--- title: Microsoft Surface 2 date: 2014-04-14 09:16:27 permalink: https://lesterchan.net/blog/2014/04/14/microsoft-surface-2/ author: Lester Chan categories: - Tablet tags: - Microsoft - surface - Surface 2 --- [Microsoft Surface 2](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2014/03/13/microsoft-surface-2-in-singapore/) was launched last month and thanks to [Ian](http://iantan.org/), the media is able to purchase it at a media discount. The retail price of a Surface 2 is S$618 for 32GB and S$748 for 64GB. I bought the 32GB version. I bought the [Microsoft Surface 2](http://www.surface.com/sg) because I wanted to have a Windows tablet to complete the “family” since I have an [Apple iPad Air](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2013/12/16/apple-ipad-air-silver-16gb-wi-fi-cellular/) and [Google Nexus 7](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2013/12/23/nexus-7-2013/). Been using it for a few weeks and I love the slightly bigger screen as compared to the iPad Air. Everything is pretty snappy with the NVIDIA Tegra 4 1.7GHz quad core processor and 2GB of RAM. Because there is no LTE variant of the Surface 2 in Singapore, this is pretty much a stay-home device. Oh and there is [Plex App for Windows](http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-sg/app/plex/647bfcf7-7f87-4a72-ad86-2e6274f969e3) which cost US$5.99 that allows you to stream movies/tv shows from your Plex server! I don’t really use Microsoft Office much these days but Windows RT 8.1 comes with Microsoft Office 2013 RT versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook. Remember to update to [Windows 8.1 Update](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/whats-new) the moment you get your Surface 2 as the update is out! **Technical Specifications** | – | Surface 2 | |---|---| | OS | Windows RT 8.1 with Microsoft Office 2013 RT versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook. Works exclusively with apps available in the Windows Store. | | Exterior | 275 mm x 173 mm x 8.9 mm 676 VaporMg casing Magnesium (Silver) color Volume and power buttons | | Storage | 32GB or 64GB | | Display | 10.6″ ClearType Full HD Display 1920×1080 pixels 16:9 (widescreen) 5-point multitouch | | CPU | NVIDIA Tegra 4 (T40) 1.7GHz quad core 2 GB of RAM | | Wireless | Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) Bluetooth 4.0 low-energy technology | | Battery | 10 hours of video playback 7–15 days idle life | | Cameras and A/V | 3.5MP front-facing camera 5MP rear-facing camera 1080p video capture Two microphones (with noise cancellation) Stereo speakers (digitally enhanced for fuller sound) | | Ports | Full-size USB 3.0 MicroSDXC card reader Headset jack HD video out port Cover port | | Sensors | Ambient light sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Magnetometer | | Power Supply | 24W power supply | | Warranty | one-year limited hardware warranty | | Apps (included) | Mail, Calendar, People, Internet Explorer 11, Photos, Music, Video, Games, Skype, Fresh Paint, Calculator, Reading List, Reader, Scan, News, Weather, Sports, Travel, Finance, Health & Fitness, Food & Drink, Help, Camera, OneDrive, Sound Recorder and more | | Pricing (SGD inclusive of GST) | 32GB: $618 64GB: $748 | [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Front](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/13705876465_72e0947293_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Front")](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/13705876465_9868006ec7_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Front") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Back](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/13705881523_195344f70e_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Back")](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/13705881523_c765f5acc5_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Back") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Box](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/13705875965_9f281e2040_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Box")](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/13705875965_f21242846b_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Box") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Inner](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/13705875795_2ab0c0a33e_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Inner")](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/13705875795_2a7dc4f1eb_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Inner") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Open](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/13705880613_e4d977b6a0_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Open")](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/13705880613_c3c68f5456_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Open") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Open](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3765/13705875365_215584bd4c_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Open")](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3765/13705875365_0a5e6b1eb4_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Open") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Contents](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3833/13705880033_5578edf2e7_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Contents")](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3833/13705880033_8f1b200be5_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Box Contents") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - 3-Pin Plug Back](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/13706218944_9f26019c93_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - 3-Pin Plug Back")](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/13706218944_cc7cd02f33_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - 3-Pin Plug Back") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - 3-Pin Plug Front](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/13705879813_dc7afa84e7_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - 3-Pin Plug Front")](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/13705879813_08ae380e76_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - 3-Pin Plug Front") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Power Adapter](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7380/13706223634_5729ebf333_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Power Adapter")](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7380/13706223634_680211cc23_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Power Adapter") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Power Adapter](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/13705880133_3cec62dd1e_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Power Adapter")](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/13705880133_469dc422f3_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Power Adapter") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Power Adapter With 3-Pin Plug](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2890/13705879123_4a08aed3a2_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Power Adapter With 3-Pin Plug")](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2890/13705879123_37371a43e1_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Power Adapter With 3-Pin Plug") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Magnetic Cable Head](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2928/13706223004_ed047e70fa_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Magnetic Cable