The Surface RT is a consumer device, not a device meant for techies. So look at it from a consumer perspective. if you can't VERY EASILY find the apps you're interested in you're not going to get them installed. Simple as that. App Stores are the currently expected way to do this.

Browsing is admittedly an option but knowing from my own experience browsing for a site vs. starting an app on a phone especially is more effort. Some sites like FaceBook for example seem to actually work better with the browser sites on tablets than the official Facebook apps do (even the new iPad app which suposedly is so much better) but I still use the app because it's easier to get there and usually a bit snappier. But most people that are non-tech users don't even think that way - they want to click on a top level icon and have an easy way to browse and find the applications they are currently using whether on the Web or on the desktop.

The reviewer reflects a simple reality which is: What makes a Surface RT device desirable over other devices? Answer: Not much if anything at all. There's nothing compelling beyond marketing for that device.

And I say that as somebody that's rooting for Microsoft to actually produce something that is a clear winner and really gives Apple some competition. I'm using Apple mobile products grudgingly, because they are simply better - but I hate giving money to Apple.

The story is similar for Windows 8 in general. Win8 has been out for 3 months officially and a half year since RTM. Where are the decent higher end Windows touch devices? There are a handful of decent laptops (there are a fair number of cheapo throwaway ones, but no decent higher end machines at all). Where are the touch monitors? It's a similar situation. It used to be when Microsoft put something new out the hardware and software would be flocking to it.

That's no longer the case.

This isn't Microsoft's fault per se, but Microsoft needs to work on its perception problem as a company that's stuck in the past and go beyond just throwing shit against a wall and seeing what sticks. Windows 8 was designed in a vacuum with Microsoft doing what they think was best and clearly with little mind to what consumers/customers actually want (at least when it comes to UI). Overall I think Win 8 is good and I even think combining touch and desktop is a good idea, but the execution reeks of 'We know better' arrogance and
all the UI blundering is a clear sign how detached the MS folks are from the average consumer to the point of intentionally pissing off a large percentage of their customer base: Forced into WinRt, no start button, the insane way the Windows Charms and touch menus work - imagine how much better the Win8 launch would have gone with configurable options for desktop mode and Start menu alone - 90% of Win8 negative reviews focused on that).

It's almost like Microsoft has a suicide wish to run itself into the ground with the bad decisions made by the Windows team.

That said I'm running Windows 8 on my desktop and I like it reasonably well. But I merely put up with the fact that I have to deal with a Windows RT shell in front of everything. I hate that Aero is gone and we're back to a circa 1998 desktop UI in 2013.

Personally I would LOVE to have a fully powered Windows 8 touch laptop convertible - a 1 size fits all machine. Nothing for that market is even out yet. The closest thing today is the Lenovo Yoga but even that's woefully under-powered. You would think that Microsoft would have partnered with some of the OEM vendors to make sure that the spectrum of computing hardware was addressed for Windows 8 specifically, but no... Microsoft is not even making an effort anymore to woo its OEMs. Microsoft even pulled out of CES - at the time when there is a new MS OS out there to push and focus is on Windows 8. Talk about misguided marketing decisions.

+++ Rick ---

>Here's a review, also from Tribune Corp. that says some of the same things, but contradicts others.
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>As for the software, if you're worried about Windows 8, don't be. It looks and works great. Of course, it is a big change from any previous version of Windows as well as any other tablet operating system out there, but it's very intuitive and if you buy the Surface and play with it every day -- as I imagine you would if you buy a $499 gadget -- you'll learn within a week or less.
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>Windows 8 runs very quick on the Surface.
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>http://articles.latimes.com/2012/nov/11/business/la-fi-tn-microsoft-surface-review-20121110
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>As for missing apps, it specifically states "there's still no official Facebook, Twitter or Pandora app. There are other apps that have been built to substitute for these notable missing tablet essentials, but it's still a shame that the official apps aren't available. With time, though, that should become less of an issue."
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>It's those sites responsibility to provide their own official apps. But, I can tell you that every app from Twitter I've used is garbage. The third party apps are much, much better. The official Facebook app on Windows Phone is ok, but sluggish. It's usually faster to go to the web site in the mobile browser. I rarely use Pandora, so can't comment on that. I don't understand the complaint of no official app when you can get apps that do the same thing, only much better. Am I missing something?
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>>Here is a short review of the Microsoft Surface tablet PC from today's Chicago Tribune. The Surface was discussed here in the past few days but I can't find a post to reply to. I think the discussion was in the Godzilla thread about Windows 8.
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>>Microsoft Surface RT
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>>The good: Microsoft Surface's Metro interface is innovative, elegant, powerful and versatile. The tablet feels strong and well-built, includes Office 2013 and offers rich video and music services. Its keyboard cover accessaries are the best ways to type on a tablet, period.
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>>The bad: The tablet has sluggish performance, its Windows Store is a ghost town, Metro requires some practice to get the hang of, and the desktop interface feels clunky and useless.
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>>The cost: $499 to $599.
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>>The bottom line: If you're an early adapter willing to forget everything you know about navigating a computer, the Surface tablet could replace your laptop. Everyone else: Wait for more apps.