Microsoft recently launched their new Surface Tablet, a device that comes with Windows RT and features 32GB of built-in disk space. Microsoft advertises the device as coming with 32GB of storage, but the reality of usable storage is quite different.
Understanding Usable Storage
It would appear that you will only be able to use around half of the actual 32GB of storage to store your files, as Windows RT apparently uses around half of the 32GB available storage. This is a significant amount of space taken up by the operating system and pre-installed applications, which leaves users with much less room for their personal files, apps, and media. Have a look at what you get below, direct from Microsoft’s website.
Here’s how much hard disk space you have available out of the box:
The 32 GB version has approximately 16 GB free hard disk space.
The 64 GB version has approximately 46 GB free hard disk space.
Comparing with Other Devices
This is something all manufacturers do with their devices. Android devices and iOS devices advertise a certain amount of disk space, but you can’t use it all as some of it is used by the OS. However, the extent to which the OS consumes storage can vary significantly between devices. For instance, while iOS and Android also reserve a portion of the advertised storage for system files and pre-installed apps, they typically do not use up to half of the total storage capacity.
For example, an iPad with 32GB of storage might have around 28GB available to the user after accounting for the operating system and pre-installed apps. Similarly, a 32GB Android tablet might offer around 26GB of usable storage. This makes the Surface Tablet’s storage consumption by Windows RT particularly notable.
Implications for Users
The reduced usable storage on the Surface Tablet has several implications for users. First, it limits the amount of personal data, such as photos, videos, and documents, that can be stored directly on the device. Users who plan to install a lot of apps or store large files may find the 16GB of available space insufficient.
To mitigate this, users might need to rely more on cloud storage solutions such as Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. These services allow users to store files online and access them from their Surface Tablet without taking up local storage space. However, this approach requires a reliable internet connection and may incur additional costs for larger storage plans.
Another option is to use external storage devices. The Surface Tablet supports microSD cards, which can be used to expand the available storage. This can be a convenient way to store media files or documents without using up the internal storage. Additionally, USB flash drives or external hard drives can be connected to the Surface Tablet via its USB port, providing further storage options.
In conclusion, while the Microsoft Surface Tablet offers a sleek design and the functionality of Windows RT, potential buyers should be aware of the significant portion of storage consumed by the operating system. With only about half of the advertised storage available for personal use, users may need to consider additional storage solutions to meet their needs. This is a common issue across various devices, but the extent of storage used by Windows RT on the Surface Tablet is particularly noteworthy.
Source The Verge
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