It happened: Microsoft, to the horror of its partners, introduced a couple of its tablets Microsoft Surface(suddenly, a desk with a screen became a tablet) running Windows 8 RT and Windows 8 Pro. There are also such highlights as the Touch Cover and Type Cover, which simultaneously serve as keyboards. Let's start with the first model - Microsoft Surface Windows 8 RT with a 10.6-inch ClearType HD screen with Gorilla Glass 2 protective glass (the resolution is unknown, but according to journalists who held the tablet in their hands, it looks like 1366x768) runs on the tablet version of the "windows" equipped office suite Office Home & Student 2013 RT. The role of the processor is not performed by Intel, as you might think, but by a quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3. The equipment also includes 32 or 64 GB flash memory, a powerful Wi-Fi module (2x2 MIMO), a microSD card slot, and a USB 2.0 port (alas , marketers did not allow the installation of USB 3.0) and a couple of cameras. All this is packaged in a case (with a stand, rare among tablets!) made of magnesium alloy (VaporMg) 9 mm thick with pennies and weighing almost 670 g. Autonomy, unfortunately, is unknown, but the battery capacity is 31.5 Wh. Microsoft Surface model Windows 8 Pro looks almost the same as the first, but has a number of significant differences. First of all, the processor here is Intel Core i5 (Ivy Bridge), which determined the installation of the desktop version of the windows, and the screen resolution is clearly 1920x1080. Other differences include a microSDXC card slot, 64 or 128 GB flash memory, USB 3.0 and Mini DisplayPort ports. The weight, thickness and capacity of the battery are noticeably larger: 900 g, 13.5 mm and 42 Wh, respectively. Among the accessories, so far there is only one pen (only for a tablet with Intel) and a couple of covers with built-in keyboards: a 3 mm Touch Cover and a 5 mm Type Cover with physical keys. Both are attached to tablets via a magnet (I wonder if Apple will sue them over this?). Additionally, the first cover is available in several bright colors, while the second cover is only available in black. In terms of release dates, the situation is like this: a tablet running Windows RT will appear immediately after the official debut of Windows 8 OS in the fall of this year, and a version running Windows 8 Pro will appear in early 2013. The most important thing is the prices. They have not yet been named, although for some reason we are sure that they will be quite large, so Microsoft partners have nothing to worry about yet.
After the start of sales of the younger version of the tablet on Windows RT, Microsoft released an updated version with the Windows 8 Professional operating system with a more advanced display and a powerful Intel Core i5 processor
After the start of sales of the younger version of the tablet on Windows RT, Microsoft released an updated version with the Windows 8 Professional operating system with a more advanced display and a powerful Intel Core i5 processor.
Design
Before us is the same recognizable design that was developed specifically for Surface tablets - both models are as similar as two peas in a pod.
The design is dominated by straight and clear lines.
Just like the younger tablet model, the Surface Pro body is made of VaporMg magnesium alloy.
The entire front panel is occupied by protective glass, under which there is a 10.6-inch display with a black frame.
Above the screen there is a light sensor and a front HD camera with an operation indicator.
Below the screen is the Windows touch button.
The main difference between the versions of the tablet was their thickness: for the Surface Pro this figure is 13.5 m, which is 4.2 mm more than the Surface RT.
On the right side there is a slot for microSD memory cards, a proprietary magnetic connector for connecting a charger and a Mini DisplayPort port.
On the left is a USB 3.0 connector, a combined volume button and a 3.5 mm jack for connecting a headset.
Almost the entire top edge is occupied by a plastic insert, which ensures the correct operation of the wireless modules.
On the insert, on the right side, there is a power/lock button.
And in the middle there is a recessed microphone grille.
Due to the use of an Intel processor based on x86 architecture, the manufacturer installed an active cooling system, the grille of which is located between the top edge and the rear panel. The gratings smoothly transition to the side ends. Stereo speakers are located at the side ends under the grilles.
At the top of the cover is the main HD camera with an operation indicator.
Just like the younger model, Microsoft Surface Pro is equipped with a folding leg that acts as a stand and is located at the bottom of the back panel.
Almost the entire bottom edge is occupied by a recess, in the center of which there is a magnetic connector for connecting a keyboard cover. The tablet supports both Touch Cover and Type Cover connections.
Despite changes in some design elements and an increase in body thickness, the Microsoft Surface Pro looks great. Moreover, the engineers were able to complete the task and install a cooling system without spoiling the appearance of the tablet.
Microsoft Surface Pro weighs 909g.
The device comes with an active pen, which is securely attached to a magnetic connector for connecting the charger.
The stylus resembles a ballpoint pen and is almost entirely made of glossy black plastic.
Display
Like Surface RT, the older version of the device is equipped with a 10.6-inch TFT matrix with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and a higher resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
The display is distinguished by high clarity, a large reserve of brightness and natural color reproduction. The tablet also uses proprietary ClearType text smoothing technology, thanks to which you can work with office applications and read e-books for a long time without worrying that after an hour and a half your eyes will turn red and start to water.
