Microsoft Surface with Windows RT: Review

   When Microsoft decided to enter the tablet market, they tried to keep it secret, but everyone expected them to announce a tablet. However, what they didn’t expect was Surface, a product with a recycled name, ultra-thin profile, keyboard attachment, and two different flavors (one running Windows RT and one running Windows 8). But how does Microsoft’s first trip into making tablets, Surface with Windows RT (Surface RT), compare to the other options out there?

 

Display

   When Surface came out, some commented that the display isn’t as high of resolution as the latest products from Apple. However, the display, running at 1366X768 is bright, rich, and beautiful. Using ClearType, text is easy to read. Video looks brilliant. Colors pop when they need to, images are well defined. Video works very well. Given the resolution, it is an HD display and it is a beautiful one. At 10.6”, Surface RT offers plenty of viewing space for a tablet. For those looking for a little extra viewing space, Surface comes with HD video out. With a separately sold adapter, it can be connected to a television, projector, whatever one needs. It would be nice if the port was a bit more universal, but then in order to keep the profile of the device thin (.37”), that would be tough to do.

   Side by side, the display on other tablets such as the latest iPad can appear to be better, but not by much. People who are familiar with both devices would have a hard time identifying the tablet by just seeing a video playing on one device. The Surface display leaves little to nothing to be desired. Any increase to the price to improve the display wouldn’t be worth it.

 

Exterior

   Microsoft hit the ball out of the park when it comes to the exterior of the Surface. The VaporMg casing is solid. It’s softer than metal so it doesn’t feel like an industrial machine, but more solid than plastic so it feels like it could last the test of time.

   The kickstand is excellent. It doesn’t have the feel of a luxury car door opening and closing like some have said. However, it is extremely useful. It seems like it should be standard on all tablets. It doesn’t matter where someone is or what they brought. Surface RT can be set up anywhere, allowing you to simply sit back and enjoy. The only drawback to the kickstand is that the notch to open it is only on one side. There have been times when I happen to be holding the tablet in my left hand and try opening it with my right. Doesn’t work too well. If it is to be on one side, I would think the right would be better. I’m not the only right handed person out there and I hold a tablet in my left hand so I can use my right to poke at the touch screen. However, if you’re left handed, you may find Surface to be a bit friendlier to you in that regard.

   While the hinge for the kickstand doesn’t have the same luxury car door thunk as some have said, the click for connecting a TouchCover or TypeCover does. The magnetic bond is great. It does have a very satisfying sound when connecting. And, yes, the connection is strong enough that one can hold on to just the cover and the tablet will hold on. We’ll have more on the covers in another review.

   I’ve mentioned the video port, but there’s another port right next to it. Surface provides a full sized USB port. This allows users to connect just about anything out there. Obviously, one can connect a USB flash drive to increase their storage or to share files, but it goes beyond that. If you find the cost of the TouchCover to be a bit too much, it can be used to connect a keyboard, mouse, etc. Microsoft lists over 1000 printers that will work with Surface (So your printer has a good chance of working with it). There are external hard drives, headsets, cameras, the list goes on. This opens up Surface RT to be more flexible and capable of doing more than just about any other tablet out there. It can even be used to charge your cell phone. Try doing that with other tablets.

   Surface RT also features a microSDXC port hidden behind the kickstand. This gives users the ability to expand their storage for a fairly good price. More on the microSDXC later.

   On the right side, there’s also the charging connector. The charger connects using magnets and has a small light on it to let the user know that the connection has been made. It’s a small, touch, but a nice one.

 

Cameras

   Surface RT has two cameras where you would expect them. There’s one on the front and one on the back. Compared to the wide world of cameras, the cameras on Surface leave a lot to be desired. I would never dream of using the cameras on Surface to take snapshots of a vacation. That would be a terrible idea.

   But then I don’t believe that was the main purpose in mind when Microsoft selected these cameras. They do make quality cameras for things such as Skype. So for that video call to a loved one who lives far away or for a video conference, the cameras are great. And besides, anyone who really cares about quality images has a digital camera or a smartphone with a quality camera on it. With the microSDXC slot on the Surface, those who want great pictures on their tablets can take them on their digital point-and-shoot or DSLR and take the card and put them on their Surface using the microSDXC port. From there, they can be uploaded to Facebook, Twitter, or other sites.

   So while the cameras leave something to be desired, it’s not a huge loss. That is unless you don’t own a digital camera or a smartphone with a quality camera.

   A quick and easy fix for those looking for better cameras on their tablet would be for Microsoft to create drivers to allow some of their higher end web cameras to connect with Surface. However, there is currently little to no support. I would almost prefer this fix as opposed to better cameras on the device because it really does make the sky the limit and doesn’t require a price increase on the device for those who would never use the cameras or barely use them.

