[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Windows RT vs. Windows 8 Pro: Choosing the right tablet here

[compnovo]

"The bottom line? It depends. If money is a factor, or if you are planning to use the tablet to augment rather than replace your Windows PC, a Windows RT tablet makes sense. If you are looking at a Windows tablet as a replacement for a desktop or laptop PC to become your primary computing device, you need to look at the broader picture."
This says it all. If a Win8 tablet was destined to be my only computer I would have waited for the Surface Pro or purchased one of the others capable of running legacy apps. I was able to save a few hundred bucks and get longer battery life because the Surface RT supplements rather than replaces my desktop at home, and it does everything I need when I'm a road warrier. Your mileage will vary if you need more than the bundled Office 2013 apps on your mobile device (I don't).

[TsarNikky]

Using a tablet for serious production-based content-creation work is somewhat of a non-sequitur. However, it can be useful for surfing the Internet, checking one's e-mails, and playing games.

[BigBanks]

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Using a tablet for serious production-based content-creation work is somewhat of a non-sequitur. However, it can be useful for surfing the Internet, checking one's e-mails, and playing games.

Well, when you can "somewhat" dock your tablet at your desk, that couch device full of fun is now a productive device too!.

I actually have the surface rt, as I did not need the pro due to me having an ultrabook, laptop, and a few desktops for variose puposes. The RT serves its purpose as a laptop replacement when I need a computer or just windows period. Not only do I get my entertainment, I get to work with it just as well. If I am in the field or do not have my laptop, I can just remote desktop in to my other machines. I mean it is just a wonderful device and what I have been waiting for in tablets.

I would love to get some pros in the office for my end users. Tablet functionality on the go, yet when you get to the office or home, dock it. Same computer, yet so flexible. If i did not have an ultrabook(xps13), I would have waited fro the surface pro.

[CF542]

The Dell sounds good and so does the Lenovo Tablet coming out soon. I don't see why anyone needs a full blown i5 CPU on a 10" tablet.

[TruColorz]

@CF542 - Trying carrying around a normal laptop and a MacBook Air for a a few days and compare the difference. Or try carrying around a normal macbook/laptop and a iPad or Android tablet. Night and Day difference in weight/comfort and portability. I've done both for University work and development purposes so there is a place for such a tablet.
The Surface Pro is what I've been waiting on personally. When the iPad was first released I always couldn't understand it, but once I really used it for awhile it made sense. Same with the Surface. You have to use it for it to make sense. With a Surface Pro I can video record a lecture and take notes at the same time instantly without having to fumble for a bluetooth keyboard or any accessories. It just works "out of the box" with no added apps. I can also develop for Windows 8/Website Development/Adndroid Development/Game Development etc... The iPad can't do that and all the Android tabs out currently can't either. This is not a knock against the others, it's just the simple truth. For $899 + $119(touch keyboard) I get a work and play combo all for 2lbs of weight. Most don't need this but most have been waiting for this for a long time, ever since the iPad was released.

[rwoodward]

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Well, when you can "somewhat" dock your tablet at your desk, that couch device full of fun is now a productive device too!.

I've been doing this for nearly a decade using a Tablet PC running Windows XP. It seems to me to be the best of three worlds: A tablet, a powerful laptop, and when docked, a desktop replacement. I never understood why they didn't catch on. Well, actually I did figure it out. People want a cheap tablet and an expensive laptop. They were unable to see the value in an even more expensive laptop that could function as a tablet or a DTR. The fact that they were getting three devices for the price of one didn't move them, and I fear the Surface Pro will suffer the same fate.

[DaleE]

Yep I am on it. Neither.... It will be an iPad!

[ReticulatingSplines]

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Using a tablet for serious production-based content-creation work is somewhat of a non-sequitur. However, it can be useful for surfing the Internet, checking one's e-mails, and playing games.

