whats the diffrece between the two microsoft surface models

[2kitties]

can someone help me out and tell me the diffrences. i read what they are but i'm still confused on what the RT one can do. i want to be able to run windows 8 like on a laptop. it is called a pc tablet after all. i know it doesn't come with a cd drive but i will buy a portable one and hook it up too the tablet later.

thank you for your help

i just read that the rt verion won't be able to run all the apps, do you think this is true?

[CrowdAds]

[saratoga]

Intel CPU == laptop Windows with a touch interface

ARM CPU == low power tablet processor with a touch interface

If you want to use it for laptop things, you'll probably want the Intel version. If you want good battery life and lightweight and don't care about compatibility with Windows software or performance, get the ARM one.

[Mikerman]

And then, the question becomes, if you are looking at the Intel chip version, perhaps just get a nice laptop instead, with its extra capabilities and, often, lower price . . . .

[h1a8]

Originally Posted by Mikerman

And then, the question becomes, if you are looking at the Intel chip version, perhaps just get a nice laptop instead, with its extra capabilities and, often, lower price . . . .

But it would be too big and bulky for some. A tablet is what some only need.

[Mikerman]

But with the noted price for the Surface Intel chip version, you could get an ultraportable laptop . . . .

[Olley]

Noted price? At this point all I've seen is guesses for what an intel-based Surface tablet will cost. MS wants to play in the tablet game that Apple started, and Google has taken the most recent shot in. Several players tried to join the game at or above Apple's level and all failed. I'll guess that if MS charges ultra-book prices for their intel Surface it will fail too. My advice in that case... don't buy one.

[Mikerman]

By "noted price," I meant what "people" have been saying it will cost--well in the neighborhood of notebooks and ultraportables (sadly).

[Master Devwi]

Originally Posted by saratoga

Intel CPU == laptop Windows with a touch interface

ARM CPU == low power tablet processor with a touch interface

If you want to use it for laptop things, you'll probably want the Intel version. If you want good battery life and lightweight and don't care about compatibility with Windows software or performance, get the ARM one.

Correct, although I'd expand upon this and note that the ARM-based Surface runs Windows RT (a.k.a. Windows 8 for ARM devices) while the Intel-based Surface Pro runs Windows 8 Pro. As a result, the Surface Pro is compatible with all of your legacy desktop applications.

Surface:

• ARM CPU
• Windows RT
• Thin and light
• No fans
• Includes Office 2013 RT (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote)
• Only runs Metro-style Windows 8 apps from the Windows Store
• Comparable to current tablets (nice ones, not like the Kindle Fire or Nexus 7)

Surface Pro:

• Intel CPU
• Windows 8 Pro
• Slightly thicker than the ARM-based Surface
• Fans (vented around the entire edge of the device)
• Office 2013 sold separately
• Fully compatible with all of your traditional desktop applications, from Photoshop to Office and video games
• Comparable to current Ultrabooks

Exact pricing and specs will be announced at a later date, but expect them to be priced similarly to the iPad and nice Ultrabooks. The Surface will be released on October 26, followed by the Surface Pro approximately 90 days later. They'll primarily be sold through Microsoft Stores.