 

Operating System

   Surface RT runs Windows RT, a version of Windows designed to run on chips such as the NVIDIA Tegra 3 found in the Surface RT compared to Windows 8 which runs on x86 processors from AMD and Intel. Windows RT is to Windows 8 as iOS is to Mac OS.

   So what does this mean to users? Unlike iOS, Windows RT is almost identical to its x86 brother. This helps limit, if not eliminate, any learning curve for those familiar with Windows 8. It’s an extremely pleasant experience firing up a new device using an operating system you’ve never used, and you know exactly how to run it. The downside is that it has the potential to create some confusion. But the name is different, anyone who does minor research will know the difference. Given the price of a tablet, hopefully consumers do their homework before buying anything. 

   What are those differences? The main thing that consumers will deal with is that all the software designed for Windows 7 won’t run on Windows RT. Surface RT won’t run Photoshop or Counter Strike. It will run apps available in the online store or already on the device. It also comes with a host of programs including simple email, calendar, and messaging apps, Internet Explorer (both a version when in desktop mode and a more “Don’t call it Metro” touch friendly version), SkyDrive for accessing the cloud, and a Bing app. The biggest and most notable addition is Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote). That’s something not included in Windows 8 and brings great value to Surface RT.

   There are a few other additions that surprised me. Microsoft Paint is there and there’s even command prompt and NotePad. Windows Explorer is there for moving files. There is no Windows Media Player (although the device has other programs for listening to music or playing videos). However, that was about the only application that’s really noticeably missing.

   Some have made negative comments regarding the inclusion of the Windows desktop in Windows RT. The main critique is that it’s not very finger friendly. That’s very true. But then this isn’t an iPad. There are other ways to interact with the device. There are the TouchCovers and there is that USB port for connecting other input devices. Is everyone going to have these all the time? No. But then failure to include desktop for that reason would annoy me as much as when my elementary teachers would say “If you didn’t bring enough for everyone, then you can’t have it in class.” This isn’t the Soviet Union. To deny some a bit of functionality because some will never use it is silly. The desktop is not essential to use the device. It’s more of an extra. And it’s a welcomed addition.

   The platform is lacking in a number of big name apps. Which apps are missing that you might find important will vary from user to user. Only start screen friendly apps will work (outside the ones Microsoft includes). The apps that are missing that bother me aren’t really available on any tablet platform. There’s no Visual Studio (it would be nice to write and edit code on the go and then compile it later on my Windows desktop). Steam doesn’t work on it. Adobe Premiere doesn’t work. I can’t put Zune on it (leave me alone. I love the Zune desktop software and I don’t care who knows it).

   There were a few surprises when I fired up Windows RT. A lot of my desktop computer’s settings were brought over. The background image from my desktop was automatically there. The picture I use for my lock screen was automatically brought over. And these aren’t images that came with either OS. Using my LiveID/Windows ID/ whatever Microsoft is calling their account program these days, it automatically brought over a number of settings. It helps the device feel more personal and saved me the time of setting up the device. The biggest cross-over surprise was the fact that Internet Explorer brought over my frequently viewed sites and favorites. This saved me the trouble of rebuilding my favorite list on the tablet.

   Speaking of Internet Explorer, it works pretty well. It’s pretty much what one would expect from the Internet Explorer on their computer (Unless it’s an older version from when Internet Explorer stunk like a skunk). I’ve heard of some websites not running as advertised, but they’re few and far between. YouTube works. Hulu functions pretty well. Flash seem to work well. No promises that you won’t run into any sites that don’t work perfectly, but they’re few and far between.

 

Battery

   Surface RT comes with a 31.5 W-h battery. In my experience, this is enough to power the device for three days of moderate use and stand by time. How much the device is used and what it’s used for will impact the battery life, but I’ve found the battery life to be better than the average laptop. For those looking to replace their laptop with a tablet, that’s a big plus.

 

Storage

   Surface RT leaves a bit to be desired at first glance when it comes to storage. It comes in 32GB and 64GB flavors, but a portion of that is taken up by the operating system itself and the applications, including Office. The 32GB model has about 16GB of free space. It may leave a bit too little for some. However, unlike many other tablets, there’s other ways to get more storage than to buy the larger model. First, we have SkyDrive. I keep most of my Office documents on SkyDrive so they don’t take up space on the Surface and also so I can access them on my desktop and Windows Phone.

   There’s also the USB port. One can load up movies, pictures, and music on a flash drive, plug it in, and go.

   We also have the microSDXC card slot. For about $70, one could add a 64GB microSDXC card and instantly expand the amount of storage on the device. It costs $100 to go from a 32GB iPad to a 64GB iPad. For $30 less, a Surface can increase its storage size by twice as much and it can be done at any time, not just the point of purchase. That’s extra nice if you’re new to tablets and not exactly sure how much storage space you’ll need.

