Microsoft Surface 2

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This article is about the Windows RT version of the tablet. For the Pro version, see Microsoft Surface Pro 2.
Surface 2
Microsoft Surface 2.jpg
Surface 2 with keyboard accessory
Developer Microsoft
Release date October 22, 2013 (2013-10-22)
Operating system Windows RT 8.1
System-on-chip used Nvidia Tegra 4
CPU 1.7 GHz Cortex A15 quad core with power saving 5th core.
Memory 2 GB
Storage 32 GB (18 GB available) or 64 GB (47 GB available) internal storage[1] and a microSD card reader (Cards up to 64GB)
Display 10.6 inches (27 cm) 1920×1080 px(208 ppi) ClearType HD screen with 16:9 aspect ratio
Graphics 72 GeForce graphics cores (24 vertex shaders + 48 pixel shaders)[2]
Sound Dolby Digital Plus stereo speakers[3]
Input 5-point multi-touch screen, dual microphones for noise cancellation, 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, compass, ambient light sensor, GPS (with cellular model)
Camera Front: 3.5 MP, 1080p HD
Rear: 5 MP, 1080p HD
Connectivity 2×2 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 services Windows Store, OneDrive, Office 2013, Xbox Music, Xbox Games, Xbox Video
Dimensions 10.81 inches (27.5 cm) (w)
6.81 inches (17.3 cm) (h)
0.35 inches (8.9 mm) (d)
Weight 1.49 pounds (680 g)
Predecessor Surface RT
This article is part of a series on the
Surface Family

The Surface 2 is a Surface-series Windows RT tablet created by Microsoft. It was unveiled on September 23, 2013 and released on October 22, 2013; the tablet succeeded the Surface RT. As of January 2015, Microsoft will no longer manufacture the Surface 2.

Specifications[edit]

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, as well as 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.[4][5][6][7]

The 4G LTE model of Surface 2 was launched on March 18, 2014, and comes as a 64 GB model only.[8] AT&T is the Microsoft cellular partner and Surface 2 4G LTE comes with AT&T "All Access" app pre-installed but the device actually ships unlocked. The 4G models also come with GPS, Assisted GPS, and GLONASS.[9]

Release[edit]

Pre-orders for the Surface 2 were opened on September 24, 2013, and the device was released on October 22, 2013.[10] As value-added services, the Surface 2 includes 200 GB of additional OneDrive storage for 2 years, and 1 year of free Skype calls to landlines and access to Skype WiFi hotspots.[10]

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.[11][12][13]

In January 2015, after its stock sold out on Microsoft Store online, Microsoft confirmed that it had discontinued further production of Surface 2.[14]

Accessories[edit]

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 Touch Cover.[15] The keyswitch length of the Type Cover 2 have been reduced from 2.5mm to 1.5mm.[16] 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.[7][17]

Issues[edit]

The Surface 2 has been reported to have some overheating issues. Microsoft said it will deliver an update to try to fix the issue in the future.[18]

Commercial reception[edit]

In a financial report from Microsoft in second quarter 2014, revenue more than doubled from $400 million in the first quarter, to $893 million. However, Microsoft still lost $39 million since the development costs had equaled to around $932 million. But skeptics acknowledged that the growth was there despite still losing money on the Surface brand.[19]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  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. ^ "Surface 2 - The 10 Inch, Thinner, Faster Tablet With Office". Microsoft.com. Retrieved 2014-06-20. 
  4. ^ "Microsoft Surface RT vs Surface 2". TechRadar. Retrieved 25 September 2013. 
  5. ^ "Microsoft announces the Surface 2, the follow-up to the original Surface RT; coming October 22nd for $449". Engadget. Retrieved 25 September 2013. 
  6. ^ "Microsoft’s hardware, round 2: Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2". Ars Technica. Retrieved 25 September 2013. 
  7. ^ a b "Microsoft Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 benchmarks and hands-on". PC World. Retrieved 25 September 2013. 
  8. ^ Wollman, Dana (March 17, 2014). "Microsoft intros an LTE version of the Surface 2, arrives tomorrow for $679". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved May 16, 2014. 
  9. ^ "LoveMySurface.net: A Blog About All Things Surface". LoveMySurface. Retrieved 10 September 2014. 
  10. ^ a b "Microsoft announces Surface 2, 'the most productive tablet ever built'". The Verge. Retrieved 25 September 2013. 
  11. ^ "Surface 2 review: Microsoft makes progress but can't escape Windows RT". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 November 2013. 
  12. ^ "Microsoft Surface 2 Review". AnandTech. Retrieved 10 November 2013. 
  13. ^ "Microsoft Surface 2 review: Quality tablet suffering from a lack of app support". CNET. Retrieved 10 November 2013. 
  14. ^ "Microsoft has stopped making the Surface 2 tablet, spelling trouble for Windows RT". PC World. IDG. Retrieved 28 January 2015. 
  15. ^ "Surface Touch Cover 2: Thinner and Sensitive Under Pressure'". TomsHardware. Retrieved 25 September 2013. 
  16. ^ "On-Demand: Surface 2 Launch Event'". Microsoft. Retrieved 29 September 2013. 
  17. ^ "Microsoft reveals Surface Music Cover, gives DJs and producers more musical tools (updated)". Engadget. Retrieved 25 September 2013. 
  18. ^ Microsoft To Issue Update To Address Surface 2 Overheating Issue | Ubergizmo
  19. ^ Gregg Keizer. "Microsoft lost money on each Surface sold last quarter". Computerworld. Retrieved 2014-06-20. 

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