Need help deciding - Asus TF701T vs Windows Surface 2

[Dragon41673]

All,

I've been wanting an Android tablet for years now, and over the years I've wanted the Asus line of transformers, most recently the TF701T. My problem is lately, I've been more and more concerned about security and compatibility, so I've been looking at the Windows Surface 2 tablets (specifically Noki 2520 or direct Microsoft version). I do use Microsoft Office a lot, but I realize I can use google docs with an android tablet and I believe there is an "office like" program on the Asus TF701T. I've been over & over the most recent (4 months) of reviews & comparisons online on numerous sites...but I'm still undecided as they have not been any help.

Can you guys either point me to, or list out, the pros vs cons of both tablets? ESPECIALLY if you've owned one or the others that I listed above...or both for that matter.

Also...if for some reason I do go with the Windows Surface 2 (cannot afford a Surface 2 Pro)...can I install the Chrome Browser on it?

Thanks for any/all help you can provide

 

[Geodude074]

The only reason to go with the Surface 2 is for Office 2013. Yes, Google Docs may be free, but there is no equivalent to Office in my opinion. If you need a basic word editor/spreadsheet program, Google Docs may be fine, but for anything requiring plug-ins or macros, you NEED Office.

Chrome works on Windows 8 but isn't optimized for touch.

For everything else, Android is superior. The app selection is so much better, it's not even funny. I have a Windows 8 laptop and the only time I go to the new Start screen is when I go there by accident. Once you start installing a few dozen applications, the interface is just a mess and requires work to keep it tidy looking, which is just a waste of time. Windows Store apps provide zero benefit to the desktop experience from my experience and in my opinion.

If you REALLY want Windows 8 on a tablet though, I suggest getting a Bay Trail device like the Asus Transformer T100. It's just like the TF701T, but y'know, it runs Windows 8.1, not RT. And it comes with Office 2013.

 

[JRDroid]

As someone who has owned a Windows RT device and several Android tablets, I think I can be of some help.

First a small lesson, "Surface 2 tablets" are not a category. The Surface 2 is a specific device. It runs a version of Windows called Windows RT that was specifically developed to run on ARM (mobile) processors instead of x86/64 (Intel and AMD) processors. Windows RT will not run any app not available in the Windows app store and that app store has a painfully small selection. Currently there are two Windows RT devices, the Surface 2 and the Lumia 2520. So, when you refer to "Surface 2 tablets" what you are taking about are devices running Windows RT instead of Windows 8.1.

Don't get a Windows RT tablet (which both the Surface 2 and the Nokia 2520 are). They are severly crippled. There are very, very few apps for them and you are stuck using Internet Explorer, which, while much better now than it used to be, is not as good as Chrome or Firefox. If you must, must, must have Microsoft Office specifically and not just an office suite in general, get a full blown Windows 8.1 tablet. There are several that can be had for the same price as a Windows RT device. Atom tablets now offer similar performance and battery life to Windows RT devices, but also get you compatibility with nearly every Windows program available. An Atom based tablet is leaps and bounds better than a Windows RT tablet, but I do not think Windows is truly more useful and productive than Android unless you are running it on something with at least an Intel Core i3, which are incredibly uncommon in a tablet form factor (I believe the Viao Tap 11 has an i3/i5 option, but approaches $800-$1000 when so equiped).

Now, if you just need a general office suite and not Microsoft Office specifically, both Google Docs and Quick Office on Android are free and excellent. You get a much better app ecosystem. You get faster performance than Windows RT or Windows 8.1 on an Atom. You get access to all of Google's services (Search, GMail, Drive, Docs, Google+, YouTube, etc.), which, having been a big user of both MS and Google services, I believe are vastly superior to Microsofts offerings (SkyDrive, Outlook/Hotmail, Bing, etc.). Plus, if you are a Netflix, Hulu+, or HBO user you get great apps that with a $35 Chromecast can be on your TV.

TL/DR: Don't get either of those Windows RT devices. Get Android unless you absolutely need something very specific from MS Office that Google Docs or Quickoffice doesn't have. In that case, Get something that has an Intel Atom chip.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Some great advice offered so far. The only thing I'd like to piggy-back onto what's been said is that there are some great paid office apps for Android that have great functionality (better than Google Docs or QuickOffice). I happen to be a heavy Office user myself and OfficeSuite Pro does most of what I need it to when I don't feel like dragging out my laptop. Personally, the only Windows tablet I would even consider is the Pro 2. I'm going to wait to see what the next Samsung offering is (rumored to be the Note Pro with a 12.2" display) before I buy a tablet.

 

[Dragon41673]

Thanks to you both, I sincerely appreciate the info & comparison of the 2 different platforms from a user point of view.

 

[JRDroid]

Thanks to you both, I sincerely appreciate the info & comparison of the 2 different platforms from a user point of view.

No problem. Let us know what you decide. I personally prefer smaller tablets to 10" tablets, but if I were going to buy a 10" tablet today, it would be the TF701T.

