<div>
Fundamentally Surface RT does not run a lot of software that Windows 8.1 Pro uses (vastly different CPU). Surface Pro 3 (Windows 8.1 Pro), Windows 8.1 tablets and Windows 8.1 Pro laptops will all run the same basic stuff. You want 4 to 8 GB of memory and at least 256 GB SSD drive.
</div>


Fundamentally Surface RT does not run a lot of software that Windows 8.1 Pro uses (vastly different CPU). Surface Pro 3 (Windows 8.1 Pro), Windows 8.1 tablets and Windows 8.1 Pro laptops will all run the same basic stuff. You want 4 to 8 GB of memory and at least 256 GB SSD drive.

<div>
Microsoft has discontinued the Surface RT, Surface Pro, Surface 2, and Surface Pro 2. &nbsp;The only one that is still sold is the Surface Pro 3.
</div>


Microsoft has discontinued the Surface RT, Surface Pro, Surface 2, and Surface Pro 2.  The only one that is still sold is the Surface Pro 3.

<div>
Thanks for the info.<br />
<br />
The only thing here <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/products/surface" rel="ugc">http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/products/surface</a>&nbsp;that looks like it might not include for the home user is the ability to install non-microsoft apps, which I agree is a problem.
</div>


Thanks for the info.

The only thing here http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/products/surface [http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/products/surface] that looks like it might not include for the home user is the ability to install non-microsoft apps, which I agree is a problem.

<div>
Only apps from the App Store can be installed on the Surface RT and Surface 2. &nbsp;Pro editions are full x64/x86 compatible computers.
</div>


Only apps from the App Store can be installed on the Surface RT and Surface 2.  Pro editions are full x64/x86 compatible computers.

<div>
<div class="content wysiwyg-content">
Even Microsoft's website does not provide a single page matrix that compares all the versions. &nbsp;Assistance in finding such a matrix is greatly appreciated.
</div>
</div>


Even Microsoft's website does not provide a single page matrix that compares all the versions.  Assistance in finding such a matrix is greatly appreciated.

Windows Surface RT and other versions comparison matrix

The Microsoft Legacy Operating System topic includes legacy versions of Microsoft operating systems prior to Windows 2000: All versions of MS-DOS and other versions developed for specific manufacturers and Windows 3/3.1, Windows 95 and Windows 98, plus any other Windows-related versions, and Windows Mobile.

Microsoft Legacy OS

This topic area includes legacy versions of Windows prior to Windows 2000: Windows 3/3.1, Windows 95 and Windows 98, plus any other Windows-related versions including Windows Mobile.

Windows OS

Windows 8 is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft as part of the Windows NT family of operating systems, with an emphasis on improving its user experience on tablets. In particular, these changes included a touch-optimized Windows shell based on Microsoft's "Metro" design language, the Start screen, a new platform for developing apps with an emphasis on touchscreen input, integration with online services, support for USB 3.0, Advanced Format hard drives, near field communications, and cloud computing. Additional security features were introduced, such as built-in antivirus software, integration with Microsoft SmartScreen phishing filtering service and support for UEFI Secure Boot on supported devices with UEFI firmware.