Surface Devices

[kazmac]

Celtx is free (there are also paid plans): https://en.softonic.com/articles/how-to-start-screenwriting-for-free-with-celtx

Thanks! Did not know* they made it for Windows too. 🙂

*i.e. never paid attention 😳

Glad there is a non subscription option too.

 

[kazmac]

I may have to look into the Surface Dial as the wheel mouse design (just the shape of the mouse) is also a trigger for my arthritis pain.🙁 I figured the wheel might be issue, but I will also test my dongle mouse and using the SL2 flat on the desk rather than on a little stand that raises the keyboard like the Zephyrus S does.

I had no pain issues with the Surface Book 2. 😳

This has been the primary reason why I’ve been a desktop person all these years.

 

[SDColorado]

I may have to look into the Surface Dial as the wheel mouse design (just the shape of the mouse) is also a trigger for my arthritis pain.🙁 I figured the wheel might be issue, but I will also test my dongle mouse and using the SL2 flat on the desk rather than on a little stand that raises the keyboard like the Zephyrus S does.

I had no pain issues with the Surface Book 2. 😳

This has been the primary reason why I’ve been a desktop person all these years.

As I mentioned before, I have yet to find a mouse I can use comfortably. Which I guess is why I still stick to the trackballs and the MX Ergo in particular. Of course, my issues are more RSI than arthritis, but I find the 30 degree tilt (the extra 10% is apparently a Best Buy exclusive) works best for me.

I haven't spent much time with the dial outside playing with it in store though.

I also really don't know much about the Glance eye-tracking technology that Lenovo uses or Tobii, such as the MSI GT72VR TOBII. Guessing they are a pain in the butt to set up properly.

 

[kazmac]

As I mentioned before, I have yet to find a mouse I can use comfortably. Which I guess is why I still stick to the trackballs and the MX Ergo in particular. Of course, my issues are more RSI than arthritis, but I find the 30 degree tilt (the extra 10% is apparently a Best Buy exclusive) works best for me.

I haven't spent much time with the dial outside playing with it in store though.

I also really don't know much about the Glance eye-tracking technology that Lenovo uses or Tobii, such as the MSI GT72VR TOBII. Guessing they are a pain in the butt to set up properly.

Yes, you did mention that. Thank you for doing so again. Another option.

 

[SDColorado]

Yes, you did mention that. Thank you for doing so again. Another option.

It is worth a try, it is the holding my hand flat on the mouse that can be an issue for me, I found the 20 standard and even 30-degree (optional) tilt works much better for me as well as the stationary hand position. It is by no means a "gaming mouse," but the precision mode works well when I need a little finer motion control.

Logitech also has the MX Veritical Ergonomic mouse, but (a) it's still a mouse and (b) I don't think I could ever get used to that.

Let me know what you think of the Surface Dial if you go that route. I have about 15 minutes accumulated time using one, so I can't offer any opinion.

 

[kazmac]

😛 😛Perils of input devices, at least once per session, I will scroll or swipe myself right off a page. Went from MacRumors to Windows Central. 😛😛

I am realizing the way I type on this laptop doesn't help my wrist situation. I'll keep trying things. At least, there's some laughs though. Not sure why I cannot position my wrists in a comfortable (non-flare up typing position.)

 

[eltoslightfoot]

So while I used to just use an iPad Pro 12.9" 2015 and a desktop, I decided to bite the bullet and got a sweet deal on a Surface Pro 2017 256 on eBay. I have to admit that while my old system was mostly working, it is nice to have a full computer on the go instead of mostly a full computer. (Hello windows explorer!)

 

[xraydoc]

As I mentioned before, I have yet to find a mouse I can use comfortably. Which I guess is why I still stick to the trackballs and the MX Ergo in particular. Of course, my issues are more RSI than arthritis, but I find the 30 degree tilt (the extra 10% is apparently a Best Buy exclusive) works best for me.

I haven't spent much time with the dial outside playing with it in store though.

I also really don't know much about the Glance eye-tracking technology that Lenovo uses or Tobii, such as the MSI GT72VR TOBII. Guessing they are a pain in the butt to set up properly.

My Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse is remarkably comfortable and doesn't seem to cause my (mild) case of carpal tunnel to flair.

