Review: Microsoft Surface with Windows RT

Final Thoughts and Rating

Microsoft's Surface comes to market with a healthy list of positives. The hardware looks and feels fantastic, the kickstand is unique, the USB port is more useful than you'd think, performance is good, and the software has a lot of promise.

But these positives don't make Surface fundamentally better than the competition. The latest iPad, which remember starts at the same £399 price point, is more mature, with a higher-res display, better battery life and a gargantuan app ecosystem that can't be ignored. And, if you're on a budget, smaller 7in options such as the Amazon Kindle Fire HD and Google Nexus 7 offer plenty that's good and are readily available at just £159.

Microsoft's facing stiff competition, but all of the aforementioned arguably don't provide the biggest threat. That comes from Microsoft itself, as the Redmond outfit has given consumers two choices; a Surface with Windows RT that offers a compromised experience, or a Surface with Windows 8 Pro that offers a complete experience. The latter is slightly chunkier in size, and it's certain to cost extra when it arrives at retail, but it's also going to be Microsoft's best 10.6in solution.

We like what we've seen of Surface, and we do hope that Microsoft continues down the path of self-built hardware, but we feel as though the product range should have been better segmented.

A 7in 'Surface Mini', with all of the Modern UI and none of the desktop, priced at around £200 would have been so sorely tempting. We understand Microsoft's decision to go big - the large, widescreen display makes optimum use of the interface and allows for a comfortable Touch Cover - but if getting a foothold in the tablet market is the ultimate goal, a smaller, more affordable Surface will be needed.

In the 10in arena, Surface with Windows 8 Pro has a lot to offer (it's practically a complete PC experience) but the Surface RT feels like a gamble - for consumers and Microsoft alike. The former will be betting on an app store that's yet to fully develop, and the latter is hoping that shoppers will look past the iPad and spend the same amount on a relatively-unknown entity.

We wouldn't yet be willing to put money on either, but in Microsoft's defence, Surface is one of the best first-generation tablets to hit the market. At the very least, Microsoft is knocking on the door, and with future revisions, software updates and an increase in app availability, Surface could become a force to be reckoned with. Trouble is, is anyone willing to wait?

The Good

Attractive, robust design
Beautiful Live Tile interface
Bundled Office suite
Touch Cover actually works
USB port can be very useful
Support for multiple user accounts
Expandable storage

The Bad

App ecosystem is lacking
Limited 1,366x768 display resolution
Touch Cover is a £100 optional extra
Will soon be up against the Surface Pro
No GPS or 3G connectivity
Has first-generation bugs

HEXUS Rating

Microsoft Surface with Windows RT

HEXUS Where2Buy

The Surface with Windows RT tablet is available to purchase direct from Microsoft.

HEXUS Right2Reply

At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.