Ergonomics
Using the tablet is very convenient, and the difference of 229 g between the younger and older versions of the tablet is almost not noticeable.
All function keys are in the usual places, and the new layout of the interfaces turned out to be no less convenient compared to the Surface RT.
The display is protected by durable glass and supports up to ten simultaneous touches. The light level sensor works just fine - as does the auto-adjustment of the backlight.
The on-screen keyboard turned out to be convenient and well-thought-out: you probably won’t miss the right button, and all presses are accompanied by sound.
An active pen allows you to control your operating system, easily sketch and take notes in OneNote and PowerPoint, and draw masterfully in Fresh Paint or a more powerful graphics editor.
The folding leg allows you to place the tablet firmly on almost any surface at an angle of 22 degrees, and this is very convenient for comfortable work, games and watching movies.
As for the built-in speakers, they produce loud and clear sound enough to enjoy your favorite songs after a hard day at work.
Interface and software
The tablet runs on the 64-bit Windows 8 Professional operating system with a standard set of applications.
In addition, unlike the RT edition, installation of regular Windows applications is supported.
An application store is also available, in which a large number of optimized services and programs are available to the user.
The tablet comes without the Microsoft Office suite of office applications pre-installed. The user can choose the required edition or subscription period in Office 365.
BitLocker data encryption technology is responsible for the security and reliable safety of data, and virus protection and web security are provided by the free and reliable Windows Defender antivirus.
Microsoft Surface Pro is perfect for use in a corporate environment - the tablet can be connected to a corporate domain or configured for remote access.
Performance
Microsoft Surface Pro is based on a dual-core Intel Core i5-3317U processor, made on the basis of a 22 nm process technology with a clock frequency of 1.7 GHz and equipped with an integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics card. Thanks to support for Intel Hyper-Threading Technology, the processor processes four data streams in parallel , and Intel Turbo Boost technology allows you to increase the processor frequency to 2.6 GHz.
The tablet has 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal memory, which can be expanded using microSD memory cards.
Thanks to the use of a powerful hardware platform, the performance of the Microsoft Surface Pro is at the highest level - the tablet can easily cope with most tasks, including working with a suite of office documents, launching games and playing videos in maximum resolution.
In synthetic tests, Microsoft Surface Pro showed the following results:
PassMark 1381,7
PCMark 7 3923
Example photo of the front camera:
Communications
Like Surface RT, the Pro version is equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0 modules.
Also, compared to the younger version of the tablet, some connectors have changed their location. In addition to the audio output for connecting a headset, there is a USB 3.0 interface on the left side, and on the right there is an interface for microSD memory cards and a Mini DisplayPort connector.
A high-speed USB 3.0 connector will increase the data transfer speed between the device and an external drive, and with the help of Mini DisplayPort and a proprietary adapter for HDMI, you can display images on a TV or monitor.
Working hours
The tablet uses a lithium-ion battery, which provides a good level of autonomy. In video viewing mode with the maximum display brightness level, the tablet will work for up to four hours, and with minimal load and wireless modules disabled, you can count on six hours of operation without recharging.
Impression
When developing Surface Pro, Microsoft specialists managed to combine the advantages of the younger model and a high-performance hardware platform running on a full version of the Windows 8 operating system.
PECULIARITIES:
Windows 8 Professional
Attractive design
Active pen
Full HD display
High level of performance
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Model Microsoft Surface Pro
- CPU Intel Core i5-3317U, 1.7 GHz
- Dimensions 27.46 × 17.3 × 1.34 cm
- Weight tablet 907 g
- Display TFT, touch, 10.6”
- Permission 1920 x 1080 pixels (208 ppi pixel density)
- RAM 4 GB
- Memory 128 GB + microSD slot
- Camera 1.2 MP, 1.2 MP front
- Communications Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.0
- Ports Mini DisplayPort, USB 3.0, 3.5 mm output, magnetic connector for charger, magnetic connector for keyboard cover.
- Additionally stylus
- OS Windows 8 Professional
On April 4, 2013, official sales of the Microsoft Surface RT tablet started in Russia (previously, this tablet was promoted under the name Microsoft Surface without the RT index). This device was in the spotlight last fall when Windows 8 and Windows RT came out. But for some unknown reason, the Russian launch of Microsoft Surface RT was delayed by as much as six months. In the hyper-dynamic tablet market, such a delay is suicidal. Nevertheless, we cannot ignore this product, especially now, when buying it is not a problem, and Russian prices are known.
Before we move on to testing the tablet, let's tell you a little more about the history of this device. Initially, the name Surface was an experimental project by Microsoft - the surface of which was touch-sensitive.
This device was created in 2007 and had nothing to do with Windows 8 and tablets (at that time even Windows 7 and the first iPad had not yet seen the light of day). Innovative in its own way, the Surface did not receive wide distribution and mass attention (although the head of the Russian representative office of Microsoft, Nikolai Pryanishnikov, told the author of these lines at the presentation of Windows 7 that the Surface desk is used by some institutions, including one well-known Russian bank). Perhaps that is why they decided to borrow the name from the interactive table when Microsoft had the idea to release its own tablet.