 

[JeffDenver]

All,

I've been wanting an Android tablet for years now, and over the years I've wanted the Asus line of transformers, most recently the TF701T. My problem is lately, I've been more and more concerned about security and compatibility, so I've been looking at the Windows Surface 2 tablets (specifically Noki 2520 or direct Microsoft version). I do use Microsoft Office a lot, but I realize I can use google docs with an android tablet and I believe there is an "office like" program on the Asus TF701T. I've been over & over the most recent (4 months) of reviews & comparisons online on numerous sites...but I'm still undecided as they have not been any help.

Can you guys either point me to, or list out, the pros vs cons of both tablets? ESPECIALLY if you've owned one or the others that I listed above...or both for that matter.

Also...if for some reason I do go with the Windows Surface 2 (cannot afford a Surface 2 Pro)...can I install the Chrome Browser on it?

Thanks for any/all help you can provide

I have owned 2 Transformers and still own a ROMed tf300.

While I would definitely take them over any Windows tablet, they are not what I'd recommend on Android. I'd recommend going with a Nexus tablet. If I had it to do over again, that's what I'd get.

I don't hate Windows but. But if I was going to get a Windows tablet, I'd probably just get a real laptop instead. Especially considering the prices they're charging. Windows tablets will be less restrictive than Apple products, but more restrictive than Android.

Now.. Open Office now has an Android version. What makes it remarkable is that it is not a stripped down "mobile" version. It is the full desktop program. It is free and has way more features than Google Docs.

 

[Dragon41673]

While I would definitely take them over any Windows tablet, they are not what I'd recommend on Android. I'd recommend going with a Nexus tablet. If I had it to do over again, that's what I'd get.

I had thought about that so I would always get the most up to date releases & not rely on Asus sending them down, but the Nexus ones do not have an SD card input, and that's a feature I will need as I have roughly 40gb of PDF's I will have on it.

Now.. Open Office now has an Android version. What makes it remarkable is that it is not a stripped down "mobile" version. It is the full desktop program. It is free and has way more features than Google Docs.

That's good to know, that might be better in the end run. Thank you!

 

[SalixIncendium]

Now.. Open Office now has an Android version. What makes it remarkable is that it is not a stripped down "mobile" version. It is the full desktop program. It is free and has way more features than Google Docs.

I was unaware of this. Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to try it out.

 

[JeffDenver]

I was unaware of this. Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to try it out.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...ls?id=com.andropenoffice&hl=en&token=KxW0v0BK

 

[JeffDenver]

I had thought about that so I would always get the most up to date releases & not rely on Asus sending them down, but the Nexus ones do not have an SD card input, and that's a feature I will need as I have roughly 40gb of PDF's I will have on it.

Asus is decent but not great with updates. My TF300 stopped getting support at 4.2 for example. I only have KitKat on it because I ROMed it. And their skin is just awful...the stock ROM felt like moving in slow motion. The vanilla Android ROM I installed on it is a night and day difference. ASUS does make good tablets, but after using one for over a year I gotta say, I definitely prefer my Nexus devices.

By contrast, the Ancient Galaxy nexus has KitKat. Nexus devices are awesome. I hate that they don't have SD as well, but IMO the tradeoff is well worth it. Long support life, Vanilla Android, and awesome specs. For storage, I believe they do support USB OTG. So you can write to and from USB thumb drives.

 

[JRDroid]

By contrast, the Ancient Galaxy nexus has KitKat.

Worth noting that the Galaxy Nexus didn't get an official KitKat build, you have to flash a custom ROM.

 

[Geodude074]

I'd still recommend looking at either the Asus Transformer T100 or the new Dell Venue 11 Pro, both of which are Bay Trail T tablet/laptop hybrids with full Windows 8.1. Both of them come with Office 2013 for free.

And IMO, there is no replacement for Office. Yes there may be other apps that provide the basic functionality of Word/Excel/PowerPoint, but if you're a professional user and you need plug-ins or VBA or macros, there is no replacement for Office.

 

[JRDroid]

Yes there may be other apps that provide the basic functionality of Word/Excel/PowerPoint, but if you're a professional user and you need plug-ins or VBA or macros, there is no replacement for Office.

Which is what most of us have said. If you need something only Office provides, you are stuck with Windows. However, if you just need a basic office suite, Android has a miriad of great options.

 

[JeffDenver]

I'd still recommend looking at either the Asus Transformer T100 or the new Dell Venue 11 Pro, both of which are Bay Trail T tablet/laptop hybrids with full Windows 8.1. Both of them come with Office 2013 for free.

And IMO, there is no replacement for Office. Yes there may be other apps that provide the basic functionality of Word/Excel/PowerPoint, but if you're a professional user and you need plug-ins or VBA or macros, there is no replacement for Office.

I agree, but as a professional I would be using a laptop or desktop for that work, not a tablet.

 

[Dragon41673]

I'm not in need of Office for professional reasons, just simple viewing & light editing of Office files.

 

[JRDroid]

I'm not in need of Office for professional reasons, just simple viewing & light editing of Office files.

Then Quickoffice or Open Office should both work just fine for you and both are free on Android.

 

[JeffDenver]

Then Quickoffice or Open Office should both work just fine for you and both are free on Android.

Open office might even be overkill. It's only useful if you need a full interface.

 

[Dragon41673]

Picked up the TF701T, I've only had it for 2.5 days, but it seems like it will suit my needs with Polaris Office.

Thanks for the tips & suggestions!