Head")](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2928/13706223004_c5117f6b92_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Magnetic Cable Head") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Front](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/13705878923_ab2b26b2c4_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Front")](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/13705878923_6fe894656c_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Front") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Back](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/13705878623_6f9ea63824_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Back")](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/13705878623_50ed296ea0_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Back") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Left](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3769/13706222684_f516bae233_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Left")](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3769/13706222684_12738716fd_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Left") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Right](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5463/13705878253_70a9d24df0_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Right")](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5463/13705878253_51a417d2c5_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Right") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Top](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/13705870965_7e17285bf7_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Top")](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/13705870965_07e6f3b4a1_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Top") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Bottom](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3754/13705876003_8e0025d517_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Bottom")](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3754/13705876003_5e6693b03f_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Bottom") My favourite feature of the Surface 2 is the new kickstand which holds itself up without the need of a cover! [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Kickstand Back](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2853/13705875693_bc1558f2dd_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Kickstand Back")](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2853/13705875693_2edd391cdd_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Kickstand Back") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Kickstand Side](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/13706219634_f40aac8fc2_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Kickstand Side")](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/13706219634_7a7d70c38d_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Kickstand Side") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Kickstand Bottom](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7092/13705869955_7f657ecee0_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Kickstand Bottom")](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7092/13705869955_31da54a66c_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Kickstand Bottom") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Start Screen](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5296/13705869745_983dd14e3c_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Start Screen")](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5296/13705869745_7337e165cf_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Start Screen") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Desktop](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7264/13706219364_330d37d3e5_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Desktop")](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7264/13706219364_ceb02e75f1_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Desktop") Microsoft took a cue from the Apple’s MagSafe for the Surface 2. It has a magnetic charging head that can be attached to the Surface 2 easily. There is also a light indicator to indicate that it is charging, but unfortunately it will not turn off or green when the charge is full as I expected it to be. [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Charging](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/13706218624_f86d7a0588_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Charging")](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/13706218624_365a482402_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Charging") [![Microsoft Surface 2](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/13706219214_89c16bce11_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2")](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/13706219214_b73ff961c0_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2") If you are wondering what theme am I using in the below screenshots, I am using the [North Island theme](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-sg/windows/north-island-download-theme). Also to print screen on the Surface 2, press and hold the Start Button and than the volume down button. The screenshot will be captured and place in “This PC -> Pictures -> Screenshot”. [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Start Screen](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7231/13817203933_e5e07b7662_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Start Screen")](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7231/13817203933_ef7105a60d_o.png "Microsoft Surface 2 - Start Screen") [![Microsoft Surface 2 - Start Screen](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/13817202063_d1462c053f_c.jpg "Microsoft Surface 2 - Start Screen")](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/13817202063_d0702fed84_o.png "Microsoft Surface 2 - Start Screen") The number 1 complain of Windows Store/Windows Phone Store is the very limited amount of apps on it. I think Windows Phone Store is getting better and I hope eventually Windows Store as well. The first few apps I downloaded are always Social, [Facebook](http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/facebook/add3d66a-358d-4fe2-be68-8a3f934e9ea1), [Twitter](http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/8289549f-9bae-4d44-9a5c-63d9c3a79f35) and [FourSquare](http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/3b4b8be2-f224-4827-9449-019739d9c4c8). There is no Instagram, so I am using [Instametrogram](http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/147130f3-3f1a-4842-8b30-a680b344d38d) which work pretty well. I am still waiting for a WordPress app on it. If you are using Feedly, you need to get [Nextgen Reader](http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-sg/app/nextgen-reader/30648d7a-f0b5-4719-8ca9-7ed6ce3b4b9b), it is the best reader app out there. Ironically, I can’t buy any apps from Windows Store (I am trying to buy Nextgen Reader) because when I try to add a payment method, I got the error “There was an error setting up your payment method” and it offers no way to solve it. When I login to [Microsoft Commerce](https://commerce.microsoft.com/), it states my account is locked and ask me to contact customer support with the error code “(8032-\[2\]-47a37bc1-59f9-4569-8ff0-d71eae80f296)”. Best of all, there is no email or number to call for me to contact their customer support and I have to Google for it. Here is the link, or if you are in Singapore, you can call this number 1 800 818 5235. Nevertheless, my account was unlocked after 2 working days thanks to Ian and now I can buy apps from the Windows Store!