The news that Microsoft will present a reference device on both versions of the new Windows - RT and 8 - aroused interest mixed with bewilderment in the IT community. Microsoft has always declared that it prefers to deal with software, and relies on partners for hardware. In other words, “We make software, you make devices.” This principle worked in the case of classic Windows, and it was also transferred to mobile versions, including the current Windows Phone (as you know, a key partner was chosen to promote Windows Phone, it was Nokia).
What made Microsoft abandon its previous strategy is an interesting question. Moreover, already at the presentation of Windows 8/RT, partners presented a number of devices (tablets, ultrabooks, all-in-one PCs) that reveal the potential of the new OS. Perhaps Microsoft decided to intensify competition by releasing a relatively inexpensive and high-quality device, thereby pushing partners to a more aggressive pricing policy. One way or another, in November 2012, sales of the Microsoft Surface (later the RT index was added to the name) based on Windows RT began in the United States, and in February 2013, a version with a full-fledged WIndows 8 appeared - Surface Pro.
Despite the fact that Microsoft tablets immediately became the center of attention of the specialized press and people who are not indifferent to new products in the mobile industry, sales of Surface RT and Surface Pro were lower than expected: by mid-March, Microsoft only sold 1.5 million Surface RT and Surface Pro tablets instead planned 3-4 million. In addition to this, at the end of March it was announced that Microsoft will not develop Windows RT as a separate branch of Windows. And this immediately raised the question: will the tablet receive an update to the next version of the OS (at least an intermediate one), or will the story of owners of smartphones on Windows Phone 7, who were not allowed to upgrade to Windows Phone 8, repeat with the owners of Microsoft Surface RT.
Probably, all this news played a role in the modest start of Microsoft Surface RT on the Russian market. According to press reports, in the first four days of sales of the Surface RT, less than 300 copies were sold, which is many times less than the sales of the Apple iPad in the first days after its appearance on the Russian market. However, here it would be more correct to compare not with the iPad, but with other devices running Windows RT (ASUS VivoTab RT, Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11). We do not have exact information, but we assume that their sales were unlikely to be higher.
Perhaps the price played a role: for the minimum package (tablet without keyboard cover, built-in memory capacity is 32 GB) we are asked for 20,990 rubles. For comparison, a third-generation iPad with the same amount of memory can be purchased from the largest Russian Apple reseller for 1,000 rubles cheaper (and even cheaper from smaller sellers).
The version that came to us for testing was equipped with a Microsoft Touch Cover keyboard cover (we will talk about it in detail). In this configuration, the 32 GB version of Surface RT will cost 23,990 rubles. For about the same money (and even cheaper) you can buy an ASUS Transformer Pad Inifinity with a keyboard dock and 64 GB of memory. Note that Microsoft offers two types of keyboard covers as an option: Touch Cover and Type Cover. From the outside, they are no different from a number of other modern “smart” covers, but once you open them, the covers turn into a keyboard equipped with a touchpad. The difference between Touch Cover and Type Cover is that in the first case, data input is provided by touching the buttons, and in the second, by pressing the keys.
The table below lists the main characteristics of the Microsoft Surface RT, as well as the above-mentioned competitors (for clarity of comparison).
| Microsoft Surface RT | ASUS VivoTab RT TF600T | ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity | Third generation iPad | |
| Screen | 10.6″, Super IPS+, 1366×768 (148 ppi) | 10.1″, Super IPS+, 1366×768 (155 ppi) | 10.1″, Super IPS+, 1920×1200 (224 ppi) | 9.7″, IPS, 2048×1536 (264 ppi) |
| SoC (processor) | NVIDIA Tegra 3 T30 @1.4 GHz (4 cores + 1 auxiliary, ARM Cortex-A9) | NVIDIA Tegra 3 T30L @1.2 GHz (4 cores + 1 auxiliary, ARM Cortex-A9) | NVIDIA Tegra 3 T33 @1.6 GHz (4 cores + 1 auxiliary, ARM Cortex-A9) or Qualcomm MSM 8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus @1.5 GHz (2 Krait cores, ARMv7) | Apple A5X @1 GHz (2 cores, ARM Cortex-A9) |
| GPU | GeForce ULP | GeForce ULP | GeForce ULP @520 MHz or Adreno 225 @400 MHz | PowerVR SGX543MP4 |
| Flash memory | 32 or 64 GB | 32 or 64 GB + 32 GB cloud storage (for 3 years) | 32 or 64 GB + 8 GB cloud storage | from 16 to 64 GB |
| Connectors | USB 2.0, Micro-HDMI, 3.5 mm headphone jack, magnetic connectors for charger and keyboard | Micro-HDMI 1.4a, 2 dock connectors (one on the dock), 3.5 mm headphone jack, USB 2.0 (on the dock) | 30-pin dock connector, 3.5mm headphone jack | |
| Memory card support | microSD/SDHC (up to 64 GB) | microSD/SDHC (up to 64 GB) | microSD (up to 64 GB), SD/SDHC (up to 64 GB, on the docking station) | No |
| RAM | 2 GB | 2 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Cameras | rear (1.2 MP) and front (1.2 MP) | rear (8 MP) and front (2 MP) | rear (5 MP; video shooting - 1920×1080) and front (photo 0.3 MP) | |
| Internet | WiFi | Wi-Fi (optional - 3G and 4G/LTE) | Wi-Fi (optional - 3G, as well as 4G/LTE without support for Russian networks) | |
| operating system | Microsoft Windows RT | Microsoft Windows RT | Google Android 4.0 (upgrade to version 4.1.1 available) | Apple iOS 5.0 (upgrade to 6.0 available) |
| Dimensions (mm)* | 275×172×9.4 | 263×171×8.3 | 263×181×8.5 | 241×186×9.4 |
| Weight (g) | 680 | 538 | 597 | 652 |
| Price** | 27,990 rubles | N/A(0) | $406() | 22,990 rubles |
* - according to the manufacturer; Weight does not include the keyboard dock or keyboard cover.