   I’ve also found a fourth way to increase the storage space of the Surface: Networked drives. I can set my larger hard drive on my desktop computer that I use for media as a network drive and easily get to it from my Surface. That added 1 TB of storage to my Surface, at least when I’m at home. It does make it nice when I want to share a video or something of that sort with someone in the household as I don’t have to drag them to my computer. If you’re going to do this, make sure you’ve secured your wireless network. The last thing anyone needs is their neighbor snooping around their files.

 

Who would benefit from Surface?

   Surface is great for a wide audience. I could see this being THE device for a college student. With Office preloaded, the ability to use flash drives, printers, and the cloud to share and print documents, a compact form factor, the ability to connect a keyboard, and an almost fully functional web browser, it’s a great device for students. The fact that the operating system is familiar means those that aren’t tech savvy will feel comfortable. Movie lovers will benefit from the fact that the display is great and can be connected to a larger screen. Those just looking for a computer to do some basic work will enjoy Surface.

   The only crowd that should possibly consider another tablet is the crowd that’s heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem. There’s no support for iCloud, it loses that level of familiarity if you’re used to Mac OS and iOS, and it might require the repurchase of some apps that you regularly use.

 

Summary

   The thing that amazed me most about Surface RT is how complete it happens to be. It looks and feels like Windows 8 to the point where it’s hard to tell it’s not Windows 8. Microsoft didn’t limit the OS based on the fact that not everyone would be using it with a TouchCover/TypeCover or mouse and keyboard all the time. That means it has functionality that other tablets who limit themselves will never have. The same goes for the fact that they included so many ports. There aren’t many tablets out there that I could also use to charge my cell phone or install a microSDXC card.

   Sure, Microsoft ruffled some feathers when they decided to release Surface. Acer CEO JT Wang said it would hurt the ecosystem and said that it’s something that Microsoft has never been good at (but then Acer’s never been great at building computers either). But this is a beautiful device. It’s a solid device. The other companies out there that make Windows computers should take a few pages out of the Surface playbook. Microsoft didn’t use cheap materials or cut a bunch of corners. If all desktop computers were built with the care and attention to detail that was applied to Surface RT, I wouldn't feel the need to build my own.

   If nothing else, Microsoft has changed the game when it comes to Windows computers. Many say that Apple products have better quality. Surface RT makes most Apple products look like children’s toys. I’ve been waiting for a Windows tablet of this quality. Previous tablets running Windows left plenty to be desired. Windows RT brings the operating system to the point where it feels like it’s in the right environment on a tablet. The build of the tablet is the perfect mate for the OS. Wang said Microsoft has never been good at this sort of thing. Well, if they weren’t before, they are now.

Understanding Microsoft's Surface Pro

 Microsoft has confirmed pricing, release date, and specs for their upcoming Surface Pro. It starts at about $900 for a 64GB of storage and you'll be able to get one in January. It runs an Intel i5, 4GB RAM, Windows 8 Pro, and all in a body slightly larger than the Surface RT. However, the product has been met with some early criticism.
   Part of the negative comments have centered around the lack of battery life. Microsoft has said that the battery life is about half of that of the Surface RT. That puts it at about four hours. That leaves something to be desired. Between that and the fact that it has Intel HD Graphics 4000, it falls short of perfect. These two issues are potentially being addressed with the next iteration as rumors are afoot that the next version will run an AMD APU. That would potentially improve battery life and improve graphic performance. But that's all speculation and neither here nor there.
   Another part of the less-than-loving comments center around the price. Sure, compared to other tablets, it's a bit pricey. A 64GB iPad costs $700, a 64GB Surface RT with a TouchCover costs $700, and Android tablets go for a few hundred dollars. That puts Surface Pro hundreds of dollars above just about anything else out there. When I posted on my Facebook about the announced price and specifications, I received comments such as "899 might as well not sell it" and "HOW much?!? What are they thinking?" And from a quick glance, they're right. However, anyone who's paid significant attention to the cycles of technology sees that it's actually quite different. With Apple's move to the iPad Mini and Microsoft's move with the Surface Pro, it becomes clear that one of these companies has been taking notes and the other is just looking for a quick sell.
   I remember the first time I saw a laptop. It was in the early 1990's and was a work computer for my dad. It ran an Intel 386 processor. It had a black and white screen and I could see the pixels fade in and out as they turned on and off. It could do very little. Back then all I cared about playing games and the device couldn't do that. It just didn't have the power needed. The blank and white screen and poor sound didn't help.
   Regardless of the price, that device had no hope of replacing the desktop computer we had. It simply couldn't do everything our family computer could do. It couldn't play CDs. It didn't run a lot of the programs that my parents used or at least didn't run them as well. I couldn't play the games I had.
   Laptops had a purpose though. People needed to be able to do work on the go. Carting a desktop computer around just wasn't feasible. So some people had both.
   But now, laptops can do pretty much anything desktop computers can do. I'm typing this post on a desktop computer and there's no reason I couldn't do it on a laptop. Every single program I run (Steam, Zune, Office, Media Center, Premiere Elements, etc.) runs on a lot of the laptops out there.
   And this transition has had an impact on our purchasing. Look at a Best Buy and they give laptops plenty of floor space and a place where they can be seen by everyone just walking by. At my local Best Buy, desktops are given space on a single shelf and hidden in a aisle between the laptops and the accessories. When I have people ask me about their next computer, they always ask for a laptop. I almost never get someone asking me about a desktop unless it's an old device they have that needs fixed. If they could replace it, they'd get a laptop instead.

