Surface 2
Surface 2 with keyboard accessory | |
Developer | Microsoft |
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Release date | October 22, 2013 |
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, 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 |
Successor | Surface 3 |
This article is part of a series on the |
Surface Family |
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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 original Surface. As of January 2015, Microsoft no longer manufactures Surface 2.
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, 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. The Surface 2 includes what Microsoft calls a silver-magnesium color that is more scratch resistant compared to the original Surface.
Release
Pre-orders for the Surface 2 were opened on September 24, 2013, and the device was released on October 22, 2013. 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.[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 original Surface. 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]
In January 2015, after its stock sold out on Microsoft Store online, Microsoft confirmed that it had discontinued further production of Surface 2.[12]
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 Touch Cover.[13] The keyswitch length of the Type Cover 2 have been reduced from 2.5mm to 1.5mm. 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][14]
Issues
The Surface 2 has been reported to have some overheating issues. Microsoft plans to deliver an update to try to fix the issue.[15]
Commercial reception
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.[16]
See also
References
- ↑ "Surface storage". Microsoft. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
- ↑ Walrath, Josh (February 25, 2013). "NVIDIA Details Tegra 4 and Tegra 4i Graphics". PC Perspective. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
- ↑ "Surface 2". Microsoft. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
- ↑ Evans, Dean (September 23, 2013). "Microsoft Surface RT vs Surface 2". TechRadar. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
- ↑ Wollman, Dana (September 23, 2013). "Microsoft announces the Surface 2, the follow-up to the original Surface RT; coming October 22nd for $449". Engadget. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
- ↑ Bright, Peter (September 23, 2013). "Microsoft’s hardware, round 2: Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2". Ars Technica. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Hachman, Mark (September 23, 2013). "Microsoft Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 benchmarks and hands-on". PCWorld. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
- ↑ Wollman, Dana (March 17, 2014). "Microsoft intros an LTE version of the Surface 2, arrives tomorrow for $679". Engadget. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
- ↑ Savov, Vlad (September 23, 2013). "Microsoft announces Surface 2, 'the most productive tablet ever built'". The Verge (Vox Media). Retrieved April 5, 2015.
- ↑ Gibbs, Samuel (October 21, 2013). "Surface 2 review: Microsoft makes progress but can't escape Windows RT". The Guardian. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
- ↑ Franklin, Eric (October 20, 2013). "Microsoft Surface 2 review: Quality tablet suffering from a lack of app support". CNET (CBS Interactive). Retrieved April 5, 2015.
- ↑ Hachman, Mark (January 27, 2015). "Microsoft has stopped making the Surface 2 tablet, spelling trouble for Windows RT". PCWorld. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
- ↑ Yam, Marcus (September 25, 2013). "Surface Touch Cover 2: Thinner and Sensitive Under Pressure". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
- ↑ Gorman, Michael (September 23, 2013). "Microsoft reveals Surface Music Cover, gives DJs and producers more musical tools". Engadget. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
- ↑ Parrish, Kevin (November 26, 2013). "Microsoft Responds to Surface 2 Overheating Issue". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
- ↑ Keizer, Gregg (January 23, 2014). "Microsoft lost money on each Surface sold last quarter". Computerworld. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
External links
Preceded by Surface (1st generation) |
Surface 2 2nd generation |
Succeeded by Surface 3 |
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