Surface Devices

[SDColorado]

Yeah, they said no issues because I couldn’t replicate the non touch problems on the spot.

Is there a way to get a video of it when it is acting up? I won a battle with a car dealership over a sticky gas gauge that would not always go down from full as you drove. The dealership kept saying they could not reproduce it. So I rigged a go pro camera and one time while it was doing it I recorded a video that captured the fuel gauge and odometer and put like almost 300 miles on the tank without the gas gauge ever moving. I sent it to the manufacturer who contacted the dealer and them to replace the sending unit.

 

[kazmac]

Is there a way to get a video of it when it is acting up? I won a battle with a car dealership over a sticky gas gauge that would not always go down from full as you drove. The dealership kept saying they could not reproduce it. So I rigged a go pro camera and one time while it was doing it I recorded a video that captured the fuel gauge and odometer and put like almost 300 miles on the tank without the gas gauge ever moving. I sent it to the manufacturer who contacted the dealer and them to replace the sending unit.

Unfortunately no, as I sold it to Gazelle five months ago. There is a thread here about several folks who swapped out multiple 2017 12.9 iPPs with video footage, and even the refurbs developed this issue. It is like the bright spot issue on the 2017 10.5s, which I am not even thinking about.

Thanks as always. I’ve done stuff like that, but with the real life stuff going on I couldn’t record this time around. Ultimately though, this is a good thing as that incident is finally pushing me away from Apple. Their hubris and higher price points makes it much easier to begin that detachment.

 

[SDColorado]

Unfortunately no, as I sold it to Gazelle five months ago. There is a thread here about several folks who swapped out multiple 2017 12.9 iPPs with video footage, and even the refurbs developed this issue. It is like the bright spot issue on the 2017 10.5s, which I am not even thinking about.

Thanks as always. I’ve done stuff like that, but with the real life stuff going on I couldn’t record this time around. Ultimately though, this is a good thing as that incident is finally pushing me away from Apple. Their hubris and higher price points makes it much easier to begin that detachment.

Gotcha. For some reason, I thought you had the unit still in your possession and it was still acting up.

My iPP occasionally and very randomly reboots itself when I am using it. Luckily it is mostly just little more than an annoyance, especially as little as I use it. Similarly, it can't be repeated on demand and I would have to record every session of use from begging to end to get it to reboot. It could take days, it could take weeks. But I will just be reading email, browsing the web, coloring, maybe downloading an app update and boom, it goes black and reboots. Memory issue would be my guess.

Edit: My iPhone X is also acting up and similarly random. With the phone it is a bluetooth issue. Headphones is where it is most apparent, but it may be bluetooth in genral. Sometimes when listening to music it will begin to crack and/or drop out. It seems to mostly due it when the phone is moved, either in my hand off a table, in my pocket. it does it regardless of whether the display is on or off and regardless of what speakers or headphones are connected. I almost get the feeling that it is somehow related to the phones. I have had it in 3 times and they just keep telling me to reset/restore/repeat. I think it might be somehow related to the phones accelerometer/gyrometer, but I am not sure how or why.

 

[GoldfishRT]

Really impressed with this machine now that I've had it a few days. I truly have almost no real complaints, except one big one. The cost. This was an expensive machine - even as somebody who has historically bought MacBook Pros - it's starting to sink in. I don't know that I could recommend it to anybody but those who really want THIS specifically. I wish I could have specd it with 256GB of storage and 16GB of ram for under $2000 but they don't give you the granular spec options of other manufactures.

I know I get a 1050 and more versatility but for comparison this spec 13" was $200 more than the comparable MacBook Pro.

I'm debating springing for an X1 Carbon (for like $800 less) instead but... this is just so nice.

 

[KarmaRocket]

Really impressed with this machine now that I've had it a few days. I truly have almost no real complaints, except one big one. The cost. This was an expensive machine - even as somebody who has historically bought MacBook Pros - it's starting to sink in. I don't know that I could recommend it to anybody but those who really want THIS specifically. I wish I could have specd it with 256GB of storage and 16GB of ram for under $2000 but they don't give you the granular spec options of other manufactures.

I know I get a 1050 and more versatility but for comparison this spec 13" was $200 more than the comparable MacBook Pro.

