Our tools » Surface Specs Comparison Surface Battery Comparison Surface Display Comparison

Microsoft Surface RT Specs – Full Technical Specifications

Microsoft Surface RT is the first generation of Microsoft Surface launched alongside with Windows 8 released by Microsoft on October 26, 2012.

BY Last updated June 22, 2020
Surface RT image

Surface RT

See at Amazon Compare
Key Features
What's new
  • Windows RT Microsoft's touch-centric OS made specifically for ARM-powered tablet device.
  • Kickstand It comes with an integrated kickstand easy to switch between tablet and laptop mode.
  • Detachable Touch & Type Cover Be more productive with a full-size keyboard doubling as a protective screen cover.
  • More Magnet charging connector, Full-size USB 2.0 port, Bluetooth 4.0, HD front and rear camera.
What's missing
  • Can't run desktop apps You can't run desktop apps (x86 or x64) on this device. The only way to get apps is through the Windows Store.
  • No Windows 10 The latest OS you can get is Windows RT 8.1 Update 3
  • Less multitouch support It supports only 5-points multitouch.
  • More Only HD display and no USB 3.0 port.
Availability
Released2012
Release Info
  • 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
Stores
See at Amazon
Display
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
Exterior
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.
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
Processor
  • NVIDIA Tegra 3
    4 cores, 1.30 → 1.40 GHz, 1MB Cache,
Integrated Graphics
  • NVIDIA Tegra 3
    NVIDIA GeForce ULP graphics
    12 Graphics Cores,
Memory2GB of RAM
Storage
  • 32GB64GB
    Storage
Connectivity
Wi-Fi
  • Wi-Fi 4: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n compatible.
Bluetooth
  • Bluetooth 4.0 low energy technology
Battery
Size31.5 Wh
Battery LifeUp to 8 hours of video playback
Power Supply
  • 24W proprietary power supply
Software
OS
  • Windows RT
  • Upgradeable to Windows RT 8.1 Update
Built-in AppsMicrosoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT
Camera & Audio
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
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
Surface RT Price
Microsoft Surface RT 32GB (Renewed)
 Microsoft Surface RT 32GB (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$399.77
See at Amazon
Microsoft Surface RT (32GB)
 Microsoft Surface RT (32GB)
By Microsoft
$85.00
See at Amazon
Atcuji 48W Surface Pro 2 Charger for Microsoft Surface RT Surface Pro 2 Pro 1 Surface 2 Tablet Microsoft 1512 1516 1536 12V 3.6A Surface 48W Power Supply MS Surface Pro 2 Ac Adapter with 5V USB Port
 Atcuji 48W Surface Pro 2 Charger for Microsoft Surface RT Surface Pro 2 Pro 1 Surface 2 Tablet Microsoft 1512 1516 1536 12V 3.6A Surface 48W Power Supply MS Surface Pro 2 Ac Adapter with 5V USB Port
By Atcuji
$26.99
See at Amazon
5FT Surface Connect to USB-C Charging Cable Compatible for Microsoft Surface RT Surface Pro 1/2, Male Connect to, 45W 15V PD Charging Works with PD Power Supply-1.5 Meters (Cable Only)
 5FT Surface Connect to USB-C Charging Cable Compatible for Microsoft Surface RT Surface Pro 1/2, Male Connect to, 45W 15V PD Charging Works with PD Power Supply-1.5 Meters (Cable Only)
By Sisyphy
$14.99
See at Amazon
Latest Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (2736 x 1824) Tablet 6th Generation (Intel Core i5-6300U, 8GB Ram, 256GB SSD, Bluetooth, Dual Camera) Windows 10 Professional (Renewed)
 Latest Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (2736 x 1824) Tablet 6th Generation (Intel Core i5-6300U, 8GB Ram, 256GB SSD, Bluetooth, Dual Camera) Windows 10 Professional (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$589.00
See at Amazon
Microsoft Surface 2 32GB 10.6
 Microsoft Surface 2 32GB 10.6" Tablet Windows RT 8.1 (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$399.77
See at Amazon

