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Surface 2

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This article is about the Windows RT version of the tablet. For the pro version, see Surface Pro 2.
Surface 2
DeveloperMicrosoft
Release dateOctober 22, 2013 (2013-10-22)
Operating systemWindows RT 8.1
System on a chipNvidia Tegra 4
CPU1.7 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A15
Memory2 GB
Storage32 GB (18 GB available) or 64 GB (47 GB available) internal storage[1] and a microSD card reader (Cards up to 64GB)
Display10.6 inches (27 cm) 1920 x 1080 px(208 ppi) ClearType HD screen with 16:9 aspect ratio
Graphics72 GeForce graphics cores (24 vertex shaders + 48 pixel shaders)[2]
SoundStereo speakers with Dolby processing.
Input5-point multi-touch screen, dual microphones for noise cancellation, 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, compass, ambient light sensor, GPS (with cellular model)
CameraFront: 3.5 MP, 1080p HD
Rear: 5 MP, 1080p HD
Connectivity2×2 MIMO Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, full-size USB 3.0, HD Video Out (micro HDMI), 4G LTE (with cellular model)
Online servicesWindows Store, SkyDrive, Office 2013, Xbox Music, Xbox Games, Xbox Video
Dimensions10.81 inches (27.5 cm) (w)
6.81 inches (17.3 cm) (h)
0.35 inches (8.9 mm) (d)
Mass1.49 pounds (680 g)
PredecessorSurface RT

The Surface 2 is a Surface-series Windows RT tablet produced by Microsoft. Unveiled on September 23, 2013 and released on October 22, 2013; the tablet succeeds the Surface RT released in 2012.

Specifications

Made of magnesium alloy and toughened glass, the outer shell of Surface 2 maintains a similar design to its predecessor, but in a "bare metal" silver color scheme with a black bezel. Surface 2 is also slightly thinner and lighter than the previous model. Surface 2 uses a 1.7 GHz quad-core Nvidia Tegra 4 chipset with 2 GB of RAM; Microsoft claimed that the new chipset and other improvements to its internal hardware made the Surface 2 three to four times faster than the original Surface RT, and that it had 10 hours of battery life playing videos. Unlike the original Surface (which used a 1366 x 768 display), the Surface 2 uses a 1080p display, the same as in Surface Pro 2. This display is claimed to have almost 50% better color than the previous version, and also the lowest reflectivity among competing tablets. The device also includes a full-size USB 3.0 port, 32 or 64 GB of internal storage, and a MicroSD slot. The Surface 2 ships with Windows RT 8.1.[3][4][5][6]

Issues

It has overheating issues. Microsoft said it will deliver an update to try to fix the issue in the future.[7]

A recent firmware update is requesting the BitLocker key whenever the device reboots, causing problems for users that do not have they key available.[8]

Release

Pre-orders for the Surface 2 were opened on September 24, 2013, and the device was released on October 22, 2013.[9] As value-added services, the Surface 2 includes 200 GB of additional SkyDrive storage for 2 years, and 1 year of free Skype calls to landlines and access to Skype WiFi hotspots.[9]

Initial reviews of the Surface 2 have been mixed. Reviewers have generally been positive about the device's hardware and improvements when compared to the Surface RT. However, the Surface 2 is often criticized for a lack of support for traditional Windows desktop programs and the low number of high quality apps available from the Windows Store.[10][11][12] | CNET's mixed review was highly disliked by users. They correctly pointed out that the reviewer expected the Surface to run legacy apps, while he did not have that expectation for iPads and Android tablets. They pointed out that the reviewer mainly ignored everything good about the tablet, including office integration, and was prejudiced. From reading the review, that appears to be the case.

A version of the Surface 2 with 4G LTE and GPS is expected to launch in early 2014.[13]

Accessories

Updated versions of the Surface's cover accessories are available for the Surface 2; the Touch Cover 2 and Type Cover 2 are slightly thinner than the previous versions and now include a "dynamic" backlight system. The Touch Cover 2 has over 1,092 sensors on it compared to just 80 on the original Type Cover.[14] The keyswitch length of the Type Cover 2 have been reduced from 2.5mm to 1.5mm.[15] A new Power Cover accessory is also available to add 30Wh additional battery capacity to the device. Accompanying the Touch Cover 2 and Type Cover 2 is a wireless adapter that allows them to be connected up to 30 feet away via Bluetooth. An updated kickstand can now be tilted at a 55-degree angle alongside the original 22-degree angle. During its unveiling, Microsoft also showcased the Music Cover; a variation of the Touch Cover that serves as a DJ mixer with playback controls, a 16-button sampler, and three sliders. While mainstream public release has been announced, it will be distributed to musicians through the Surface Remix Project campaign.[6][16]

See also

References

  1. ^ Microsoft Surface storage | Surface disk space | How much disk space do I have?
  2. ^ "NVIDIA Details Tegra 4 and Tegra 4i Graphics". PCPerspective. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  3. ^ "Microsoft Surface RT vs Surface 2". TechRadar. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  4. ^ "Microsoft announces the Surface 2, the follow-up to the original Surface RT; coming October 22nd for $449". Engadget. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  5. ^ "Microsoft's hardware, round 2: Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2". Ars Technica. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Microsoft Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 benchmarks and hands-on". PC World. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  7. ^ Microsoft To Issue Update To Address Surface 2 Overheating Issue | Ubergizmo
  8. ^ Surface 2 owners locked out due to BitLocker bug | Security | News | PC Pro
  9. ^ a b "Microsoft announces Surface 2, 'the most productive tablet ever built'". The Verge. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  10. ^ "Surface 2 review: Microsoft makes progress but can't escape Windows RT". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  11. ^ "Microsoft Surface 2 Review". AnandTech. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  12. ^ "Microsoft Surface 2 review: Quality tablet suffering from a lack of app support". CNET. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  13. ^ "Microsoft Bets on 4G LTE as Surface 2′s Savior for 2014'". GottaBeMobile.
  14. ^ "Surface Touch Cover 2: Thinner and Sensitive Under Pressure'". TomsHardware. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  15. ^ "On-Demand: Surface 2 Launch Event'". Microsoft. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  16. ^ "Microsoft reveals Surface Music Cover, gives DJs and producers more musical tools (updated)". Engadget. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
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