I'm debating springing for an X1 Carbon (for like $800 less) instead but... this is just so nice.

I hear you about the price. One thing that held me off from purchasing one. I wish Microsoft would stop trying to be like Apple especially on prices for RAM, storage etc. I guess that's something most manufacturers do to some degree.

I do think they can charge somewhat of a premium since they have shown they are trying to innovate and they have created a device that can be very useful for creatives, students and office professionals. Without sacrificing too much performance.

I'm waiting to see what they do with Surface Book 3 and hoping they keep improving Windows 10 like they have been the last couple of years.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Thank you both with Black Friday coming up soon, Microsoft have dropped the price of the Surface Pro by £200, however the best deal seems to be on Amazon, as this article says the core i5, with 256GB storage can be brought for £899 rather than the full price of £1,299.99 which means it's £400 off. I have to admit that is a very tempting offer. The only problem is it's the silver version and comes with the silver type cover, you can't select the one you wan't. Still that seems like a great deal.

See if John Lewis will price match as you may also get a 2 year warranty with them and one of the best customer support

 

[Dave245]

See if John Lewis will price match as you may also get a 2 year warranty with them and one of the best customer support

Thank you, I’ve just checked and yes they have price matched with 2 years warranty! That’s good considering Microsoft’s is 1 year.

£899.95 for the core i5, 8GB Ram and 256GB SSD storage.

 

[SDColorado]

Really impressed with this machine now that I've had it a few days. I truly have almost no real complaints, except one big one. The cost. This was an expensive machine - even as somebody who has historically bought MacBook Pros - it's starting to sink in. I don't know that I could recommend it to anybody but those who really want THIS specifically. I wish I could have specd it with 256GB of storage and 16GB of ram for under $2000 but they don't give you the granular spec options of other manufactures.

I know I get a 1050 and more versatility but for comparison this spec 13" was $200 more than the comparable MacBook Pro.

I'm debating springing for an X1 Carbon (for like $800 less) instead but... this is just so nice.

It helps that I get a 10% military discount, which makes the 15" SB2 slightly cheaper than the MBP.

If I spec out a 2.2 i7 MBP with 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD and Radeon 560X it comes to $3,099.

Surface Book 2 15" with i7/16GB RAM, 1TB SSD and 1060GTX comes to $2,969.10 with the discount.

However, if I tear the display off the MBP and try to use it as a tablet, it will probably cost about $800 to replace it. So that definitely makes the SB2 cheaper even without the discount

Thank you, I’ve just checked and yes they have price matched with 2 years warranty! That’s good considering Microsoft’s is 1 year.

£899.95 for the core i5, 8GB Ram and 256GB SSD storage.

If you have a business or if the business you work for is willing to be set up through Microsoft as a business (yes self employed works) you can also purchase the Complete for Business version of the warranty that covers 3 or 4 years.​

 

[SteveJUAE]

Can you not do the same with the Surface Pro? I believe there is a Netflix App, not sure about a YouTube app tho.

Anyone know of the Surface Pro can do the same picture in picture as the iPad Pro? I often like to websurf while having a video playing on the side.

If you are just refering to multiple windows, then yes and no reason to just think about apps you can just use browser if you prefer and unlike IPP you can have the same app opened multiple times

Your whole screen can be mirrored to any smart TV no adapters required

This is on my little Surface Go so SP6 would be far better



[doublepost=1542829042][/doublepost]

Thank you, I’ve just checked and yes they have price matched with 2 years warranty! That’s good considering Microsoft’s is 1 year.

£899.95 for the core i5, 8GB Ram and 256GB SSD storage.

Bite their arm off

 

[Dave245]

If you are just refering to multiple windows, then yes and no reason to just think about apps you can just use browser if you prefer and unlike IPP you can have the same app opened multiple times

Your whole screen can be mirrored to any smart TV no adapters required

This is on my little Surface Go so SP6 would be far better


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[doublepost=1542829042][/doublepost]
Bite their arm off

Yea I meant being able to open side by side, the iPad Pro can only open two apps tho side by side, it can have picture in picture floating about tho in the little box. I’m assuming Windows has probably been able to do it for a while, the iPad Pro only adopted it in iOS 11.

