Surface Devices

[Mendota]

Yeah the notetaking in Notability is really nice. Really, really nice.

I think the frustration for me sets in when I try to use the iPad for anything outside of media consumption or note-taking. There are just limitations within any iPad apps that have desktop equivalents. It also doesn't help that I refuse to pay for the Pro line. 🙂

For me, I have found that I like the actual ability to exactly match software with my desktop (AMD, Nvidia 3060TI) with my portable and I don't have to have a third device. Before it was Gaming Desktop, then macbook m1 (with different software), and an iPad (with different software again).

Now I have a much more cohesive setup.

Interesting that people say that. I hate taking notes on the iPad because the pencil skates across the screen, and feels unnatural. I use Nebo for note taking because it works across all platforms. My preferred note taking device is my Samsung Galaxy S6 pro. The feel of the Wacom pen is soft and responsive.

 

[Mendota]

I've tried Capture One a number of times, and I really try to like it, but Adobe has made such a great product. I really wished apple actually improved, developed and didn't kill Aperture.

I love Adobe, and I am lucky that I have been using it so long that the price increase did not affect me. I get both Photoshop, Lightroom, and Fresco for $15 monthly. $10 without Fresco.

 

[kazmac]

From my experience I'd go with Microsoft. my 1ST Gen Surface Book never failed me and took my daughter through college.

Q-6

My main hesitation now with the Surface Laptop Studio are the internals for that price point, especially the weak graphics. That’s a huge sticking point.

We’ll see.

@Medota glad you got a deal on the Adobe subscriptions.

 

[LeeW]

I hate taking notes on the iPad because the pencil skates across the screen, and feels unnatural.

Exactly what I found, was not impressed at all.

 

[Mendota]

My main hesitation now with the Surface Laptop Studio are the internals for that price point, especially the weak graphics. That’s a huge sticking point.

We’ll see.

@Medota glad you got a deal on the Adobe subscriptions.

The thing that I like about Microsoft is that they don't overbuild or over promise. What I mean is, their devices do what they say. They don't do things such as stuffing an i9 into a device just because they can, regardless of the fact that it will throttle to when used. A sin both Apple and Dell are guilty of. They do an excellent job of balancing cooling and performance, which in the end leads to greater performance.

I too have a Surface Book 1 that is still going strong. I repurposed it to run Painter Essentials, and Fresco, and Office. These with the exception of Office are smaller programs than what I first installed on it. It does not have the power now to run the current Coral Painter 2022, but it does quite well with the smaller version. As for Studio, it has more than enough power for Painter 2022 and Adobe. This is all I ask because my primary system will always be a desktop. For myself I don't need a desktop "replacement".

On another note, for sketching, have you considered Clip Studio Paint? That is my primary computer sketching program and their subscription price is much less than Adobe's.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

The thing that I like about Microsoft is that they don't overbuild or over promise. What I mean is, their devices do what they say. They don't do things such as stuffing an i9 into a device just because they can, regardless of the fact that it will throttle to when used. A sin both Apple and Dell are guilty of. They do an excellent job of balancing cooling and performance, which in the end leads to greater performance.

I too have a Surface Book 1 that is still going strong. I repurposed it to run Painter Essentials, and Fresco, and Office. These with the exception of Office are smaller programs than what I first installed on it. It does not have the power now to run the current Coral Painter 2022, but it does quite well with the smaller version. As for Studio, it has more than enough power for Painter 2022 and Adobe. This is all I ask because my primary system will always be a desktop. For myself I don't need a desktop "replacement".

On another note, for sketching, have you considered Clip Studio Paint? That is my primary computer sketching program and their subscription price is much less than Adobe's.

If you go windows only on clip studio paint, there's a version that is only $50 one time...

 

[Mendota]

If you go windows only on clip studio paint, there's a version that is only $50 one time...

Good point, I have the sub because I also have it on Android, Chromebook, and Windows. There is also a version for iPad. I love these programs that span various platforms.

 

[Kung gu]

I wouldn’t go that far. I think there are plenty of great productively apps

yes, but sucks at true productivity. no proper file browser, no true multitasking and very FEW desktop-class apps

 

[Kung gu]

4GB 3050ti on Surface Studio Laptop is a pass for gaming but ok for everything else.