   I'm seeing something similar now with tablets. Very few have completely given up their laptops and are living just on tablets. The most popular tablet, the iPad, syncs with your computer via iTunes. It's more or less dependent on a regular computer. On top of that, all iOS, Android, and Windows RT tablets lack the ability to run a lot of the programs we use on our desktops. None of them can run Adobe Premiere or Photoshop. Good luck playing a game of CounterStrike on most tablets. Office? Outside Windows RT that's something that people still need their laptop for. So despite how much some thing their tablet replaces their laptop, it simply can't.
   That is unless it's a Surface Pro or similar Windows 8 x86 tablet. This actually can replace a laptop. This is something that runs all the Windows apps we use regularly (assuming the system requirements don't exceed the specs of the Surface Pro). The hardware combined with the finger friendly nature of Windows 8 (a finger friendly nature was what held Windows 7 tablets back) makes for a tablet that can do it all.
   Surface Pro is the logical next step in computing. When computers first started, they were large. The idea of having one on a desk was silly. They then progressed to something we have on our desk, but they were bulky and lacked any sort of mobility. We eventually got laptops, but their lack of functionality kept them from hitting it big. That is until the line between the capabilities of laptops and desktops disappeared. And while tablets are popular, they still leave all of their owners that also have a laptop with the fact that they can't do it all. Anyone with a Surface Pro won't have the deal with that. The moment they buy one, they can put their laptop up on sale on eBay. People with iPads can't do that. They'll still need their laptop.
   To the people who made negative comments about the price on my Facebook (and I know of at least one of them who owns a laptop and a tablet), I pointed out something interesting about Surface Pro. A laptop with similar specs runs for about $600. A Windows RT tablet with 64GB of storage and a TouchCover costs $700. For $1000, a person can have something that can do everything the tablet can do (with exception to battery life) as well as everything the laptop can do. That's a savings of $300. That makes it a pretty good deal.
   Will Surface Pro fly off the shelves at Microsoft Stores when it comes out? No. There will probably be a number of them waiting to be bought. Between the battery life and the questionable decision regarding Intel graphics, it leaves something to be desired. It will also take people time to realize the benefit of Surface Pro's design. Many will just look at it and see a really expensive tablet. Until they're educated on why it's worth that price, they'll continue to buy iPads. But perhaps with Microsoft's next Surface Pro, they'll get the battery life higher, get some respectable graphics in it, and have consumers educated. Until that's done, Surface Pro will probably be viewed as personal computers were by the general public in the early days of Gates and Jobs starting their businesses... just a hobby toy that will never have mass appeal. However after people see the value of such a device, Apple's decision to make a smaller tablet that offers less practical functionality will leave people asking "Why in the world did they do that?"

Newegg.com now taking pre-orders for WindPad 110W, offers release date

Tech retailer giant, NewEgg.com, is now taking pre-orders for the MSI WindPad 110W. Details on their site include 4GB of RAM, 32GB of solid state storage, and metallic brown as the color. The color is curious considering all the photos provided by both NewEgg and other sites (including MSI) show the device being gray.

Did I fail colors in 1st grade or is that more of a gray than a brown?

NewEgg lists the device at $599.99 with a release date of August 1st, 2011. That release date could be just a projection from NewEgg, but the price does come with their Low Price Guarantee. That means if NewEgg lists it for cheaper when the device is released, those that pre-ordered will get the lower price.

Those interested in putting their pre-order with NewEgg can do so by going to their site here.

MSI updates site with information on the WindPad 110W

MSI is starting to roll out official information on the WindPad110W on their site. The site confirms the specifications for the device and gives more details than have been seen elsewhere. The site suggests that the device will come with 2GB of RAM with 4GB max supported. The story we ran earlier said that one of the websites taking pre-orders was saying 4GB was what was being sold. Given that MSI does business in multiple regions, it is possible that some will get the full 4GB while others will only have 2GB. If it's user expandable to 4GB, you can be sure that's something I would want to do. Hopefully, MSI makes it easy to do. The device does look pretty sealed up so that may be a challenge.