** - since ASUS VivoTab RT is sold only with a keyboard dock and 64 GB of flash memory, and a similar option is the most common for ASUS Transformer Pad infinity, the price for Microsoft Surface RT and Apple iPad of the third generation is indicated taking into account memory capacity 64 GB. In the case of Surface RT, it is also expected to be equipped with a Microsoft Touch Cover keyboard cover.
It is clearly visible that ASUS VivoTab RT and our today's hero are practically twins. True, the Microsoft tablet loses due to the resolution of the rear camera, as well as its greater weight and thickness. In addition, do not forget that the keyboard dock of ASUS tablets contains an additional battery, which is very valuable.
As for comparison with devices on other platforms, the Microsoft tablet has only one trump card here: 2 GB of RAM. In terms of other parameters (including the main screen), the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity and the third generation iPad look much more attractive (however, in the case of the iPad it is worth remembering the limitations of the OS itself, which means that it is impossible to expand the memory using removable media, etc.).
Here is a complete list of Microsoft Surface RT specifications.
Microsoft Surface RT Specifications
- SoC NVIDIA Tegra 3 T30 @1.3 GHz (4 ARM Cortex-A9 cores)
- GPU GeForce ULP
- RAM 2 GB
- Flash memory 16 GB or 32 GB
- Supports microSD/microSDXC memory cards (up to 64 GB)
- Microsoft Windows RT operating system
- Touch display IPS, 10.6″, 1366×768 (148 ppi), capacitive, multi-touch
- Rear cameras (1.2 MP, 720p video shooting) and front (1.2 MP)
- WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n (2.4/5 GHz)
- Bluetooth 4.0
- 3.5 mm headphone jack, USB 2.0, Micro-HDMI
- MHL (with HDCP support)
- Lithium polymer battery 31.5 Wh
- Accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, light sensor
- Dimensions 275×172×9.4 mm
- Weight 680 g
But let's not jump to conclusions based on specs alone and take a fresh look at the Microsoft Surface RT.
Packaging and equipment
The tablet comes in a massive black box, the size of which is more suitable for a laptop. From this black box with a beveled right side peeks out a white box, in which the tablet itself is located. Next to the white box there is also a keyboard cover, and this explains the need for a common black box.
The charger deserves a separate mention. It was obviously inspired by Apple laptops with their famous MagSafe, and also uses a magnetic lock rather than a physical connector.
However, unlike MagSafe, the Microsoft Surface RT charger does not connect to the tablet as easily. It has to be adjusted so that it fits into the appropriate connector.
Design
The tablet looks nice and strict, although a little massive. On the front surface, only the Windows 8 logo stands out, which is very interestingly played out in the shape of its edges.
The fact is that the edges of the tablet are beveled, tapering towards the back, but without smoothing. That is, the back surface is as straight as the front, but its area is smaller.
The uppermost part of the rear surface - a narrow line on which the rear camera eye is visible - is made of plastic. The surface below looks like metal, but we won’t say for sure. Finally, the lowest part of the back side is a metal plate that bends 45 degrees and can act as a foot when the device is installed vertically.
This is one of the main advantages of the Microsoft Surface RT design. The presence of a convenient stand eliminates the need to buy a docking station or look for any other ways to fix the tablet vertically.
For easy lifting of the stand, there is a small ledge on the left side of the tablet.
In addition, on the same side there is a volume rocker, a 3.5 mm audio jack and one of the two speakers. On the right side we see a second speaker, contacts for connecting accessories, Micro-HDMI and USB 2.0 connectors.
The presence of full-length USB is another big plus of the Microsoft Surface RT design.
On the top edge there are two microphone slots, as well as a Power button. And on the bottom edge we see only contacts for connecting a key accessory: the keyboard cover.
This keyboard cover deserves a separate discussion, since it is both the most original component of the Microsoft Surface RT, and the most recognizable (which, however, follows from its originality).
