Surface Devices

[IowaLynn]

There were likely 2-3 major updates followed by this month's large patch Tuesday and a couple updates to Windows Defender plus definition update while the system is moving the Windows.old around. And indexing, and Defender doing initial scan. Busy bee. Keep it. Keep it plugged in.

Even Android phones for first 3-4 days run warm and over active.

Windows.old on mine held 22GB which I had removed a week later to free up space, not needed.

Yes it is frustrating as s*** sometimes Getting to know new world. I still find new stuff and played around with Vista 2006 followed by 7, 8, 8.1 and 10. Started on my Mac Pro native booting Windows, then tried my hand at DIY building PCs. I'd say hang in, were here, don't jump ship just yet.

 

[xraydoc]

The problem with the Arc-mouse can be a problem with the Arc-mouse and not with the SB2.
Also the battery drain most likely goes away after everything is settled in.
It doesn't sound like the SB2 has a hardware problem to me, but like there are still some services and programs running in the background. Try to do like @SDColorado says before making your final decision. Normally the battery life for the SB2 is around 10-12 hours (average use) per cycle which is very good for a laptop.

I am not in your position of course, but if I where you I'd give it a couple of more days before returning it.

Maybe the Arc-mouse is a lemon

Yeah, I wouldn't return a laptop right away based on an inexpensive mouse.

Let the machine do all it's updates... 24-48 hrs at least as Windows will take its own sweet time doing the updates.

My Surface Precision mouse solidly keeps its bluetooth connection (though for $100 it damn well better) to my SB2.

The Surface Book 2 is an awesome machine. My 13.5" SB2 benchmarks virtually identical to the 15" MBP it replaced, and is far more versatile.

 

[Silvestru Hosszu]

Hi,
I have now the maxed out sb2 13, but thinking about upgrading it to 15. Any thoughts about real life differences?

 

[xraydoc]

Hi,
I have now the maxed out sb2 13, but thinking about upgrade it to 15. Any thoughts about real life differences?

I haven't spent much time with the 15" other than seeing it in the stores. Personally I didn't want a laptop that heavy, and I have a 27" 4K monitor at home for when I need big screen work. I also use the tablet portion by itself a fair amount, and a 15" tablet is kind of unwieldy, in my opinion. The tablet portion of the 13.5" model is pretty much the size of my 12.9" iPad Pro which it replaced, so it was very easy to get used to.

The 13.5" SB2 weighs about what my 15" MBP did. The 15" SB2 is heavier.

But, the 15" performance is a beast. The tablet portion has as a small fan, unlike the 13.5", so the processor will run a bit faster under full load, and of course the GPU in the base is faster as well. Do note there are reports of battery drain on the 15" when the CPU and GPU are under full load (like when running a game) even when plugged in to AC. Apparently it will draw more power than the 100w AC adapter can provide, so the battery will slowly drain. Wouldn't effect me personally either way, and doesn't seem to occur with the 13.5" model's lower power requirements.

If you need the power, or need a 15" screen, then it's hard to go wrong with the big SB2. For me, I'm more than satisfied with my 13.5" model. I have the i7 with the NVidia 1050 2GB GPU, 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD.

 

[Silvestru Hosszu]

To be very honest it is hard for me to rationalize the upgrade. The only point is that it replaced my late 15'' MBP, so I lost some screen real estate.
On the other hand I have the maxed out version (1tb ssd) which is plenty for a mobile device. If I really need some muscle I have a desktop computer based on intel 8700k, 32gb ram, Quadro p4000 and 32'' 10 bit monitor, a system which is in itself a gross overkill for my needs ...

 

[SteveJUAE]

Well I feel like we have all failed if Kazmac gives up after 43 pages of posts and has had 2 Surface devices less than 24 hours each all for the sake of a mouse

I 'am very disappointed for her if it was not the fact it would cost me $100 in postage she can have my arc mouse if that's all it takes

Or maybe I'm just sad for myself as I'm sure there are no E toys under the tree this year LOL and Santa wont come at all if I don't go to bed shortly

 

[SDColorado]

Well I feel like we have all failed if Kazmac gives up after 43 pages of posts and has had 2 Surface devices less than 24 hours each all for the sake of a mouse

I 'am very disappointed for her if it was not the fact it would cost me $100 in postage she can have my arc mouse if that's all it takes

Or maybe I'm just sad for myself as I'm sure there are no E toys under the tree this year LOL and Santa wont come at all if I don't go to bed shortly

You know it’s the latter. We all love our E toys under the tree

But yeah, no such thing as a machine of any kind that works 100% right, 100% of the time. Just had to replace my water heater and furnace and my darned chain saw blade wouldn’t spin without some disassembly and reassembly. A little time and patience though and the tree was in the house and ready to decorate

 

[kazmac]

Hi everyone,

I returned the SB2 this morning. I spent Saturday, most of yesterday and some time overnight trying everything suggested here and on Official MS support forums multiple times. I also reset the machine. Since I have a cheapie bluetooth cross platform mouse here, I tested that too. That was not being picked up by the bluetooth on the Surface.

