Top 3 reasons to skip the Surface RT and wait for PRO
The Microsoft Sur
face RT came highly anticipated and with lofty expectations to match. Users who have spent thousands sifting through other non-Mac tablets all rushed at the RT, only to be let down by some fundamental usability flaws. The introduction of Windows 8 has created an explosion of new windows-based tablets. We set out to research the famed tablet in all her versions, despite of Steve Ballmer’s mention of “modest” sales.
What we discovered was surprising: the Surface RT is a considerable flop. Computer World wrote a story about HP’s top PC exec, who stated that the RT was “…slow, kludgy, and expensive…”. Though we haven’t gotten our hands on the tablet yet, we did manage to uncover some considerable changes lined up for the Surface PRO, set to be released in January 2013. If you were considering an RT, trueITpros recommends waiting for prices to drop this Christmas. You may want to hold out for the much improved Surface PRO. With the help of some tech websites, we’ve compiled the most important specs below.
Microsoft Surface PRO
Hardware
The specs for PRO set the hardware standards PC users are looking for, including: [RT specs in brackets]
- 4 GB RAM [2 GB RAM]
- Intel Ivy Bridge Core i5 [Intel Core 4]
- Intel HD Graphics 4000 [Nvidia Tegra 3]
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 [1366 x 768]
- OS: Windows 8 Desktop [Windows RT]
- Storage: 64, 128 GB [32, 46 GB]
Camera Functions
While the camera quality of both the RT and PRO remained, the PRO has added new video options:
- Front -facing Camera
- 1080p Video Capture
The PRO does feature an additional camera and better capture, but subtracted cool RT specs like:
- NO graphics accelerator
- NO HD playback
- NO microphone
(This one threw us… How can you include a front-facing camera for Skype without having a microphone? This means users will have to buy special headphones.)
Cost
As far as we know, nothing substantial has leaked regarding the price of the new Surface PRO Tablet. In order to compete with Apple, the ticket needs to be more competitive than the RT’s righteous $628. Rumors are pointing to a huge price tag—one that could be close to $1,000. The Surface RT totes a whopping $499 price tag, and that does not include the fun-colored keyboard. With brands like Acer, ASUS, Dell, Samsung and ZTE offering faster tablets with full PC apps, Microsoft may have bit the big one with its initial Surface model.
Mobile business technology will continue to grow and change. Small companies will face tough purchase point decisions when looking for a tablet. With so many options, let trueITpros do the guesswork for you. Give us a call, or email support@trueitpros.com with any questions.