I was thinking it’s a great deal, it even comes with the Alcantara keyboard, the silver one. The one I can buy separate and all for around £1000 which is less than a new iPad Pro 12.9” 2018 would cost!

 

[SteveJUAE]

Yea I meant being able to open side by side, the iPad Pro can only open two apps tho side by side, it can have picture in picture floating about tho in the little box. I’m assuming Windows has probably been able to do it for a while, the iPad Pro only adopted it in iOS 11.

I was thinking it’s a great deal, it even comes with the Alcantara keyboard, the silver one. The one I can buy separate and all for around £1000 which is less than a new iPad Pro 12.9” 2018 would cost!

You can resize and position and have as many windows as the SP6 is capable of I just popped those 4 up as quick example

No brainer especially with John Lewis 2 year warranty etc and they can deliver next day more often than not

 

[SDColorado]

I was guessing he meant the PiP mode where you get a little mini-player that stays on top of whatever else you are working on. But maybe I misunderstood?

 

[Dave245]

You can resize and position and have as many windows as the SP6 is capable of I just popped those 4 up as quick example

No brainer especially with John Lewis 2 year warranty etc and they can deliver next day more often than not

That’s cool, I will probably be placing an order very soon to take advantage of the Black Friday offer, for £998.95 I can’t complain, especially considering that includes the pen I added to the basket

I was going to wait until next years Surface redesign, but this price seems too good to miss. With my iPad Pro restarting itself this may very well replace not only that but also my need to buy a new laptop

 

[AndyMacAndMic]

I was guessing he meant the PiP mode where you get a little mini-player that stays on top of whatever else you are working on. But maybe I misunderstood?

In Windows you can do PiP too, sort of... Just get a media player which has an option 'always on top'. I believe most of the well known players have that option. Than you can place and resize the player window as you want and it will always be visible.

 

[SteveJUAE]

I was guessing he meant the PiP mode where you get a little mini-player that stays on top of whatever else you are working on. But maybe I misunderstood?

Maybe ie always on top

I just assumed side by side or multiple windows sized as required or even multiple desktops if you prefer

 

[SDColorado]

Yeah, this is what iPad calls PiP since IOS 11, so I just assumed that was what he meant

 

[SDColorado]

In Windows you can do PiP too, sort of... Just get a media player which has an option 'always on top'. I believe most of the well known players have that option. Than you can place and resize the player window as you want and it will always be visible.

Yeah, that’s what I thought he was talking about when I mentioned the Microsoft TV&Video app, Netflix, iTunes mini-player if you use the “keep on top” option.

Otherwise we SteveJUAE mentions, there is no limit other than resources as to how many concurrent Windows you can have open and in most cases more than one instance. Though I have come across a couple that will tell you they are already running

 

[OdT22]

Back on the 9th, I posted here about considering something a little bit more substantial (sturdy) than the SP5 I purchased a few months ago. Oddly enough, later that day my oldest son stopped by and mentioned he will need a Windows computer for his college classes due to some of the software they run, (forestry degree). About 16 months ago, I had given him my early 2015 MBP for college. Kinda surprised me that he needed Windows, since I had always heard students preferred Macs. Anyhow, so we traded and I jumped back in to the apple ecosystem for the time being.

I hadn't realized the Windows Hello had spoiled me, but retyping my password 16,234 times (give or take), made it pretty evident that it had.

The MBP was just as heavy as I remembered it, with lots of sharp edges. Which got me to studying the new MBAs and their competition. No small task, for me anyhow. I think I've overdosed on reading reviews.

Anyhow, after so much help from you all, I figured I ought to mention my appreciation and my conclusion. I read many of these threads 2-3 times, and it was a huge help! Thank you guys for putting your thoughts down for the rest of us.

The SP5 was slick, and in some cases ideal. But the kickstand slowed me down at times, and ...maybe I'm just too old for learning new tricks? I wished the keyboard didn't bounce so much when typing at a desk, and a little larger screen was desired at times.

