Read this: Answers about the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2, including LTE version

What? WL? With no dongle?!?! How did I miss this!?!?!

You'll have to use the wireless dongle, but maybe the Xbox One's controller you won't. We'll see what kind of tech they put behind it later this year I suppose. ;)

* The entire Touch Cover 2 can be used for gestures.
 
Brilliant.

I'm disappointed (as expected) they didn't add a simple stylus holder to the pro.

Doesn't it just snap into the magsafe power port?

Yes, but not very secure.

right, it's more like a temporatory thing. besides, you have to take it down when charging. how many pens would a man lose in a week? i guess a lot.

Considering one of these, how good of a game can they run?

Should also add the the Power Cover is not compatible with Surface RT

WHOOT

They ignored every valid question about their plans to overcome the current limitations of Windows RT.  Unless they address those problems, the Surface 2 is doomed to repeat the same problems as the Surface RT.  Just as one example (though an illustrative one) Firefox is launching their Metro enabled Firefox browser for Windows 8 on Intel only, not for Windows RT.  The app selection on RT is just terrible.

Surface team does not control the OS--different department. They make the hardware. Whatever limitations RT brings to the table, they have to work with and cannot correct. So I think your criticism here is out of line--save that for the Windows team.

I respectfully disagree.  Microsoft is pursing the Apple model.  One company brings you integrated hardware and software.  The OS and app ecosystem is vitally important to any successful tablet.  They are inexorably linked. Don't get me wrong, I want Surface to succeed, but I know it won't if the software doesn't get better.

Apple model, yes. But here were hardware engineers talking about hardware. Even Apple has hardware and software teams. If the guys who designed the iPhone 5S hardware were doing an AMA, they would be out of place to speak about the OS. 

I actually borrowed a Surface from work for about a month.  I agree that the hardware is really good and has potential.  All I am saying, and I think most would agree, is that if the Windows RT problem isn't fixed, it doesn't matter how good the hardware is.  Surface will be doomed to failure.  Here's an interesting example to think about, why is Firefox working on support for x86 Windows 8 but not for Windows RT?

If Firefox for Windows 8 was being built as a Modern UI / Windows Store app there is absolutely no reason that it should not be released for both x86 and ARM.  The Modern UI design tools and framework are abstracted from the hardware so it takes zero additional effort to program for both ARM and x86 with the same code.
 
If they are releasing it as x86 only then that makes me think they are just tweaking their existing desktop app for touch.  If that is the case then they are missing the whole point of Windows 8 and wasting their time.  Either that or they are just being stupid and paranoid by disabling support for ARM and Windows RT.  I'm certainly curious to see the details and to watch this play out, but it strikes me as a Firefox problem and not an MS problem.

Read up ;-)  It turns out that there are certain legacy API's that EVEN IE10 had to use on Metro for the browser to work properly.  MS refused to let Mozilla or Google use those same API's.  Bing/Google it.

The primary reason given by Microsoft for this is security.  Modern browsers have to do a technique called self-modifying code in order to just-in-time javascript optimization and compilation.  This is BIG no-no when it comes to security.
 
Apple has the same restriction on iOS.  Browsers like Chrome on iOS are actually just a nice UI skin on the native iOS Safari web engine.  Apple doesn't allow any other web engine for the same security reasons.

It's a reasonable concern, but considering that they are the gate keepers, then Microsoft can reasonably limit those allowed to do it to anyone allowed in the browser ballot. I think the browser ballot is ridiculous, but by having it they have a list of everyone they can reasonably be expected to allow to do it. However, I also think that Microsoft is setting itself up for failure by allowing themselves to do things that they prevent others from doing. In doing so, they are effectively preventing any application from having a good performing scripting language (e.g., an Office suite) that takes advantage of existing technologies. By preventing that, they prevent the desire to develop such applications. Apple is doing it, but they have always gotten away with it, and their desktop OS' marketshare enables this behavior. Microsoft is on a different field, and I hope that they open up a bit to act like it because that's how software will evolve.