I've come across issues about the Arc Mouse and bluetooth going back to 2016. I tried the pairing tip too.

Background apps were also disabled. I understand the battery drain may have been the machine might be indexing, as this common for new computers.

You know how much I appreciate everything you've posted here: that you've constantly taken time from your schedules to assist me and other folks. I hope I can help all of you at some point in the same manner.

From this, there's good news:

This experience made me excited about Microsoft's hardware. I've determined as nice as the Surface Pro is, it's better for me to have a more traditional machine (lap or desktop). I won't give up on Windows and definitely not Surface machines: I just realize this was the wrong time for me to switch. I clearly do not know which end is up with Windows. It was a mistake for me to jump in now, a week before a new semester at school.

I am also nervous that I might bonk the SB2 with university projects, as one course riddled my iMac with a virus last year when my lazy professor didn't update his syllabi (same links used for six years). I suspect I was unable to fully remove everything that virus dumped into this Mac (as it crawls as if the HDD is 4/5s full and not 1/4th full). I can sacrifice a stock model 4 year old machine, a brand new one? No way.

I am going to ride this iMac into the ground, and perhaps at that point there will be a new Surface for me (and -please goodness- more art apps). I am very, very impressed with Microsoft's hardware, but I know I have to research and probably pick up a "Windows 10 the missing manual" or something before I try again. Will also make sure I can make time for a tech support or training appointment the day I think I am going to buy a new machine.

Thank you all so very much.

I'll be around and look forward to the next wave of Surface Books and the Studio.

Happy Holidays.

P.S. None of you have failed me. You've inspired me not to replace my iMac when it dies. If you can all switch, I will eventually be among you.

 

[IowaLynn]

Malwarebytes I assume you tried? With data backed up it is possible to wipe a Mac and start clean. SSD and HDD do go bonkers too and can be accessed and replaced.

One reason I choose Surface Laptop 2 was... its a laptop. With touch screen but not a tablet. And fresh off assembly line. Surface Studio (2?) is nice but for me, overkill and not sure what finances could change now in 2019, so slight risk. I'm also a tech junky (retired) as was my grandfather (but not my dad). Always something going wrong, and learn / relearn.

Use to know someone at IBM, sort of level 9, would call leading edge the "bleeding edge" and he was right.

I'd have left all the background as is, you can tweak Windows but. It is an open OS with access to _everything_!

PS: I bought the Surface Go just to play and get to know it better. Very low end, $349 (kb and pencil extra). It is... challenging! My PCs were desktop boxes and I thought it'd be easy(-er). 10.5" too.

90% of the time, Google "knows" and others have had same questions. Amazing. Indexing the web. How did we get along back pre-WWW or old search engines (10s of thousands of 'hits' that had to be sifted and narrowed down).

Sorry it was a "road block" and didn't have option to keep it or exchange and only play with it and Windows on the odd weekend.

 

[kazmac]

Malwarebytes I assume you tried? With data backed up it is possible to wipe a Mac and start clean. SSD and HDD do go bonkers too and can be accessed and replaced.

One reason I choose Surface Laptop 2 was... its a laptop. With touch screen but not a tablet. And fresh off assembly line. Surface Studio (2?) is nice but for me, overkill and not sure what finances could change now in 2019, so slight risk. I'm also a tech junky (retired) as was my grandfather (but not my dad). Always something going wrong, and learn / relearn.

Use to know someone at IBM, sort of level 9, would call leading edge the "bleeding edge" and he was right.

I'd have left all the background as is, you can tweak Windows but. It is an open OS with access to _everything_!

PS: I bought the Surface Go just to play and get to know it better. Very low end, $349 (kb and pencil extra). It is... challenging! My PCs were desktop boxes and I thought it'd be easy(-er). 10.5" too.

90% of the time, Google "knows" and others have had same questions. Amazing. Indexing the web. How did we get along back pre-WWW or old search engines (10s of thousands of 'hits' that had to be sifted and narrowed down).

Sorry it was a "road block" and didn't have option to keep it or exchange and only play with it and Windows on the odd weekend.

Yes. I've tried Malwarebytes (and a few others too). Thank you. Wiped this machine so many times, I do not think it remembers what it is.

So my iOS turn off background app refresh was not a good idea in Windows? Makes complete sense.

I will definitely give a Surface Book another go at some point when I know i can devote the time, patience and curiosity rather than return because of a few minor bugs. I normally do not give up, but my timing just stunk.

I'll definitely be better prepared for take 2. And who knows? I'll keep my eyes open for sales.

