Surface Devices

[Parsifalz]

WTH?? 1400€??
Where do you live? Where is that store?

It was a display unit, it wasn't sealed, that's why they cut the price, but nevertheless It's quite a huge saving, so I had to take it home with me... I even checked the second hand market before pulling the trigger, just in case, but there was nothing even close to this price.

I live in Spain and I bought it in a german store (mediamarkt), btw

 

[xraydoc]

I am still giving thought to a Surface Book 2, especially since I can get 10% off with military discount. Xraydoc has me intrigued

Hopefully I don't steer you wrong. And I know places like Reddit have some complaints. But mine has been very solid. I am, however, very conservative as to what software gets installed -- nothing but official Surface drivers, no CPU voltage tweaks, no 3rd party OS customization, etc., and I keep a close eye on any 3rd party software that runs in the background as to not inadvertently kill my battery life. But otherwise, I've been very satisfied. It's not as slick as MacOS, but since I only do 'office' stuff, it's not been as issue.

And if you hate the MacBook Pro keyboards, you'll love this one.

 

[SDColorado]

Hopefully I don't steer you wrong. And I know places like Reddit have some complaints. But mine has been very solid. I am, however, very conservative as to what software gets installed -- nothing but official Surface drivers, no CPU voltage tweaks, no 3rd party OS customization, etc., and I keep a close eye on any 3rd party software that runs in the background as to not inadvertently kill my battery life. But otherwise, I've been very satisfied. It's not as slick as MacOS, but since I only do 'office' stuff, it's not been as issue.

And if you hate the MacBook Pro keyboards, you'll love this one.

I think I am going to give one a try. I really love my Surface Pro and I know a lot of what I would be getting into with the Surface Book 2. I am already a big fan of the 3:2 aspect ratio, I am familiar with the Surface Pen, I am familiar wits.h the glossier gorilla glass, so not a lot of surprises.

I have read a few of the issues/complaints on Reddit, but I guess I have a little confidence from the trouble-free performance of the Surface Pro. I know it has only been 14 months, but so far it has been flawless. It also helps that I have a store about 8 miles away and the manager there is great and easy to work with. I also have a business account with them so can get the Microsoft Complete for Business 3 or 4-year warranty with accidental damage coverage, which includes advanced exchange and store exchange.

And yeah... I *really* hate MacBook Pro "keyboards."

 

[SteveJUAE]

Hopefully I don't steer you wrong. And I know places like Reddit have some complaints. But mine has been very solid. I am, however, very conservative as to what software gets installed -- nothing but official Surface drivers, no CPU voltage tweaks, no 3rd party OS customization, etc., and I keep a close eye on any 3rd party software that runs in the background as to not inadvertently kill my battery life. But otherwise, I've been very satisfied. It's not as slick as MacOS, but since I only do 'office' stuff, it's not been as issue.

And if you hate the MacBook Pro keyboards, you'll love this one.

Ditto on that

Funny the only thing I have had a problem with was getting ICloud contacts to synch with Outlook, had to run Icloude.exe as Win8 compatible then ok bookmarks, photo's etc was ok

 

[SDColorado]

Ditto on that

Funny the only thing I have had a problem with was getting ICloud contacts to synch with Outlook, had to run Icloude.exe as Win8 compatible then ok bookmarks, photo's etc was ok

That brings up a question. Isn't there an issue with iCloud for Windows now with 1809 where you have to run it prior to doing the updates and prior to installing iTunes for Windows? Maybe prior to Office 365 as well? I can't recall.

Otherwise, it keeps telling you that it requires Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10 (April 2018 Update) or earlier.

Maybe new machines already ship with a version later than that?

 

[Roadstar]

WTH?? 1400€??
Where do you live? Where is that store?

I paid the same for my SB with Performance Base brand new. Granted it’s not the SB2, but it’s not a bad price for an i7/8GB/256GB/2GB GPU setup. The offer is still on in the Finnish Microsoft Store. Maybe it’s good to check if other countries have anything similar?

 

[c0ppo]

I paid the same for my SB with Performance Base brand new. Granted it’s not the SB2, but it’s not a bad price for an i7/8GB/256GB/2GB GPU setup. The offer is still on in the Finnish Microsoft Store. Maybe it’s good to check if other countries have anything similar?

