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Uncategorized Monday, November 5th 2012 at 5:35 pm

Microsoft Surface Has Much Less Free Space Than Advertised

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Anyone who has gotten an SSD with the requisite smaller storage space currently inherent to the medium and installed Windows 7 on it knows damn well that Microsoft operating systems take up too much space. When Microsoft released their new tablet, the Surface, people were thrilled that the base model started with 32 GB of free space. Unfortunately, due to the pre-installed software on the device, the 32 GB storage size is more like 16 GB.

Microsoft also notes that the 64 GB version of Surface ends up with 46 GB of free space.

Now, unlike certain Apple products, the Surface does have a memory expansion slot, which allows up to an extra 64 GB of space, so all is not lost if you just bought a 32 GB Surface but have 20 GB of video files saved up for a plane trip. The tablet also has cloud storage SkyDrive access, as well as the ability to receive a USB flash drive or connect to an external hard drive, though the latter somewhat defeats the purpose of a portable tablet.

So, not really a deal-breaker, especially if you’re used to Windows gobbling up your precious SSD space, but if you were expecting 32 GB of free space, you should pony up for the 64 GB model.

(Microsoft via The Next Web)

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1745027821 Jeremy Pennini

    This is standard practice. All tablets and phones are advertised with how many GB’s are built in, and not how many are available to the user.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1745027821 Jeremy Pennini

    Also, this wasn’t a deal breaker when I got my 32GB Surface.

  • GregInPrague

    Yes, but if you buy a 32gb iPad you have approx. 28 to use for whatever
    you want and with the 32gb Surface you get 16. That’s a big
    difference. Android OS with requisite Google apps is also about 1gb so
    only on a Windows tablet are you losing half your space.

  • Matt

    Okay fanboy. Maybe not a deal breaker to you, but in no way would it be industry best practice to use half of the onboard storage for the OS. Well, maybe the folks at Microsoft just don’t care about being the best anymore

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1745027821 Jeremy Pennini

    “Industry best practice”? This numbering system is how it has always worked. The Microsoft OS is quite large, but it’s also extremely capable and flexible.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1745027821 Jeremy Pennini

    I’ve read that the iPad OS is smaller than that, but what happens when you run out of space on the iPad, Kindle, or any of the other tablets that lack internal expansion? Delete things?

    What happens when I run out of space on my Surface? Add micro-sd card (or use SkyDrive).

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1745027821 Jeremy Pennini

    Finally, Microsoft has another piece of hardware I can fanboy over.

  • fandroid

    Like every device ever sold. You never get the full amount.

  • Idlethoughts

    The hardware sure, but I’ve read some less than great things about its software. Actually since you have the surface, have you noticed any undesirable qualities in your use of it?

  • TheReptile

    When did microsoft ever care about being the best?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1745027821 Jeremy Pennini

    The software will come as more companies adopt the new Windows store echo system. I think I read that Microsoft didn’t fully open the store submissions until last late September.
    The only thing I want right now is VLC, and VideoLAN has told me (via twitter) it’s coming soon. Then I’ll load a mico-SD card with movies.

    There are two minor things about the hardware that I’d mention.
    1. The power connector is a little wonky, its possible to have it magnetized to the case, and not be making an electronic connection, so it sometimes needs a little wiggle. However, there is a white LED on the cable to indicate it’s charging. An angled bezel around that port would fix the issue.

    2. The kickstand has an indent on the left side that is used to open it, but no indent on the right side. So when I go to open it with my right hand it’s more difficult. I think this is due to the location of the power connector.

    Like I said really minor issues.
    The battery life is awesome, I can take notes on it all day and still have lots of battery left at the end.
    The screen is very clear with good contrast. The brightness goes up and down as much as I expect, and is easy to adjust.
    On screen keyboard is good for passwords and web address, but I wouldn’t want to take notes with it. The touch cover is better, but I prefer to use the type cover when taking notes or writing. The type cover is slightly thicker than the touch, but that doesn’t impact it’s portability.