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NZ$400 Surface 2 a bargain for Office fans
Microsoft's swanky new Surface Pro 3 went on sale in New Zealand earlier this week.
It's a lovely device, but not cheap. Prices start at NZ$1200. For one-third of that you can buy a 32GB Surface 2 at Noel Leeming until September 7.
Is it worth considering?
At NZ$400 the Surface 2 is good value. Whether you should buy one depends on what you want. Surface 2 not for everyone. If your life revolves around Microsoft Office and you mainly use a desktop, the Surface 2 is a great way to add mobility.
Although they share a name, Microsoft has two distinct product lines. Surface Pro 3 is closer to a laptop than a tablet. Microsoft's marketing directly compares it with Apple's MacBook Air. Surface Pro 3 runs Windows, it will handle all your Windows software.
Surface 2 is a more traditional tablet. It's smaller and runs Windows RT.
RT looks like standard Windows, but only runs specially written software. It won't run all your existing Windows apps.
However Surface 2 comes with its own apps including an edition of Microsoft Office at no extra charge.
You have to buy a licence to run Office on a Surface Pro 3. Office 365 prices start at NZ$119 for a Personal licence covering a single device. I recommend paying NZ$165 for Office 365 Home which covers five computers and five mobile devices.
If you get more than three years use out of a Surface 2, you effectively had the hardware for free.
Bill Bennett
Freelance journalist.
Auckland-based Bill Bennett writes technology and business stories that are directly relevant to New Zealand readers.
His emphasis is on telecommunications, but he also covers other aspects of technology and business. You can find his features in the New Zealand Herald and hear him regularly on RNZ Nine to Noon and the NZ Tech Podcast.
Bennett's The Download Weekly newsletter is published every Friday. You can sign up for it here.
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