I have a Surface RT. It was a gift. I also have an iPad, that I paid for. I use both quite often.

Is it a good device ? Yes, I think so. Would I recommend the current Surface RT ? No, not yet anyway.

Here are my key issues:

a.) The app store has to get better. I know it has a full featured browser (spare the IE jokes), so there isn't a need for as many apps as a traditional tablet, but I still think the RT's usage is set up for touch as often as possible and using IE10 in desktop mode just don't cut it for touch usage.

b.)It can stand to be a bit cheaper (at least bundle in the keyboard for $50.00)

c.) MS needs to get their act together because the built in apps are very bare bones and in fact are at times worse than the apps they replaced (i.e. Xbox Music vs Zune)

d.)in terms of hardware, the only real issues I have would be the screen (quality is great, but I think the next iteration should bump up the resolution); and the cameras which are god awful.

All in all, despite the criticism, I like the direction Microsoft has taken with Windows 8 and the Surface line. In typical Microsoft fashion, it would have helped if the different divisions had got their act together, so they could have released a more refined, coherent product.

It always baffles me when I see incredulous posts on Hacker News that can't seem to grasp the benefits of a device like the Surface RT or the Pro. I think devices similar to the Surface Pro are the future of mass computing.