New Surface tablets make typing easy

New York: Is Microsoft’s Surface a tablet or a laptop?

I’m not quite sure, but it is a lot easier to type on than an iPad. It almost seems unfair to categorise the new Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 as tablets. Although they have touch-screen keyboards like regular tablets, they work best when attached to an optional cover with a keyboard on the inside.

The better one I tried was the Type Cover 2. In addition to coming in four fun colours — pink, purple, blue and black — that cover has backlighting, silent keys and a typing feel similar to that of a laptop keyboard. At $130 (Dh477), it is just $10 more than a Touch Cover 2, which doesn’t have movable keys like real keyboards.

Wireless mouse

The slick wireless mouse designed for the tablets is helpful, too, as is the docking station created to go with the Pro version.

The result is something that looks more like a laptop than an iPad or Android tablet. And that’s what Microsoft wants, calling its tablets the most productive on the market. The Surface 2 model even comes with a version of Microsoft Office, including the Outlook email and calendar program for the first time.

The Surface 2 starts at $449 and runs a lightweight version of Windows called RT, meaning it works only with apps designed specifically for it. The Surface Pro 2 starts at $899 and runs a full version of Windows, so it works with programs designed for traditional desktops and laptops. Both come with 200 gigabytes of online storage through Microsoft’s SkyDrive for two years.

With the Surface, Microsoft is trying to create a seamless transition between home, work and the field. Microsoft doesn’t want this device to just replace your tablet and laptop, but your office PC as well. It’s a great idea, and I’ll be interested to see if it can actually work in practicality.

Very comfortable

Like a laptop, both the Surface 2 and the Surface Pro 2 balanced well and didn’t slide around on my lap when attached to keyboards. I felt very comfortable typing and had a clear view of the screen.

My only complaint is that the keyboard was just a little bit too big for my lap and didn’t have quiet enough space to lay flat. But at 5 foot, 2 inches (1.57m), I’m small. If you’re taller, you shouldn’t have a problem.

Although the tablets are focused on productivity, they also have some fun elements, too. Besides the usual games and apps available in Microsoft’s app store, the Surface Pro 2 can be used to play PC and Xbox games such as World of Warcraft and Halo. Although you don’t quite get the same visual experience as you do with a big screen, gamers will like portability. It’s a big step up from playing Angry Birds or Fruit Ninja (available in Microsoft’s app store, too.)

Both Surface models felt a little bulky and heavy to me. That said, the Surface 2 weighs about the same as the latest version of the full-size iPad at about 1.5 pounds, while the Surface Pro 2 weighs in at 2 pounds.

Microsoft seems to have learned from its mistakes and refreshed the Surface line-up with devices that feel better on the lap.

— AP