Microsoft's Surface exploration

MICROSOFT explores a new Surface but doesn't recreate its tablet computer, writes Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson

Microsoft’s second tablet, the Surface 2, is slimmer, faster and easier to use.

MICROSOFT explores a new Surface but doesn't recreate its tablet computer, writes Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson

> SURFACE 2 - MICROSOFT

Rating 4/5

Thinner, lighter, and more powerful? Microsoft's tablet upgrade will sound familiar to technology fans.

The software giant is stealing a leaf from Apple's playbook with its Surface 2 tablet, but users are likely to appreciate the achievements regardless.

The second Surface is noticeably slimmer, faster in operation and connections, easier to use on a lap or desk, longer-lasting, better-looking, and it comes with slicker accessories.

Yet it doesn't break the Surface mould.

Microsoft's second tablet looks a lot like the old model, with a 10.6-inch touchscreen in a wide, 16:9 format and, while its metallic, VaporMg case has turned silver, it still features a kickstand out the back, magnetic ports for a keyboard and charger on the edges, and several ports.

Look closer, however, and you'll spot the upgrades.

The screen's resolution has jumped to full high-definition, with a 208 pixels-per-inch resolution that doesn't match the iPad, but comes closer.

The tablet's sturdy, metal kickstand now has two angles - 24 and 40 degrees - for more comfortable use - and the tablet's ports now include a full-size USB 3.0 connection for faster data transfers, and an HDMI port for hooking it up to a television.

Microsoft has also moved, but not removed, its MicroSD memory card slot for boosting this tablet's 32GB or 64GB memory.

The Surface 2's software has also been upgraded to Windows RT 8.1, though the differences are more subtle than that of full Windows software and there's still no Start button to be seen.

The fact Microsoft is persisting with RT software is worth noting, however, and users must pay $1019 for the Surface 2 Pro to get the benefit of its full Pro software suite with desktop access.

Despite this, Microsoft's second entry-level tablet is user-friendly, and its touchscreen is responsive and delivers apps fast. It's aided by faster specifications - a 1.7GHz quad-core chip and 2GB RAM - and is kept alive longer by a bigger battery promising up to 10 hours of video playback.

The Windows Store also has plenty more apps than it did when the Surface surfaced, though it still pales in comparison to its rivals.

Users will also have to prepare to carry an extra 207g over its new Apple rival, though they will save $170 on the purchase price, and those who want a 4G version will have to wait until next year.

Ultimately, there's a lot to like about Microsoft's new tablet, and users who waited for the second edition are bound to like the slimmer, faster model on offer.

$529, surface.com