We're also told that the device will have Realtek HD audio (not much of a surprise considering MSI uses this on a lot of their motherboards) and Azurewave for all the fun radio stuff (BT, WiFi, GPS). I have no experience with Azurewave, but Realtek audio has always been pretty solid in my experience. It would be hard to do much better in a device this size.



MSI also mentions SRS sound, but I'm still calling that a gimmick until I hear it for myself. I've never been impressed with built-in speakers. I'll just carry a pair of high quality earbuds.

They also go on to mention the loop for a strap for your device. I don't know of many other tablets offering this so it is fairly unique. I just question if it's worth mentioning or even having. The picture they include for it is a bit comical. I do imagine that the first time I drop a tablet, I'll stop laughing though. They do cost around $600.

A strap... in case of uncontrollable Jazz Hands

One hardware feature that looks like a smart move is the inclusion of a touch pad that can be used as a mouse. Having used pads like this before, I know that they can be great when there's a need to click on something small and your fingers are just too fat. The benefit that MSI lists is that it allows the user to use the device while holding on to it with both hands. Seems nice, but I'm just glad I won't get too frustrated trying to click on something smaller than my fingers.

The device comes with a switch to lock screen orientation. The beauty of this is it gives users more control over how they view their content. The biggest benefit of this that I can see is with eReaders. I tend to move a bit when I'm reading and I don't want the text auto orienting on me as I move back and forth.

We do get our first look at the dock for the 110W. It seems to be essentially a brick with a slot carved out for the tablet. We don't get a 360 degree look at it so we can't tell if it offers more USB ports or anything else of interest, but from a basic design perspective, it seems like a good way to go. It would be very easy to put that dock on a desk with a keyboard and mouse connected to it and then drop the tablet in when the user wants a desktop oriented experience. No word on if the dock will be included or an optional extra.

This is great and all, but what does the back look like?

This is also our first look at the software that will come pre-loaded on the device. We already knew it would be coming with Office Starter Edition and that it would have some features such as facial recognition for security. Now we're getting a look at it. I'm curious to see how well the facial recognition software works in low light conditions and what kind of system resources it sucks up. This is a tablet. Wasted resources are a big mistake.

Another case of potential wasted resources is the O-Easy interface (really? They couldn't get a better name?). This is software that can be launched with a hardware button on the device and it helps users quickly access functions and programs that they use the most. The access to frequently used programs seems a bit redundant. That's what the desktop in Windows already does.  Access to adjusting things such as the cameras, wireless functions, etc. could be nice. It's not exactly the easiest thing to adjust these things in Windows. O-Easy also offers a To-Do list function. This seems to be something that'll be really helpful for some while others won't have much need as they already have something in place for this function.


The device also comes with MSI EasyViewer. I haven't had much chance to play with this software before, but I'll be interested in seeing how it stacks up compared to Windows Live Photo Gallery (my current recommendation to people who want a basic program for managing their photos and doing basic touch-ups).


One feature that seems to be a waste is Smart Media Link. From the description offered by MSI, this seems to help users share media between the 110W and other devices (TV, Smartphone, other PCs). It seems that this is better done with other software out there such as Zune (for sharing media between PC, TV via Xbox 360, and Windows Phone), and Dropbox (which allows for sharing of content very easily between PCs). I would have liked to see MSI push something like SkyDrive or Dropbox instead of creating their own solution.

A case of hardware and software that was revealed is the Trusted Platform Module (TPM). This is a way to increase security on your files. Files protected apparently can only be opened on devices with the TPM chip. Nice, but how does that work if I want to share that file with a colleague? 

The device features a hardware button that seems to have the same functionality as CTRL+ALT+DELETE which does worry me a bit. The only time I use that is when something crashes. It doesn't instill the greatest confidence in me that MSI would include this, but then I do see the benefit because if I can't get to the on-screen keyboard, I may need this from time to time.

All in all, the MSI 110W is showing a lot of promise. Despite all the cool hardware features and sometimes questionable software choices, the real question is how well this will work in the real world. Is it going to be flexible enough to make the iPad look like an overgrown iPod? Will it have the performance that it needs to make people enjoy it or will it get bogged down and frustrate users? If MSI hits this one out of the park, it could really establish Windows as a viable tablet platform and it would make MSI a bigger player for the general consumer. Hopefully we'll get a chance to look at the device and see for ourselves if it lives up to the potential.

MSI WindPad 110W available for pre-order

A site called jr.com is offering the ability to pre-order the MSI WindPad 110W. The site lists some of the specs for the device. Most of it was already known (such as the AMD Brazos APU and Windows 7 for the operating system). But we get a few more details. For those that aren't too tech savvy, I'll include a bit of commentary.


Memory:
4GB DDR3. That's on par with my desktop system and more than most tablet PCs. I'm quite happy to see this.

