An Arm and a Windows

One question that I get a lot from people who know that I have a Microsoft Surface is, "Can it replace my laptop?"

Well, I sold my laptop so let's hope so!

The truth is, I was pretty hesitant at first to sell my laptop. The limitations of Windows RT just made it seem like I'd need to hang on to my Windows 7 device. (And articles like this one didn't help either) But after talking a bit with a friend, I realized that everything I could do on my laptop but couldn't do on my Surface, I could do on my desktop at my office (i.e. video editing, other Windows 7 software).

What's more, what I gave up in processing power I more than made up for in mobility. Granted my laptop was on the chunkier side (15"), but now not only is my bag much lighter and roomier, I don't have to lug around a charger or look for tables near power outlets anymore either (I find myself charging about every other day).

And let's not forget about that handy dandy usb port! (Seriously...printing, devices, etc...ALL compatible...haven't yet found a device that RT wasn't able to recognize)

I think there are only two things that would keep me from recommending the Surface (or other Windows RT devices for that matter) as a complete laptop replacement for everyone. First, there's still a bit of a learning curve when it comes to Windows RT. Tablet owners typically are not interested in dealing with a learning curve. iOS and Android have the advantage of being "push-button" operating systems. The Start Screen in Windows RT is similar, but since RT jumps back and forth between its desktop and Start Screen I don't know if it's the most beginner friendly operating system. (I think this gets at the big question that Microsoft is dealing with right now: can Windows truly be a touch friendly operating system, or did they make a mistake by not making two separate operating systems, one for tablet and one for PC?)

The second thing that would keep me from recommending someone give up their laptop for a Surface is the fact that RT is still basically a closed ecosystem. That means if your work requires you to use a specific Windows 7 or 8 program that hasn't yet been ported over to RT, you are out of luck. For me this means I can't use Asana (a Chrome Web App...and we all know how Google and Microsoft feel about each other). Syncing to Dropbox and Google Drive are also not possible. There is a Dropbox app for Windows RT, but as of right now it doesn't allow you to set up a Dropbox folder in your File Explorer like you can in Windows 7 and 8, which is kind of the whole point when it comes to using Dropbox. 

Besides all that, in my mind, the fact that the Surface comes with the full Office suite pre-loaded and fully functional still really makes it the first feasible laptop replacement tablet. I've been using it exclusively now for about a month and a half and have barely missed my laptop.