1000h). The performance difference is not perceivable. If even at that level it's not, it will be even less on higher-end hardware. Even benchmarks show a 5% improvement at most in performance. What Windows 8 does do, though, is trick you into thinking it's running faster, or "smoother". It uses animations to make those 0.5-1-second delays a lot mor…

Nope. I've tested it (like many other people). My 2011 Macbook air boots 4 seconds faster into Windows 8 than Windows 7.

What possible connection do you anticipate might exist between bootup time and performance during use?

Re: Why I'm returning my Microsoft Surface RT

#212

Post by gurkendoktor »

dgregd wrote: post #115
tomp wrote: post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The app mentioned in the post was Office, produced by Microsoft, which is the same company that makes the Surface tablet. In my opinion, that is unacceptable. If MS couldn't optimize apps that ship with Surface, they shouldn't have released it.

> If MS couldn't optimize apps that ship with Surface, they shouldn't have released it. They don't have time for that. Now there is only iPad with significant sales number. In 6 months Android tables will start to sell in significant numbers. In 12 months opportunity to conquer world market with new tablet OS will disappear.

When the PlayBook was released, people also slammed it because its Mail client was terrible (you had to have a BB phone). The internet was sure that it wasn't even worth a look as Android tablet sales would take off real soon now.

History repeats itself faster than ever.

Re: Why I'm returning my Microsoft Surface RT

#213

Post by pedro-alejandro »

People are using the surface primarily without a mouse, the way a tablet is supposed to be used. Yet there's still so many tiny touch targets all over the place when classic Windows stuff pops up. I cringe when I see video reviews of people trying to laser-tap these and miss a few times until they get it.

Re: Why I'm returning my Microsoft Surface RT

#214

Post by zanny »

ladzoppelin wrote: post #19
mtgx wrote: post #6

You'll probably return that one, too, after you see the poor battery life on it. Also, you may get some tablet usability with Metro on it (not many apps to choose from, though), but after using Windows 8 on a PC, I can say Windows 8 is worse in usability than Windows 7, so you will be definitely taking a step back when you'll be using the desktop mode. After using Windows 8 I just see no good reason for anyone to use…

" Windows 8 on a PC, I can say Windows 8 is worse in usability than Windows 7" This is false. I have used both extensively and Windows 8 is better by a good margin.Actually my old POS HP laptop runs better with Windows 8 because of the driver, kernel and display improvements. No blogger can take away the fact that Windows 8 is very good however its funny to see them try.

I hear usability is objective and not subjective.

I can't use metro, on my 24" desktop when the damn dash or whatever takes over everything it is so jarring and dumb when all i want to do is type a few letters and run something.

I removed my RC copy Windows 8 and will never update to it. Windows 7 does everything well enough that it would take a radical usability / performance bump (probably directX 12 not being backwards compatible.. in about 8 - 10 years, given the longevity of dx9). If someone else likes to use it though, I really don't care, it is their choice to use whatever OS they are most comfortable with. It is why I default-boot to Arch.

I do have to say the new task manager is great and I wish they backported it.

Re: Why I'm returning my Microsoft Surface RT

#215

Post by kbriankelley »

BrentOzar wrote: post #32
Anechoic wrote: post #23

"The diagonally-oriented camera is strange. In the one orientation it’s optimized for, it’s slightly annoying. In any other orientation, it’s almost intolerable. " "The built-in front-facing camera for Skype is angled so that it’ll work great when the kickstand is open, but again, only for Danny DeVito, or maybe for people who want to show off their chests in Skype." ------ "The Touch Cover is one of the Surface’s bi…

Hi. Brent here, the post author. Thanks for making the point. I had hoped that by recording videos of the problems, I wouldn't get attacked as just making off the cuff observations. Readers can see the problems for themselves. Still getting attacked by the fanbois, though, and that's a little disappointing.

I find this situation hilarious. Most of the time you get attacked for being a Microsoft evangelist since you're a Microsoft MVP for SQL Server as well as being an MCM for SQL Server 2008. Now you're being attacked for being a Microsoft hater. That's irony.

