Sturdy build, tough two-point kick-stand, fine screen, terrific keyboard covers, full-size USB 3.0 port, good battery life, 4G
Limited apps in Windows Store, expensive jump to 4G
The latest version of Microsoft's Windows tablet comes with LTE capability but nothing else we haven't seen before. Is it worth an extra £100?
Chassis and screen
Size-wise the Surface 2 4G's dimensions are exactly the same as the Wi-Fi-only version, but it's added another 10g or so to the weight -- so nothing to worry about really. It still comes with a full-size USB 3.0 port and that useful dual-position kickstand on the back. The only real difference as far as the hardware goes is with the micro-SIM slot that's been sneaked into the left-hand side, beneath the volume rocker, giving you the option of 4G network access so you can get connected when there's no Wi-Fi available.
For launch, it hasn't been aligned with any particular network, so you can get it SIM-free and add the network bundle of your choice. That's all well and good, but there's a sting in the tail.
It'll set you back £100 more than the previous 64GB version of the Surface 2 (and £180 more than the 32GB), and you'll still need to pay for a tariff on top of that. Throw in a £100 Touch Cover to add a laptop-style keyboard and it really isn't a cheap option.
Processor and software
All the good stuff's still here though -- a fast quad-core 1.7GHz Nvidia Tegra 4 processor, 10.6-inch screen offering 1,920x1,080-pixel HD resolution (though only five-point multi-touch capability), plus a pretty decent 5-megapixel camera on the back and a 3-megapixel version on the front.
The battery should also serve you well, promising ten hours of use, though we found that closer to eight and a half in testing -- still a very good result.
Unfortunately the device is still running Windows RT 8.1 rather than the full version you'll find on the Surface Pro 2. That means you're limited to the apps available from the limited Windows Store. Lots of the biggies are there of course, but your options are distinctly limited.
You do, however, get a full version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT as well as Outlook 2013 RT -- a package that would set you back around £200 if you bought it separately. Microsoft is also offering a bonus incentive in the shape of some extra features previously only available with the Pro version of the Surface 2.
Now get free Skype calls to landlines in 60 or so countries for the first year, plus free Skype Wi-Fi for a year, so you can log on to lots of paid-for hotspots around the world for nought. You also get 200GB of free OneDrive (which is what they're now calling SkyDrive) cloud storage -- but again it's only for a year.
Conclusion
Adding 4G connectivity gives extra mobile capability to the Surface 2, but considering the specs are more or less exactly the same, there's a pretty steep price to pay. A bargain it ain't, but it's a solidly built device with a good range of features and if you're often a stranger to Wi-Fi (and have deep pockets), it could be just what you need to keep connected.
CPU: Quad Core 1.7GHz NVIDIA Tegra 4
Operating system: Windows 8.1
Memory: 2GB
Display: 10.6-inch HD (1920x1080 pixels) 5-point multi-touch
Hard Drive: 32GB or 64GB
Camera: 5-megapixel camera on back, 3-megapixel camera on front
Wireless: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, wireless LAN, Bluetooth 4.0
Ports: Full-size USB 3.0, microSD card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, HD video out, cover port
Size: 275x173x9mm
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This article was originally published by WIRED UK