 

[Queen6]

My Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse is remarkably comfortable and doesn't seem to cause my (mild) case of carpal tunnel to flair.

Same, but it's only good for right handers. I've got a Precision, I'm ambidextrous so I don't care 😛 Overall the Precision is an excellent productivity mouse, with some killer features 😎

Q-6

 

[kazmac]

I am glad the Precision is great for folks.

I love the SL2 outside of the fact it’s too small for me (used to typing on 15.6” laptops), and that wheel mouse is a literal pain. Trying to make it work, but not hurt. 🙂

 

[derekamoss]

Never thought we would be talking about how much we enjoy our windows devices on Macforums lol....

 

[Roadstar]

My Surface Book’s fan has started giving a buzzing sound when running and also many apps are acting up. Did I get a lemon after all 🙁

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Never thought we would be talking about how much we enjoy our windows devices on Macforums lol....

Me either, but here we are....

 

[xraydoc]

Me either, but here we are....

Damn shame, too.

 

[derekamoss]

Damn shame, too.

What's crazy is all Apple had to do was throw OS X on a tablet and they would have kept me. I still don't understand why they never did this.... It would have sold like crazy even if OS X wasn't optimized for touch.
[doublepost=1550031944][/doublepost]Also it seems to me that there are quite a few people with Surfaces around here and a lot of questions from Mac Users about it. I honestly think we should ask for our own forum at this point. Anyone agree?

 

[eltoslightfoot]

What's crazy is all Apple had to do was throw OS X on a tablet and they would have kept me. I still don't understand why they never did this.... It would have sold like crazy even if OS X wasn't optimized for touch.
[doublepost=1550031944][/doublepost]Also it seems to me that there are quite a few people with Surfaces around here and a lot of questions from Mac Users about it. I honestly think we should ask for our own forum at this point. Anyone agree?

TOTALLY AGREE on the new tablet. Throw Mac OS X on a tablet and I was there. I wasn't willing to pay for a modbook.

 

[Dave245]

TOTALLY AGREE on the new tablet. Throw Mac OS X on a tablet and I was there. I wasn't willing to pay for a modbook.

You can’t just “throw MacOS” on the iPad, MacOS is a system for Mac that’s designed around using a curser, point and click. It would be a terrible experience.

Apple themselves have confirmed that they had working models but decided that it wasn’t a good experience and so they didn’t go down that route.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

You can’t just “throw MacOS” on the iPad, MacOS is a system for Mac that’s designed around using a curser, point and click. It would be a terrible experience.

Apple themselves have confirmed that they had working models but decided that it wasn’t a good experience and so they didn’t go down that route.

The thing is that you wouldn't have to leave it at that and be done with it. Iterate. Get better. The software and OS is capable of adapting over time. It would work. Heck, have it so you hit a button and it is iOS. Put it in the dock and it is a Macbook that can use an Apple Pencil. Hit the button and you have an iPad. Problem solved. Adapt OSX and before you know it you are kicking the crap out of the surface.

The thing is the Surface, more or less, does it now. I have fewer workarounds using my Surface Pro as a tablet than I did trying to use my iPad Pro 12.9" as a laptop. Apple missed the boat.

 

[SteveJUAE]

The thing is that you wouldn't have to leave it at that and be done with it. Iterate. Get better. The software and OS is capable of adapting over time. It would work. Heck, have it so you hit a button and it is iOS. Put it in the dock and it is a Macbook that can use an Apple Pencil. Hit the button and you have an iPad. Problem solved. Adapt OSX and before you know it you are kicking the crap out of the surface.

The thing is the Surface, more or less, does it now. I have fewer workarounds using my Surface Pro as a tablet than I did trying to use my iPad Pro 12.9" as a laptop. Apple missed the boat.

They did not miss the boat as you note even a hot swap dual system is very much doable as much as advertising a W10 MAC, not just a bootcamp make do that many are unaware of.

It's simply not part of Apples make up which is so focused on its walled garden multi device at almost any cost to the consumer. As you can see with AW is exclusive to Iphone not even Ipad and the same with even some health related products to help the USA are exclusive to Iphone and not cross platform.