RT is there to compete with the iPad. Pro is there to compete with the MacBook. Not sure what you're complaining about, the RT's do exactly what it needs to do and then some with the back-up it has from being a full-fledged OS on an ARM processor. You get the desktop with a top-notch file viewer (and I do mean top-notch). Then you get the control panel which gives more control over any aspect of the device than any other ARM-based OS. The reason "RT is doomed to fail" is because people are comparing it to Macbooks, when it's not suppose to. It's a powerhouse of an OS on-top of an ARM processor that's competing with iPads and anything Android. If you're looking for a laptop, go get a Pro. If you're looking for something that'll replace your iPad and/or Android-based tablet, here's your answer. Stop comparing what isn't suppose to be compared and get your facts straight. FYI: I'd love to see an Android-based tablet do half the stuff an RT tablet can do with it's USB. Same goes for iOS. You do realize how many drivers Windows 8 has at it's disposal? Millions.

You're conflating your criticism of WIndows RT 8.1 and the purpose of this AMA with the Surface team though. Make all the criticism you want about RT, but saying the Surface team refused to answer questions outside of their department is just not helpful. They had a job to do: deliver an excellent hardware experience for Surface RT (Surface 2)--that's what they are tasked with. If you expect them to throw the Windows team under the bus (or their company) in an AMA, you will be disappointed.

That's fair.  Let's hope we hear some good news from MS on the software side come October.  I stand by my asserion that they have to fix the software for this tablet to stand a chance.  I'll be replaing my iPad soon, it would be cool if I could leverage the increased hardware flexibility of the Surface without having to make such big sacrifices/regressions on the software/app side.  Microsoft has a brief window here (pun intended) before Apple figures out that they may start to benefit by adding more capability to the iPad.

What RT software problem? Mty RT tablet has been working fine for months. Using Office, Skype. I now use Outlook with 8.1 preview. There are a gazillion apps now too. Whats not working?

The RT problem would seal the fate for the entire ecosystem they are trying to build around Win8 not just Surface. This is very much unlike Apple. This means all vendors. This prophetic criticism really should be directed at OS team.

I agree with you Nebulaeus, to a point.  Using Firefox as an example isn't a particularly compelling argument, however.  Tablet devices are, by design, more baked in.  Can you get Firefox on an iPad, for example?  Maybe you can, not exactly sure, but I do recall that additional browsers on iPad are simply a skin ontop of Safari so it's not exactly like using Firefox on the desktop.
There are lots of valid "lack of app" arguments but supporting competing browsers isn't too compelling.  Lack of other browsers is a personal preference ...not missing functionality.

If the app selection on Surface was really good, the Surface would not have flopped like it did.

'flopped like this' ?
If the app selection on android were really good, the Nexus 10 would not have flopped like it did.
I know there was a ride off (a ride off because they expectet to earn Money on the surface/ they could have done the Google way and just not expact to make profite on the Hardware and could have priced the Surface RT from the beginning as it is now)
The Nexus 10 is speculated to be much less successful than the Surface RT and it is as much reduced as the Surface RT by now, though it offers much better specs than the old surface RT. I don´t know any other single 10" tablet exapt the ipad that is doing better in Sales than the Surface. Is Android considert to be floppt. I mean Google has to press the Nexus 7 at nearly no margin into the market and though the first Nexus 7 wasn´t that high in sales numbers.
btw. sorry for my bad english

You are correct, any of those browsers, do to Apples walled garden, are simply just a 'skin' I see no problem with it btw, just as I see no problem with Microsoft only having IE11 available for RT. IE has come such a loooong way. The thing is many people expect 'choice' because this is Windows, Windows has been bringing everyone 'choice' since the 80s. There is no problem with 'choice' obviously, but I don't see any harm in not providing choice in every single little thing you do.

IOS is a stripped down OSX just as the RT is a stripped down W8.  Surface 2 should be very popular in the college campus due to its support of full version Office and the quiet keyboard which is required in the classroom.  Unless you have to run heavy duty legacy softwares, RT is more than adequate for most users.  If you get a 2GB BayTrail W8 tablet, you probably can't run some of the heavy duty softwares efficiently anyway.  In the long run, MS has hinted that RT will be eventually merged with WP and work like IOS which supports both iPhone and iPad.  So I don't think that MS will ever kill the RT which would be simplily melted away into WP - Widows Phablet.