Microsoft Touch Cover Keyboard
Keyboards connected to a tablet won’t surprise anyone these days. There are serious solutions here, such as those used by ASUS in devices from the Transformer and VivoTab lines, which actually turn the tablet into a netbook (or ultrabook), and compact external keyboards, popular among iPad users. However, Microsoft has put its own spin on the keyboard by combining it with another popular tablet accessory: a magnetic cover.
Like Apple's Smart Cover (originally designed for the iPad 2), Microsoft Touch Cover not only protects the device's screen, but also wakes it from sleep mode (when opened) or puts the device to sleep (when closed).
However, the presence of touch buttons and a touchpad allows you to use this cover as a keyboard. At the same time, unlike more traditional keyboards, the Touch Cover is quite light, not much heavier than covers. Therefore, the total weight of the device (tablet + keyboard) is significantly less than, for example, the ASUS Transformer line of tablets.
In addition, the material from which the back of the Touch Cover is made is delightful. This is a fabric that is very pleasant to the touch. Thanks to this non-standard solution, the tablet immediately becomes more intimate and homely.
As for the keyboard layout, the main complaints here are the lack of a PrintScreen button and the Enter key is too small. The rest can be dealt with.
Of course, like any solution that claims to be universal, Microsoft Touch Cover has several pitfalls. One of them is obvious: typing on a touch keyboard is much less convenient and enjoyable than typing on a physical one. Typing a letter is a lot of work, but I wouldn’t dare create a full-fledged text in Word. Uncomfortable. Unusual. In addition to not feeling responsive when you press, you have to press with some force rather than just a light touch. Perhaps this was done on purpose to minimize accidental clicks. But because of this, for example, I was never able to press the Ctrl+Shift combination the first time, and sometimes I had to press individual buttons again. I'm sure if you were using a Type Cover keyboard, where the keys are mechanical, there would not be such a problem, but we will check this when the opportunity arises.
The second point is the impossibility of working on your knees. For example, you can work with the Transformer Pad Inifinty like you would with an ordinary netbook - on the subway, at a conference or any other event where it is not possible to place the tablet on a hard surface. This trick won't work with the Microsoft Surface RT because the Touch Cover doesn't hold the screen. However, if you do have a table, then you can use a stand, and then it will be quite possible to work.
The third drawback (however, also quite obvious) is the lower functionality of the Touch Cover compared to keyboards for ASUS and Acer tablets, which, in addition to typing, also increase battery life (since they contain an additional battery) and expand the possibilities of connecting devices and expanding memory.
And yet we assess this decision purely positively. Despite the youth of the tablet market, there is a serious lack of fresh ideas here. And Touch Cover is just a fresh idea, and also implemented quite well. But is this experiment worth the several thousand rubles that are being asked for it? Here we can no longer give unambiguous recommendations - we must proceed from the needs and use cases of a specific buyer. Probably, Touch Cover is not very suitable for typing large texts. But, however, a tablet, in principle, is not the best solution for such a task. Then you need to take something like Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11. However, if you look at the Touch Cover not as a full-fledged keyboard, but as a cover with expanded capabilities, then it looks very advantageous.
To sum up our impressions of the Microsoft Surface RT design, let's say that it turned out to be decent and interesting. Almost everyone to whom I showed the tablet expressed a positive assessment after turning it in their hands, everyone liked the keyboard (at least the idea itself), everyone noted the retractable stand as a very useful solution. The designers managed to make a tablet that perfectly matches the Microsoft style: quite strict, associated with the corporate world, but not boring or old-fashioned; moderately stylish, but not glamorous.
Screen
The tablet's screen is covered with a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface and, judging by the reflection of bright light sources in it, has a good anti-glare filter. On the outer surface of the screen there is a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) and quite effective coating, so fingerprints do not appear as quickly as with regular glass, but are removed more easily.
With manual brightness control, its maximum value was 445 cd/m², the minimum was 9 cd/m². The maximum value is quite high, so in bright daylight the screen will remain readable to some extent, and the minimum brightness will allow you to work comfortably even in complete darkness. There is automatic brightness adjustment based on the light sensor (the left peephole at the top of the screen frame). The range of brightness adjustment depends on the position of the brightness adjustment slider. If it is set to 50%, then in complete darkness the auto-brightness function reduces the brightness to 80 cd/m², in an artificially lit office the brightness is set to about 160 cd/m², and in a very bright environment (about 20,000 lux, which is approximately corresponds to daytime illumination outdoors, but not in direct sunlight) the brightness is again reduced to 80 cd/m²; if the slider is set to 100%, then under similar conditions the values are as follows: 200, 445 and 200 cd/m²; if it is set to 0%, then the brightness always remains at the minimum value of 9 cd/m². The results suggest that the sensor does not function properly in bright ambient light, so the auto-brightness feature is of very limited value. At maximum and minimum brightness, there is no backlight flickering; at medium brightness values, backlight modulation appears, but it has a frequency of more than 20 kHz, so in this case no visible flickering is observed.
