Surface RT Sucks

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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?

Or this.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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

If you explain that it isn't working properly I'm sure she'll understand and her legal expertise is quite an asset in that regard. Hope it all works out for you.

Also, it does have a concept of closing programs.  I don't know how to do it with touch, but on the PC you just hover to bring up the task switcher on the left and right click on whatever WinRT app you want to close.

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/02/07/improving-power-efficiency-for-applications.aspx

In the second state, after you launch an app and then switch away from it, the operating system suspends it. This means that the Windows scheduler (the component that schedules CPU access for processes and threads) does not include it in the CPU scheduling. Since the operating system is not scheduling the app, the app is not using the CPU, and it is possible for the CPU to drop into lower power states. Getting the CPU into low power states can be critical to achieving better battery life. Developers may be familiar with this approach, as it is similar to what happens to a process when you are debugging an app and you “pause” it. Essentially, all of the threads running for the app are halted. Suspended apps are in a similar kind of cached state. Since the app is already initialized, you get the benefit of instantaneous app switching. It’s simply a matter of the operating system scheduler allowing the app execution to progress again when it is switched back into the foreground.

It's more hover in the corner and move up or down, but I can't edit posts anymore :p  Whee!

I know.  My error.

I like your thinking!

I will give that a try. 

Actually, closing an application is simple. Swipe it from the top and go all the down, the app closes. I like the Surface RT for what it is. Yes, there are some limitations, but it wasn't really intended to be a full laptop machine, or a professional IT machine,

I've had mine for a while now and use it daily (typing this on it now), and haven't had any problems with websites. There are some, like JU, that work better with the desktop IE than the Metro one, but that's no big deal.

Like most things, it isn't going to be a good fit for everyone. It's great for me, not so much for you. Such is the nature of technology at times.

As for the Pro, I'll pass until they can build one with a longer battery life. Right now the charge doesn't do any better than your average notebook so I don't see any point to buying one. If they can get that up to 8 to 10 hours I would consider it.

My wife can do more on the Kindle Fire than I can on the Surface RT.  I do not want a full blown laptop, but a pad that I can use in an airport (or even on a plane).  Other than browsing the internet (restricted due to the limitations of the browser) and watching movies, there is not a lot that it is useful for.

Even the iPad, the bane of windows - has more functionality.

I guess everyone's needs are different. As I mentioned, I use mine on a daily basis, often at public wifi locations, and have had no problems at all doing anything I wanted or needed to do.

I guess that's why it's great to have so many different devices and operating system from which to choose; something for everyone. Honestly, I can do a lot of things on my Surface I could never do on my iPad (which I gave away after getting the Surface).

I love the fact that my office can email my over-size permits and other documents and with just a couple of screen taps can wirelessly print them out right in my truck. Never could get that to work with my iPad or any of my Android tablets.