Re: Why I'm returning my Microsoft Surface RT

#216

Post by eropple »

Moto7451 wrote: post #169
tensor wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think part of the issue with tablets is that there are people who really want something like the windows 8 tablet to work. Speaking for myself, hearing people chime in "but iPad!" in discussions of new tablets I might be interested in is maddening. It's maddening because I don't want an iPad. An iPad doesn't fit my requirements, one of which is side loading. It can't share data between apps easily either. Android h…

You could try a ModBook: http://www.modbook.com/modbookpro They're a bit pricy but I've gotten the chance to see the pre-housing crisis models (the company/management group was insolvent for a time) were very solid. The Wacom digitizer is really good for artists too. if they came out with an Air version I think they'd have a rather hot product..

I too have seen one in the flesh, and I was very impressed. I've been trying really, really hard not to buy one of these, but I think it's coming sooner or later.

(I love my Cintiq, but I'd love it more on a retina MBP screen.)

Re: Why I'm returning my Microsoft Surface RT

#217

Post by dangrossman »

polshaw wrote: post #114
dangrossman wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Latitude 10 has an Atom processor, 2GB RAM and a 64GB HD. Given there'll only be ~10-14GB free space on that drive out of the box, that's not enough to even install Office, Photoshop, Visual Studio, etc. let alone run them. It's almost a scam to sell such an unusable hardware configuration. Someone's going to sync their music and buy two movies and find out their new "64GB" tablet is already out of space. That si…

How did you get to windows 8 taking up 50-55GB of space out of the box?

I checked how much free space there was on the display model at the store.

Re: Why I'm returning my Microsoft Surface RT

#218

Post by dangrossman »

jamesjguthrie wrote: post #98
dangrossman wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Latitude 10 has an Atom processor, 2GB RAM and a 64GB HD. Given there'll only be ~10-14GB free space on that drive out of the box, that's not enough to even install Office, Photoshop, Visual Studio, etc. let alone run them. It's almost a scam to sell such an unusable hardware configuration. Someone's going to sync their music and buy two movies and find out their new "64GB" tablet is already out of space. That si…

Sounds like you want a touchscreen laptop. If you want to be running Visual Studio etc then you'll need a touch screen laptop. Dell Latitude XT3 would be good here.

I have a laptop. I want a tablet. Something I can watch a movie on in bed, but also dock to a keyboard to work. Tablets with 4GB RAM and 128GB drives have been available for years. Nobody bothered to release one for Windows 8's launch, and Surface Pro which also fits the bill isn't coming until after Christmas.

Re: Why I'm returning my Microsoft Surface RT

#219

Post by dangrossman »

grecy wrote: post #206
dangrossman wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Latitude 10 has an Atom processor, 2GB RAM and a 64GB HD. Given there'll only be ~10-14GB free space on that drive out of the box, that's not enough to even install Office, Photoshop, Visual Studio, etc. let alone run them. It's almost a scam to sell such an unusable hardware configuration. Someone's going to sync their music and buy two movies and find out their new "64GB" tablet is already out of space. That si…

I've been using a Dell mini 9 netbook for 3 years that has only a 16GB SSD. I've got a full install of OS X 10.5, developer tools Photoshop, Aperture, other random apps and I run it with ~4GB free. You'd be amazed how far even 16GB will go when you try.

16GB will go very far with your minimal Linux OS. 16GB is below the minimum system requirements for simply installing Windows 8.

Re: Why I'm returning my Microsoft Surface RT

#220

Post by hkuo »

alpb wrote: post #100

Are all the HN upvoters are retarded? This is not Surface RT. RT does not have a classic Windows Desktop environment. It only has metro. This is a Surface Pro, which has not been released yet. Slowness is totally understandable because that guy installed an OS X on an iPad, which is the same thing as using Win8 full desktop environment on Surface RT hardware.

I imagine Microsoft could have a very lenient policy with its employees speaking on behalf of the company's interests, but its very dangerous territory if you don't approach it with respect and sensitivity. Personally I think it's simply best to not speak publicly on behalf of the company you work for unless its your job to do so.
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