Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Surface Devices

Do you own a Surface device

  • Yes I own a Surface Pro or Surfacebook - it’s great

    Votes: 165 51.2%

  • Yes I own a Surface laptop - it’s great

    Votes: 36 11.2%

  • No - i’m not a fan

    Votes: 69 21.4%

  • Not anymore I had a bad experience

    Votes: 52 16.1%
  • Total voters
    322
The Windows 10 1809 update finally became available to me (SL2) this morning. Wow, what a dramatic improvement to the trackpad! Much more fluid and MBx-like. I don't recall it being mentioned in any of the articles I have read about the update, but the improvements to the trackpad scrolling are welcomed very much.

MS Edge displays the sites that I frequent much better as well. Not sure what changed, but it's definitely better.

The 'Your Phone' app is also welcomed. Pics and text messages are every bit as seamless as Apples ecosystem. Sweet! (not sure I'll keep the texts synced since frequent distractions drive me nuts, but I like having the ability to access them without reaching for the phone)
 
OdT22 said:
The Windows 10 1809 update finally became available to me (SL2) this morning. Wow, what a dramatic improvement to the trackpad! Much more fluid and MBx-like. I don't recall it being mentioned in any of the articles I have read about the update, but the improvements to the trackpad scrolling are welcomed very much.

MS Edge displays the sites that I frequent much better as well. Not sure what changed, but it's definitely better.

The 'Your Phone' app is also welcomed. Pics and text messages are every bit as seamless as Apples ecosystem. Sweet! (not sure I'll keep the texts synced since frequent distractions drive me nuts, but I like having the ability to access them without reaching for the phone)
Click to expand...

I opted for the MS Update Assistant Tool for my secondary notebook, primary was offered via Windows update zero issues. I like what Microsoft is doing; updating the OS step by step, building a better system with collaboration of the users. 1809 is now a solid update and brings a lot to the table.

Q-6
 
  • Like
Reactions: SDColorado, kazmac and OdT22
Queen6 said:
I very much like the GO, it's ideal for those seeking a smaller form factor with a full OS, when a mobile OS simply is unable to deliver. Switch 5 meets my needs a little better at the expense of display (brightness) & SSD performance, as it brings USB A & C (with charging) can be utilised as an external display to my primary notebook and the i3 7130U. The CPU is extremely well balanced for the Switch 5's chassis, offering full performance, zero throttling with just passive cooling, yet being only 8% behind in performance compared to the significantly more expensive i5 Switch.

SP6 is undeniably better hardware equally in all transparency I don't want to invest so heavily into what is effectively a tertiary device, additionally once my mobility needs change towards mid to end 2019 a high spec SP6/SP7 or SB2/SB3 will likely be the weapon of choice. The i3 Switch 5 at just $650 is a tremendous bargain for it's specification, as barring CPU & SSD capacity it shares identical hardware to it's more expensive siblings, and very far from the squeaky plastic builds of yesteryear that the likes of Acer once produced.

Q-6
Click to expand...
Yep it's all about options and variety and MS and others are dishing this out so you can have a more tailored match to suit your preferences and requirements unlike Apple split OS at premium prices
 
  • Like
Reactions: OdT22, Queen6 and SDColorado
SteveJUAE said:
Yep it's all about options and variety and MS and others are dishing this out so you can have a more tailored match to suit your preferences and requirements unlike Apple split OS at premium prices
Click to expand...

For me it 's the small things Microsoft is adding into the OS that help to boost productivity :)

Q-6
 
  • Like
Reactions: SteveJUAE, Roadstar, OdT22 and 1 other person
I have SL2 and Go. During even wake from sleep, while SL quickly reloads processes, the Go struggles for much much longer time before all the apps and processes quiet down.

Chrome stays at 2-3% while Edge is using very little. 500MB seems to be used by both though it spikes to 1GB. Photos is also using ~900MB.

So having 8GB and a better processor makes all the difference in SL.

