Surface Devices

[eltoslightfoot]

Best Buy has Surface Laptop 2, Surface Pro 6 and Surface Book 2’s on sale for this holiday weekend.

Of course, my money is still tied up...

I am telling you, keep an eye out on eBay or Swappa. I got a SP 2017 with a Pen and Keyboard (and MS Complete through most of 2021) and I won the auction for $710 (not including taxes or fees). This was about 5 months ago. I did upgrade to the newer pen. Anyway, it might be worth keeping an eye out since there isn't much difference between the SP6 and the SP 2017.

 

[kazmac]

I am telling you, keep an eye out on eBay or Swappa. I got a SP 2017 with a Pen and Keyboard (and MS Complete through most of 2021) and I won the auction for $710 (not including taxes or fees). This was about 5 months ago. I did upgrade to the newer pen. Anyway, it might be worth keeping an eye out since there isn't much difference between the SP6 and the SP 2017.

Thanks.

Maybe this is a sign I am supposed to wait for an SB3.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Thanks.

Maybe this is a sign I am supposed to wait for an SB3.

OH MAN! I hope they finally upgrade the entire line. Add a stand to the back of the SB3 and USB-C of course.

 

[Queen6]

Thanks.

Maybe this is a sign I am supposed to wait for an SB3.

SP6, Studio yes, SB2, I'd be inclined to wait as expecting 9th Gen CPU, RTX GPU and hopefully USB C/TB-3. Personally I'd hold off and pick up something dirt cheap to familiarise with W10 with no major repercussions.

I did exactly the same myself, picked up the cheapest 2in1 I could find (2016) $290 I only it used to become familiar with how W10 works and it's myriad settings. Was money well spent as I've never had issue with W10, I still have it and it's very likely going to perform the exact same task for KDE Neon (Linux) in the near future.

What's laughable is although woefully under spec for any serious use, this $290 2in1 is full aluminium and has a seriously good keyboard like ThinkPad quality, all making the device far heavier than one would expect.

Q-6

 

[kazmac]

SP6, Studio yes, SB2, I'd be inclined to wait as expecting 9th Gen CPU, RTX GPU and hopefully USB C/TB-3. Personally I'd hold off and pick up something dirt cheap to familiarise with W10 with no major repercussions.

I did exactly the same myself, picked up the cheapest 2in1 I could find (2016) $290 I only it used to become familiar with how W10 works and it's myriad settings. Was money well spent as I've never had issue with W10, I still have it and it's very likely going to perform the exact same task for KDE Neon (Linux) in the near future.

What's laughable is although woefully under spec for any serious use, this $290 2in1 is full aluminium and has a seriously good keyboard like ThinkPad quality, all making the device far heavier than one would expect.

Q-6

I have been thinking of doing that again. I’d also wait on the Studio’s refresh as the internals are too long in the tooth for me to consider buying one now, especially without sales.

 

[Queen6]

I have been thinking of doing that again.

Just buy the cheapest, you don't need to like it, just use the hardware to become familiar to W10, so no drama or frustration with a far more expensive "production" machine.

Q-6

 

[xraydoc]

Sales issue in store, not a hardware thing.

Q-6

Ah

 

[kazmac]

Just buy the cheapest, you don't need to like it, just use the hardware to become familiar to W10, so no drama or frustration with a far more expensive "production" machine.

Q-6

I need a better screen and keyboard than the Acer. I have two Asus in mind. Just waiting on the funds to be back in my account, which my bank seriously lags with.

 

[Bodie CI5]

Do any of you have further info on this (re possible Surface Book 3):

Although it has not been revealed in public, there are reports of Microsoft internally showcasing a Surface-like device with two screens. This allows for a book like approach, a laptop orientation with a touchscreen keyboard, or specialised interfaces such as a DJ’s mixing desk

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewansp...een-color-patent-new-leak-rumor/#6238a87d173f

 

[xraydoc]

Do any of you have further info on this (re possible Surface Book 3):



https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewansp...een-color-patent-new-leak-rumor/#6238a87d173f

This has been floating around for a while. I think it started as Project Courier or something like that. Regardless, it’s likely something more like an iPad Pro or Surface Go than a replacement for the Surface Book.

 

[Bodie CI5]

This has been floating around for a while. I think it started as Project Courier or something like that. Regardless, it’s likely something more like an iPad Pro or Surface Go than a replacement for the Surface Book.

According to the article the patent is a new one, filed very recently (July 2019). I remember the Courier. I wonder if the differences are only in terms of advancement in technology so maybe this is for an Andromeda? Or if it is for a new form factor? If it is indeed new, I find it to be very intriguing.

The patent: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/10345151.pdf

The article excerpt:

A recently published patent is another signal that Microsoft is working hard on this form factor. Titled “Use Of Multiple Calibrated Color Sensor Measurements To Generate A Single Colormetric Value”, it describes a method to use a number of sensors to better tune a device’s screen to its surroundings.

 

[kazmac]

Well played... Microsoft well played!

 

[kazmac]

Microsoft's Annual Surface Event is October 2nd in NYC.

I wish they'd make a smaller Surface Studio, but am really curious about a Surface Book update.

 

[iMi]

I know it’s an old threat, but to add my two cents, I have a Surface Pro. While I liked it a lot at first, it was ultimately crippled by Windows. It’s insane that in this day and age you can drill down a few menu levels and find windows that seem to be ripped straight from Windows XP.

I personally think Microsoft needs to build a brand new, from scratch, modern operating system that is reliable and does not degrade over time in terms of performance.

Second, I really missed the polish and clean design of the macOS. The Surface is now only used when I need Windows and nothing else will do, which is a very rare situation these days.