There is no Microsoft Store in Croatia
But even if that offer was available in Croatia, I wouldn't purchase SB1. It had some issues, and if I get a lousy unit in Croatia, I have no warranty at all. I will check out SB2 when my friend from USA arrives, looking forward to that. But only way of me purchasing one is thru relatives in Germany, or thru friends from USA. That way if something goes wrong, I can send it to them and they can get it fixed. It's really expensive device, so I wouldn't like to gamble on this one

 

[OdT22]

That brings up a question. Isn't there an issue with iCloud for Windows now with 1809 where you have to run it prior to doing the updates and prior to installing iTunes for Windows? Maybe prior to Office 365 as well? I can't recall.

Otherwise, it keeps telling you that it requires Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10 (April 2018 Update) or earlier.

Maybe new machines already ship with a version later than that?

Yes, I ran in to that problem. Searches revelead that others experienced the same issue with this past April update as well.

I tried again after a week or so, and still didn’t find a solution. So, I moved further out of Apples ecosystem as a result, by finding other ways of handling my photos, contacts and calendars. Not my first wish, but I don’t have the expertise nor inclination to troubleshoot that type of thing. More important duties call.

 

[Queen6]

There is no Microsoft Store in Croatia
But even if that offer was available in Croatia, I wouldn't purchase SB1. It had some issues, and if I get a lousy unit in Croatia, I have no warranty at all. I will check out SB2 when my friend from USA arrives, looking forward to that. But only way of me purchasing one is thru relatives in Germany, or thru friends from USA. That way if something goes wrong, I can send it to them and they can get it fixed. It's really expensive device, so I wouldn't like to gamble on this one

When I bought the original Surface Book mine came with a 2 year international warranty from Microsoft, and I bought in Asia where consumer protection is generally not so strong.

Q-6

 

[SDColorado]

Yes, I ran in to that problem. Searches revelead that others experienced the same issue with this past April update as well.

I tried again after a week or so, and still didn’t find a solution. So, I moved further out of Apples ecosystem as a result, by finding other ways of handling my photos, contacts and calendars. Not my first wish, but I don’t have the expertise nor inclination to troubleshoot that type of thing. More important duties call.

Yeah, I tried doing the various Windows 7, Windows 8 compatibility stuff, but it seems that unless Apple updates it and they probably won't, that it may not work.

I figured out a way to sync photos on my Surface Pro as well as calendars, so that is no problem. So I think the only thing I am missing is the storage.

That and there is no way to get Apple messages on Windows 10? It seems push bullet is dead.

Other than that, no problems

Edit: This seems to have worked for me
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8580626

 

[Roadstar]

But even if that offer was available in Croatia, I wouldn't purchase SB1. It had some issues, and if I get a lousy unit in Croatia, I have no warranty at all.

Yeah there were issues on the original one, but the Performance Base version is more like SB1.5 and it seems to have solved most of the issues and mine’s been flawless so far. Of course I’m also backed by consumer laws in Finland and I should be good for at least a couple of years, so I understand your concern here.

 

[SteveJUAE]

That brings up a question. Isn't there an issue with iCloud for Windows now with 1809 where you have to run it prior to doing the updates and prior to installing iTunes for Windows? Maybe prior to Office 365 as well? I can't recall.

Otherwise, it keeps telling you that it requires Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10 (April 2018 Update) or earlier.

Maybe new machines already ship with a version later than that?

The way I have fixed it after an update is to go to settings/applications click on iCloud and run repair (Not uninstall) as often the contacts part is greyed out in the iCloud programme screen

Once this is done from iCloud screen you check contacts and apply, it often says something like "you have no default profile set" to fix this part find Icloud.exe and right click/properties/advance and select compatibility Windows 8 and Apply, then re run iCloud and contacts should synch.

No issues with bookmarks or Photos just Contacts

Sorry don't use Itunes rather saw my legs off

 

[SDColorado]

The way I have fixed it after an update is to go to settings/applications click on iCloud and run repair (Not uninstall) as often the contacts part is greyed out in the iCloud programme screen

Once this is done when from iCloud screen you check contacts and apply, it often says something like "you have no default profile set" to fix this part find Icloud.exe and right click/properties/advance and select compatibility Windows 8 and Apply, then re run iCloud and contacts should synch.

No issues with bookmarks or Photos just Contacts

Sorry don't use Itunes rather saw my legs off

Thanks! I was having difficulty even getting it to install. I followed the instructions in the link I published and that got it installed. What you included above took care of the last part regarding Outlook.

I use iTunes to sync my phone and that is pretty much it. I much prefer Spotify for music.

 

[c0ppo]

When I bought the original Surface Book mine came with a 2 year international warranty from Microsoft, and I bought in Asia where consumer protection is generally not so strong.

