Surface – Tech with T

The reviews are in…. but are they really?

I state the following, simply because over the past week questionable reviews from certain editorial columnists and senior journalist, have released an onslaught of cautious and almost bias like behavior toward the Windows 8 / Surface RT launch.

You see unlike most bloggers, tech editors, or product reviewers I tend to show my cards up front about who I lean towards as my chosen (OS); so throughout the course of my blogs and article post you will see clearly that my preference will always be Windows.

As I read the articles and watched my share of unboxing’s; I couldn’t help but throw a flag on the play while reading the majority of their review posts. For the average consumer of tech device, reviews and ratings like those would definitely detour consideration for any product.

It appears as though there is an un-spoken rule amongst the journalist who submitted a less than fair review for Windows 8 and Surface RT. But again on a brighter note despite the early reviews the real truth on Windows 8 & RT have literarily “Surfaced”.

While I sit here typing my blog post; I’m extremely happy to be doing it on my very own Surface RT tablet. This device was built by Microsoft and has already captured the hearts of millions of users.

Whether your a fan of Microsoft or of the opposing competitors, the Surface RT tablet has so much more to offer the average consumer than just the current BYOD type tablets on the market today.

A common issue I see with tablet devices such as the kindle, nook, ipad, and nexus is that they are all built with compromises or lack of required features. Features like a usb port, mini HDMI, and extra storage slots for expandable data. These key features allow the device to function like a PC or the ability to be productive with the worlds standard (OS) and full Microsoft Office.

Also to add just the ability to plug and play on the same device without costly app’s or add-ons that mimic the likes of a laptop or PC. Granted we have netbooks, ultra books, and PC tablets that have entered the hybrid arena, but to be completely honest about it they don’t match up to the build style of the Surface RT.

Windows 8 on all devices old and new has proven to be the best experience to date; the new OS launch by Microsoft was presented on stage during the original build, and recent key note. As you will see in the video below, the Windows 8 team will run through several form factors running Windows 8.

The take away for me was truly amazing just to see how this software could adapt to various processor speeds, chipsets and the advantages of a 1 second resume rate from sleep mode.

My advice to you as the consumer is to first review Windows 8 for yourself; give it a good run through with the old faithful mouse and keyboard. Take some time to familiarize the new features and key controls for the new start menu. The new Windows 8 was built as a no compromise OS, specifically because you still have the best of both worlds.

The desktop is one of the most common features that we know as a center point for Windows; this tried and true interface was tremendously brought to life by Windows 7. With Windows 8 we will continue to enjoy the fruits of the Windows desktop and explorer.

With the new touch enhancements for Windows 8 we get to keep the native software applications for the desktop, as well as benefit from the new app centered environment from Windows Store.

I’ve compiled a few reviews below and quick tips that I would like to share with you, and I hope they help in your decision making process.

Technology editor Joanna Stern of ABC News, recently posted a few hands on video reviews for Windows 8. She covers several form factors in her review and provides some basic how to’s while working with the new touch enhancements as well as the desktop.

If you found Joanna’s 3 minute video review informative, and helpful she has covered Windows 8 and Surface RT in-depth, you can see additional video feeds on the ABC video library page under tech reviews.

Next up I’ve listed video reviews on plug and play devices you can use with Windows 8 and Surface RT, along with a brief un-boxing for the Surface tablet. The following videos below were uploaded by you tube user Austin Ducann, he has several other video for reviews listed on his channel if you’re interested.

For the final review I save the best for last; just recently I had the pleasure to come across a 33 minute video review by Lisa Gade of Mobile Tech Review. I know you may be thinking 33 minutes for a review is a little overkill; but I have to tell you Lisa covered the Surface RT really well.

Just take some time to view her post and video review, I’m sure you will have a better understanding about the new Windows 8, and Surface RT features and enhancements.

In conclusion to my blog post I hope the next time you’re on the web reading a review, or just surfing the social sites, that you’ll be doing it on a Surface RT tablet or maybe one of the many new form factors built for Window 8.

“Until next time – Stay Powered by Windows”
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By: Toran Lacy | @TWindows_

If a picture is worth a thousand words then you can say that the general public is going goo goo over the newly announce tablet/PC called “ Surface ”. I for one have to agree with the kid in the picture above. I feel every bit of excitement rushing through my veins as the countdown gets closer to the Surface release; so much so that I’ve given my condition the name “ Surface Fever ”.

Now let’s go over the facts and speak on some details; we know that this is the first official hardware PC created solely by Microsoft, we also know that when Microsoft makes hardware inspired by the windows operating system it’s already a success from the start.

Looking back over the years on Microsoft innovations with hardware, you can’t help but get the feeling that this will change everything. Generally speaking for the PC industry; but now with the announcement of Surface RT & Pro the so-called Post PC era takes another back seat. The Surface tablet will not only re-shape the PC industry, but will also restructure the thought process on entertainment devices such as the kindle, nook, ipad, nexus7, and many more mobile hardware platform.

The key factors that differentiate the Surface tablet from other devices would be the simple power of the Windows operating system. With Windows there is truly no compromise with productivity, entertainment, power, and mobile portability. The Surface tablet is seen as an all in one solution for the above mentioned. Granted you have people who just want to use a simple e-reader, and nothing more, but for those that thrive for unlimited freedom and the power of the PC will soon be buying a Surface tablet.

Just take a look at the specs for the Surface RT, and the Surface Pro; depending on your needs Microsoft has covered both audiences. The general public meaning you as the everyday consumer, and the pro users such as businesses, enterprise agencies, corporate industries, and of course the techies will benefit tremendously. If you would like a more detailed or firsthand review of the new Surface tablets, just set aside some time and view the video below.

In response to my current condition over the Surface, I find myself visiting the Microsoft Surface website every day in hopes to seeing something new or possibly a fresh link for pre-orders. I know – I know we are less than a month away, but I just can’t wait to see the official TV AD’s, or another awesome Surface teaser at least.

Well until then I will continue to make my own AD’s, and enjoy the popcorn before the show; so let the countdown began until we are officially one with the Surface on 10/26/2012.

“Until next time – Stay Powered by Windows”
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By: Toran Lacy | @TWindows_