Debate, and discuss, just dont Bore me.
Published on February 25, 2013 By Dr Guy In Personal Computing

I am sorry, there is no nice way to put it.  I have had the thing for 2 months now, and find about the only thing it is good for is playing movies.  It is not even good to surf the web as you cannot load Java!  I know MS hates that (preferring ActiveX), but unfortunately many sites use it.

I also cannot use Logmein, VPN, VMWare View, or even OWA!  There is no hard client for VPN, and since RT does not do Java, you cannot use the Anyconnect.  VMWare View has a client in the "store", but it does not work.  It connects, gives you an error and then disconnects.

OWA is supposed to be Outlook anywhere, but it still does not load the mail.  You can log in, and do nothing.  Logmein wants $30 for the client, which is stupid!  My wife has the Kindle fire HD and she can do Logmein for free!  Why?  Java again.

Then there are the old standbys for anyone who has to maintain a network.  Nope!  None work.  I tried the Jailbreak, but apparently MS has gotten wise to that one.  It BSODed me at first, and now just does not work.  SO I am stuck with a very expensive paperweight that I can play movies on.

Oh, the final insult is of course Windows 8.  It has no concept of "closing" a program, so start enough of them, and you zap the battery real fast.  Which kind of defeats the purpose of a tablet (at least one major part of it).

Since the RT does not do HD (yet), I see no reason to pay for an over priced, under performing, paperweight.  I can do a lot more with the Kindle Fire or any Android OS device, and they are not even Windows!

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this one a 2.  It gets one point for coming bundled with MS Office - Student version of course, no Outlook.

 


Comments (Page 1)
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on Feb 25, 2013

Do you mean Javascript, rather than Java?  Very few sites I've run across require Java (it's not even installed on my machine) but a high percentage need to be able to run Javascript.

Either way, it's sad to hear your horror story.

on Feb 25, 2013

I also cannot use Logmein, VPN, VMWare View, or even OWA! There is no hard client for VPN, and since RT does not do Java, you cannot use the Anyconnect. VMWare View has a client in the "store", but it does not work. It connects, gives you an error and then disconnects.

The RT is a consumer tablet. WinRT is still in its infancy and isn't really intended for enterprise users who require VPNs or other apps to facilitate corporate security/policy requirements.

on Feb 25, 2013

"Oh, the final insult is of course Windows 8.  It has no concept of "closing" a program, so start enough of them, and you zap the battery real fast.  Which kind of defeats the purpose of a tablet (at least one major part of it)."

My daughter's Android has no way to shut down apps as well. Or none that I know of. She has to restart that machine about once a month to get it to work right.

Sorry about the crude quote use. The quote button is not working for me.

on Feb 25, 2013

My daughter's Android has no way to shut down apps as well. Or none that I know of. She has to restart that machine about once a month to get it to work right.

You should be able to setup an widget for ''active applications'....stick it on your default page and it'll display a count of what's running and enable closure.

on Feb 25, 2013

Sounds good Jafo. I have no idea about how to do that. I'm not fluent in android operating systems. I have an app on my phone that kills open apps every 4 hours. Would that work?

on Feb 25, 2013

You should be able to setup an widget for ''active applications'....stick it on your default page and it'll display a count of what's running and enable closure.

Or this.

on Feb 26, 2013

Dr Guy.....if you've only had it two months it should still be covered under warranty. I'd take it back and get me a refund. No sense having something you paid for that doesn't work.

on Feb 26, 2013


Oh, the final insult is of course Windows 8.  It has no concept of "closing" a program, so start enough of them, and you zap the battery real fast.  Which kind of defeats the purpose of a tablet (at least one major part of it).

Actually it does.  If the app is not in focus it will suspend, thereby using no resources or battery whatsoever.

on Feb 26, 2013

Daiwa

Do you mean Javascript, rather than Java?  Very few sites I've run across require Java (it's not even installed on my machine) but a high percentage need to be able to run Javascript.

Either way, it's sad to hear your horror story.

Yes, I use the 2 interchangeably.  Sorry for my misstatement.

on Feb 26, 2013

The RT is a consumer tablet. WinRT is still in its infancy and isn't really intended for enterprise users who require VPNs or other apps to facilitate corporate security/policy requirements.

That is an understatement.  But yes, it is the consumer version.  However, many companies are setting up access for BYOD devices.  Surface RT has made sure you cannot.  If my Company wants to get me a Pro (an overpriced under performing laptop), that is fine.  But this is MY personal device that I would like to use to check mail and even to check on the status of things.  But Microsoft has made sure I cannot.

on Feb 26, 2013

kona0197
My daughter's Android has no way to shut down apps as well. Or none that I know of. She has to restart that machine about once a month to get it to work right.

I have run across that as well. and had this been a real comparison between Android and RT, that would be a wash.But this was just a rant against Surface RT.  Android has some issues of its own (like only playing MP4s, not AVI or DIVX formats).

I noted that Stardock has a nice Start menu replacement for windows 8.  I have not found it on the "store" for RT and I suspect Windows will not authorize it to be put there.

on Feb 26, 2013



Quoting Jafo, reply 4You should be able to setup an widget for ''active applications'....stick it on your default page and it'll display a count of what's running and enable closure.

Or this.

You get a cookie for that link!  Yes, I have an Android phone and restart it periodically to clean out the Apps.  I LIKE this!  Thanks!

on Feb 26, 2013


Dr Guy.....if you've only had it two months it should still be covered under warranty. I'd take it back and get me a refund. No sense having something you paid for that doesn't work.

It was a Christmas Present.  My wife is a legal expert - but not a technology one.  This is the first time she actually got me something geekie, so I am hesitant to return it.

on Feb 26, 2013

Savyg
If the app is not in focus it will suspend, thereby using no resources or battery whatsoever.

It uses minimal resources and battery.  It still uses some.

on Feb 26, 2013

Dr Guy
Yes, I use the 2 interchangeably.

They are entirely different things, despite sharing 4 sequential letters.

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