Q-6

Yeah there were issues on the original one, but the Performance Base version is more like SB1.5 and it seems to have solved most of the issues and mine’s been flawless so far. Of course I’m also backed by consumer laws in Finland and I should be good for at least a couple of years, so I understand your concern here.

Yes, all I hear are great things about MS support for their hardware, and that is great.
But the problem is there is no MS store in Croatia, and there isn't even an official reseller in Croatia

 

[Queen6]

Yes, all I hear are great things about MS support for their hardware, and that is great.
But the problem is there is no MS store in Croatia, and there isn't even an official reseller in Croatia

I'd be a little cautious then, as all electronics have a failure rate and if your unlucky IMHO it not worth the headaches. I don't see Surface products as being risky by nature, equally they are impossible to repair outside of Microsoft's network, similar to Apple.

I bought the Surface Book from an approved national reseller and even their policy is to return all Surface products to Microsoft. If you purchase via a family member in a supported company I'd ensure I still had an alternative as any repair will take good deal of time.

I've done it myself and never had a problem, equally I was aware that in the event of issue I'd likely be left to my own device's. Given the nature of electronics it may be worth making an offer on the SB that your going to try as in general if they work for the first month or so, they generally don't fail until close to EOL with the bathtub curve lending very well to complex electronic devices.

Q-6

 

[c0ppo]

I bought the Surface Book from an approved national reseller and even their policy is to return all Surface products to Microsoft. If you purchase via a family member in a supported company I'd ensure I still had an alternative as any repair will take good deal of time.

Yup. Glued in device completely. So of course I'm gonna be careful.

I've done it myself and never had a problem, equally I was aware that in the event of issue I'd likely be left to my own device's. Given the nature of electronics it may be worth making an offer on the SB that your going to try as in general if they work for the first month or so, they generally don't fail until close to EOL with the bathtub curve lending very well to complex electronic devices.

I have no intentions on purchasing SB2, I already considered that option and went for X1C. But I really do like larger screens, 14" 16:9 is really to small when it's not docked to external monitor. If I ever purchase one, it will be either from USA or Germany. Probably Germany, since it's really easy for me to send it to relatives in Germany to get it fixed.

 

[xraydoc]

Yeah, I tried doing the various Windows 7, Windows 8 compatibility stuff, but it seems that unless Apple updates it and they probably won't, that it may not work.

I figured out a way to sync photos on my Surface Pro as well as calendars, so that is no problem. So I think the only thing I am missing is the storage.

That and there is no way to get Apple messages on Windows 10? It seems push bullet is dead.

Other than that, no problems

Edit: This seems to have worked for me
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8580626

I haven't tried installing iCloud on my machine. I do have iTunes installed, but it's the Microsoft Store version, not the Apple website version.
I don't need iCloud Drive on my PC, and my calendar/contacts/email are on Google, so I didn't bother trying to install iCloud.
But I hadn't heard about install problems on 1809. Thanks for the heads-up.

My photos are still stored on iCloud & Apple Photos from my iPhone, but they then get uploaded to Google Photo, so I have access regardless. I have a 2013 iMac at home running as a server (iTunes/AppleTVs/Photos/TimeMachine), so they're all well protected.

 

[SDColorado]

I haven't tried installing iCloud on my machine. I do have iTunes installed, but it's the Microsoft Store version, not the Apple website version.
I don't need iCloud Drive on my PC, and my calendar/contacts/email are on Google, so I didn't bother trying to install iCloud.
But I hadn't heard about install problems on 1809. Thanks for the heads-up.

My photos are still stored on iCloud & Apple Photos from my iPhone, but they then get uploaded to Google Photo, so I have access regardless. I have a 2013 iMac at home running as a server (iTunes/AppleTVs/Photos/TimeMachine), so they're all well protected.

I did get it installed and working on the Surface Pro thanks to the walkthrough I linked to and then got the Outlook error fixed with the help of what @SteveJUAE posted. All good. It only took a couple of minutes and a reboot or two

Going to stop by the Microsoft Store tonight. Have an appt. out near the mall. I won't be surprised if I bring a Surface Book 2 home hahaha. My wife is already encouraging to do it and once you get that approval...

 

[Queen6]

I did get it installed and working on the Surface Pro thanks to the walkthrough I linked to and then got the Outlook error fixed with the help of what @SteveJUAE posted. All good. It only took a couple of minutes and a reboot or two

Going to stop by the Microsoft Store tonight. Have an appt. out near the mall. I won't be surprised if I bring a Surface Book 2 home hahaha. My wife is already encouraging to do it and once you get that approval...