What peeves me is how the pen triggers links and objects to open while merely hovering over an object. And I've disabled all ink type actions to limit accidentally touching. Yet many times I need to press and hold taskbar icon to cause popup list of actions to close or open. A simple tap won't do.

If Windows would improve the touch interface experience it would go a long way to improving it as a tablet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OdT22 and SDColorado
The Surface Book I'm typing this on is really growing on me. If only the display tilted a little further back when in laptop mode, this would be close to perfection. Also an LTE SIM and USB-C would be nice, but for the price I paid this is an awesome machine and I hope that the wishlist gets addressed in whatever (Surface) device follows this one :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: SDColorado
So in comparing the X1 with the Surface I think I overall prefer the Surface. Right out of the box I'm annoyed with it.

The HDR display is gorgeous in a vacuum but I have never, ever in my life seen such a reflective display. It's actually insane and I don't know how anybody let it through testing. I actually like glossy displays, even prefer them, but this is too much. I can very clearly see my surroundings at 75% brightness in this moderately lit living room... on a white web page. Yuck.

Otherwise, maybe the best display that isn't OLED. Looks great in the dark.

The palm rejection on the trackpad is horrific.

The speakers are a known quantity but I didn't think it'd bother me so much.

But this is a ThinkPad and know what is good? Performance and the keyboard.

As a package the Surface is a better product though.

Edit: Another thought - the 14" display is a good compromise between the smaller and larger 16:9 displays but really, 3:2 is where it's at. Additionally, after confirming my two only concerns for a dedicated GPU on board work surprisingly well on the 8th gen U series (CSGO and Rocket League) I put in an order for an XPS 13. I will say, I'm much more liable to write long forum posts on this X1. It's really fantastic.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: SDColorado
SteveJUAE said:
Yep and cross platform support :)

I would like to see MS go back to some phone format even if its only Andromeda.

I enjoyed my time with Windows CE even before Apple could spell iPhone :D
Click to expand...

I too would be interested in a Microsoft phone, as Android is spoilt by Google's intrusiveness & obsessive tracking, IOS devices useless for my purpose by design. Andromeda comes to market I'll certainly give it a very close look, not needing to deal with Apple & Google will be worth the entry price alone...

Q-6
 
  • Like
Reactions: OdT22, SDColorado and SteveJUAE
Queen6 said:
I too would be interested in a Microsoft phone, as Android is spoilt by Google's intrusiveness & obsessive tracking, IOS devices useless for my purpose by design. Andromeda comes to market I'll certainly give it a very close look, not needing to deal with Apple & Google will be worth the entry price alone...

Q-6
Click to expand...
A decent Microsoft phone would be nice indeed. I went through a few Lumias when the platform was still at least trying to live. I liked the user experience and camera, but sadly it was the poor app support that drove me back to iOS and Android.
 
Without some of the most popular apps right at the start of it's life, like whatsapp, viber, facebook, instagram, etc., that platform will die, just like previous one did. I really do hope that MS has learned their lesson, because iOS is too limiting and dumbed down, while I really hate google and their tracking, I have no choice but to use Android at the moment :(

But I would switch in a second for something, well, anything if I had a choice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SteveJUAE and Queen6
GoldfishRT said:
The HDR display is gorgeous in a vacuum but I have never, ever in my life seen such a reflective display.
Click to expand...

I am a little confused. Which are you saying has such a reflective display? The tends to be a bit more reflective due to the Gorilla Glass, but I have never found it to be an issue on my Surface Pro.
 
SDColorado said:
I am a little confused. Which are you saying has such a reflective display? The tends to be a bit more reflective due to the Gorilla Glass, but I have never found it to be an issue on my Surface Pro.
Click to expand...

X1 Carbon.

I had mentioned the Surface Book's reflectiveness before which, while more than normal is fine. the X1C HDR makes it look positively antiglare.
 
GoldfishRT said:
X1 Carbon.

