Surface RT specs, features, and analysis

Here's what you need to know about 2012 Surface RT including price, display info, CPU, RAM, storage, battery, and more.

Availability

Surface RT
Released2012
Release Date
  • Introduced: June 18, 2012
  • Not available for pre-ordered
  • Released: October 26, 2012
PricingSurface RT
  • $499 - 2 GB | 32 GB
  • $599 - 2 GB | 64 GB
Surface RT with Black Touch Cover
  • $599 - 2 GB | 32 GB
  • $699 - 2 GB | 64 GB
Generations
Surface RT Price
Microsoft Surface RT (32GB)
Microsoft Surface RT (32GB)
By Microsoft
$210.00
Microsoft Surface RT 32GB (Renewed)
Microsoft Surface RT 32GB (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$89.95
Microsoft Surface RT 64GB
Microsoft Surface RT 64GB
By Microsoft
$319.99
Microsoft Surface RT Tablet (7XR-00001) Black - 64GB, 10.6in - Renewed
Microsoft Surface RT Tablet (7XR-00001) Black - 64GB, 10.6in - Renewed
By Microsoft
$124.99
Microsoft Surface 64GB Tablet (Dark Titanium) with Black Touch Cover
Microsoft Surface 64GB Tablet (Dark Titanium) with Black Touch Cover
By Microsoft
$89.99

Exterior

Surface RT
Dimensions10.81” x 6.77” x 0.37” (275 mm x 172 mm x 9.4 mm)
Width: 10.81” (275 mm)
Height: 6.77” (172 mm)
Thickness: 0.37” (9.4 mm)
Weight1.5 lbs (680 g)
Colors
Dark Titanium
Keyboard and Trackpad
  • Surface Type Cover
    • Not included
  • Keyboard:
    • Activation: Moving (mechanical) keys.
    • Layout: QWERTY, full row of function keys (F1-F12).
    • 4 directional keys; Windows and Media Controls Keys.
  • Trackpad:
    • Two-finger multitouch gesture trackpad.

Display

Surface RT
Size10.6 Inches
Info
  • Resolution: 1366 x 768 (1M Pixels)
  • Density: 148 PPI
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9
  • ClearType HD Display
  • Touch: 5 points multi-touch

Ports

Surface RT
Ports
  • 1 x Full-size USB 2.0
  • 1 x microSD™ card reader
  • 1 x Surface Charging Port
  • 1 x Headset jack
  • 1 x Micro HDMI video out port
  • 1 x Cover port

Internal Specs

Surface RT
Processor
  1. NVIDIA Tegra 3
    4 cores, 1.30 → 1.40 GHz, 1MB Cache,
Integrated Graphics
  1. NVIDIA Tegra 3
    NVIDIA GeForce ULP graphics
    12 Graphics Cores,
Memory2GB of RAM
Storage
  • 32GB 64GB
    Storage

Connectivity

Surface RT
Wi-Fi
  • Wi-Fi 4: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n compatible.
Bluetooth
  • Bluetooth 4.0 low energy technology

Battery

Surface RT
Size31.5 Wh
Battery LifeUp to 8 hours of video playback
Power Supply
  • 24W proprietary power supply

Software

Surface RT
OS
  • Windows RT
  • Upgradeable to Windows RT 8.1 Update
Built-in AppsMicrosoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT

Camera & Audio

Surface RT
Camera
  • 720p HD LifeCam front-facing camera with TrueColor Technology
  • 720p HD LifeCam rear-facing camera with TrueColor Technology
Audio
  • Dual microphones
  • Stereo speakers

Misc

Surface RT
Sensors
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Compass
In the box
  • Surface RT
  • Power supply
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Safety and warranty documents
Warranty
  • One-year limited hardware warranty
More
  • Casing: VaporMg
  • Kickstand: 1 position at 22°
  • Physical buttons: volumes, power

Key Features

Surface RT
At Glance
Released in Mid
2012
16:9 HD
10.6”
768p 60Hz
Weight
1.5 lb
0.68 kg
Powered By
NVIDIA Tegra 3
4C/1.30 → 1.40 GHz
With integrated
NVIDIA GeForce ULP graphics
12 Graphics Cores
2GB
DDR3 Memory

Photos

Our analysis and reviews

Surface RT image

What we like

Reasons to like about Surface RT.

Good battery life of up to 8-hours

According to Microsoft, the Surface RT lasts up to 8 hours of battery life.

Up to 8 hours of video playback

What we don't like

Reasons not to like about Surface RT.

Not supports Windows 11
RequirementsSurface RT
Secure BootYes
TPM 2.0 TPM 2.0
ProcessorNVIDIA Tegra 3
4GB RAM2GB
64GB Drive32GB → 64GB
2 Cores CPU4 cores
Non-upgradable storage

Surface RT has soldered storage, and there are no M.2 slots for expansion. Learn more

Storage SlotsSurface RT
M.20 - Onboard
Non-upgradable memory

The memory on Surface RT is soldered to the motherboard, and there is no additional RAM slot for expansion. Since you can't change or add more RAM after you buy, you want to make sure you pick the configuration with the right amount of memory at the initial purchase. Learn more

MemorySurface RT
Slots0 - Onboard
TypeDDR3
Speed