A few days with Windows RT - comments, questions

mgftp

New Member
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I just picked up a VivoTab RT and have many options on the thing thus far, so I wanted to make a thread for others in the market and for anyone to possibly help me around the shortcomings I see with the device.

Firstly, why I purchased it - I saw it on clearance for $250 with keyboard dock and couldn't pass up giving it a try at that price - been looking for something with a bright screen to use outside and something that could replace both my Nexus 10 and Win7 laptop with one device, to make things simpler, especially when traveling. I found myself always bringing both devices, because even though I much preferred using the Nexus 10 for the majority of things, some tasks along the productivity side were simply much easier with a Windows based laptop.

So Windows RT, I was expecting to hate it based upon the amount of times I have heard it trashed. Metro is not bad at all, a good interface and although the app selection is minimal all the major players are there, I haven't yet found myself needing something that isn't available. Overall, I like it, in some ways better than my loved Android, but now, the shortcomings:

1. I am greatly missing Chrome, I now know why I left IE years ago and never looked back.
2. Some websites display as mobile and I do not see an option within the browser to request the full site.

Any work-arounds for my issues?

If I were to look into getting a similar device running full win8 what would you recommend? If one of my requirements is 600nit brightness or higher is the VivoTab my only option? I couldn't find any others with brightness even close, but I am not that familiar with all the models available. Starting to think if I upgraded more memory would be nice as well, things are sluggish with multiple tabs open at 2MB as I was used to my laptop with 8MB.

Thanks
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    RT
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus VivoTab RT
As far as a Tablet, I'm sure it's OK, there are just no good Store apps. There are a few, but most of them are wastes.

But Chrome, Chrome is in the store, it's free. Are you saying it's locked to IE? It shouldn't be, search for Google Chrome in the Store, and download it.

Are you sure this is an RT tablet - Because RT has NO desktop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
As far as a Tablet, I'm sure it's OK, there are just no good Store apps. There are a few, but most of them are wastes.

But Chrome, Chrome is in the store, it's free. Are you saying it's locked to IE? It shouldn't be, search for Google Chrome in the Store, and download it.

Are you sure this is an RT tablet - Because RT has NO desktop.

No Chrome in the store.

Yes, it's RT, desktop is not fully functional but it's there.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    RT
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus VivoTab RT
,may i ask where you bought it at that price,
not available in north america yet is it

edit ,see it on ebay
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
As to the mobile sites, I've run across that as well - they're seeing "ARM" in the user agent IE sends, and figuring you must be on a mobile device and sending you the mobile version of the page. As usual, web developers using the lazy way at figuring browser versus testing for functionality.

When I run across this with my RT, I hound the webmaster and dev if I can find them until they fix it ;).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4790K @ 4.5GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus Hero VII
    Memory
    32GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX970
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 250GB SSD
    4x WD RE 2TB (RAIDZ)
    PSU
    Corsair AX760i
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
As far as a Tablet, I'm sure it's OK, there are just no good Store apps. There are a few, but most of them are wastes.

But Chrome, Chrome is in the store, it's free. Are you saying it's locked to IE? It shouldn't be, search for Google Chrome in the Store, and download it.

Are you sure this is an RT tablet - Because RT has NO desktop.

There is no Chrome browser for RT. You are stuck with IE10. And, yes, RT does have a desktop. That is where all the tools like the Control Panel and programs like Word run.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro w/Media Center, Windows RT
As to the mobile sites, I've run across that as well - they're seeing "ARM" in the user agent IE sends, and figuring you must be on a mobile device and sending you the mobile version of the page. As usual, web developers using the lazy way at figuring browser versus testing for functionality.

When I run across this with my RT, I hound the webmaster and dev if I can find them until they fix it ;).

If I remember right my Nexus 10, also ARM, had an option in the browser (Chrome) to force sites into desktop, really wish IE had this.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    RT
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus VivoTab RT
I don't get it, so why do I have Chrome that I downloaded from the store? Wait, it;s part of the Desktop app.

RT is not really a pure Tablet OS then, it's a clipped OS with limited functionality. If it has a Desktop, then download Desktop[ Chrome and install it. If you say WORD runs on the Desktop, then there must be a Desktop App installer. So Install Desktop Chrome, and use the TILE version it adds. WHich is a real browser, not a FAKE browser like the IE10 faketile.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I don't get it, so why do I have Chrome that I downloaded from the store? Wait, it;s part of the Desktop app.

