Surface for Dummies

by Andy Rathbone

Make Microsoft's Surface work--and play--just the way you want it to Microsoft's Surface tablet has the features and personality you're looking for, with a robust environment for business computing that doesn't skimp on fun. Surface for Dummies, 2nd Edition explains how Windows 8.1 Pro and Windows RT differ, and helps you decide which Surface model is best for you. Step by step, this book walks you through both the hardware and software features of the Surface, including the touch cover and type cover, Windows RT and Windows 8.1 Pro operating systems, and the coveted Office Home & Student 2013 software suite that's bundled with the Surface. Written by bestselling author Andy Rathbone, this easy-to-access book is filled with information on how to use the tablet, figure out the operating system, navigate the app environment, and take advantage of your exciting new Surface.The book is your personal guide to one the fastest, sleekest, and most powerful tablets on the market. Surface is designed to be thin, light, and with hours of battery life so you can power through your day with ease. With this handy reference, you'll be able to make quick work of your to-do list and have fun all at the same time! release your inner artist with Fresh Paint, a touch-based art app Multiple accounts offer privacy and security so you can share your Surface, but not your stuff Snap apps side by side to multi-task on the vivid HD screen New apps in the Windows Store so you can work efficiently and get more done With Surface For Dummies, 2nd Edition you can navigate and enhance your entire Surface experience!

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 11, 2014

About the author

Born in San Diego, California, Andy Rathbone began writing for newspapers in the early 80s. He started freelancing articles to computer magazines soon after, then began writing the "Windows For Dummies" series in 1992. His books have been translated into more than 30 languages worldwide.

He's since written more than 50 books, with more than 15 million copies in print. Recent books include Windows 8.1 For Dummies, Surface For Dummies, and Windows 8 Tablets For Dummies.

His latest book, the second edition of Windows 10 For Dummies, is available as of November 2016.

Reviews

[David Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I read to research this post was Surface for Dummies which is an excellent book which I bought from kindle. Surface is Microsoft's rival tablet to the iPad and other tablets. There are 2 main the Windows 8 RT, in which the initials stand for Run Time, & the Windows 8 Pro. The former version is very much a tablet that complete with its own version of Microsoft but on which you can't install software. The latter has to have Microsoft Office installed separately but includes the business computer version of Windows and is quite literally a laptop. You can also install software on it via an USB 3.0 external dvd drive. There are 2 optional keyboards, one is a flat surface keyboard and the other more expensive one has keys. Only the Windows Pro version has a USB 3.0 port, the other has USB 2.0. You can use it with an external monitor and have the option of customizing what is displayed on the second screen. Bear in mind the screen on the Surface has a touch screen. There are various memory options varying from 16 GB to a whopping 128 GB but bear in mind the latter is twice the price. It will work with a compatible printer and you can always copy files to a USB stick and transfer them to a printer. They also do a compatible TV card and because it works with a wireless network you can use your home computer to give it access to the internet. You can also use it at wi-fi hotspots.

[Jay French · Rating 3 out of 5]

After hearing supposedly knowledgeable people's moaning and gnashing of teeth about touchscreen Windows 8, I thought I would try a primer on using the sibling Windows RT on a Surface I received as a present to myself. I read through the book before I opened the box, then referenced it while working on it over a few days. I found the initial read of the book to be enlightening as to how Windows RT worked, but I was not blown away with concepts that I wouldn't have otherwise found by using the device. There were a few useful pointers I remembered when I used the device, but it was pretty common sense based on using touchscreens for phones and other PCs in the past. This book was starting to show its age, though, as some of the update section described previous versions and didn't line up with the device I used. Overall, I would say this Dummies book was pretty good at giving a general idea about how to use a Surface for those without much background in these types of devices. The book is only beginning to be dated and still provided value. This is one of the better written and illustrated Dummies books in my experience.

[Stacy Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mostly skimmed this. It was a decent manual for a not-so-great product.