Can you download other browsers onto Surface 2?

Like, Chrome? I know FF has just killed their proposed Win 8 browser.

Nov 8, 2013

... and if you head into the Windows Store expecting the same breadth of titles that you'd find in the App Store for iPad or Google Play for Android tablets, you'll be disappointed. Want Chrome, or Firefox, or another big name browser other than Internet Explorer? Sorry, they're not there. Neither is an official Tumblr or Instagram app, though you'll find several unofficial titles trying to deliver the same functionality, and Google Maps addicts will have to sate themselves in the browser, since Google doesn't have a standalone app for RT.

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Dec 8, 2013

The Surface 2 is a RT class tablet just like the Surface RT. It cannot install regular Windows software. It can only install and run apps available through the Store.

That is also why you got a free copy of Microsoft Office Home & Student + Outlook because they are also a recompiled version to only run on RT class tablets.

Your tablet has an ARM processor that will not run regular x86 programs (standard DOS and Windows programs).

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yikes. time to take a look at the big Samsung one, I guess?

I would avoid anything that puts you in a pigeon hole, meaning makes you conform to their idea of what it is you should be limited to. I find that insulting and pointless. Just my opinion.

If I buy I tablet or whatever .. I want to be able to add, remove, manipulate it however I deem fit. I've never really looked at any so I am uneducated to be able to help you further.

I still don't get why people buy tablets, laptops these days are available as thin as a coin. Full functionality. I admit a laptop like that is expensive.

Because a Tablet is more flexible. I have a Surface Pro, it goes with me when I need to take a system with me.
My Laptop hasn't left my desk since I got my Surface Pro.
I use my laptop when I am at my desk, and my Tablet when I want to do some other things at the same time.
Laptops while can be very thin, and light, they still aren't comfortable to use just anywhere. Tablets are.

I don't recommend anything other than a Win8.x Pro Tablet though.

When it comes to travel and needing to take a system with me. It will not be my Laptop ever again, it will always be my Surface Pro Tablet.

Second, Chrome is garbage and Hijacks everything if you set it as the default browser
It break IE among other things, this is all well documented.
Chrome is garbage and I would never recommend it anyway.

FF is fine, but has it's issues.

Metro IE and IE on the desktop both work great. there are some issues,, but not many, and I have not really come across any sites that do not function properly.

FF bailed on the Metro Version because they didn't get the word out very well that there was one.
That's their fault.

Something must have changed, I just installed Firefox on my Venue Pro. Works fine.

RonRock said:

Something must have changed, I just installed Firefox on my Venue Pro. Works fine.

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You can install and run FireFox on your Dell because it runs the 'standard' version of Win 8.1 while the Surface 2 runs the RT version. If someone wants to run FireFox then they should get the Surface Pro 2 which doesn't use Win 8.1 RT.

strollin said:

RonRock said:

Something must have changed, I just installed Firefox on my Venue Pro. Works fine.

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You can install and run FireFox on your Dell because it runs the 'standard' version of Win 8.1 while the Surface 2 runs the RT version. If someone wants to run FireFox then they should get the Surface Pro 2 which doesn't use Win 8.1 RT.

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Thanks again for the helpful info.

Cheers,
Ron

Hi there

RT is the killer - it really is going nowhere.

Now the Surface Pro 3 is out with a proper Intel processor (various menus from i3 to a magnificent i7).

I think you are out of luck. Nobody, but NOBODY is doing and more work on the RT platform.

A surface 3 though will install standard windows apps (as it should) whether from the store or anywhere else.

I've ordered one of these -- am looking also at running ANDROID as a VM on it with some android apps too. I get my device in about 6 weeks -- can't wait.

Cheers
jimbo.

umm...there are indeed other browsers out there that you can install on Windows RT. just nothing you might recognize like Chrome or Firefox. Go to the Windows store and simply put in Browser in the search box.

No, don't go with the Samsung tablet. Just find a Windows x86 tablet that has at least an Intel Atom processor. Windows RT doesn't allow for third party browsers to run on it. Microsoft got into some hot water with the EU over this because they're not allowing anyone but them to have access to the system Win32 components that are needed for a browser. Even the IE app is a Win32 app. The browsers you'll find for Windows RT through the Store are just either skinned versions of IE, or use cloud processing.

Windows RT is a different beast. It's designed to be in between an x86 based PC and a smartphone. It's closer along the lines of an ipad or android tablet, not a Surface Pro 3 or a self built desktop.