Apple may be the leader in the tablet market, but this did not keep Microsoft from following suit and creating their own line of touch screen gadgets. The company has managed to release several tablet models under the name Surface. The first tablet, Surface, was launched in 2012. It was soon followed by the upgraded Surface 2 and eventually the Surface Pro 2. Here's a quick look at how these gadgets fared.

Microsoft Surface

This was Microsoft's first attempt at creating a tablet to compete with the Apple iPad. The system runs on Windows RT, which is Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT. The good things about it are a commendable screen that offers remarkably good speakers for a tablet device, a good performance and battery life, and a keyboard that functions well. On the downside, the Microsoft Surface doesn't offer good resolution. It has poor-quality cameras and is also not very portable. There is no NFC or 3G and 4G, which are musts in today's computer driven world. Not being online can make or break a certain product.

In summary, Surface can work as a temporary laptop replacement but you can't rely on it for file storage.

Microsoft Surface 2

This is an ARM CPU with Windows RT. It is a much improved version of the first release. This device boasts a smooth gaming-level performance, good cameras and reliable power. One good thing about this is that it already has a built in Office 2013 and has great editing tools for photos and other media. It has Xbox music and the Windows RT is very easy to use. The kickstand can now also be angled to keep it securely in place. In terms of the disadvantages, the app support is slightly delayed than that of its competition.

All in all, the Microsoft Surface 2 is a great tool to help you finish your tasks remotely. However, it is nowhere as efficient as an Apple or Android device, and these are still the better options.

Microsoft Surface Pro 2 has an Intel Ivy Bridge CPU with Windows 8

The Surface Pro 2 offers a 1080 pixel touch screen with a great stylus and extended battery life. It is also remarkably strong because it has a magnesium alloy design, which makes it more attractive than other ultrabooks. The disadvantages are the narrow touchpad and the lack of a keyboard. The camera too leaves much to be desired. It is also quite heavy for a tablet.

The Surface Pro 2 is a good buy if you want something to use in place of a laptop or a computer.