RT is not really a pure Tablet OS then, it's a clipped OS with limited functionality. If it has a Desktop, then download Desktop[ Chrome and install it. If you say WORD runs on the Desktop, then there must be a Desktop App installer. So Install Desktop Chrome, and use the TILE version it adds. WHich is a real browser, not a FAKE browser like the IE10 faketile.
RT doesn't allow other browsers at the moment, because it doesn't allow non-MS-signed desktop binaries to be installed (at least officially - there are hacks to allow it). Chrome hasn't released an ARM-compiled Win32/WinRT browser, only x86, so no, you can't just install Chrome on RT like you do on a Windows 8 box. Anyway, on an Android tablet as the other users are saying, changing Chrome to view sites in desktop mode modifies the user-agent string that's being sent so that it's no longer viewed as an ARM browser. I'm in agreement that this should be possible in IE, but it isn't currently. I've forwarded the suggestion, however, as I think it is a good one.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4790K @ 4.5GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus Hero VII
    Memory
    32GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX970
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 250GB SSD
    4x WD RE 2TB (RAIDZ)
    PSU
    Corsair AX760i
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
I didn't understand how RT actually was, apologies. I was assuming it was like iOS or Droid where there is no desktop environment at all.

If Word/Office can be installed, there is no way to trick the interface to allow Chrome to be installed? This makes me dislike the OS even more, no available Tile Only Chrome.

DAMN! No Opera, no Mercury, no Photon, no Skyfire - NOTHING. I don't see who would even WANT RT if there are no other Browsers at all, a store search with the word "Browser" only renders a bunch of FAKE apps.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
OK, I found two "Kind of" Browsers, WCS Multi-Search Browser and one other, that gives you four windows. But they are sucky browsers.

I was able to make a post in here with the WCS browser - Basically, it's a multi-search browser with predefined categories, to be used for searching not for posting.

I am utterly shocked that there are NONE of the usual browsers available in the store! What gives!!! I just did a search for Firefox, nothing! So we get to use the crappy Tile-IE and NOTHING else?

I've got about 10 good browsers installed on my iPhone! I even have one that can use Flash. This sucks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I didn't understand how RT actually was, apologies. I was assuming it was like iOS or Droid where there is no desktop environment at all.

If Word/Office can be installed, there is no way to trick the interface to allow Chrome to be installed? This makes me dislike the OS even more, no available Tile Only Chrome.

DAMN! No Opera, no Mercury, no Photon, no Skyfire - NOTHING. I don't see who would even WANT RT if there are no other Browsers at all, a store search with the word "Browser" only renders a bunch of FAKE apps.
That's OK - no worries. The reason you can't install other browsers is because, at least the way it is now, you cannot install a non-Microsoft ARM desktop binary without it being signed by Microsoft (outside of the store, of course - those are modern apps only). The reason this is important is because browsers, on Windows 8 (and thus RT), must be both "modern" and desktop browsers, and you can only have one default (which becomes the default, and only, "modern" browser on the system). Since you cannot install a non-Microsoft-signed ARM desktop binary, you can't install another browser on RT other than IE. Since there are no ARM installation packages for Firefox, or Chrome, or any other browsers that I'm aware of for Windows, this is the state of affairs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4790K @ 4.5GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus Hero VII
    Memory
    32GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX970
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 250GB SSD
    4x WD RE 2TB (RAIDZ)
    PSU
    Corsair AX760i
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
Well, then how does Word get installed on it then, cos I know there is no real Word tile app? Is it a built in version?

The more I hear of this, the more I either wanna get RT so I can bust it open, or just avoid it altogether. Can it install onto a Desktop PC?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
i though that it was only the surface pro could install the office word and other desktop apps ,and be like a real Windows computer .

if that don't make sense it because i had to many beers .
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
Well, then how does Word get installed on it then, cos I know there is no real Word tile app? Is it a built in version?
Read very carefully what I wrote:
...you cannot install a non-Microsoft ARM desktop binary without it being signed by Microsoft (outside of the store, of course - those are modern apps only).

Who do you think signs the Microsoft Office binaries?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4790K @ 4.5GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus Hero VII
    Memory
    32GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX970
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 250GB SSD
    4x WD RE 2TB (RAIDZ)
    PSU
    Corsair AX760i
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
Windows RT is *IDENTICAL* to Windows 8, complete with desktop, metro, control panel, etc.. Everything is the same, except that it is compiled for the ARM CPU that is incompatible with x86/x64 applications. This CPU is very low power (which is why ARM devices can go 10-15 hours on a single charge) and does not have the horsepower to emulate an x86 process to allow emulated execution of legacy applications.

In addition, Windows RT has enabled some configurations of Windows 8 that are not on by default in the x86/x64 version, such as requiring signed binaries, and secure boot.

Most Windows RT devices (if not all) come with Microsoft Office for RT, which is the normal desktop windows application versions of Office, but recompiled for ARM and signed by Microsoft.

Microsoft does not yet allow any third parties to produce desktop binaries for ARM devices.

Google Chrome and Firefox are Win32 desktop applications that can also be installed as "hybrid" apps that can also be used in Metro mode. But they are still Win32 apps, thus they can't work on RT.

That's not to say that someone could not write a WinRT (WinRT is the API used by Metro applications, Windows RT is the brand name of the OS for ARM, don't confuse them. WinRT is to Win32 as Windows RT is to Windows 8) native browser (that is not a Win32 app), but that's a lot of work, and nobody has yet done so.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
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