Its a strategy that many are finding thinner over time but has served them well so far with a like it or lump it depending on your view point

 

[Dave245]

The thing is that you wouldn't have to leave it at that and be done with it. Iterate. Get better. The software and OS is capable of adapting over time. It would work. Heck, have it so you hit a button and it is iOS. Put it in the dock and it is a Macbook that can use an Apple Pencil. Hit the button and you have an iPad. Problem solved. Adapt OSX and before you know it you are kicking the crap out of the surface.

The thing is the Surface, more or less, does it now. I have fewer workarounds using my Surface Pro as a tablet than I did trying to use my iPad Pro 12.9" as a laptop. Apple missed the boat.

The thing is they are going in a different direction, "Marzipan" will be rolled out to developers this year, giving them a chance to bring there IOS apps to the Mac. Maybe its not a case of turning the iPad Pro into a Mac but kind of bringing the Mac and IOS devices closer but without merging them into one OS.

 

[SteveJUAE]

The thing is they are going in a different direction, "Marzipan" will be rolled out to developers this year, giving them a chance to bring there IOS apps to the Mac. Maybe its not a case of turning the iPad Pro into a Mac but kind of bringing the Mac and IOS devices closer but without merging them into one OS.

This is just a carrot to keep developers interested IMO

You rejoiced in the fluidity of apps on IOS/IPP now want to dump them on a OS that has no touch or pen interface with apps not specifically orientated for mouse/track-pad

How can you even be so critical of surface devices and even think this is likely to be anyway superior experience 🙄

 

[eltoslightfoot]

The thing is they are going in a different direction, "Marzipan" will be rolled out to developers this year, giving them a chance to bring there IOS apps to the Mac. Maybe its not a case of turning the iPad Pro into a Mac but kind of bringing the Mac and IOS devices closer but without merging them into one OS.

See this would be fine if they would make the MacBook touch screen and add pencil support. Instead it will be the worst of both worlds and they will just use it as an excuse to dumb down the mac OS X even more.

 

[SDColorado]

See this would be fine if they would make the MacBook touch screen and add pencil support. Instead it will be the worst of both worlds and they will just use it as an excuse to dumb down the mac OS X even more.

In my eyes, it seems that Apple has already begun the IOSification of the Mac with the App store layout. You would hope if they keep going this route that they eventually would add Apple Pencil/Touch Screen support, otherwise it the concept seems a little like when games added on-screen controllers and joysticks to make them "playable" without a peripheral. It was a miserable experience at best.

 

[Dave245]

In my eyes, it seems that Apple has already begun the IOSification of the Mac with the App store layout. You would hope if they keep going this route that they eventually would add Apple Pencil/Touch Screen support, otherwise it the concept seems a little like when games added on-screen controllers and joysticks to make them "playable" without a peripheral. It was a miserable experience at best.

I hope they don’t add touch support to Macs, can you imagine touching or using an Apple Pencil on a Mac, it would be so uncomfortable.

To be fair Apple did say they won’t be doing this, they did have working models but decided against it. Good call in my opinion.
[doublepost=1550070508][/doublepost]

This is just a carrot to keep developers interested IMO

You rejoiced in the fluidity of apps on IOS/IPP now want to dump them on a OS that has no touch or pen interface with apps not specifically orientated for mouse/track-pad

How can you even be so critical of surface devices and even think this is likely to be anyway superior experience 🙄

The Mac doesn’t need touch or pen interface, it has the curser/point and click.

Because of Windows 10 and the terrible tablet mode, also because Apple brought some of their “Marzipan” apps to Mojave last year! I think they work well and I use News daily on my iMac. I hope we see more.

 

[derekamoss]

You can’t just “throw MacOS” on the iPad, MacOS is a system for Mac that’s designed around using a curser, point and click. It would be a terrible experience.

Apple themselves have confirmed that they had working models but decided that it wasn’t a good experience and so they didn’t go down that route.

But heres the thing. People still would have bought it, ALOT of people. It's not like they couldn't have optimized it over time. Using a surface, I would still say Windows 10 isn't a good experience really but it still works. One could argue even iOS isn't really a good experience for a large tablet touchscreen. It's great as a phone screen size but really isn't optimized at all for a large tablet touch screen