The rest of my needs are pretty basic when it comes to this laptop for home and travel. MS Office, email, web browser, mark up screen shots. Not much else. USB 3 is sufficient, and I won't have to own any dongles (except for my iPhone sd card reader)

Today was the last day of the sale on the Surface Laptop 2, so I drove up to the big city and finalized the decision. Had to go with black after so many here applauding the color. Agreed! The basic version came with a larger 256gb ssd that I'll never need, but that's ok. For a grand and tax, I feel better positioned than I would have felt with the Air. Time will tell.

This post is the first trial run on the keyboard after doing only the updates. Much better than the SP5 in that regard, IMHO.

Thanks again all . I'm digging the upgrade. Soooo much more comfortable to use than both the SP5 and the MBP.

 

[SDColorado]

Thanks again all . I'm digging the upgrade. Soooo much more comfortable to use than both the SP5 and the MBP.

Surface Pro 5 is a nice keyboard for what it is, which is a typecover. Much nicer than the iPad Pro "ASK" keyboard, but it is definitely not in the same class as the keyboards on the Surface Book 2 or Surface Laptop. Those are much more solid and have much better key travel.

Enjoy your new Surface Laptop. How does it look in Black?

 

[OdT22]

Surface Pro 5 is a nice keyboard for what it is, which is a typecover. Much nicer than the iPad Pro "ASK" keyboard, but it is definitely not in the same class as the keyboards on the Surface Book 2 or Surface Laptop. Those are much more solid and have much better key travel.

Enjoy your new Surface Laptop. How does it look in Black?

Absolutely. The SP5 typecover is definitely the best I have used when compared to the many iPad keyboard solutions I wanted to make work. Turns out, the iPad itself was the weakest link in my own attempts to keep up with the 'new stuff'. Though others seem to get along fine with them, ..so maybe I'm the real weak link?

The silver ones looked dated as hell, but, I'm not much of a color guy when it comes to the tools I use. So I chose the blue one, and when the sales guy came over to help, I asked if the black ones were still in stock. lol. It looks great!

 

[SDColorado]

Absolutely. The SP5 typecover is definitely the best I have used when compared to the many iPad keyboard solutions I wanted to make work. Turns out, the iPad itself was the weakest link in my own attempts to keep up with the 'new stuff'. Though others seem to get along fine with them, ..so maybe I'm the real weak link?

The silver ones looked dated as hell, but, I'm not much of a color guy when it comes to the tools I use. So I chose the blue one, and when the sales guy came over to help, I asked if the black ones were still in stock. lol. It looks great!

I ended up having to run to the mall today so I popped in and had a look at all the colors. Yeah the silver does look a bit dated these days, sort of like the silver MacBook Pro. But man, Black, Blue, Maroon all look words better than the Apple Space Gray or that awful gold color Apple uses. The Surface Laptops all look great.

BTW I must be a weak link as well. My iPP is a nightstand device. I don’t find it all that great for productivity. To many steps to do anything useful. Excellent hardware hampered by a mobile OS.

 

[OdT22]

I ended up having to run to the mall today so I popped in and had a look at all the colors. Yeah the silver does look a bit dated these days, sort of like the silver MacBook Pro. But man, Black, Blue, Maroon all look words better than the Apple Space Gray or that awful gold color Apple uses. The Surface Laptops all look great.

BTW I must be a weak link as well. My iPP is a nightstand device. I don’t find it all that great for productivity. To many steps to do anything useful. Excellent hardware hampered by a mobile OS.

Much agreed on all!

The three alternative surface colors all looked pretty sharp really. Seriously, I went in to the store thinking 'gray or whatever'. But I liked the color options far more than expected. They all seemed like an improvement over the old recycled metal color options from Apple and yesteryears everything else.

I'll likely own another tablet someday, and it'll probably be an iPad knowing what we all know today. A nightstand device somewhat larger than my phone would be alright at the right price, but they are so close to making it into so much more!

 

[SDColorado]

Much agreed on all!

The three alternative surface colors all looked pretty sharp really. Seriously, I went in to the store thinking 'gray or whatever'. But I liked the color options far more than expected. They all seemed like an improvement over the old recycled metal color options from Apple and yesteryears everything else.