That's true with the IPad...not so much with the Surface. I've been using the Surface RT for a month now, and it has two huge advantages: 1) Microsoft Office and 2) the best (RDP) Remote Desktop software of any tablet. It has completely replaced my IPad and replaced the old Dell laptop for 90% of situations.

[ReticulatingSplines]

I think people overestimate their need to run x86 apps locally (the advantage of the Pro). With the RT you have the basics locally (ie Office) and can RDP (remote into) your desktop for everything else.

I'm not saying this is the answer for everyone, but it works great for me. I've essentially replaced the IPad and my Dell Clunker with one device, and I love it.

[joelpatty6970]

Don't waste your money. I had problems with the non-pro version and returned it. I have had the pro for 2 weeks and am returning it. Among the problems: the light intermittently gets brighter and softer. They have a download to fix it. The keyboard space bar doesn't consistently work. The screen occasionally switches for no apparent reason. Sometimes, the touch screen doesn't work. Explorer frequently stops responding and has to restart. The screen won't rotate at times and the computer has to be restarted.

[compnovo]

joelpatty6970, on 23 December 2012 - 11:52 AM, said:

Don't waste your money. I had problems with the non-pro version and returned it. I have had the pro for 2 weeks and am returning it. Among the problems: the light intermittently gets brighter and softer. They have a download to fix it. The keyboard space bar doesn't consistently work. The screen occasionally switches for no apparent reason. Sometimes, the touch screen doesn't work. Explorer frequently stops responding and has to restart. The screen won't rotate at times and the computer has to be restarted.

You didn't mention which Pro tablet is causing the problems.

[MelMo]

I am looking at getting a tablet, or ultrabook that converts to a tablet for my work. I travel a lot and need to keep the weight down for flights but I want to make sure that whatever I get can run all of my office programs with ease and doesn't run really slowly. What does everyone recommend? I don't play games (except a facebook game once in a blue moon) but I do watch the occasional video, have tonnes of music saved to the hard drive and tonnes of photos. I also put the occasional video on the hard drive from my camera. I am leaning towards the Surface Pro at the moment. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[edtechexpert]

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I think people overestimate their need to run x86 apps locally (the advantage of the Pro). With the RT you have the basics locally (ie Office) and can RDP (remote into) your desktop for everything else. I'm not saying this is the answer for everyone, but it works great for me. I've essentially replaced the IPad and my Dell Clunker with one device, and I love it.

This is under an assumption that you ALSO have a desktop to use.

The fact of the matter is that a lot of people are trying to choose a laptop/tablet to use INSTEAD OF (not in addition to) a desktop.

This is especially true in the realm that I am looking into Windows 8 for: education. Students do not have desktop computers. They get one device -- that's it -- so it needs to be versatile and full-featured. I am staunchly anti-iPad (due to its pricetag and limitations... no USB, no Flash, etc.), but even I would probably have to recommend an iPad over Windows RT.

However, I'm hoping for a hybrid/convertible tablet/laptop that runs Windows 8 Pro and has long battery life, for under $700.

[edtechexpert]

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I am looking at getting a tablet, or ultrabook that converts to a tablet for my work. I travel a lot and need to keep the weight down for flights but I want to make sure that whatever I get can run all of my office programs with ease and doesn't run really slowly. What does everyone recommend? I don't play games (except a facebook game once in a blue moon) but I do watch the occasional video, have tonnes of music saved to the hard drive and tonnes of photos. I also put the occasional video on the hard drive from my camera. I am leaning towards the Surface Pro at the moment. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Possibly Surface Pro or you can also check out the similar Acer W510P

[AlexUesugi]

Of course CPU/GPU processing horsepower and overall performance is important, but when we talk about mobile devices both weigh and ergonomics count (a damn lot) !!

[LinuxBrandon]

Aren't Ubuntu tablets coming soon, with LibreOffice built in and generally lower price points? Sluggish Windows tablets seem like a clear money sink in comparison, especially since RT can't even run Windows desktop applications (the one clear advantage that Windows devices should have).