Then you dont know how Microsoft works at all.  Yes, Surface team and Windows team all work for the same company (Microsoft), but they DO NOT work togeather.  Thats the single biggest problem with Microsoft is the lack of departmental cooperation.  Think of it this way.  There is a big pool of funding, and everyone feeds from it.  The bully's get a bigger share by fighting the weaker departments.  RT is clearly the runt of the litter!  There is so much inter-departmental backstabbing and fighting, its amazing they are able to get ANY products finished.  Thats why RT cant run WP8 apps.  WP8 team is trying to run the RT team into the ground, so they can secure more funding.  I spent 6 years working various contracts at Microsoft, and this is just how it is there. 

It seems the problem stems from you not knowing the difference between an RT and a full Windows8 OS. As in you also can't install you Mac software on your iPad.

I am keenly aware of the differences.  If the modern/metro/windows store apps on Windows RT were really good, I would be pre-ordering the Surface 2 as we speak, instead of pleading with MS to figure out how to fix the issues.

I actually own a Surface RT. Its limitations are exactly the same as what Android was at in its infancy: it had too little apps. 8.1 RT will hail the arrival of Tegra 4 devices, so power wise, we will see an improvement. So I don't get how RT is "limited" or "broken" as others have called it, as I see it more of an iOS, but with the flexibility and potential of desktop... just without the ability to run apps based on an x86-64 architecture.

Agree totally. It's all about the apps, moreso on a tablet then even on a phone for many people.

Presumptuous. Maybe you're simply not purchasing the correct product.

I only see one solution to your problem. Time itself. I guess just wait... because no developer in their right mind is going to deny a market of 300Million+ with windows 8. I am aware its no where near that (I think they just passed 100mil), but this is Windows. It will get there.

Windows 8 yes.  But almost every other OEM has abandoned Windows RT.  Almost every tech site is on a Windows RT death watch after every first generation tablet failed in abig way.  So if MS continues alone, will there be enough top tier apps in the new Windows Store to make Windows RT a compelling OS to use?

Oh no I just said Windows 8 to generalize the operating system. I am sure you are aware that they share an app store? so when I said windows 8 I implied windows RT as well. I know certain apps wont support ARM so even if its on the store, the RT user is out of luck. but the numbers will be very, very small. Even more so with 'top tier apps' they already come from ARM implementations, to argue that they simply wont support ARM in windows RT is false. Don't worry man i am on the same boat lol, i haven't bought a tablet, and i wont (i was waiting on bay trail) until later next year, and i too am keeping an eye on the windows 8/RT store. i check the store on my laptop everyday :P lol 100k apps already, but too many simple apps out there -_-

Yeah, for me the biggest holes a decent ePub app that allows highlighting and annotations with responsive touch (and no crashing), a browser that works with chessbymessage.com, a better Toodledo client, and any game made by NimbleBit.  I can live without the rest :-)  When I borrowed the Surface RT from work those are the regressions that really bit me hard.

How is you having two choices a problem for you?

Your trolling is tiresome.
Epub readers : List here : http://www.surfacetablethelp.com/2013/03/best-epub-reader-apps-for-windows-rt.html
I can't be bothered to looked up the rest, but its a childish debate. Most apps people need are on RT, you're just a hater. Typical Android lovers who tries to be generous but really has such massive bias.

I'm not a developer so I have no idea, but maybe someone is and can answer this question... How much work does it take to build an app that will work on Windows 8 and RT? If it's a significant amount of work then I can understand there not being much support for RT, but if it's a fairly simply process then why wouldn't RT app library grow at the same rate as Win8 app library?

I'm also not a developer but I've read that 95% of all windows store apps (metro apps) are running on Windows 8 as well as on RT so ther is not really a fragmentation.

With very few exceptions, any Windows Store app will work on both Windows 8 and Windows RT with no special effort by the developer. The developer submits his or her XAP file and Microsoft compiles it in the cloud to work on both ARM for Windows RT and x86 for Windows 8.

Its practically no issue at all. Its compiles for both at the same time. Only some apps require special APIs to function and as a result don't support RT.