The tablet uses an IPS matrix. Here is a microphotograph of the matrix of this tablet:
In this case, each subpixel is divided into two domains, oriented slightly at an angle to each other. The screen has good viewing angles without inverting shades and without significant color shifts, even with large viewing deviations from perpendicular to the screen. True, when the black field deviates diagonally, it brightens greatly and acquires a noticeable purple tint. When viewed perpendicularly, the uniformity of the black field is low, since there are local areas with increased brightness of the black field in several places along the edge of the screen. The response time for the black-white-black transition is 17 ms (9 ms on + 8 ms off). The transition between halftones 25% and 75% (according to the numerical value of the color) and back takes a total of 31 ms. The contrast is high - about 1050:1. The gamma curve constructed using 32 points did not reveal any blockage in either highlights or shadows, and the index of the approximating power function is 2.18, which is close to the standard value of 2.2. In this case, the real gamma curve practically does not deviate from the power-law dependence:
Color gamut narrower than sRGB:
The spectra show that the matrix filters mix the components with each other:
This technique allows you to increase the brightness of the screen with the same energy consumption for backlighting. The balance of shades on the gray scale is good - the color temperature, although above 6500 K, but throughout the entire significant part of the gray scale this parameter changes only slightly, while the deviation from the blackbody spectrum (delta E) is less than 4, which can be considered excellent for a consumer device indicator. (Dark areas of the gray scale can be ignored, since color balance there is not very important, and the error in measuring color characteristics at low brightness is large.)
In general, the screen has an acceptable maximum brightness, fairly high contrast and has a good color balance, but the color gamut is narrow and black stability in relation to the deviation of the gaze from perpendicular to the screen is low, black uniformity, possibly due to poor build quality, average, sensor external lighting fails. There are too many shortcomings for such a famous manufacturer.
Platform and performance
The tablet runs on the NVIDIA Tegra 3 single-chip system. We are very familiar with this SoC, not only from Android devices, but also from the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11, a “laptop-tablet” running Windows RT. Therefore, we refer you to the article about it, because the situation with Microsoft Surface RT is similar.
This is confirmed by the SunSpider 1.0 browser benchmark, in which the Microsoft Surface RT scored a result almost identical to the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11. However, we note that we tested all other devices (including Lenovo) on benchmark version 0.9.1, but, apparently , the results of the new version are compatible with the results of the previous one.
Autonomous operation
Battery life is one of the main trump cards of Windows 8/RT devices. And Microsoft Surface RT is no exception. The manufacturer does not disclose the battery capacity, but we can assume that it is quite decent, since the case is quite spacious (unlike, say, the case of the Sony Xperia Tablet Z).
In reading mode, with the screen brightness set to 100 cd/m² and Wi-Fi turned on, the tablet worked for about 14 hours - this is a very decent result (although not a record).
When playing YouTube videos through the Internet Explorer browser (with similar brightness), the operating time was about 13 hours. This is also a very good indicator, especially compared to Android devices. However, if we connect a keyboard dock to the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity, we get approximately the same video playback time.
Note also that the battery discharges evenly, and the percentage of remaining charge is displayed correctly.
HDMI interface test
To test the HDMI interface we used an LG IPS237L monitor. As already mentioned, the tablet is equipped with a Micro-HDMI output. This connector is miniature (narrower than Micro-USB), but has 19 pins. HDMI cables for such a connector are usually quite rigid, which during operation often causes the plug to become distorted in the socket and cause a failure in image transmission. In general, the performance characteristics of this method of connecting to an external screen are extremely low. The use of a Micro-HDMI connector is somehow justified in the case of miniature devices such as phones, but in tablets it is necessary to use more reliable options such as Mini-HDMI or even a full-size HDMI version.
When connected via HDMI, you can select the operating mode of the second monitor: duplicate the tablet screen to an external monitor, extend the desktop to an external monitor, output only to the tablet screen, or output only to an external monitor. In screen duplication mode, there is no automatic flip to portrait orientation. In landscape orientation, the image on the monitor fits exactly into the display area. When selecting Extended or External Monitor Output Only mode, the external monitor can be configured with a resolution of up to 1080p at 50, 59, or 60 Hz. We tested in 1080p modes at 50 and 60 Hz. Sound is output via HDMI (in this case, the sounds were heard through headphones connected to the monitor, since there are no speakers in the monitor itself) and is of very good quality. In this case, the volume is adjusted using buttons on the tablet body. In general, the set of settings related to the output of images and sound to a device connected via HDMI is no less than in the case of regular Windows - the placement and orientation of the second screen, the choice of audio output to an external device or to the tablet’s speakers, etc.
