One of the defining features of a Surface Pro tablet is the ability to straddle the line between traditional Windows PC, and a mobile device. For Day 21 of the 30 Days with Surface Pro series, I examined the networking options, and ways to stay connected on the go using the Surface Pro tablet.
Early on I ran into problems when trying to use my iPhone as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. My iPhone hotspot network was named “Tony’s iPhone”, and there was a glitch in Windows 8 that prevented it from seeing a network name that contained spaces. I was able to resolve / work around the issue by simply renaming my device “iPhone”, and Microsoft has since dealt with that issue.
The biggest concern I have with network connectivity on the Surface Pro is the lack of Ethernet. When I’m on the go using it as a tablet, the 802.11n Wi-Fi is more than sufficient, but it pales in comparison the the blazing speed I get on my wired connection in my office. The single biggest Achilles heel of the Surface Pro in my opinion is the lack of a docking station for use when sitting at your desk. I don’t want to rely on the slower, flakier wireless network when I have a perfectly good 60Mbps wired network at my disposal.
For more details about the trials and tribulations of staying connected using a Surface Pro tablet, check out Surface Pro, Day 21: Getting connected.
All Comments
That doesn’t really bother me at all. I have a home laptop, work laptop, and surface pro. I never plug any of them into Ethernet.
I have wired my house with Ethernet but now I mainly use Wi-Fi instead. Only my desktops are still using Ethernet cable. Tablet is something for you to take it around and doesn’t make sense to have Ethernet port. I haven’t seen Android or iPad with Ethernet port and no one ever complain. If you really want one, go and buy an Ethernet adapter.