It is, indeed, not a laptop. It works well on a desk, or a small tray in a classroom, or, if you have an SP2 with the second angle, it makes a decent, but not amazing, laptop.
It's really designed to be a device that can be used in a variety of scenarios, and is decent at all of them, but not great at any of them.
I personally like mine, and it's worth a shot if curiosity sparks. The Microsoft Stores are super friendly, and will let you basically take the device from the display and use it around the store. I put Vim on one and experimented with it on my lap, and found the experience to be decent enough.
That being said, it's top heavy and overall a strange device. If you love 100% of everything about an MBP, you probably won't like this. But if you don't, then give it a try. Can't hurt anything.
Just as a fair warning to anyone who reads this to take it with some salt ;)