 

[SteveJUAE]

You know it’s the latter. We all love our E toys under the tree

But yeah, no such thing as a machine of any kind that works 100% right, 100% of the time. Just had to replace my water heater and furnace and my darned chain saw blade wouldn’t spin without some disassembly and reassembly. A little time and patience though and the tree was in the house and ready to decorate

Well no miracle on 25th floor here in KL, the fat guy did not show again

I always forget you guys in US have access to elf grotto's like bass pro shop, full of stuff we can only dream of elsewhere but we do have a mini Ace Hardware here, but a poor 2nd IMO

Best seasonal wishes to you all, even Kazmac that sent her toys back after a touch of the Grinch infected them

 

[SDColorado]

Yeah, Bass Pro and Cabela's which are now one and the same. REI, Eastern Mountain Sports, Wilderness Exchange, etc.

But I had to remove and free up the clutch and sprocket on the chainsaw to get the blade turning. Worked a charm once that was done.

Best seasonal wishes to all of you too, including @kazmac, even though she sent her Surface Devices off to the Island of Misfit Computers ( ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡°)

 

[SteveJUAE]

Yeah, Bass Pro and Cabela's which are now one and the same. REI, Eastern Mountain Sports, Wilderness Exchange, etc.

But I had to remove and free up the clutch and sprocket on the chainsaw to get the blade turning. Worked a charm once that was done.

Best seasonal wishes to all of you too, including @kazmac, even though she sent her Surface Devices off to the Island of Misfit Computers ( ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡°)

Ok don't rub it in even my wife could not fail to get me something in those shops to replace the standard happy new xmas socks

Mind you I do understand to a degree, wrapping up a crossbow is a bit tricky LOL

 

[kazmac]

Oh this is nothing compared to the Macs and iDevices I've returned. Seriously.

Someone will get a lovely new SP6 with the magically disappearing on screen keyboard, a naughty arc mouse, and a bluetooth confused SB2 cheaper and know how to fix them!

 

[SDColorado]

Ok don't rub it in even my wife could not fail to get me something in those shops to replace the standard happy new xmas socks

Mind you I do understand to a degree, wrapping up a crossbow is a bit tricky LOL

Especially if you want to wrap it to where it isn't blatantly obvious as to what it is hahaha. Of course half the time we give motorcycle gear to each other as well and it is pretty hard to disguise some of that as well

 

[kazmac]

Especially if you want to wrap it to where it isn't blatantly obvious as to what it is hahaha. Of course half the time we give motorcycle gear to each other as well and it is pretty hard to disguise some of that as well

That's not a salad bowl!

Merry, merry everyone.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Especially if you want to wrap it to where it isn't blatantly obvious as to what it is hahaha. Of course half the time we give motorcycle gear to each other as well and it is pretty hard to disguise some of that as well

Yep can do some serious Wonga on toys in the US, even though I have never ridden a bike I was tempted to get a his and her's Harley.

Wish I had now as it came with a free riding course that would of been useful for the little 125cc scooters I have in Thailand as we only stray a few Km's due to our inexperience and left turns are easier than right LOL

Although my Boston whaler was my favourite toy, but wife moaned because of the fishing bias she wanted a gin palace

 

[SDColorado]

Although my Boston whaler was my favourite toy, but wife moaned because of the fishing bias she wanted a gin palace

I think your wife has the right idea hahaha

 

[SteveJUAE]

I think your wife has the right idea hahaha

Well I thought she was pretty

 

[SDColorado]

Well I thought she was pretty

View attachment 812531

I thought you meant your wife, but that boat is really pretty too!

 

[SteveJUAE]

I thought you meant your wife, but that boat is really pretty too!

LOL

She is in the picture but for modesty reason it's cropped, She's on a sunbed floating off the anchor line to the left, that's why it was slack, not that I was using her as an anchor BTW LOL

 

[OdT22]

Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2019 to all of you. Also, another humble thanks from me for all the help I received here. Frankly, the quality of the Q&A found here has been superior to most all of my Google searches. Very cool!

And for fun, here's a pic from my little corner of the world. It's terrible quality, as I haven't even begun to learn the camera on the new phone, and they were about 350 yards off. But the content is pretty nifty. I caught these guys about 30 minutes from my house yesterday. That's a lot of meat! (Roosevelt Elk, in SW WA State)

 

[SteveJUAE]

Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2019 to all of you. Also, another humble thanks from me for all the help I received here. Frankly, the quality of the Q&A found here has been superior to most all of my Google searches. Very cool!

And for fun, here's a pic from my little corner of the world. It's terrible quality, as I haven't even begun to learn the camera on the new phone, and they were about 350 yards off. But the content is pretty nifty. I caught these guys about 30 minutes from my house yesterday. That's a lot of meat! (Roosevelt Elk, in SW WA State)
View attachment 812534

Stunning scenery and wildlife in US

Even Bass Pro BBQ's are not large enough for one of those chaps appols to Rudolf and friends in advance

 

[OdT22]

Stunning scenery and wildlife in US

Even Bass Pro BBQ's are not large enough for one of those chaps appols to Rudolf and friends advance

No kidding! Even just one of those is no small task at all. Winter clothing won't be needed for long!

 

[SteveJUAE]

Well its official wife is ##!*## at buying xmas gifts see my one below



Good job I got a back-up Santa to me to drown my sorrows :