I had mentioned the Surface Book's reflectiveness before which, while more than normal is fine. the X1C HDR makes it look positively antiglare.
Click to expand...

Are all X1 Carbon that glossy? Admittedly I have only looked at them in Costco, which isn't the brightest place to look at them. But I didn't notice them being unusually glossy.

The reason I ask is that I have seen some reports on the X1 Extreme, such as on Notebook Check, that talk about how glossy the screen is. However, I had one side by side with a 2018 MBP and it was the MBP that was more glossy than the X1 Extreme I had.

Which leads me to wonder if they source the displays from different manufacturers and some have a good anti-glare coating and some not.
 
SDColorado said:
Are all X1 Carbon that glossy?
Click to expand...

Does Costco carry the HDR model? The non-HDR versions are matte and visually very nice. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if they source from multiple manufacturers. Most complaints on the glossy display are with AU Optronics panels.

Anyways... yeah. This is at 75% brightness in a relatively dim living room. I get I've got some back lighting which makes it worse but even at my desk, without lighting behind me, I can see myself pretty well. It's a mirror (a very nice one at that). I'm hoping I can eventually get used to it as it's a very nice machine other than that. No QC issues or weird software things - very clean install of Windows. Only a single non-default app!

cqFsmq4.jpg
 
GoldfishRT said:
Does Costco carry the HDR model? The non-HDR versions are matte and visually very nice. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if they source from multiple manufacturers. Most complaints on the glossy display are with AU Optronics panels.

Anyways... yeah. This is at 75% brightness in a relatively dim living room. I get I've got some back lighting which makes it worse but even at my desk, without lighting behind me, I can see myself pretty well. It's a mirror (a very nice one at that). I'm hoping I can eventually get used to it as it's a very nice machine other than that. No QC issues or weird software things - very clean install of Windows. Only a single non-default app!

cqFsmq4.jpg
Click to expand...


Good question on the HDR model. I admittedly didn't spend a long time looking at the display. I was really more interested in overall build quality and the keyboard. It may not have been.

But I had heard similar complaints about the X1E being far too glossy, especially in front lit conditions, so photographed an X1E (left) and 2018 MBP (right) side by side and the Macbook Pro was literally almost like a mirror by comparison.

The X1E, by comparison, has a bit of a bluish tint that was more matte and a softer reflection, while the MBP had very little anti-reflective properties. Yet I kept reading reviews about the glossy X1E display.

So it made me wonder if Lenovo, as they do with many components, gets the panels from several sources.

IMG_0098-XL.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: SDColorado
SDColorado said:
The leather looks a little more classy than the vinyl wraps. I like it :)
Click to expand...

That leather is gorgeous.
Related to the GO. I saw an adventuresome person on Reddit built a hand-strap case for the GO that seems like it'd be fantastic for making it a digital note-taking/clipboard. I'd love one to become commercially available. Microsoft would be fools to not put something out in that nature.

Related, if you like leather I highly recommend you take a trip to your local BestBuy and check out the HP Folio notebook thing they have out. I'm thinking about buying one for my father for Christmas. Genuine leather clad laptop. It's definitely one of the more unique and high quality-feeling notebooks I've handled. It's not very powerful but it's an extremely nifty 2 in 1. The hinge design is kind of insane in a way that makes more sense to me as compared to a surface (considering I don't draw). But the leather is 100% genuine leather. The quality is awfully similar to the Dakota leather BMW uses. It's schweet.

Getting more used to the X1C - the more I like it. This thing is built supremely well.