Popular Comparisons for Surface RT

Here are the most frequently requested comparisons for Surface RT:

Surface RTSurface GoVS
Surface RT
vs.
Surface Go
Surface RTSurface 3VS
Surface RT
vs.
Surface 3
Surface RTSurface Pro 1VS
Surface RT
vs.
Surface Pro 1
Surface RTSurface Pro 2VS
Surface RT
vs.
Surface Pro 2
Surface RTSurface 2VS
Surface RT
vs.
Surface 2
Surface RTSurface Go 2VS
Surface RT
vs.
Surface Go 2

1Microsoft Surface RT Processor Specs

ProcessorNVIDIA Tegra 3
Single Core Frequency1.4 GHz
Quad-Core Frequency1.3 GHz
L1 Cache32 KB
L2 Cache1 MB
Max Memory Size2 GB
GraphicsULP NVIDIA
Graphic Cores12
# Display Supported2

2Microsoft Surface RT Keynote Event

Basic Tips & Tricks

  1. Microsoft Surface RT Tips and Tricks
  2. How to take a screenshot on Surface RT
  3. How to access the Surface RT’s battery report
  4. How to download Surface RT recovery image
  5. Surface RT battery capacity in mAh & Wh

Advanced Tips & Tricks

  1. Get more space by removing Surface RT’s recovery partition
  2. How to Install Windows RT 8.1 Update 3 on Surface RT in 2017
  3. How to fix Surface RT phantom touch or ghost touch

Surface RT Accessories

  1. Best Accessories for Surface RT
  2. Best Car Chargers for Surface RT

Surface RT Quick Links

  1. Surface RT update history
  2. Register your Surface RT

Downloads

  1. Surface RT User Guide (PDF)
  2. Surface RT Recovery Image

Surface Quick Links

  1. Surface website
  2. Surface Twitter account
  3. Surface Youtube channel
  4. Surface Facebook page
  5. Surface blog
  6. Surface subreddit
  7. Surface Gaming subreddit
  8. Surface Linux subreddit

All Surface Specifications

Surface
Oct 2012 Surface RT
Oct 2013 Surface 2
May 2015 Surface 3
Aug 2018 Surface Go
May 2020 Surface Go 2

Surface Duo
Sep 2020 Surface Duo
Surface Pro
Oct 2012 Surface Pro 1
Oct 2013 Surface Pro 2
Jun 2014 Surface Pro 3
Oct 2015 Surface Pro 4
Jun 2017 Surface Pro 5
Oct 2018 Surface Pro 6
Oct 2019 Surface Pro 7

Surface Pro X
Nov 2019 Surface Pro X
Oct 2020 Surface Pro X

Surface Laptop
Jun 2017 Surface Laptop
Oct 2018 Surface Laptop 2
Oct 2019 Surface Laptop 3
Oct 2020 Surface Laptop Go

Surface Book
Oct 2015 Surface Book
Nov 2016 Surface Book i7
Nov 2017 Surface Book 2
May 2020 Surface Book 3

Surface Studio
Dec 2016 Surface Studio
Nov 2018 Surface Studio 2

Compare all devices

Related Topics

COMMENTS

Let us know what you think!

We appreciate hearing your thoughts, questions, and ideas about “Microsoft Surface RT Specs – Full Technical Specifications”.

  1. Tolos Laurentiu says:
    April 29, 2020 at 4:50 am

    Digi-Online aplication has not functionaly after update at update 3 from surface RT

    Reply
  2. Mateo says:
    September 25, 2020 at 2:42 am

    I am using 128gb micro sd card as well as a 128 USB dongle already…
    Will larger sized media work? Like a 256GB, 400GB, or even a 512 GB work?
    Thank you

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.