The real fix to the RT "problem", then would be Microsoft getting their act together about exactly what RT is supposed to be.
 
RT is supposed to be, Microsoft's answer to iOS and Android; and perhaps for certain users, serves as a gateway to a Windows 8, and Windows Phone 8 purchase at a later date.
 
The problem is, that Microsoft is missing some of the key ingredients in it's RT message.  RT is not successful because somehow it's perceived as lesser of a product than iOS, or Android.  RT is not successful, largely due to perception.  People perceive RT as something undesireable, and in doing so, create a self fulfilling prophecy.  RT went from 10,000 apps, to 100,000 in it's first eight months, but that is preceived as still not good enough.  But when you compare that to recent studies which show that almost 70% of Android's 500,000 strong app library are all dead apps, leaving only 150,000 viable apps in the ecosystem, that is shift in perspective of the viability of RT.  There is only a 50,000 app difference between the two, that is not even subtracting the Android apps that are NOT built for tablets. You factor in those, and the disparity between the two ecosystems decreases even more.  Then it really comes down to a case of WHICH apps are available in which ecosystem.  Like I said, it is all a matter of perception, and Microsoft in general has been terrible at creating the right perception for any of it's products of late - just look at how the world responded to their Xbox One message.
 
That stated, there are very real things that Microsoft can do to fix certain issues with RT, which in turn will fix problems with a negative perception of RT. 
 
The biggest, most pronounced issue that Microsoft needs to fix is pricing.   Despite all the talk of Nexus, Notes, Tabs, and iPads, it is the lower end tablets, the sub-$150 market, which is set to explode this holiday season.  You don't have to take my word for it, you can walk into any big box retailer (Walmart, Best Buy, Target, etc.) and ask the sales reps which are their best selling tablets.  They won't ever point to the Nexus, Notes, Tabs, and iPads - unless it is last year's model that has been reduced to the near-$150 range, to relieve inventory.  Ususally these reps will point to some name brand you never heard of, from some company out of China, who can put a 7" to 8" tablet on the shelf somewhere under the $150 price point.  This is a transition that is already happening, and we are still months out from Black Friday, and the start of the holiday season.  
 
The fact that Walmart has a quad-core, Tegra 3 (the same processor found in the original Surface RT) Android tablet, with dual-band WIFI, GPS, NFC, microHDMI, microSD port, two cameras, and a 1280x800 IPS display, on the shelf for a mere $129.99, should come as a rude awakening to many.  I ask myself when I see a product like that, "why does this device not have Windows RT powering it?" Or, "why is there not a RT version of the same tablet?"  Afterall, it's not like the device could not run RT just fine, and retail for the same price . . . oh wait a minute, adding RT to the package would raise the price; Microsoft's got to have their licensing fees, even when said licensing fees are a death note hanging around the neck of RT.
 
Look, OEMs are apparently abandoning RT, but it is very doubtful they are  doing so, because RT is a failed OS.  Most OEMs who jumped on the Windows 8 wagon, are PC OEMs in the first place. They are familiar with x86, and really do not care about ARM.  For them (and this is a very shortsighted perspective on their part), it does not make much sense to learn how to deal with ARM, when they can just crank out x86-based product and don't have to spend a dime more in R&D.  Which leaves traditional device OEMs to pick up the slack for ARM-based Windows devices.  However, most of these OEMs have gotten spoiled on Android's lack of licensing fees.  And who can blame them, when they can produce tablets in the sub-$150 price range, and still turn a profit, licensing fees just get in their way.  The other problem is, Microsoft is playing hard to get when it comes to ARM-based OEMs.  They only want to work with premier, top end name brand, OEMs, when creating RT devices; and these are the very same OEMs who are abandoning RT, due to not being able to turn a profit on those top-end margins.  Yet despite the fact they could do fantastic jobs at producing low cost RT tablets, you won't see an Oppo RT tablet, and you won't see an Hisense RT tablet any time soon. 
 
Now you are probably asking me why is it so important to get low priced RT tablets on the market; what does that have to do with fixing the RT 'problem'.  
 
