For months I had been having serious tablet envy. Whenever I visited our local electronics store I hinted broadly to Bryan that a Microsoft Surface 2 tablet would make my life easier. I didn’t just want it, I needed it, I informed him. He spent a lot of time listening patiently and nodding. My Christmas came early this year when Microsoft granted my wish and sent me a Surface 2 of my very own. After a couple of weeks exploring with my new tablet, I have discovered it really has helped around the house. I love it when I am right!
I spend a lot of time creating recipes. I would drag my laptop into the kitchen to be able to view my ingredients list. Not only did the laptop take up valuable counter space, I worried about someone accidentally spilling something on my keyboard. The kids, when they wanted to help, would say, “I know. I know. Don’t get anything near your laptop.” The Surface 2 has made cooking easier. Not only is it whisper thin and weighs in at only two pounds, it has an integrated kickstand so I can prop it up for easy viewing. The casing is made from “ultra- light and highly durable magnesium” and can stand up to the occasional bumps that can happen when it’s in use.
Being a busy mom, I spend too much time in my car, waiting on the kids, driving them to appointments and running errands. This tablet is the perfect size to keep in my car to allow me to stay in touch and, in a rare moment of downtime, maybe play a game of Candy Crush. The intel i5 processor allows me to have a speedy response time and amazing HD graphics. A one month trial of Office 365 is preloaded into the tablet, allowing me to work on the go, using Outlook, Word and other programs. I enjoy listening to music when I on the run. The X-Box Music Pass, allowing me access to millions of songs I can stream, was a welcome addition; except maybe to my kids who are not thrilled when I burst into song anytime a classic hit plays.
The Surface 2 uses a Windows 8 operating system. I have this on my laptop so it was no big deal, but this system takes some time to learn to use and, to me, was frustrating during the adjustment period. I highly recommend reading the instruction manual before attempting to use the tablet. My daughter found it and began zipping through programs and using all sorts of apps.
For those of us who like to use a keyboard along with our touchscreen, an optional super thin Type Cover which operates like a traditional laptop keyboard is available. It allows me to turn my Surface 2 into a small laptop with one simple click. There’s also an optional Touch Cover, providing a spill resistant keyboard. I’d like to say this is just for the kids, but I have a bad habit of spilling things too!
Have you tried the new Microsoft Surface 2? What are your favorite features?
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wish my laptop had touch cover feature, i always have to be super careful not to spill anything on my keyboard.
We are die-hard Apple users in this family, but that Surface Pro looks pretty darn amazing…. Maybe I can convince the hubs to get one. 😉
I haven’t tried the Microsoft Surface Pro but it seems so slick and stylish. I like that you can use it two different ways. Sometimes I need just a tablet while other time I need the keypad. Gonna keep my eye open about this.
I didn’t think a tablet sounded like something I would really want until I read your review. I love the idea of being able to take it into the kitchen to cook with!
I would love to have one of these…it would make my life so much easier.
I love the tablet I currently own. But this one looks pretty awesome!
I haven’t seen the surface I person yet. How is Microsoft 365 better?
This looks pretty awesome.
NEver tried it, it looks beautiful! My BFF lynsey speaks highly of hers!
This looks like a really nice tablet! I just got a kindle for christmas, but this one beats the kindle’s booty around the corner!
myself and hubby used to have tablets but i started to hate mine but now i have a different laptop i want a tablet again lol i may have to have a look at getting one of these ones.
I had a tablet, but it was too bulky. It was great though.
Not sure why I’m so attached to my apple products as they always let me down. this looks fantastic!
That is so pretty! I need to replace my tablet soon.
That looks good. I am in the market for a new tablet as well. I should check it out.
Loving the Surface Pro! I’m a tad bit envious right now 🙂
That is so awesome! I have been wanting to check the Surface out, and have not had a chance yet. Apparently I need to head on up to Best Buy and see it in person.
I haven’t tried one yet; I really can’t stand that OS. Otherwise, it sounds perfect and like something I could get a lot of use out of.
I am totally jealous! I would love one of the Surface Tablets! They are extremely versatile and I love the attached keyboard!
My sister=in-law just got one of these and my kids love it. They lug it all over the house. I would definitely would love to have one.
I’m still in the adjustment period with Windows 8– I’m glad it ends 🙂
That looks really cute, very nice to have. This is also great when you travel as it isn’t bulky.