I'll likely own another tablet someday, and it'll probably be an iPad knowing what we all know today. A nightstand device somewhat larger than my phone would be alright at the right price, but they are so close to making it into so much more!

I would still like to see an iPad Pro Mini, just because I like the mini size for note-taking and it would work for me as a companion device. But it seems clear that will never happen.

I also hope that maybe by IOS 13 or 14 that Apple will break free from some of the current constraints that bind its great hardware, but that is also likely to not happen.

I will also be interested to see what Microsoft does with the Andromeda device, *if* it ever comes to being.

The Apple colors are kind of old. Silver has been a staple, but it is time to refresh. Space Gray has had so many variations, nobody knows what color it is. The last time I was at the Apple store to look at the new watches, I overheard people talking to the sales folks at the MB table next to me and it was called gray, brown and blue by different customers.

I am not sure who that Rose Gold appeals too. I have only seen a couple instances of anyone have it and it has been mostly teenage girls. I am sure those are the only buyers of it, but come on Apple. Time to add a black or deep blue or something fresh into the lineup. Razer and others all look better imho.

 

[OdT22]

I would still like to see an iPad Pro Mini, just because I like the mini size for note-taking and it would work for me as a companion device. But it seems clear that will never happen.

I also hope that maybe by IOS 13 or 14 that Apple will break free from some of the current constraints that bind its great hardware, but that is also likely to not happen.

I will also be interested to see what Microsoft does with the Andromeda device, *if* it ever comes to being.

The Apple colors are kind of old. Silver has been a staple, but it is time to refresh. Space Gray has had so many variations, nobody knows what color it is. The last time I was at the Apple store to look at the new watches, I overheard people talking to the sales folks at the MB table next to me and it was called gray, brown and blue by different customers.

I am not sure who that Rose Gold appeals too. I have only seen a couple instances of anyone have it and it has been mostly teenage girls. I am sure those are the only buyers of it, but come on Apple. Time to add a black or deep blue or something fresh into the lineup. Razer and others all look better imho.

So much agreed on the potential mini pro with the handcuffs off. I'd buy one in an instant if it did more. That's a device that would sell and dominate the tablet market IMO. I've even contemplated purchasing the 4 (BF sales are marked down to $249 in recent advertisements) just to use it as you are using yours.

Andromeda seems so far off.. Just like iOSxxx? is. Some of these form factors are ideal, but still only in theory. Got to live in today. Hell, today I bought a laptop that isn't so much different that my first laptop 20 years ago that was $1300. Yep, same ol' cheapskate, hahaha. Not sure if the price increases are really as bad as people think when it comes to tech.

Agreed on the gold/pink colors. Luckily my wife is clinging to her SP5. I was afraid that new gold air would steal her away from our camp! Wish me luck! ;-)

 

[SDColorado]

So much agreed on the potential mini pro with the handcuffs off. I'd buy one in an instant if it did more. That's a device that would sell and dominate the tablet market IMO. I've even contemplated purchasing the 4 (BF sales are marked down to $249 in recent advertisements) just to use it as you are using yours.

Andromeda seems so far off.. Just like iOSxxx? is. Some of these form factors are ideal, but still only in theory. Got to live in today. Hell, today I bought a laptop that isn't so much different that my first laptop 20 years ago that was $1300. Yep, same ol' cheapskate, hahaha. Not sure if the price increases are really as bad as people think when it comes to tech.

Agreed on the gold/pink colors. Luckily my wife is clinging to her SP5. I was afraid that new gold air would steal her away from our camp! Wish me luck! ;-)

My wife still clings to her Mini 4. She has absolutely no interest in the larger iPP sizes. Though she would trade it in a heartbeat for a Mini-iPP. The also has been really eyeballing the Surface Go as a possible replacement for the ability to take notes on it.

Luckily I don't have to worry about my wife being swayed by the Gold Air. If anything she likes the Surface colors better. She is reluctant to let MacOS go, but I think much like me, once she starts using a Surface Go, she is going to want a Surface Laptop or SB3 down the road.

Not too sure about the price increases not being so bad. Many of the higher specced laptops, both PC and Mac are in the $3000-4000 range, though there are still some values to be found. Hopefully the success of companies like Hauwei will continue to keep manufacturers honest