Key Difference: The Microsoft Surface RT is a tablet that features a 10.6-inch TFT HD capacitive touchscreen with approximately 148 ppi density. The screen affords the true 16:9 aspect ratio. However, the OS is not compatible with old Windows PC programs. The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 features a 13.3 inch HD+IPS capacitive multitouch display and weighs 1.54 kg (3.4 lbs). It is available in various models, powered either by 3rd generation Intel Core i7/ i5 / i3. The models would come with either a 4 GB DDR3 RAM or 8 GB.

The market for bigger, better and more able smartphones is increasing. People are getting bored with the regular phones that would just place calls or send text message, now the phones need to be able to do many other things to even be considered as a choice. The phone should allow the users to surf the internet, check e-mails, record their schedules, find things on the internet, understand their speech, etc. They have become less phones and more personal secretaries. Now, it goes even further and tablets have come into the picture. Tablets have the portability of a phone and the functions of a laptop. Some tablets even allow users to place calls. Microsoft, which was originally a Desktop manufacturer, has now shifted focus on creating smartphone operating systems, laptops, and even tablets. The Microsoft Surface RT was launched in November 2012.

The Microsoft Surface RT is a tablet that features a 10.6-inch TFT HD capacitive touchscreen with approximately 148 ppi density. The screen is pretty decent in terms of resolution and shows clear, sharp images. The screen affords the true 16:9 aspect ratio which matches most movies and shows, eliminating the black bars that pop up. The tablet runs on the Windows OS, but has a huge lacking feature. The OS is not compatible with old Windows PC programs such as VLC, Photoshop Elements, etc. This is one of the reasons for the tablet not being so popular even after the amazing design and other attractive features. In order to run the old PC programs, one would require Windows 8 with an Intel processor, which is offered in the Microsoft Surface Pro.

The device has a slab form that makes it look thicker and heavier than it actually is. The device is only 9.4 mm thick, same as the iPad; however, the slab form that has not been tapered towards the end makes it seem thicker. The tablet is a little heavier compared to other devices because of the extra inches on the screen. The device is quite slick, which makes it easier to grip but more prone to slipping through the fingers. The device comes with a built-in kickstand that helps it stay upright when placed on a surface. The device is covered in a VaporMg casing, which according to the company, makes the device scratch and water-resistant. The device also has an intriguing feature, which is a cover that doubles as a keyboard. The sleek and flat keyboard has an aesthetic appeal and is also productive.

On top of the device when facing front in landscape mode, there is an ambient light sensor along with the front facing 1.2 MP camera. On the bottom bezel is the Windows Home sensor that takes the user to the start screen or the last app accessed. On the right side of the device, there is a speaker grille, a Micro-HDMI port, a full USB 2.0 port, and the power port. The left side has an additional speaker grille, a headphone jack, and a volume rocker. The kickstand is said to be a bit difficult for some people, while other claim that the stand was pretty smooth and easy to access. Under the stand, resides the microSD port, while there are magnets on the bottom to attach the Touch and Type keyboard covers. The device also has a 1.2 MP rear camera, in case anyone would like use it take photos.

The tablet is powered by a 1.3 GHz Quad-core Cortex-A9 and comes in 32 and 64 GBs variants. The device feature 2 GB RAM. The processor provides enough power to allow the swiftly shifting between apps and windows. The tablet supports 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi support, Bluetooth 4.0, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a built-in compass, but no GPS. The device houses a 31.5 W-h battery that drained pretty quickly according to CNET. The main problem that comes with this device is that it is less of a tablet and more of an even more portable laptop. The design is obviously appealing, but in terms of features and price, maybe going for Microsoft Surface Pro.

Lenovo Group Limited is a Chinese multinational with its operational headquarters in Morrisville, North Carolina. The company provides computer hardware and electronics, including personal computers, tablet computers, mobile phones, workstations, servers, electronic storage devices, IT management software and smart televisions. Among other things, the company is especially known for its computers, especially the ThinkPad and IdeaPad line of notebook computers.

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 is yet another offering by Lenovo under its IdeaPad series. However, the unique aspect of the device is that it is a convertible laptop with multi-mode 360 deg Flip design. This allows the device to take up four design modes. This includes Laptop Mode, Tablet Mode, Tent Mode and finally, Stand Mode. This is managed by using two double sided hinges. This feature gives the device versatility and allowing the user to use the device as either a laptop or a tablet. Hence, the device is effectively two-in-one, a tablet and a laptop.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 features a 13.3 inch HD+IPS capacitive multitouch display and weighs 1.54 kg (3.4 lbs). It is available in various models, powered by 3rd generation Intel Core i7-3537U/ 3rd generation Intel Core i7-3517U/ 3rd generation Intel Core i5-3317U/ 3rd generation Intel Core i3-3217U. The models would come with either a 4 GB DDR3 RAM or 8 GB. The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 runs on Windows 8 Pro 64 or Windows 8 64 depending on the variant models.

The four different configurations on the IdeaPad Yoga does make the device seem new, fresh and unique, however in order to get to the tablet mode, the screen folds back, which leaves the keyboard exposed on the back of the tablet. This makes holding the tablet, a little awkward; however, the keyboard does get automatically disabled. In addition, the device is quite thin and light, which makes the device quite operable. Hence the exposed keyboard is not necessarily a deal breaker.

The information for the detailed table about the two devices has been taken from the Microsoft website, Lenovo website and GSMArena.com.

Image Courtesy: microsoft.com, lenovo.com