Storage:
32GB on board. Now if that's not enough for you, there's an SD card reader. So for around $50, you can just buy a 32GB SD card and double that. If I'm buying the 110W, I'd buy that SD card and keep all my media and whatnot on that while putting my programs on the system hard drive.

Speakers:
Built in with SRS. In my experience, SRS is just a gimmick. You won't notice much of an impact.

Battery:
2 cell 4200 mAh. I'll be curious to see how much life you get out of this. The site claims a 6 hour battery life. Given a comparison with other devices, their specs, and their batteries, I'll just say I'll believe that when I see it.


Other fun stuff:
The device also includes the usual wireless stuff (WiFi with 802.11b/g/n as well as Bluetooth) so you'll be able to get it to work on your home network as well as use your Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, and headset. There's also a built-in microphone which will be nice for Skype.

Another feature is GPS. Andrew Reese mentioned the GPS functionality in his review of the Acer Iconia A500. I don't see a lot of use for GPS on a tablet... yet. Perhaps as they become more popular, more software will be developed and maybe Windows 8 will have some GPS functionality.

The color listed on the site is the most curious of all the details available. It's listed as dark brown. I've yet to see a version of this device in any shade of brown and I can't help but wonder how dark is this dark brown. The site offers no images so we're left to wonder.

Should you pre-order from this site?
I'm going to say wait. I have no experience with jr.com so I can't say anything good or anything bad about them. Secondly, we don't have a release date yet. Between now and launch another site (and possibly a site you know and trust) might offer a better price, free shipping, or something of that sort.

There's no need to be the first to pre-order something. But if you're feeling the urge to do so, you can head over to the site and put in your name.

Understanding tablet PCs and learning how to pick one out

While I still consider it just a big iPod Touch, the iPad did introduce the tablet PC to the world. I had been familiar with the idea of a tablet for some time. They consisted of a laptop with a touchscreen and it could be rotated. Now, with advancements in touchscreen keyboards and an increase in demand for portable devices, tablet PCs are taking off. But what do they do and why should you want one?

What they can do depends on which tablet you select. They range from simple to more complex. The three main types of tablet PCs out there today are the iPad, Android devices, and Windows 7 devices. There's also the Blackberry Playbook, but I'm waiting to see what it offers uniquely to this space before I consider it as a real player. An iPad is still, essentially, a big iPod Touch. So if you just want that functionality in a larger form factor, there's your ticket. Android devices offer a bit more functionality as they have features like card readers, USB ports, and HDMI out. Windows 7 devices offer just about everything you can get from an Android device, but they run Windows 7. That means all the applications you already have for your Windows 7 PC will work on your tablet. For productivity people, that means that you'll be able to run all your programs (assuming the hardware meets the minimum requirements) and connect your cameras, printers, scanners, and other devices without any problems. For gamers, that means that your games on Steam will play on the tablet (again, assuming the hardware meets the minimum requirements). And it'll still check your Facebook and update your Twitter.

So why doesn't everyone buy a Windows 7 tablet then? They seem to do the most.

Well, that's fairly easy to answer. There are a few reasons. One is that most people don't know there are Windows 7 tablets out there. I had a Best Buy employee tell me that there is no such thing as Windows 7 tablets. There's the Acer Iconia W500, the ASUS Eee Slate EP121, the upcoming MSI WindPad 110W, and those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. The second reason is that they are a bit more expensive. Take the Acer Iconia line for example. A buyer can get the A500 (the Android version) for $500. The W500 (the Windows 7 version) costs $550. Why spend the extra $50 if there's no need for the Windows functionality? And Windows 7 tablets can get in the ballpark of $1000 if you're talking about something like the ASUS Eee Slate EP121. The final element is in the hardware. Since it's running a full Windows 7 install, it needs to be faster and bigger. The W500 is about half a pound more than the A500 and about a quarter of an inch thicker. And then since it's more powerful hardware, it can mean a shorter battery life. These are things not worth compromising if there's no need for Windows 7.

So it really comes down to what the buyer needs. If they're just looking for a big portable media player to watch videos on, read books, and do some light web browsing, the iPad is a perfectly fine option. If they're looking for flexibility, then Android is the way to go. If they want something that will do just about anything and everything, then a Windows tablet is the best thing to go with.

Once you've decided on your platform, then you need to pick a particular tablet. That is unless you picked the iPad. Then you should just get an iPad 2 and move on. Seriously. You can stop reading now. Go play some Angry Birds.

