Michal Ždanský On September 23, at an announced press event, Microsoft presented the second generation of its Surface RT and Surface Pro tablets, together with a number of accessories for both devices. Microsoft's first attempt to enter the tablet market was not exactly successful. The Surface didn't even sell two million units, the company took a $900 million write-off for unsold units, and Microsoft's partners distanced themselves from the tablet-only Windows RT.
However, Microsoft hopes that it will succeed in its second attempt and eventually succeed in competition with iPads, Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire. Just like a year ago, we got two different devices - Surface 2 with an ARM processor and Surface Pro 2 with a processor from Intel, which runs full-fledged Windows 8. Both devices have a very similar appearance to the previous generation, most of the changes have taken place inside. A visible change on the surface is the stand adjustable to two positions. The tilt of the stand was often criticized for the Surface, the second position should solve this problem and at the same time allow you to use the tablet on your lap.
Surface 2
Despite the almost identical appearance, a lot has changed on the Surface with Windows RT. The device is supposed to be lighter and thinner than the original tablet. Surface RT struggled with insufficient performance, this should be changed by the new Nvidia Tegra 4 ARM processor, which will also ensure ten hours of video playback. The Surface 2 has a thinner 1080p display. The device also has a USB 3.0 port for transferring files and connecting other external devices.
The tablet will come to the market with the Windows 8.1 RT operating system, which should solve some of the ailments of the previous version, however, the system still suffers from a lack of quality applications, if we leave aside the Office package, which is free in the Surface 2. Customers will receive additional software bonuses - a year of free calls to landlines via Skype and 200 GB of space for two years on the SkyDrive service. Microsoft did not make a mistake like last time and announced the price and availability at the event. The 32GB version will cost $449, and double the storage will cost $100 more. There is also a second color option in silver. Surface 2 will go on sale on October 22 in 22 countries, the Czech Republic is not among them.
Surface Pro 2
Major internal changes also took place in the tablet with full-fledged Windows 8. Microsoft equipped the second Surface Pro with an Intel Haswell Core i5 processor, which is supposed to increase computing power by 20%, graphics by 50%, and battery life by 3 percent. It was the battery life that was often criticized for the Surface Pro, 4-86 hours was not enough for a tablet after all. Even so, it is far from reaching the lifetime of the version with RT or iPad, after all, the x9 processor still consumes more than ARM. On the other hand, Apple was able to achieve up to XNUMX hours of battery life with the XNUMX-inch MacBook Air.
Apart from the processor and the stand, not much has changed on the device. Just like the first introduced tablet, it will come with the Windows 8.1 operating system and will get the aforementioned bonuses for Skype and SkyDrive. The Surface Pro 2 goes on sale on October 22nd, and the base price starts at $899 and can go up to $1799 depending on configuration, with up to 512GB of storage and 8GB of RAM.
Accessories
While for the first Surface Microsoft introduced two types of cover with a keyboard, the offer for the second generation is significantly richer. In the front row, the original Touch Cover has been improved, which is newly illuminated, contains over 1000 sensors for more accurate detection of finger strokes (the original Touch Cover had 80 sensors), is thinner, and for $59 you can buy a special wireless adapter that powers the keyboard and will add the option of connecting via Bluetooth, thanks to which it will be possible to use the Touch Cover even when disconnected from the Surface. The touch keyboard will cost $119,99.
The Type Cover has also been improved, which is also backlit and thinner, with the thickness of the original Touch Cover. The Power Cover is completely new, which contains a battery and can thus charge the Surface. It will thus extend its lifespan by up to 50% on a single charge. It has similar writing to the original Type Cover and will cost $199.
For the Surface Pro, Microsoft has also prepared a docking station that makes it easier to use the Surface as a primary device, which is portable and at the same time makes it easier to connect a keyboard and a monitor on the table. A dock is a sturdy-looking accessory that your Surface slides into and expands its ports. It includes three USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0 port, mini DisplayPort and audio input and output. It can also power up to two monitors. The dock will be available for $199, but not until sometime next year.
The last accessory is a very specific Touch Cover for DJs. Basically, it is a modified Touch Cover, which instead of regular keys contains controls for music production. On it you will find playback control buttons, pads and sliders. In the video, this special keyboard was demonstrated by Joe Hahn from Linkin Park . DJ Cover will work with Microsoft's own software Surface Music Kit, with which the company is trying to promote the tablet as a device for creative work.
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Microsoft was certainly not lazy, and the 18 months during which it was said to have been preparing the device with accessories were indeed fruitful. However, it is questionable whether the effort will bring significantly better sales than in the case of the first generation. Although the devices had a lot of problems on the hardware and software side, the real reason behind the failure lay in the concept itself, which is still not well understood by ordinary users. For many, the iPad is a release from the intricacies of desktop operating systems and usually stands in the way of what the user really wants. And the Surface tablets don't remove this barrier nearly as well as the iPad. Surface may have a useful USB port and better multitasking, but without enough quality applications and clear marketing, the second generation will end up like Microsoft's first attempt to enter the tablet market.
I am a big fan of MS. I thought the Surface would be cheaper and better. Unfortunately, everything did not work out for Comrade Gates. I held it in my hand and it weighed maybe 5KG
I have to admit that the Surface got bad publicity and a high price and that buried it. Damage
I appreciate your looking at a possible iPad competitor HERE. A person can be an apple fan, but he must not be notoriously blind and must be able to admit the truth.