New Surface tablets with revamped keyboards easily best the originals

Is Microsoft’s Surface a tablet or a laptop? That’s not easy to answer, but it is a lot easier to type on than an iPad.

The software company unveiled updates to its Surface tablet computers Monday at an event in New York. It almost seems unfair to categorize the new Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 as tablets. Although they have touch-screen keyboards like regular tablets, they work best when attached to an optional cover with a keyboard on the inside. The better one was the Type Cover 2. In addition to coming in four fun colors - pink, purple, blue and black - that cover has backlighting, silent keys and a typing feel similar to that of a laptop keyboard. At $130, it is just $10 more than a Touch Cover 2, which doesn’t have movable keys like real keyboards.

The slick wireless mouse designed for the tablets is helpful, too, as is the docking station created to go with the Pro version of Surface.

The Surface Pro 2, Microsoft’s successor to the Surface Pro

The result is something that looks more like a laptop than an iPad or Android tablet. And that’s what Microsoft wants, calling its tablets the most productive on the market. The Surface 2 model even comes with a version of Microsoft Office, including the Outlook email and calendar program for the first time.

The Surface 2 starts at $449 and runs a lightweight version of Windows called RT, meaning it works only with apps designed specifically for it. The Surface Pro 2 starts at $899 and runs a full version of Windows, so it works with programs designed for traditional desktops and laptops. Both come with 200 gigabytes of online storage through Microsoft’s SkyDrive for two years.

With the Surface, Microsoft is trying to create a seamless transition between home, work and the field. Microsoft doesn’t want this device to just replace your tablet and laptop, but your office PC as well. It’s a great idea, and it’ll be interesting to see if it can actually work in practicality.

Like a laptop, both the Surface 2 and the Surface Pro 2 balanced well and didn’t slide around on the lap when attached to keyboards. They provide a very comfortable typing and in laptop position, the screen looks clear.

For the new versions, Microsoft improved the built-in kickstand used to hold the tablet up like a laptop screen. It is sturdier and works in two positions, one for sitting on your lap and another for placing on a table. The kickstand on older Surfaces had just one position, for the table.

Microsoft Surface 2

Although the tablets are focused on productivity, they also have some fun elements, too. Besides the usual games and apps available in Microsoft’s app store, the Surface Pro 2 can be used to play PC and Xbox games such as “World of Warcraft” and “Halo.” Although you don’t quite get the same visual experience as you do with a big screen, gamers will like portability. It’s a big step up from playing “Angry Birds” or “Fruit Ninja.” (Yes, those games are available in Microsoft’s app store, too.)

Both Surface models felt a little bulky and heavy. That said, the Surface 2 weighs about the same as the latest version of the full-size iPad at about 1.5 pounds, while the Surface Pro 2 weighs in at 2 pounds.

At the same time, the Surface tablets feel a little more rugged than an iPad. Microsoft touts them as nearly indestructible, pointing to their heavy-duty glass and magnesium-alloy casing. It claims you could hit it with a sledge hammer or run it over with a car.

The silver-bodied Surface 2 looks sexy

According to Microsoft, both tablets feature significant improvements in speed, cameras and battery life. One would need to spend more time with it to test these claims. And it’ll be interesting to see how well the Pro version works as a desktop when attached to a docking station, which will sell for about $200 when it comes out early next year.

Based on an early look, though, Microsoft seems to have learned from its mistakes and refreshed the Surface lineup with devices that feel better on the lap.

AP