If you're looking at an Android tablet, you need to consider a few factors. How much storage do you need? Keep in mind that with many, you can also install an SD card of some sort and increase your storage. Are you going to watch a lot of video? You'll want to look for a screen with a high resolution. The hardware under the hood doesn't have to be taken into consideration too much as they all pretty much run an nVidia Tegra 2 or something very similar. Also make sure that the device is running the latest version of Android for tablets at the time of purchase, or that it can be upgraded. You'll also want to consider other features. For example, the ASUS Transformer can be turned into a laptop with the keyboard docking station. The upcoming ASUS Padfone will use a certain Android phone as the guts, but give you the large screen for when you want a tablet (consult our "Best from Computex" story). Consider all the options out there and find the solution best for you. You know what you need better than anyone else. Just know that research is your friend. We'll be sure to post anything new and interesting that we find as it's released or announced.

Android running on the Iconia A500

For the Windows 7 crowd, you have to think the most. You need to consider all the things Android buyers need to consider and then keep hardware needs in mind. What applications do you plan on running on it? If you're looking at just basic applications such as MS Office, a web browser, a few simple games, and a couple chat programs like Skype, then your best bet is something with an AMD Fusion heart. I would also recommend AMD Fusion if you plan on doing things like watching video. If you need a lot of raw processing power, you'll need something with a bit more kick. The ASUS Eee Pad EP121 has an Intel Core i5 which offers a bit more pep than the AMD setup. But then you're paying for that pep as the EP121 is about $400 more than the Iconia W500.

The upcoming MSI WindPad110W running Windows 7

And if you're hoping to play Battlefield 3 when it comes out, you just need to go buy a proper gaming PC with a 6 core CPU and the fastest Radeon you can put in it. There's currently no tablet that will meet your needs.

Now that you've selected your shiny new tablet, you need to deck it out. The first thing I recommend isn't a case, fancy earbuds, or anything like that. The first thing you need to consider is software. Your awesome hardware is nothing without epic software. So find yourself a good Twitter app, install Skype if that's something you're in to, find some games to entertain yourself, get your favorite book reader. All of this needs to be done considering your needs. Once you've got the sweet software, consider, once again, your needs. Are you a klutz? You'll want a case. Are you an audiophile? Get some Sennheisers if you don't already have a pair. Do you want a physical keyboard? Find a nice bluetooth keyboard. Plan on using that HDMI port? Get an HDMI cable. Only you can determine what you need. Again, research is your friend. And don't trust the guy working at the nearest electronics store. I've found them to be largely clueless. Ask around. Post your questions here. I'd be more than happy to help out.

So that's your quick and simple look at tablet PCs. They're really about you and what you need. I'm looking at getting a Windows 7 tablet myself. But that's because I want the benefits of a full Windows install. You may be best suited for an Android tablet. One thing's for sure, you're not an iPad person because I told those people to stop reading. Just know that you need to get what you need and not what I want, what the Best Buy employee tells you to get, or what's trendy right now.

Acer Iconia A500 review

If you are thinking about buying an iPad, you may want to stop and think. Beginning several weeks ago, the “Tablet Wars” have started with the introduction of some heavy hitters versus the iPad. The game has changed and now consumers have something that has been the biggest problem with Apple products, choice. Welcome the Acer Iconia Tab A500. 

The A500 is a 10.1” tablet computer running on the latest version of Google’s popular Android OS called Honeycomb. With a starting price of $450 for the 16GB model, it’s $50 cheaper than a comparable iPad. But that price gets you a lot of bang for the buck. There is also a 32GB model available and, later this summer, a 3G compatible model. It also features 1GB RAM and the wonderful 1GHz nVidia Tegra 2 dual core processor.

So it’s cheaper than an iPad, but how good is it? Well for starters let’s compare size. At 765 grams, it’s not light compared to the iPad 2’s 601g. That is not to say however, that this is heavy. If you consider just over a pound and a half heavy, then you should probably hit the gym. It does get a bit taxing to hold one handed after a while though, but laying it on a knee or stomach for support, or even holding with two hands, is no problem. Let’s face it, using a tablet is likely to be a sitting or lying down activity with the occasional wandering. So the extra weight doesn’t play out as a big issue. There is also a separate docking station available if you want to set it down.

What is wonderful with this tablet is the 16x10 widescreen format. Tablets are commonly used by most people as media consumption devices. Watching movies on the iPad 2, you lose screen space because it’s in the 4x3 format. Not so here. Feel free to enjoy your favorite fare in all its widescreen glory. The Iconia also has thicker bezels which actually make it a little easier to hold without accidentally flipping home screens or starting an app. 

Speaking of the screen, it’s very nice. It is not the nicest screen on the market, but still very nice. It is highly unlikely that most consumers are going to notice that it’s only 256k colors versus 16 million on some of the competition. It is however a very good 1280x800 resolution, the same as the more expensive Motorola Xoom and higher than the iPad 2’s resolution of 1024x768 (higher numbers mean more detail). The multitouch interface is very responsive and follows finger movements fluidly. The scratch resistant Gorilla Glass tops it off, but like other tablets and touch screen devices, the Acer is a finger print magnet.