Video output using the standard player deserves a special description. To begin with, using a set of test files with an arrow and a rectangle moving one division per frame (see Methodology for testing video playback and display devices. Version 1), we checked how the video is displayed on the screen of the tablet itself. Screenshots with a shutter speed of 1 s helped determine the nature of the output of frames of video files with various parameters: the resolution varied (1280 by 720 (720p) and 1920 by 1080 (1080p) pixels) and frame rate (24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 frames/ With). The results of this (block entitled " Screen") and the following test are tabulated:
| File | Uniformity | Passes |
| Screen | ||
| watch-1920x1080-60p.mp4 | not playable | |
| watch-1920x1080-50p.mp4 | not playable | |
| watch-1920x1080-30p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1920x1080-25p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1920x1080-24p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-60p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-50p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1280x720-30p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-25p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1280x720-24p.mp4 | Great | No |
| HDMI (monitor) | ||
| watch-1920x1080-60p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1920x1080-50p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1920x1080-30p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1920x1080-25p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1920x1080-24p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-60p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-50p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-30p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-25p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-24p.mp4 | Great | No |
Note: If in both columns Uniformity And Passes“green” ratings are given, this means that, most likely, when watching films, artifacts caused by uneven alternation and frame skipping will either not be visible at all, or their number and visibility will not affect the viewing comfort. "Red" marks indicate possible problems associated with the playback of the corresponding files.
Full HD (1080p) files at 50 and 60 fps were output slightly slower with occasional brief acceleration. It is impossible to watch videos in this mode, so we have indicated that these files are not actually playable. Output to the screen of the tablet itself is carried out only in 60 Hz mode, so files with frequencies that are not multiples of this are output with alternating lengths of frame intervals, but these intervals do not always alternate strictly evenly. However, this is unlikely to be very noticeable, since the variation in the alternation is not very large. When playing video files with Full HD resolution (1920 by 1080 pixels) on the tablet screen, the image of the video file itself is displayed exactly along the border of the screen. The brightness range displayed on the screen corresponds to the original one - all gradations of shades are displayed in shadows and highlights (for video in the range 16-235).
When playing a video with a standard player on a monitor connected via HDMI, the image of video files with a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels is displayed on the entire screen in true Full HD resolution. The brightness range displayed on the monitor slightly does not correspond to the standard - all gradations of shades are displayed in the shadows, but in the highlights a couple of shades merge with white. Since when outputting to an external monitor it is possible to select the frame rate, in the table we present the results obtained for files of 24, 30 and 60 fps in the 60 fps output mode, and for files of 25 and 50 fps - in 50 fps output mode. Those who care about output quality can always adjust the output accordingly. The test results are shown in the table above in the “ HDMI (monitor)". It can be seen that the ability to select the frequency allowed us to achieve an ideal result: files are played back with even alternation of intervals between frames and without skipping frames. Even if the frame rates in the file and the output frame rates do not match, the intervals between frames (or groups of frames, including the inevitable frame drops) alternate strictly evenly. We also note that there are no problems with outputting Full HD (1080p) files at 50 and 60 fps. In general, an HDMI connection can be used for watching movies, playing games, surfing the web, and other activities. Only the HDMI connector and cable will have to be handled very carefully.
Operating system and applications
Once again, we have nothing to add to our Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 review. The Windows RT system on the Microsoft Surface RT is presented in its purest form, so there are no surprises here. Only one thing confuses me: the main (and only) advantage of Windows RT over Windows 8, namely the presence of Microsoft Word, is somewhat depreciated by the keyboard, on which it is difficult to type large texts. Let us remind you that the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 has an excellent physical keyboard.
Camera
The tablet is equipped with two cameras - front and rear. But for inexplicable reasons, the resolution of both cameras is only 1.2 megapixels. This is normal for the front camera, but for the rear camera it is indecent even by the standards of budget devices.
However, resolution is far from the only characteristic that affects the quality of images. So let's look at the photos before jumping to conclusions.
Here is a fragment of the photo, enlarged to 100%. In principle, there are not so many defects as there are on cameras on budget tablets. Although the image still cannot be called ideal. Below is the same shot without cropping, but reduced to 600 pixels horizontally.
Our test of shooting a page with text, the tablet's rear camera passed conditionally: the quality is decent, but the text is too small, and there is not enough resolution for sufficient magnification.
An example of video shooting (31 seconds, 36.6 MB) can be downloaded. Overall, the quality of the video is decent, except that the resolution is only 720p. As a plus, we note that the video is shot with stereo sound.
conclusions
Microsoft has made a good tablet, with an interesting design and decent (for 2012) performance. But having met him, we still didn’t understand why the company from Redmond needed to change its long-standing strategy and invade the device manufacturer market. Apart from the keyboard cover idea, there's nothing here that we haven't seen from other manufacturers (including regular Microsoft partners).
If this was done with the aim of popularizing the Windows RT operating system, then it was necessary to set a significantly lower price. Because at the current price, Microsoft Surface RT is not very relevant. Today, for the same money, we expect, at a minimum, an impeccable Full HD screen, a high-quality camera and a wide selection of applications. If Microsoft simply wanted to demonstrate the capabilities of the new OS, then it is unclear why the OS manufacturer was not satisfied with numerous devices from other companies (ASUS, Acer, Samsung, Lenovo...) running on WIndows 8 or RT.
