So I'm thinking about getting a Microsoft Surface. Does anyone have one of these? And if so, what do you think about it?

There are two units, there is the Surface Pro and the Surface RT.

The RT isn't something I would consider up to the task of doing much, it isn't very powerful and it doesn't run a PC version of Windows, so it only runs apps that will run in the metro UI. This basically means that an IOS, or Android tablet is much, much better in this price range.

The Surface Pro is basically a Windows 8 enabled laptop hardware wise, and it is much, much more powerful and usable, and I could see why someone would be interested in. I personally think one of the little touch screen enabled AMD A6 powered notebooks from HP are a much better bang for your buck, but perhaps less tablet-like than the Surface Pro.

I hate Microsoft in general, but I would say that the surface is built well, and doesn't seem to have any obvious flaws (a tough thing for me to admit), but I still decided against one for basically 2 reasons. The first being that ultimately I use a tablet to read on, and I don't care to use it for much else. The Second being that iOS devices play really well together, Apple TV, the Iphone, and the Ipad work together with a sort of synergy that the surface doesn't (Though with MS pushing their new phone I suspect they will try and do some cool things like this).

So, I would say a Surface Pro is quite a good device if you aren't heavily invested in Android or iOS, and you have a role you think it would fit well that a cheaper device wouldn't fit in better. So while it isn't for me, I wouldn't question someone for getting one. The Surface RT I can't really recommend, I only used it for a bit but still hated it's lack of power and flexibility.

Thanks Hikari.

The Surface Pro and Pro 2 are the ones I'm most interested in. iOS is not going to do it for me. I'm just not a fan of the way it works. And Android? Well, I'm not sure about that yet but I'll prolly go with an Android when my dumbphone finally dies.

I've got a MacBook Pro and I'm not EVER buying a Mac again. I'm not a gamer so I don't need a very powerful machine.

And, I want something small and light.

I had a Surface RT, and overall I liked it, however I had to sell it as it was a stopgap replacement for my laptop. I'd recommend the ASUS transformer T100, same price as the RT ($400) but had the full windows 8, along with a spare battery in the keyboard dock.

Unlike most, I'm actually a big fan of the metro interface,  especially its functionality With the desktop. Facebook, Skype,  weather,  and several other useful apps give notifications on the desktop, as a phone would.

Thanks, Willow. I'll look into the ASUS device.

I had a friend buy it on a black Friday sale (found out it was the biggest seller in computers and tablets for black Friday and cyber Monday) and she really likes it.

I think overall you'l like the Metro interface better than the iOS7 interface. Plus, on the ASUS, it can be used as a regular computer as well.

Here it is on BestBuy, for $350:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/10-1-inch-tablet-with-32gb-memory/1846005.p?id=1219066204580#tab=overview

If I had been smart, I wouldn't have bought a gaming laptop for $1000 and would have bought something more like that instead, so I would have saved a lot of money I could have put towards transition. Would have deterred me from buying a bunch of games too.

I'm not overly fond of Micro$oft either, then again, I've tried Linux and I just couldn't get used to it. One of the types of computers I'd like to have one day is one of those big multi touch computers. What's good about those is that they are mainly just big monitors, so whatever OS you use should work really well with it, the same goes for the computer itself. There are actually lots of videos on Youtube that show how to make those big multi touch computers.

Ok, not quite what you're looking for, but at home, they sure look pretty awesome. Custom computers are really quite popular and have been for the last decade or so. Worth a look if nothing more.

What I'm really looking for is a computer that's a lot like me: cheap and easy.

Quote from: Constance on January 17, 2014, 10:25:59 AMWhat I'm really looking for is a computer that's a lot like me: cheap and easy.

Then Mac is not for you; not cheap, and only easy when you use a built in application. I think a Windows 8.1 hybrid will be perfect for you.

Quote from: Willow on January 17, 2014, 10:30:38 AM
Then Mac is not for you; not cheap, and only easy when you use a built in application. I think a Windows 8.1 hybrid will be perfect for you.

Yeah, I've figured that out about the Mac. I'm convinced Steve Jobs is a direct descendent of Torquemada.