15", 16Gb, 1060 GTX you owe it to yourself I'd really like one (owned 1st Gen SB) solid industrial design, however I'm firmly addicted to the performance of this ROG. What took 30 minutes now takes less than 10 minutes, I recently showed a colleague and he was amazed at the difference in productivity versus his notebook, he is literally "hacking" away into the small hours, day on day

Told him, he's focusing too much on portability, rather than performance & productivity. Once we're in location the notebook will rarely move. Personally I'd rather deal with that extra 1 Kg and save 2-3 hours a day, and that's a lot of time over 30-40 days

Q-6

 

[SDColorado]

15", 16Gb, 1060 GTX you owe it to yourself I'd really like one (owned 1st Gen SB) solid industrial design, however I'm firmly addicted to the performance of this ROG. What took 30 minutes now takes less than 10 minutes, I recently showed a colleague and he was amazed at the difference in productivity versus his notebook, he is literally "hacking" away into the small hours, day on day

Told him, he's focusing too much on portability, rather than performance & productivity. Once we're in location the notebook will rarely move. Personally I'd rather deal with that extra 1 Kg and save 2-3 hours a day, and that's a lot of time over 30-40 days

Q-6

I really have pretty minimal mobile requirements other than a pen equipped PC for pen input and some signatures. I can pretty much get by with the dual-core Surface Pro, except I like a 15” for real estate and a little more oomph for some photo editing. Mostly a low requirement App and the office suite.

I have a desktop that I use at home for multi-monitor support. So I think the Surface Book 2 will suite me well in the ways that the Surface Pro did. My wife wants my Surface Pro, so that’s easy.

I did think briefly about trying to replace the iMac 5K with a high end laptop. But I think if I change that out for a Windows machine, I will build another desktop instead.

 

[Queen6]

Want cutting edge, it's here....

I'm all about mobile as my office continuously changes, equally usability and performance needs to make sense and more importantly be relevant. Dawn flight over the rain forests of Papua New Guinea absolutely priceless. At this point only one place can possibly surpass, Antarctica. Should the opportunity arise I'll be on the first flight...

Everything here is air lifted by helicopter, we are literally a thousand miles from nowhere. The respect and comradery is second to non as we absolutely rely on one another 100%. We are nothing without one another. Life is an adventure and should be lived to the full. I wouldn't have it any different, seriously so push the boundaries, never settle for less, live a life less ordinary

L&G brought to courtesy Bombay Sapphire's finest

Q-6

 

[xraydoc]

I did get it installed and working on the Surface Pro thanks to the walkthrough I linked to and then got the Outlook error fixed with the help of what @SteveJUAE posted. All good. It only took a couple of minutes and a reboot or two

Going to stop by the Microsoft Store tonight. Have an appt. out near the mall. I won't be surprised if I bring a Surface Book 2 home hahaha. My wife is already encouraging to do it and once you get that approval...

That approval is very dangerous, lol.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Going to stop by the Microsoft Store tonight. Have an appt. out near the mall. I won't be surprised if I bring a Surface Book 2 home hahaha. My wife is already encouraging to do it and once you get that approval...

Tonight I would be wooooooooooooooooooooooosh ………………………… once I get Mrs approval LOL

Not ready for big boys steps like Q6 so SB2 real-estate is fine for me and I do not want to cart a Imac or desktop around the world

Still looks like Apple would need to add mud sensors in addition to moisture for Q6 should he ever buy another one and whilst he's at the top of the hole I'm a bit nearer the finance/design end well from roof top helideck bar that is

 

[SDColorado]

From what I can gather from Apples moisture sensors, living down south can trigger them off just from the humidity. We don't have a humidity problem here. More of a high altitude, UV, things tend to dry and crack problem hahaha.

I went ahead and picked up a SB2 i7/16/1T model. Got about $300 off with military discount and then saved like $50 each on the 4-year warranty and the surface hub on a business bundle package.

I generally work from home and in and around the Denver area. Luckily Apple doesn't include altitude sensors

 

[Queen6]

From what I can gather from Apples moisture sensors, living down south can trigger them off just from the humidity. We don't have a humidity problem here. More of a high altitude, UV, things tend to dry and crack problem hahaha.

I went ahead and picked up a SB2 i7/16/1T model. Got about $300 off with military discount and then saved like $50 each on the 4-year warranty and the surface hub on a business bundle package.

I generally work from home and in and around the Denver area. Luckily Apple doesn't include altitude sensors

Don't worry Apple will fix that for 2019, Tim & Co don't want to miss a single opportunity to nickel & dime the customer...

Q-6