Also as a Coloradan - I don't know if you've been going to that Park Meadows Microsoft Store but those folks are really awesome to deal with. Spent an hour and a half playing with stuff and they were extremely helpful along the way. Not many places that will let you just bum around on some laptops, play games, doodle, and just use their stuff. They have seats just for that purpose! Really impressed. I even got to try an augmented reality demo they had set up which was truly something special. Quite the drive for me, but well worth it. :)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: OdT22
GoldfishRT said:
Also as a Coloradan - I don't know if you've been going to that Park Meadows Microsoft Store but those folks are really awesome to deal with. Spent an hour and a half playing with stuff and they were extremely helpful along the way. Not many places that will let you just bum around on some laptops, play games, doodle, and just use their stuff. They have seats just for that purpose! Really impressed. I even got to try an augmented reality demo they had set up which was truly something special. Quite the drive for me, but well worth it. :)
Click to expand...

The Park Meadows Microsoft Store is definitely the one that I go to and they are awesome to deal with. They are really helpful and have always gone above and beyond in helping me with any questions or issues I might have. Even researching questions and emailing me later. I like how they have multiple brands to compare and are more than happy to answer questions about the other brands and don't hesitate to recommend them over their own if they think it might better suit your needs. Easy drive for me, it is only about 20 minutes away :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: kazmac and GoldfishRT
I worked with a lovely MS store rep today while looking at the Surface Studio 2 at the store. They have them in drafting table mode which was why I did not see it when walking by the MS store last week.

I love the design of it. The display is quite nice and thicker than the iMacs, and the floating hinge is awesome. I liked the ergonomic keyboard and could probably get used to the mouse.

But the Pen...:(:( So much lag in the pen. The pen feels like a marker in so many ways; especially the nib and brush tools that many of these art apps have (I do not like markers). Beyond the very noticeable lag, that marker feel is a huge turn off to me.

I am sure a little bit of that lag are the apps -and quite possibly- the pen itself.

Sketchable and Graphiter were okay. Neither one feel as easy to use, robust and complete as Procreate.

Word (not the demo) took almost as long as my spinner iMac to open. That saddened me as Word springs to life on my Acer almost immediately after clicking the icon. This was the low end SS2.

I appreciate what Microsoft is trying to do with the Surface line. I think it’s pretty neat, but still not for me.:oops:

I am glad so many people here enjoy them and other PCs.

I’ll keep lurking in the forum and will continue to watch this thread.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: IowaLynn, SDColorado and OdT22
kazmac said:
I worked with a lovely MS store rep today while looking at the Surface Studio 2 at the store. They have them in drafting table mode which was why I did not see it when walking by the MS store last week.

I love the design of it. The display is quite nice and thicker than the iMacs, and the floating hinge is awesome. I liked the ergonomic keyboard and could probably get used to the mouse.

But the Pen...:(:( So much lag in the pen. The pen feels like a marker in so many ways; especially the nib and brush tools that many of these art apps have (I do not like markers). Beyond the very noticeable lag, that marker feel is a huge turn off to me.

I am sure a little bit of that lag are the apps -and quite possibly- the pen itself.

Sketchable and Graphiter were okay. Neither one feel as easy to use, robust and complete as Procreate.

Word (not the demo) took almost as long as my spinner iMac to open. That saddened me as Word springs to life on my Acer almost immediately after clicking the icon. This was the low end SS2.

I appreciate what Microsoft is trying to do with the Surface line. I think it’s pretty neat, but still not for me.:oops:

I am glad so many people here enjoy them and other PCs.

I’ll keep lurking in the forum and will continue to watch this thread.
Click to expand...

Did you restart the computer? These display models get a lot of abuse, nor do they always run a standard build of the OS as staff will generally reimage the computers fairly frequently.

Q-6
 
  • Like
Reactions: kazmac
Queen6 said:
Did you restart the computer? These display models get a lot of abuse, nor do they always run a standard build of the OS as staff will generally reimage the computers fairly frequently.

Q-6
Click to expand...
Nope. :oops: I will definitely ask next time I test, I know they run a demo version of some of the OS, but I feel like a Windows 10 noob on those devices too. So restarting the SS2 is something that did not occur to me.:confused:

I’ll keep testing these as new products come out. Maybe Procreate will eventually make a w10 app. Right now though, sticking with Macs. :rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back