2 New Surfaces

Updated Microsoft tablets

By Anca Gagiuc on Oct 17, 2013 in Technology | 1 Comment

Microsoft’s latest tablets, Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2, are now on the market with a number of new covers and other accessories (dock, mouse, and charger).

Both tablets seem like iterations of the concept Microsoft first demonstrated last summer. They kept the same angular design with metallic finish, announcing upgrades to the processing power and battery life, to the display and camera resolution. Enhancements in Windows RT 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Pro promise to make the two tablets more powerful and customizable.

Surface 2

The lower-priced ARM received a 1.7GHz Nvidia Tegra 4 processor and 2GB of RAM and flipped the 1366×768 screen with one of 19290×1080 with better color accuracy. Basically Microsoft addressed two of the most complained about features of the predecessor – weak performance and low screen resolution. The Surface 2 is just a bit thinner and slightly lighter than the previous version, with 25 percent more battery life and a USB 3 port. The cameras are improved to 3.5MP for the front and 5.0MP for the rear for Skype and other webcam uses.

To differentiate it from the more powerful brother, the Surface 2 tablet will only be available in a silver/magnesium color with just the front surface still retaining the black bezel. It looks good and feels more comfortable, but the main concern remains the software; it’s clear that Microsoft patched some holes and added some much-needed functionality to the mix, and the number of apps in the Windows Store is rising (there are now over 100,000 apps), but the fact that this version of Windows can’t run the same apps and perform as well as the full-blown Windows might be a momentum killer.

Interesting about the two tablets are the keyboard covers (Touch Cover, Type Cover and the Type Cover with battery) that got thinner and backlit when sensing the hand over them. More rigid than the original version for easier typing they also had the sensor system replaced allowing now partial keystrokes to be counted more.

The Surface 2 can be purchased at prices starting at $449 (without the cover) and is available in 32GB and 64GB configurations.

Surface Pro 2

The more powerful twin can be the replacement for a laptop. It flaunts the fourth-generation Intel Core i5-4200 Haswell processor which combined with the rest of the improvements adds 75 percent in battery life and delivers increased performance. The screen is identical with the one found in the Surface 2: 10.6-inch and 1080p.

It can be accessorized with a docking station design initially for Surface Pro; this enables the connection to PC peripherals, transforming the laptop into a desktop. While docked it can connect with an external monitor, Ethernet, speakers and power supply through the USB ports (one 3.0 and 2×2.0). The Docking Station is estimated to cost $199.99 and has a projected release date of early 2014.

The Surface Pro 2 can be purchased at prices starting at $899 (without the cover) and is available in 64GB and 128GB configurations with 4GB of RAM and 256GB and 512GB SSD configurations with 8GB of RAM.

Covers

Microsoft announced several new accessories that have the purpose to increase the flexibility of the Surface series, make it more portable and more productive.

Touch Cover 2: the new version is thinner and lighter than the previous one. It measures 2.75 mm thin and features backlit keys; the retail price is of $119.99.

Type Cover 2: the new version has the same design and weight as the previous one, but now is backlit in four colors – Cyan, Magenta, Purple, and Black. The estimated retail price is of $129.99.

Power Cover: aside from the same typing experience the first two covers offer, this one also extends the battery life on Surface 2, Surface Pro, and Surface Pro 2 by up to 50 percent. It will be available in early 2014 at a retail price of $199.99.

Are you using a Surface in your daily work? What are your favorite features from the device?