A very wonderful switch that Acer was smart to include on the Iconia is an orientation lock for the screen. When you are reading a book, for example, you can lock it into portrait orientation so that if you turn it, the screen remains correctly positioned. Hopefully others will take a clue from this and add it into the future as it is very handy. As with any LED/LCD device, it is glare prone and difficult to see in bright sunlight, but who wants to sit out in the beating hot sun and watch YouTube?  The on screen default keyboard is also quite easy to type on in both orientations. If anything, it’s a little bit too sensitive at times.

As far as other buttons go, on the top right is the power/sleep button. It is well positioned and only takes a press and hold for a few seconds to boot up, and just a tap to put to sleep. The volume rocker is along the right hand side and is a little stiff, but it sits flush enough to the side where it is unobtrusive. Also along the top of the device are a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and a micro HDMI port for connecting to your television. It will output at full 1080p resolutions so you can watch movies or have music and, yes, play Angry Birds on a bigger screen. The left side has the proprietary docking connection for accessories like the docking station. The bottom has the power charging port (DC plug) --Just a note, the power cable is very short, so don’t expect to use it while plugged in unless you have an extension cord. There’s also a mini USB for computer hookup (and also charging your cell phone in a pinch), and the BIG news, a full sized USB port. With this little gem you can directly connect your camera, flash drives, and even portable hard disks. This makes expanding the storage on your device easy and gives users more functionality than some other tablets. Of course the other option that sets the Iconia apart from the iPad is it also has a microSD expansion slot for up to another 32GB of memory. Along with the microSD is a SIM card slot for 3G support, but the manual says if you remove the cover on it, the warranty is void, so that is to really be left alone for the time being, if it is even functional. 

There are also two cameras. A front facing 2MP camera for video chat using Google Talk --Skype support is not yet available, and a rear facing 5MP camera for stills and 720p video. It would have been nice to see full 1080p support for the video, but being a first generation device, it’s probably safe to say this is coming in the future. The picture quality is fine in good lighting conditions, but not the greatest in low light. This is not a knock against the Iconia because this is still typical of these small mobile cameras. The sensors are so tiny they are just not able to give the same level of detail as dedicated cameras. There have also been some reports with the video quality lacking and dropped frames. This does not seem to be problem with the hardware, but will need to be addressed with a software update. Again, it’s not really that big of a knock because it’s fixable, but it’s sort of awkward to hold this thing and take a video/photo anyway. There are more portable means for that.

Okay, so all these specs are well and good, but at this point the question is, does it work? Well yes and no, but mostly yes. There are some hiccups, but these are most likely due to Honeycomb being in its infancy. Issues will hopefully be addressed in future updates. The swipe motion to change to any of the five home screens is responsive and easy. It is tricky to find the correct format to play videos on. It has been a bit frustrating, but I think this has more to do with a lack of proper video conversion of my digital movies. It doesn’t support digital rights protected iTunes files which coming from an iPod Touch is what my digital movies are in. When it comes to battery life, the Acer is quite good. Depending on use, it’s good for around 8 hours or so. This is for constant moderate use. One small note about the battery life is that it could be longer, but there is a ghost drain coming from a “cell standby” mode. This is not a problem with the Acer, but it seems to be problem with Android as it has been reported with the Xoom and Nook Wi-Fi models. Still, turning it off at night is a great way to save the battery! There is also a lack of a good default file explorer, but there are several on the market to choose from. Oh and it sounds great! The Dolby speakers and software do a wonderful job for such a small package. It’s not bass abound by any means, but it sounds really good. Some have said it’s the best sounding on the market. 

Need to navigate? Another fun fact is that there is a built in GPS unit. It needs a few minutes and a clear view of the sky, but you can use Google Maps and Navigator to plot your course. It will work as a stand alone GPS and appears to have no problems. It's fairly accurate, especially with WiFi assist. When you plot your trip on your WiFi network, it will save your data for turn by turn directions when you hit the road.

This is a good tablet. I can say that for the price this is a very nice machine with some very nice features. The full size USB is a huge plus. Oh, in this regard you can even plug in a keyboard and type away much easier than the on screen keys. The Wi-Fi reception could be better, but then again not having the latest N speed router, that could be the problem. The screen is nice, and the Android Market grows with more fun apps all the time. Android has the customization and tweaking that the tech people like, but is still simple enough to use if you are able to read an instruction manual. The on screen mail, time, browser, and weather widgets, to name a few, are much nicer an interface than the wall of icons of Apple’s iOS. Live wallpaper is fun too! Acer Iconia Android tablets have a lot of potential and with over 200,000 units sold in the two months it’s been out it seems to be doing quite well for something not a lot of people know exists unless they’ve been already looking into getting one. So, there are still some hiccups to overcome, but the road ahead looks good for Google and Acer with the Iconia A500. 

-Andrew Reese