CAN’T decide between a laptop or tablet? With the Microsoft Surface 2 you can pretty much have both as long as you are willing to invest in an extra accessory.
The Surface 2 is thinner and lighter than its predecessor, making it an even better device for both work and play.
Microsoft has opted for a minimalist style with ports that are cleverly hidden. On the side you will find a USB 3.0 port — an upgrade over the first Surface’s USB 2.0 — which offers faster data transfer speeds.
There is also a video-out port for connecting the device to a larger display when, say, you are doing a PowerPoint presentation.
A microSD card slot is hidden beneath the kickstand, which you can use to expand the device’s internal storage of 32GB.
A pair of stereo speakers along the sides pack quite a punch and are surprisingly good for watching movies, as long as there isn’t too much ambient noise.
The multi-stage kickstand also makes it convenient to watch movies, as well as working on a Word document, as you can have it propped at just the right angle.
Video calls also gets a boost thanks to the Surface 2’s improved 3.5-megapixel front-facing camera. However, the 5-megapixel rear camera is average at best although Microsoft’s Photosynth feature is great for taking 360° panoramic shots.
Question of RT
Now we come to the elephant in the room is — the Surface 2 runs on Windows RT 8.1. For the uninitiated, Windows RT is different from the regular version of Windows 8 in that it cannot handle legacy Windows software.
This rules out installing programs like VLC player, Steam, Photoshop, Lightroom and many other popular programs. You are instead limited to installing apps from the Windows Store, which has a smaller selection (approximately 150,000 apps at the time of writing) compared to other stores. That being said, the device comes preloaded with a host of useful applications.
Also, the recent update has made Windows more usable — the Start button is back which makes it easier to navigate the desktop. Another improvement we liked is the ability to freely resize two windows that are side by side.
Under the hood
Beneath the surface (pardon the pun), the 1.7GHz Cortex-A15 quad-core processor does a good job of handling most apps. We had no problems surfing the Web while working with Office which comes pre-installed.
The inclusion of Office is a nice touch as it turns the Surface 2 into a productivity device instead of one that is purely for play. Office was slick and smooth, and feels great to use on the tablet.
Thankfully, the Surface 2’s improved performance does not come at the cost of battery life. We were quite impressed by its stamina — the tablet lasted us an entire work day without requiring a recharge.
However, there are a few things we didn’t like about the Surface 2 such as the disconnect between the Start Screen interface and the “traditional” desktop.
For instance, if you surfed the Net on Internet Explorer while on the Start Screen and then switched over to the desktop, you will need to open a different version of IE and your browsing session won’t be carried over.
Another problem is navigating the desktop with your fingers. It can be an exercise in frustration as it is not optimised for touch control.
As such, the optional Type Cover 2 accessory is almost a necessity as it comes with a touchpad which makes navigation similar to a laptop.
What we like most about the keyboard is that it’s backlit which makes typing in the dark much easier.
Conclusion
Overall, the Surface 2 is a good option for those who prefer a productivity tool without the bulk.
It is an attractive device that’s thin and lightweight with handy little features such as the multi-stage kickstand.
However, to make it function more like a laptop you will have to spend an extra RM409 on the Type Cover 2 but it’s a worthwhile investment for getting work done on the go.
Also, you will have to live with the rather limited selection on the Windows Store and forego installing any legacy Windows programs.
Still, the starting price of RM1,399 makes the Surface 2 very appealing.
Pros: Portable and lightweight; improved two-stage kickstand; affordable; Type Cover 2 is very handy.
Cons: Limited to Windows Store apps; desktop not optimised for touch control.
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