I bought a Microsoft Surface Tablet computer, and it is nice. My biggest issue with it is that I cannot install anything from a CD-rom on it because it doesn’t have a CD-rom drive (or a DVD drive for that matter…) So, how can I install by 2000 version of AutoCAD on it?
Next, I have been using Open Office for years. How can I install Open Office on my tablet computer?
does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in Advance
Ficer67
Do you have a Surface (less expensive, ARM-based, runs Windows RT) or a Surface Pro (more expensive, Intel-based, runs Windows 8)?
The Surface can only have apps downloaded from the Windows Store. It cannot run or install programs from any other source.
The Surface Pro is a standard Windows computer and you would install programs as you would any other Windows computer. If you don’t have an optical drive you can copy the files from the disc to a USB drive on another computer or use an external USB optical drive.
I have the Surface (less expensive, ARM-based, runs Windows RT) version.
Then you’re going to find that you cannot do what you asked. Surface RT only runs especially created tablet apps, all of which can only be downloaded from the built in App Store.
So is there any way to reformat and install windows 7 or 8 on it?
Nope. The hardware is totally different.
I should never have bought that thing! What was I thinking?
I sure hope you bought it at its latest discounted price.
IMO, If you’re within the return policy window, go ahead and return it. If you want/need full Windows 8 from a tablet without spending a bundle, check out something like this Asus VivoTab Smart* for $399. (Straight from Microsoft, in case you only get a credit from your return?)
If, instead, you might like Android with its many (often, free) apps, you might also consider a Google Nexus 10 at $399.
Whichever tablet you might decide on, if you want a physical keyboard, don’t worry too much about whether or not what you choose actually comes with a keyboard. (Unless it’s already included in a reasonably priced package.) You should be able to find plenty of aftermarket bluetooth keyboards/stands/cases/covers with your preferred (secondary/non-touchscreen) pointing device, or a separate wireless mouse. The ability to choose between the myriad choices/prices, and easily replace/upgrade/swap amongst them freely, is well worth it.
ETA: Here’s a fair review for that Asus from above.
It’s not your fault. Microsoft specifically created it and named it similarly to trick cost-conscious customers into buying it. Just don’t let them fool you again. Next time you decide to buy a Microsoft product, ask your techie friends about it, or do business with a company that doesn’t deliberately try to screw you over.
Actually, if you’re only trying to run AutoCad 2000, you might be able to use an emulator because its original system requirements were so low for today’s standards (Pentium 3, 64 MB of RAM)…
I hardly think this is an appropriate GQ post. Unless, of course, you can provide a cite - y’know, something like footage of Steve Ballmer cackling over this nefarious plan while twirling his villain mustache (grown especially for this, of course).
The Surface (RT) has been marketed as a competitor of the iPad and Google tablets; all of these are limited to their respective app stores. The ads I’ve seen clearly compare the cost of an iPad and a Surface RT. The Surface Pro, running the full Windows 8 OS, is $450-550 more than the RT and is the only Surface marketed as a full Windows tablet. Even googling “can I install software on a surface?” (No quotes) will give you multiple first page results that clearly explain which Surface can do that.
Ficer67, I agree that you should return it if you’re within Microsoft’s 30 day return window. It’s quite common for people to return electronics because they discover it doesn’t meet their needs, so don’t worry about it.
Right. MS tried to go for a *uniform look-and-feel *for the latest version of both their mobile OS and their mainstream OS but they are still different creatures and they do not deny it. And a Surface RT or an iPad are not and were never meant to be substitutes for a regular laptop or MacAir for people who actually use the capabilities of these.
Go to Microsoft’s Surface website, and the title is “Surface by Microsoft - the New Tablet PC”
It runs Windows RT 8.1 vs Windows 8.1
An iPad runs iOS7, not OS-X 10.9
Here’s a description from Microsoft’s Surface RT link
It shouldn’t be any wonder that customers are confused about what product to buy. I’m not going so far as to suggest that Ballmer invested in mustache wax, but they very much intended to give the SurfaceRT a PC-like market image.
Sorry, I don’t care enough about this to defend my post. Feel free to form your own conclusions.
There’s a big difference between: “Microsoft’s messaging is confusing to consumers” and “Microsoft is deliberately trying to confuse consumers”. The Surface RT is definitely in the former bucket.
