I need my laptop for school and it's on it's last leg. It shuts down and sounding really loud. I'm thinking about getting the Surface 2 that runs windows 8 to replace it. I would use it with a keyboard and usb mouse. Is it any good? I don't plan on using games with it, I have an Xbox One for that. It comes with microsoft office programs I believe

Pretty much all I want it for. I also want it for music but that can be done with ease so its all good. Would like to know from someone who has it if it is comfortable to use. $450 is a fine price by me. It can do a lot more than an Ipad which is $600

Well for mail, text writing surfing the web its fine.. But if you need to run a special program for your study you might find it not enough.. Also check if your school isn't using special software that and if they do it can run on it.. Always a bitch when studentes complain they can't run some of the programs on their system...

if you have the money, go for the surface pro 2 or surface pro (this was just on sale for like 599- which is a pretty amazing deal for what you're getting).

Get a laptop if you're using it for work. Larger screen, more processing power and can run full PC (X86) Windows applications. Tablets (for the most part) are entertainment purporses with limited uses - unless you're willing to splash out more money on Pro model, its not really worth it imo.

I would recommend against the Surface 2 unless it's the much more expensive pro version. I have a lenovo thinkpad helix which is similar to the surface pro and I absolutely love it. I find it hard to go back to a non-touch screen laptop since. But the RT might be too restrictive vs a traditional laptop for the same price.

Well the tablet runs windows so wouldn't any program work on the tablet? Only problem I see is it doesn't have a CD drive.

I'm pretty sure the surface 2 has more processing power than the laptop I'm using now going to check later. Screen size is a minus I agree

I don't know if they changed it with the Surface 2. but I knew with the original basic Surface model- you can only use RT specific apps. Stuff like Itunes did not work on it. They might've changed it with Surface 2 so you might want to look into that.

Well its up to you really. If it fits your requirements then I can't see why not. Bearing in mind that with the RT models you can only run programs built for it on the marketplace.

In any case, if your laptop is shutting down and getting loud then I suggest getting a cooler for it. Its probably a heat issue. Cleaning out the dust from the fan/heatsink might help also.