It's not marketed as a gaming device, so thats fine. This laptop will be amzing for productivity

 

[xfusejc]

I had gotten a Surface Pro 7 last month because I needed a Windows computer to mod my Switch and I planned on returning it after that, not having needed Windows for anything really over the last few years. Surprise, I really enjoyed the experience. It's not becoming my daily driver, but I'm using it more for school and it's been fantastic with the note taking.

Saw the announcement for the Pro 8, and while it was a bit more money compared to the sale price I got the 7 for, I was still within the return period so I returned it and bought the 8 with the keyboard/pen bundle. I'm eagerly excited for the the 5th! Never thought I'd say that about Windows again lol

 

[kazmac]

The thing that I like about Microsoft is that they don't overbuild or over promise. What I mean is, their devices do what they say. They don't do things such as stuffing an i9 into a device just because they can, regardless of the fact that it will throttle to when used. A sin both Apple and Dell are guilty of. They do an excellent job of balancing cooling and performance, which in the end leads to greater performance.

I too have a Surface Book 1 that is still going strong. I repurposed it to run Painter Essentials, and Fresco, and Office. These with the exception of Office are smaller programs than what I first installed on it. It does not have the power now to run the current Coral Painter 2022, but it does quite well with the smaller version. As for Studio, it has more than enough power for Painter 2022 and Adobe. This is all I ask because my primary system will always be a desktop. For myself I don't need a desktop "replacement".

On another note, for sketching, have you considered Clip Studio Paint? That is my primary computer sketching program and their subscription price is much less than Adobe's.

Thank you. I appreciate that. Looking to replace my M1 MBP due to needing Windows across the board (Personal, Creative, work, etc.)

So if I can get something like a desktop replacement that will serve me for 3 years, that’s good.

Microsoft and Asus have been excellent about returns. Asus were just fine about the Acronym Zephyrus G14 I had to return as it was a lemon. I absolutely adored the keyboard on that machine. The best one I’ve tried on a laptop. I also loved how weird that model G14 was too. 🙃

I do like that MS’ SLS screen is basically on a larger SP kickstand.

Clip Paint Studio, haven’t tried any of the real art programs outside of ArtRage which crashed on my iPads. I am a Procreate user. @Queen6 kindly mentioned CPS previously, so thank you for bringing these programs and the SLS system requirements up again.

Asus are starting to promote that ProArt Studio frequently on social media, and they’re in process of moving their store website, so it’s possible a launch is imminent. I would not receive a higher end Surface until mid October, need something sooner.

Anyway, liking what MS did especially with the SP8.

Thanks again for the feedback everyone. It is always appreciated and never taken for granted.

🙂

 

[mi7chy]

Best Buy has the Surface Pro 8 i5/16GB/512GB for $1399.99 in either platinum or graphite which is $500 less than Microsoft's $1899.99 and same price as their 256GB. Also includes free Xbox Series X controller ($59.99 value) and Game Pass Ultimate 3-month ($44.99 value).

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/micros...latest-model-platinum/6477104.p?skuId=6477104

Going to order to lock in and can always refuse pickup.

 

[Kung gu]

Best Buy has the Surface Pro 8 i5/16GB/512GB for $1399.99 in either platinum or graphite which is $500 less than Microsoft's $1899.99 and same price as their 256GB. Also includes free Xbox Series X controller ($59.99 value) and Game Pass Ultimate ($14.99 value).

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/micros...latest-model-platinum/6477104.p?skuId=6477104

Going to order to lock in and can always refuse pickup.

That's amazing value for a thin&light and certainly better than the M1 MBP or MBA.

120hz touch screen and user replaceable SSD and Thunderbolt 4.

Man, this Surface Pro 8 upgrade is awesome.

 

[mr_jomo]

I had gotten a Surface Pro 7 last month because I needed a Windows computer to mod my Switch and I planned on returning it after that, not having needed Windows for anything really over the last few years. Surprise, I really enjoyed the experience. It's not becoming my daily driver, but I'm using it more for school and it's been fantastic with the note taking.

Saw the announcement for the Pro 8, and while it was a bit more money compared to the sale price I got the 7 for, I was still within the return period so I returned it and bought the 8 with the keyboard/pen bundle. I'm eagerly excited for the the 5th! Never thought I'd say that about Windows again lol

First impressions once you have it -
pretty please 🙂

 

[kazmac]

Best Buy has the Surface Pro 8 i5/16GB/512GB for $1399.99 in either platinum or graphite which is $500 less than Microsoft's $1899.99 and same price as their 256GB. Also includes free Xbox Series X controller ($59.99 value) and Game Pass Ultimate 3-month ($44.99 value).