Simple.  I'll answer that question with a question of my own.  What have we learned this year from the example of the Lumia 520?  
 
The answer being, the sale and adoption of low end, mobile computing, electronics are about to explode.  This includes tablets along with smartphones.  Nokia was smart on the phone department, to position themselves on the leading edge of said explosion.  For RT's problems to get fixed, there needs to be a similar shift in thinking at Microsoft.  It does not necessarily have to be Surface 2 to fit into that mold, but how they handle RT as a whole, to get product into that range.  The explosion of the sale and adoption of RT, is only going to force the hand of any developer who has been sitting on the fence about RT app support.  If Microsoft (and their partners) came out of Holiday 2013 having sold an additional 20 million to 30 million units of RT devices, developers have to take notice - whether they want RT to fail, or not (and yes, I am fully convinced there are some devs who want RT to fail).  
 
Microsoft has done a great job at courting developers.  They have done a great job at making RT the easiest ecosystem to develop for.  If you can program C#, or work Visual Studio, or hell, you can just port native code over from iOS and Android, and Microsoft will recompile that shit for you, then you can create a Windows RT app.  YOU CAN'T GET SIMPLER THAN THAT!!!  They have those bases covered, and then some.  So if a dev is not bringing their app to RT, then it is the developer who has the problem (legitimate, or otherwise).  Where Microsoft has dropped the ball, where they have failed.at, is coralling RT OEMs.  If they made the same level of push for OEMs as they have made for developers, they would catch a lot more developers in the long run.  
 
In the end, RT needs to be license-free.  Honestly, I'd take that a step further, and (at least for a limited time; say the next couple of years), would throw free licenses for Office 2013 as part of the deal.  Then I would open the door to any OEM to make RT devices (they never should have excluded these companies in the first place).  While I would dictate minimum standards on the hardware (quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, WiFi-N, etc.), I would still leave the door open to any OEM who wanted to take that and run with it.  Then I would actively court OEMs who specialize in making quality, mid-to-low priced hardware (Oppo, Hisense, Cowon, Archos, etc.) and put them on a preferred OEM shortlist.  Actively work with those partners to get product in front of consumers on a global scale.
 
My point is, if RT tablets sell well, then developers will come and flood the marketplace with more apps than you know what to do with.  But Microsoft is not making the right steps to make RT a success - at least they have not said anything publicly to that extent.  And it is sad really, because RT is awesome, and has so much potential going for it.  I've been an Android tablet user for a while now, am currently on my third Android tablet.  I got a chance last month to spend some quality time with a coworker's (and long time friend) Surface RT - I have not used any of my Android tablets since.  In many respects, they just seem like toys in comparison.  As an OS, RT destroys Android - running on the same hardware, no less.  But you are right to complain about the lack of apps; or more to the point, the lack of CERTAIN apps.  The good news is, IE makes up for the lack of most, if not all of those apps.   But the fact is, it should not have to, as most consumers are not going to think to use IE instead.  
 
Microsoft could be king of the tablet mountain.  But so long as they keep doing wrong by RT, they will inevitably wind up in third place.

So spot on my friend!

Agree 100%........although, i think that MS has a secret agenda behind all of this - perhaps they wanted the OEM's to give up on RT, so that they could have it all to themselves - Everyone that knows anything about windows tablets knows that the Intel Atom tablets cannot run any of the graphics intensive applications or games with any level of quality.  Yes, good battery life, and the ability to run desktop x86 apps, but the fact that the 8/RT app store is advancing faster than any other apps store ever, seems to work in Microsoft's favor.  When they released the first RT tablet, there were virtually no apps (i know, i bought it at launch), for anyone to suggest that this thing would dominate in its first generation before the app store matures would just be ignorant.........Perhaps Microsoft was ignorant judging by its 900 million dollar write off - we all know that they will not be so stupid this time around.  They will only mfr a certain amount of these devices, if it sells well, they will have more made.  I really want one, but my 1st gen device running 8.1 kicks a$$........way better than my ipad (that now collects dust), and the android tablet that I returned.  Microsoft was prepared to take a loss on this device in order to get into the mobile game - same goes for windows phone (maybe not as high as 900 million), but they were prepared, knowing that the developers would begin to flock as more windows 8 devices got out into the wild.  8.1 fixed all of 8.0's problems, and all of those new touchscreen laptops, and all in one computers, and convertibles, etc.........if you count all of those devices, then the windows app store will have just as many users as IOS, and Android = all the apps you will want will be available in the next 6 months (approx. 18 months after the original launch of the surfaceRT).  I think the same goes for windows phone - if Microsoft is smart, they ditch the stupid ATT exclusive, and launch 3-4 tiers of Lumia phones on all carriers at the same time..........think Lumia 620 (low cost), Lumia 920 (middle tier), Lumia 1020 (upper tier with pureview), and Lumia 1520 (phablet)........all carriers at once. Oh, and id rename them to Surface phones.

