Windows RT makes no compromises with regard to performance. The lack of apps is partly mitigated by the very good IE web browsers it has, but if Windows RT had anything near the app availability of iOS, most of the criticisms of the OS would be moot.

I’m not saying that Windows RT is the ultimate mobile OS, but I do believe that there is a segment of users who may have been disappointed with the iPad as a productivity device who could be completely happy with Windows RT.

NB: i also have an iPad and love it dearly, but i thought i’d try one of these out.

#1 – Initial disappointment in the lack of some apps i already had on windows Phone 8 not porting across. No different to having an iphone version of an app and wanting it on an iPad though, so not too bad. Some apps like chrome would be nice though

#2 – after the intial phase of “i need apps” i started to use the full website versions of facebook. realizing that i could, whats the point of a RT app that does FB? i pinned this website to my “start menu” and now its great.

#3 – App limitations – initially, i bought a surface for its handwriting recognition and note taking. this combined with onenote would be amazing. the full version of Onenote comes with the laptop, but doesnt support audio recording and the sketching is not too bad. Funnily enough, the tablet version of Onenote (formally OnenoteMX, not to be confused with the preinstalled version of onenote) doesnt have hand writing/drawing capabilities. This seriously needs to be fixed, apps shouldnt have basic limitations like this.

Mind you, the handwriting recognition is fantastic on the full version of Onenote on the RT, i just wish the tablet version had the same features

#4 – Acceptance – after a few days of playing with it and getting used to the Windows RT, i quite like it. Its missing apps, no doubt. but what it does have built in so far is quite user friendly. the charm bar is fantastic and a really underated feature. being able to get to every setting and being able to search every app from the same unified place? design gold. its something apple or even android could steal from. IE is fantastic, and they are words i’d never think i’d say.

#5 – Holy crap it just works – this is a silly one, but windows phone 8 works seemlessly when using it with Windows RT and Skydrive. Taking photo’s on my phone, and seeing them appear on my skydrive app on my tablet so i could show my folks straight away? Great. Remembering Wireless passwords on my phone and it automatically connecting to said wireless network on my surface? Fantastic. Internet sharing from my WP8 phone to my Surface without it needing to enter the password as it recognizes they are both trusted machines on my outlook.com profile? Great!

so yes, there are some big gaps in terms of applications, but what it does have built in is actually quite rock solid, especially in the cloud/skydrive area. i think a bit more time and investment will actually make this device quite the quiet achiever and cops a lot of flack from the internet.

Seriously, though, will all the rage around slates with keyboards trying to mimic notebooks, doesn’t it make you think that the netbook as a form-factor was never really a failure? The Surface PRO demonstrates that Intel’s ULV offerings do indeed work inside a sub-11″ chassis. What I would like to see is that same PCB used inside a 10″ netbook chassis, with 2.5″ SSD, RJ-45 and all the other standard netbook goodies. I’m thinking a Power Keyboard for the Surface PRO would be a good idea too – backlit keys, internal battery and some extra connectivity along the sides.

More than likely, I’ll be getting my wallet out once I see that 8W TDP Haswell CPU on board.