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/micros...latest-model-platinum/6477104.p?skuId=6477104

Going to order to lock in and can always refuse pickup.

Wow… great deal.

 

[dmr727]

Wow… great deal.

To be fair the $1899.99 model from MS is the i7 model, but it's still a good deal. Too anemic for my taste, but it's a nice machine for $1399. Just wish they had some higher end AMD options!

 

[mi7chy]

One benefit of Intel and Thunderbolt 4 is eGPU support which would make it one of if not the lightest eGPU gaming rig at 1.96# with 120Hz display + controller. Curious what's the highest eGPU that works before being CPU limited. Even an older GTX1070 eGPU with i5-1135G7 is a huge boost over iGPU.

 

[dmr727]

One benefit of Intel and Thunderbolt 4 is eGPU support which would make it one of if not the lightest eGPU gaming rig at 1.96# with 120Hz display + controller. Curious what's the highest eGPU that works before being CPU limited. Even an older GTX1070 eGPU with i5-1135G7 is a huge boost over iGPU.

Huh. That's an interesting point. Even if you spend the moolah for the max config - i7/32GB/1TB at $2600 - it's a compelling idea to potentially replace three devices. I'm not a high end gamer by any means so I may be okay with replacing my desktop with something like this tied to an eGPU. I've been wary of touch under Windows, but perhaps I need to get off my butt and give it a shot.

 

[maflynn]

Curious what's the highest eGPU that works before being CPU limited

I used to use a Egpu, and I think the overhead of running a EGPU will be be the bottleneck well before the CPU would be. Plus if you use the EGPU as pictured in your post, you're cutting your bandwidth in 1/2. You want to use a EGPU with an external display. Using a EGPU for a laptop's (or two-in-one)'s display means that you're needing to send graphic data to the EGPU, and then the EGPU sends the display data back over the same wire to the laptop's display. Only when you're using an external display will you get the maximum benefit (since the display data will be send to the monitor via the hdmi/display port cable and not the TB cable)

 

[MBAir2010]

Exactly what I found, was not impressed at all.

There is a film one can place on the ipad
the film slows down the stylus speed.
i used this in 2019 with 4 coursness like sandpaper.
a quick internets search might help.
(i only use my finger on the iPad to draw)

 

[MBAir2010]

I had gotten a Surface Pro 7 last month because I needed a Windows computer to mod my Switch and I planned on returning it after that, not having needed Windows for anything really over the last few years. Surprise, I really enjoyed the experience. It's not becoming my daily driver, but I'm using it more for school and it's been fantastic with the note taking.

Saw the announcement for the Pro 8, and while it was a bit more money compared to the sale price I got the 7 for, I was still within the return period so I returned it and bought the 8 with the keyboard/pen bundle. I'm eagerly excited for the the 5th! Never thought I'd say that about Windows again lol

Windows10 seems more straight forward and fluid
as far as installing programs, setting up devices and just computing Than other os out there.

 

[mi7chy]

I used to use a Egpu, and I think the overhead of running a EGPU will be be the bottleneck well before the CPU would be. Plus if you use the EGPU as pictured in your post, you're cutting your bandwidth in 1/2. You want to use a EGPU with an external display. Using a EGPU for a laptop's (or two-in-one)'s display means that you're needing to send graphic data to the EGPU, and then the EGPU sends the display data back over the same wire to the laptop's display. Only when you're using an external display will you get the maximum benefit (since the display data will be send to the monitor via the hdmi/display port cable and not the TB cable)

Thanks for the heads up but I'm aware and it's also mentioned in the video. Curious to test both scenarios to see the trade offs and if it's still usable frame rate.

 

[Scarpad]

To be fair the $1899.99 model from MS is the i7 model, but it's still a good deal. Too anemic for my taste, but it's a nice machine for $1399. Just wish they had some higher end AMD options!

How is the i5 vs the i7, is it worth it to spend more ?

 

[Queen6]

How is the i5 vs the i7, is it worth it to spend more ?

Typically 10%-12% faster with potentially higher temps. For most i5 is more than adequate.

Q-6

 

[Scarpad]

Typically 10%-12% faster with potentially higher temps. For most i5 is more than adequate.

Q-6

That was my thinking