But keep in mind that you have a full legit web browser, so complaining about the lack of apps shouldn't concern you too much because you can go to any website you like opposed to Android tabs and iPads.

+1000, i can do things on my Vivo Tab that my Nexus 7 only dreams of. Think I will sell all my devices and buy a Surface 2!

Finally a lts might just put this in my 240sx navigation and Netflix breaks while I am chilling at car events etc just take it out and use it too might buy 2!

Hey Sam, do you know if there will be a Surface 2 bundle with Touch Cover 2 for $100 more (i.e. $549 for 32GB)?

Unless they merge WP and RT, this will be another flop and we all know it. Apart from specs, Surface 2 doesn't offer anything new. Too bad really.

Yeah. Though, if it took them almost 4 years to bring custom sms tones to WP...I guess it will take them 20 years to merge WP and RT.

Really? That's your "must have" feature?

I'll wait until January for the announcement before I make the purchase but this needs to happen like yesterday. The price of TouchCover can be easily fixed so I'm not worried, $120 is probably only temporary.

Just like the iPad 4 didn't bring anything except a spec boost to the iPad 2 and 3. Grow up and realise how technology releases work.

Good one! And you are 100% correct there.

While I agree with you, you also have to realize the iPad is much more successful and MS is not in a position to be doing it slow especially in this field. Results showed already with 1st gen Surfaces. They need to up themselves more than this to breakthrough. 

I don't see anything wrong with the Surface 2 at all. I would totaly pick one up if A. I didn't already own a Surface Pro and B. if it ran photoshop and zbrush. Really that's the only faults I see of it.

Totally agree!

Except for the fact that the iPad has loyal buyers in millions. Apple can afford not doing anything special because people will still line up. If you forgot, Microsoft lost $900 million on the Surface and it could've been the reason why Ballmer is getting the kick. Go into any Microsoft Store and look at the stacks of Surface boxes lying around. They can't sell them, Apple however can sell the iPad even if it was a piece of brink with crayon drawings on it.

I completely disagree. As an Network Admin for a MSP and use my RT pretty regularly to do most things. Its a great asset the I can take all around our clients office's and rarely use my laptop unless I need legacy software. I look forward to the new upgrade.

Well, if the backlit type cover does work with the original Surface RT, excellent. I'll most likely be getting one. I quite like the purple.
 
I don't like that the Surface 2 doesn't come in black though. I'm hopping they do a "hand in your 1stGen device and get a discount on a new Surface" promotion, but if they do, I'm not sure I'd get the Surface 2. I have no use for a full Windows 8.1 tablet, but I really dislike light colours on devices. So I might even get a Pro 2 if said promotion exists. IF. I'll still hold to see what Nokia's RT device presents to us performance, price and design-wise.

Yay Haswell and bigger battery, surface pro mk1 being donated when this releases.

So I can trade my surface pro t surface 2 isn't it??

If ain't price right, this will be another lost for msft..
I would consider a nokia Tablet if the price is right.. 299-399 should be considered..
I will wait what NOKIA has to offer, wait msft owns nokia right?? WOW INTERESTING

No, they are still separate until the acquisition goes through.

Yeah, it's a really interesting question what will come of the Nokia tablet. Of course the transistion of the Nokia device division will take some time but since MSFT will not be able to use the Nokia name on the devices, what are they going to call this new tablet from Nokia?