At the same time, we note that at least in the field of design there are interesting discoveries here, and if Microsoft wants to seriously develop independent production of mobile devices, then it is necessary to develop the ideas inherent in the design of the Surface RT. As an encouragement and at the same time an advance payment (with the hope of releasing further devices with an original design), we present Microsoft Surface RT with our editorial Original Design award.
Remember the rumors that Microsoft is preparing a successor to the Surface 2 tablet? Today they were confirmed, as the company officially introduced the Surface 3 tablet (without the Pro console), which runs on full Windows 8.1 with the ability to upgrade to Windows 10. The price of the device starts at $499. The tablet is available in WiFi and LTE variants.
Surface 3 inherits the beautiful and premium design of Surface Pro 3, only it's even more compact. The tablet weighs 622 grams and is 8.7 mm thick. It has a 10.8-inch screen with an aspect ratio of 3:2. The resolution is 1920x1280 pixels. It is significantly smaller compared to the Pro version and feels very compact. Surface 3 was equipped with a 3.5 megapixel front camera with autofocus, and the rear one received a resolution of 8 megapixels and the ability to shoot FullHD video. Microsoft promises that the Surface 3's battery will last all day. A microUSB output is used to charge it, which means that if something happens, you don’t have to look for a unique charger. Like the rest of the Surface line of tablets, the new Surface 3 has a proprietary support that can be positioned in three positions for comfortable work at a desk, on a sofa or chair, as well as for handwriting.
Surface 3 runs Windows 8.1 64-bit and will be available with Windows Pro for business users. In the future, he will easily receive Windows 10 immediately after the final release. With full Windows, you can run your desktop applications to perform the tasks you need. Included with the tablet, the buyer will find an annual subscription to Office 365 with full versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote. Of course, 1 TB of cloud storage is included here too.
Along with the tablet, Microsoft showed a number of accessories. This is how the branded Type Cover keyboard case for Surface 3 and a special dock were presented to turn the tablet into a workstation capable of connecting a huge range of peripherals. It's also worth noting that Surface 3 is equipped with a full USB 3.0, MiniDisplay Port and microSD card slot.
The new Intel Atom X7 processor, the most powerful of the Atom line, ensures high-quality and productive operation of Surface 3. However, it does not require active cooling, which makes it possible to make the tablet thinner and quieter. The performance of this tablet is quite enough to perform all everyday tasks. Microsoft also notes that the Surface 3 will handle video rendering and even 3D modeling, and the promotional video depicts the ability to play Minecraft.
Microsoft did not overlook the proprietary Surface Pen stylus. It can recognize 256 levels of pressure, but the pen will be available separately (in grey, blue, black and red) while it comes bundled with the Surface Pro 3.
Price. Microsoft is asking for the following money for the following models:
- 2 GB RAM and 64 GB storage - $499
- 4 GB RAM and 128 GB storage - $599
- 2 GB RAM and 64 GB storage + LTE support - $599
- 4 GB RAM and 128 GB storage + LTE support - $699.
Microsoft has unveiled the Surface 3, a new addition to the company's tablet series, which is known for its claims to be a laptop replacement and a high price. The new device, however, will start at $499 and promises everything Windows is known for, including a free upgrade to Windows 10.
Microsoft Surface 3 has a 10.8" display with a resolution of 1920x1280 pixels (214 ppi) and an aspect ratio of 3:2, which is closer to the standard of tablets than laptops (16:9).
Despite being positioned a class below the Surface Pro 3, the new device runs a full version of Windows 8.1, and the disastrous Windows RT is finally consigned to history as a topic Microsoft is unlikely to ever want to talk about again.
The new Surface 3 is the first device on the market to feature the new quad-core Intel Atom x7-Z8700 (Cherry Trail) processor. The amount of RAM is 2 or 4 GB depending on the configuration, while the internal memory will be available in 64 or 128 GB. There is also a USB 3.0 port, DisplayPort, microUSB, stereo speakers with improved sound from Dolby Audio, an 8-megapixel main camera with autofocus and a 3.5-megapixel front camera. As for wireless standards, there are several of them: there is support for Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11ac, GPS and optionally LTE.
Traditionally for this series, the new model has a rear pillar, which in this case supports three different positions. The Surface 3 is made of magnesium, and the device is 8.7 mm thick and weighs 622 grams, making it Microsoft's lightest tablet to date.
The tablet promises all day work on a single charge or 10 hours of video playback. The Surface 3 can be used with a stylus, but it will be sold separately for $49.99. The keyboard, which doubles as a screen protector, will also be sold separately for $129.99.
The tablet itself will be available for $499 in a version with 2 GB RAM and 64 GB of internal memory (Wi-Fi only), and a version with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB of internal memory will cost $599 (Wi-Fi only). The model with 2 GB RAM and 64 GB of internal memory + LTE will be available with a price tag of $599, and the most expensive version with 4 GB RAM, 128 GB of memory and LTE will be offered for $699.
Microsoft will release the tablet in May.
Have a great day!
