IE Desktop on RT
Just wondering... Does RT have a desktop version of Internet explorer? Also, and heard whether any companies are going to port desktop apps to the RT desktop?
YES it does have IE Desktop and File Explorer is much the same too. Only limitation is restricted to Office 2013 (which is incredible and a major plus for any tablet) and Store apps.
In answer to this post's questions as to who uses RT, I'm frankly amazed at the responses. It most definitely not JUST aimed at casual users or I/Droid users. I'm an avid Windows user (WP8, Windows 8 Pro and now RT) and I love my Surface RT (tapping away merrily on it now). I'm a business user and it has all I need to function out of the office as well as playing on it socially.
I use OWA or Outlook.live for email mostly (pinned to my Start screen), letting the built in app act as an email notifyer and I don't miss any of my regular programmes. Only one I can't use that there isn't a valid alternative for in the Store is my accounting package but I don't need access to that when I'm out and about. I can access all my work files on Skydrive or via remote desktop (personal and work) and even edit images, zip folders, edit PDFs, convert files and all those things that I used to use specialist programmes for via apps, that by the way cost a fraction of the price in the Store compared to their full fat counterparts.
Fine, can't use PhotoShop and other specialist Adobe products and Xbox Music/Video has much to be desired by comparison to Zune (especially providing SDXC support) but then I bought my Surface as a TABLET... highly portable, all-day battery life with useful apps that I can use for work and play. No other tablet can manage what the surface can. I think people are confusing Surface RT with laptops. I have a high-powered i7 quad core top of range laptop for longer periods of work and multi-tasking lots of open apps but I just don't need that in a tablet and even the Pro version is unlikely to compete with that and will simply be heavier with less battery life - a kind of super skinny mid-range laptop alternative but by no means a replacement for those that need xtra oomph.
And unless you're into Pivot tables and the like, Office RT (a version of the upcoming and highly anticipated Office 2013) has everything 99% of users will ever want or know what to do with. Add or save files via USB, share network resources via Homegroups, plug into an external 2nd screen (or your 55" LED HD TV) if you want to as well via HDMI and suddenly Surface (even in RT form) brings things to the party that you know-who-can only dream of!
But Surface RT has another audience. Windows users with low-mid range laptops looking to upgrade, such as one's parents or your kids. With Office built in and a great (and rapidly expanding) Store for other apps, it's perfect for them - whether school work, home businesses or retirement. The expandable memory provides all the storage they'll need and my recommendation would be to buy the 32GB without the touch cover and upgrade to the type cover instead for a more familiar mini-laptop experience. Add 64Gb for £50 via ultra fast SDXC for a better deal.
Seriously, what's not to like and perhaps the question should be who ISN'T it for? I'll reiterate this fundamental point: it's a TABLET (not a traditional laptop) allowing all day use in a convenient form factor for people who appreciate the merits of a touch-based interface (and 16:9 screen) and don't want to lug their laptops about. Furthermore, it's a tablet with a full-featured Office built in - no other tablet can boast these capabilities. Even my Mac-head and Droid Addict friends can't fail to be impressed with this exciting new ecosystem, and that's my final point. It's not Surface RT in isolation... it's part of a much bigger and truly exciting ecosystem that I'm betting will become the defacto choice for millions around the world for years to come!
Exciting times indeed!