My DH wants to get this and I don’t want him to. We already have an iPad and although it functions differently than Microsoft Surface, I think we can continue with it.
I love being able to use the Surface all over the house. It is so light and user friendly.
Very very nice. We need a new laptop and I am seriously considering a Surface!
It sounds like you are really enjoying your tablet! I have an ipad mini and I love it!
I love how sleek this is!! I can definitely use this when traveling.
I’m not a big windows fan and don’t own any windows products. Hubby though is different and may enjoy this. Valentines Day is coming up maybe this could be his gift.
Wow, that looks really nice! When my computer dies I think this is what I want to get next.
I have two different tablets with two different OS systems and neither give me what I need because things I have on my laptop are not avaialble for them. I will have to look into this one and maybe switch to it.
Me too, but one of mine is an iPad.
Is it bad if I have a iPad and a tablet? I love tech products. I like that yours has Windows 8.
very nice, I like how compact it is!
i would love to have a surface pro one day they seem so versatile and easy to move around wonder if i can convince hubby to buy one
I’ve only played with them at Best Buy! My husband really wants one to replace our laptop 🙂
Now I have tablet envy! I would use this for recipes too. So convenient! Love that it’s only 2lbs.
I really want one of these! It looks like something that I would really use around the house and would save a lot of space!
i love using bing’s smart search when looking for recipes on windows devices!! makes my life SO much easier
Sounds very cool. I am pretty sure that I would use my iPad way more than I do if it had a Windows operating system!
I’ve tried it! It’s really a great tablet, almost like a computer. 🙂 AWESOME. Love the keyboard.
I really need to purchase a tablet. I have the same issue, about recipes while cooking. This would certainly come in handy for many things, including looking up recipes while cooking.
oh, i got to play with one in seattle- they are AMAZING!! love love love the graphics. and they are fun.
If it is easy to use… sign me up. I am not what you would call computer or tablet literate. Now you have made me want one of these!!!
what a cool tablet. love the keyboard option and a pop out stand. two things my iPad does not have.
Wow what a neat little tablet!
My brother brought a Surface RT over this past weekend and we were having fun playing around with it. Love the pop out stands on them!
I love how thin and light it looks! My favorite feature though is probably the kickstand! I’m in the kitchen alot and always trying to create and use recipes online!
I love the kickstand. That is definitely a handy feature to have.
I’ve been debating getting of these…your review definitely helped me make up my mind! I’ll be ordering one today!
I love using my tablet in the kitchen; I had too many near accidents with my bulky laptop, so I stopped lugging it onto the counter when cooking and baking! While I love my iPad, the Surface Pro also seems like a really good product for this purpose. If anything ever happens to my iPad, I’ll definitely look into replacing it with this.
I seriously want one of these as my next tablet. Though I really love my iPad, I like all the extras that this tablet has!
I am addicted to my iPad but can see this is a great tablet as well!
wow this is a great tech item. I love that it is super thin, this would be great for travel.
I have not tried it yet but I really want to. I am hoping to get one soon. Looks like a great product.
I love having my computer in the kitchen because it makes it so easy to research or reference something when cooking.
I got my husband something similar for Christmas. He loves it because it is so small and light, he can keep it in his briefcase. I do agree that Windows 8 has a learning curve though.
Now that is nice – it looks really handy and I love that you can just stand it up without much fuss 🙂 x
I really like that it’s light, and I like that it can be propped up for better viewing (depending on where you are sitting/standing).
This tablet looks so great! I use my iPad in the kitchen too,perfect helper while cooking.
I really would love to see how this product compares to my iPad! It looks really awesome and perfect for the kids!
I have been wanting to try this. I love you can still use a keyboard.
I have been trying to decide whether to get a tablet or an e-reader–this info did help-Thank you!
I have tablet envy as well. Having just purchased a new laptop a new tablet is a distant purchase now however when I am ready this is a product I will take a look at. Thanks, Wendy
Sounds lovely and I think I’m going to get a tablet so this review really helped to let me know what to focus on when choosing mine.
Not tried this yet but desperately looking for new, more compact and effective electronic means to help with the workload!
Oh my….That is soooo nice. I have wanted one of those. Looks and sound wonderful!!! Enjoy!
I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks nice & simple to use, which is exactly what I need. I’ll have to jump on the bandwagon one of these days.