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Tech: Microsoft Surface 2 revealed
Member Since: 9/3/2011
Posts: 22,014
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Microsoft Surface 2 revealed
Surface 2:
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As promised, Microsoft has just revealed the Surface 2 here at its Surface-themed press event. Whereas the new Surface Pro 2 makes subtle changes to the original Pro, the Surface 2 is being billed as a revamped version of the Surface RT. As rumored, it moves up to a higher-res 1080p ClearType display -- the same one you'll find on the new Surface Pro 2. Performance-wise, the tablet now has a Tegra 4 chip (versus Tegra 3 in the last generation). Microsoft also says it's doubled the BUS speed for the WiFi and the memory, and the CPU speed has increased "dramatically" as well. Additionally, there's now a USB 3.0 port on board, a step up from the USB 2.0 connection used on the original. All told, says Microsoft, the new model should run three to four times as fast as its predecessor, and the battery life should be 25 percent longer too (up to 10 hours of video playback).
As for the design, this looks similar to last year's RT, at least from a few feet away, but it's thinner (8.9mm), lighter (676g) and built from two pieces of magnesium, not three. And, of course, it sports the same two-stage kickstand as the new Surface Pro 2, which should make it easier to balance in your lap. As you'd expect, it also works with the new Touch Cover 2, which Microsoft also announced today. Oh, and it's available in white now too; not just black. Moving on, Microsoft also added a third-inch camera sensor to the front of the product to help manage the light in webcam videos, especially those recorded in dim light. Speaking of video chats, Surface owners will enjoy a year of free international calling and Skype hotspot access. Not enough freebies for you? Microsoft's also throwing in 200GB of SkyDrive storage, free for two years.
In an unusual twist, Microsoft also revealed the price (the company kept us in suspense last time). The Surface 2 it will start at $449, with 32GB and 64GB storage options. You can place pre-orders tomorrow morning, September 24th, beginning at 8AM ET. Then, on October 22nd, they'll ship in 21 markets. And whoa, Nelly: every person at this press event will receive a Surface 2 in the mail in the coming weeks. Aren't you sad you're not here with us? Anyway, you'll need to wait over a month to get hands-on, but we'll be getting our first look in just a few moments once Microsoft wraps up its keynote and opens up the demo area. Stay tuned!
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Surface Pro 2:
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The Surface RT's full-fledged Pro counterpart just got an update. Today, Microsoft unveiled the follow-up to that x86 / Windows 8-compatible tablet: the Surface Pro 2 and it still comes with a stylus. According to Microsoft's claims, this new tablet boasts 50 percent more color accuracy, better graphics performance, an improved speaker setup and some speed gains -- it's purportedly 20 percent faster than the original.
For those wondering, the Pro 2's display has been kept consistent with the original, which means it remains a 10.6-inch 1080p panel, and it's even been ported to the new Surface 2. Battery life has gotten a significant 75 percent boost as well thanks to the 1.6GHz Core i5 Haswell processor inside and now runs much quieter. The Surface Pro 2 can also be paired with Microsoft's new Power Cover to give the tablet 2.5x its standalone battery life or the Type Cover 2, which is now 1mm thinner and backlit.
The kickstand has also been revised for the refresh, as it's now a two-stage affair, addressing the issues many users had with the old Pro's awkward angle. As for ports, Microsoft says the Surface Pro 2 is loaded up with support for three USB 2.0, one USB 3.0, mini DisplayPort, Ethernet, audio in/out and, of course, charging. The Surface Pro 2, when docked, can output up to a 3,840 x 2,160 resolution on an external display and is capable of editing 6K video, backing up the company's repeated assertion that this tablet is actually a "full power PC."
Pre-orders for both of Microsoft's next-gen Surface tablets go live tomorrow, the 24th, at 8AM EST with units set to ship to 21 markets on October 22nd. Pricing for the base Surface Pro 2 (i.e., 64GB / 4GB RAM) starts at $899 (the same as the original Pro), although that retail sticker shock will climb depending on the model -- it'll be available in configurations of up to 512GB / 8GB RAM.
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Slay?  I don't know why they even bothered releasing this, it brings nothing new besides basically battery life. People still won't buy it when the iPad is only $50 more than the standard Surface. They look nice now that they're thinner but they need something special if they want to be more than a niche.
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 7,226
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tbh nothing compares to an ipad
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Member Since: 6/22/2012
Posts: 26,585
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The price cuts when this flops though 
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/17/2013
Posts: 11,649
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looks the same 
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Member Since: 7/23/2010
Posts: 6,705
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Quote:
Originally posted by TurntUp
tbh nothing compares to an ipad
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iPads are for kids. This (the Surface Pro) is a full-fledged PC.
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Member Since: 2/16/2012
Posts: 8,740
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Quote:
Originally posted by fabbriche
iPads are for kids. This (the Surface Pro) is a full-fledged PC.
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ok
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 8/1/2012
Posts: 27,547
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Quote:
Originally posted by fabbriche
iPads are for kids. This (the Surface Pro) is a full-fledged PC.
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If iPads are for kids then why are businesses and companies using them 
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Member Since: 9/3/2011
Posts: 22,014
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Quote:
Originally posted by aidan_dolan
If iPads are for kids then why are businesses and companies using them |
Right? schools also. You don't need Windows to run a business, especially when the RT version is useless for that.
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Banned
Member Since: 6/25/2011
Posts: 37,192
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I dunno, I've been seeing the Microsoft store here in Boston PACKED lately. Microsoft their holiday marketing campaign might work. People will be more willing to buy it as a laptop replacement because it has the USB slot and keyboard.
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Banned
Member Since: 6/25/2011
Posts: 37,192
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Quote:
Originally posted by aidan_dolan
If iPads are for kids then why are businesses and companies using them |
Actually doctors also use $urface now
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Member Since: 1/6/2012
Posts: 2,535
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I've tried these things in best buy.
Ugh, they're disgusting.
The touchpad on blue ones are fuzzy and **** like that. 
The black one and other colors are awkward
Sometimes it's hard to tell what Is the keyboard and touchpad ugh
The only good thing of the device is the screen and lightness..
.. it's an opinion. That's how i felt these notebooks at best buy. I just don't like them..
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 26,488
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I've been thinking about getting a Surface Pro. I have an iPad (recently funded fully by my lovely work!) and a crappy HP tablet computer combo that's several years old. The problem with the iPad is the only way on the iPad to add music to iTunes is through the iTunes store which is not the way I usually add music. That's why I want to get the Surface, it's like half iPad and half laptop.
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Member Since: 3/5/2011
Posts: 15,413
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They need a killer feature in order to sell more tablets.
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/1/2012
Posts: 15,668
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Microsoft 
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Member Since: 9/3/2011
Posts: 22,014
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Quote:
Originally posted by TeamRHI
Microsoft |
Curious as to what you're praising here? Any specific details/innovations? 
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Member Since: 11/21/2010
Posts: 15,739
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I might get the pro to replace my dusty computer.
Maybe I'll wait for the price cut.
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Member Since: 2/16/2012
Posts: 8,740
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Quote:
Originally posted by Cas
They need a killer feature in order to sell more tablets.
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Is there really a point even then? Samsung is gonna have a new tablet out soon anyways.
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Member Since: 4/25/2011
Posts: 41,661
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Unless they release a tablet half the price of the surface i'd give it a try. I adore Microsoft but the pricing is just ****ing insane.
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Member Since: 1/1/2013
Posts: 3,975
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Tbh if I had the cash on hand I'd probably buy one. I love the colors, the keypad, and that there's a USB port. They're pretty cool.
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Member Since: 8/12/2007
Posts: 15,237
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Quote:
Originally posted by RastaMentality
ok
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slay.
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