 

[SteveJUAE]

I know it’s an old threat, but to add my two cents, I have a Surface Pro. While I liked it a lot at first, it was ultimately crippled by Windows. It’s insane that in this day and age you can drill down a few menu levels and find windows that seem to be ripped straight from Windows XP.

I personally think Microsoft needs to build a brand new, from scratch, modern operating system that is reliable and does not degrade over time in terms of performance.

Second, I really missed the polish and clean design of the macOS. The Surface is now only used when I need Windows and nothing else will do, which is a very rare situation these days.

With orders of magnitude far greater than macOS for number of users/software/configurations you wish is not so easily achieved

In truth most are not drilling down or even permitted in many companies and just getting on with it and it seems you may need some help if your SP is slowing down

I'm surprised with your limited requirements you did not just use bootcamp

else

Roll-on October

 

[Dave245]

Just an update, i have sold my Surface Pro 6 and moved back to Mac OS. There were some things that i liked about the Surface, however i still think MacOS is much better and the iPad Pro is a much better tablet. I tried it and it just wasn't for me in the end.

 

[kazmac]

Just an update, i have sold my Surface Pro 6 and moved back to Mac OS. There were some things that i liked about the Surface, however i still think MacOS is much better and the iPad Pro is a much better tablet. I tried it and it just wasn't for me in the end.

I feel you. I wish the iPads were functional for me (every one I tried in the last two years had touch disease and/or no response from the pencil). I just want to draw on them. Nothing else...Not sure where I will be landing as far as my next computer, but a Wacom tablet is all but certain for drawing.

Wishing you all the best with your macOS/iOS stuff.

 

[OdT22]

Just an update, i have sold my Surface Pro 6 and moved back to Mac OS. There were some things that i liked about the Surface, however i still think MacOS is much better and the iPad Pro is a much better tablet. I tried it and it just wasn't for me in the end.

Same deal here. This past year was quite an adventure, trying out windows and android for home and mobile. In the end, returning to apple devices was the path of least resistance for me.

The SL2 and SP5 were solid devices though. As was the Google Pixel. I don't have any legitimate complaints about them, outside of the lack of simplicity of managing my contacts, emails, and files. There were plenty of solutions available, but none quite as fluid as Apple's IMO. Swapping back was really only about slight preference and simplicity.

 

[raqball]

Same deal here. This past year was quite an adventure, trying out windows and android for home and mobile. In the end, returning to apple devices was the path of least resistance for me.

The SL2 and SP5 were solid devices though. As was the Google Pixel. I don't have any legitimate complaints about them, outside of the lack of simplicity of managing my contacts, emails, and files. There were plenty of solutions available, but none quite as fluid as Apple's IMO. Swapping back was really only about slight preference and simplicity.

I took a different route and sold all my Apple gear.. Sold my mid 2018 TB MPB and my iPhone XS. I picked up a X1 Yoga 4th Gen and a Galaxy S10...

Very happy for the moment. I do this often however and flop back and forth once a year or so. Unless Apple addresses the crappy KB on the MBP I might be done for good this time though.

I use Pushbullet Pro to mirror some of the handoff and continuity functions. Yeah it's like $40 a year for Pro but I am overall happy with it and have used it for years..

To each their own. I might come back to Apple but not until they address that MBP keyboard.. It's terrible, absolutely terrible and I've about had it with the loss of ports and a crappy KB all in the name of thinner and lighter..

 

[SteveJUAE]

I feel you. I wish the iPads were functional for me (every one I tried in the last two years had touch disease and/or no response from the pencil). I just want to draw on them. Nothing else...Not sure where I will be landing as far as my next computer, but a Wacom tablet is all but certain for drawing.

Wishing you all the best with your macOS/iOS stuff.

I think there is a separate set of scenarios to consider those that are gifted artist and in isolation these considerations the majority of owners can largely ignore as most W10 touch tablets or Ipad would easily exceed the non gifted requirements

What starts to come in to play for many is can you live your life of computing requirements solely in the mobile os world be it IOS or Android etc

Generally if you think this is possible it only makes sense to follow the same path as your Phone OS preference for the 100's of reasons you opted for with your mobile selection

What is significantly different is the W10 laptop/tablet dual device scenario and mobile compared to Apple Tri device solution

The W10 is more focused on capability of full OS in a portable solution to your main at home where Apple is focused on mobile OS solutions to your main at home

If you can survive 24 hours or even 24 days away from your main full OS device with a mobile OS then that's fine and specs and pro's and cons etc etc is just rhetoric on top of your basic needs

For myself I cannot survive with just a mobile OS when away from my main. Since this thread started what made it even more interesting is the collaboration between Samsung and MS.

Starting with the New Note 10 devices making your lightweight mobile solutions even more integrated and a further set of solutions for many that are not possible in just a mobile OS setup

 

[OdT22]

I took a different route and sold all my Apple gear.. Sold my mid 2018 TB MPB and my iPhone XS. I picked up a X1 Yoga 4th Gen and a Galaxy S10...

Very happy for the moment. I do this often however and flop back and forth once a year or so. Unless Apple addresses the crappy KB on the MBP I might be done for good this time though.

I use Pushbullet Pro to mirror some of the handoff and continuity functions. Yeah it's like $40 a year for Pro but I am overall happy with it and have used it for years..

To each their own. I might come back to Apple but not until they address that MBP keyboard.. It's terrible, absolutely terrible and I've about had it with the loss of ports and a crappy KB all in the name of thinner and lighter..

Right on. My first step back in to Apple gear was replacing my main office (windows) computer with a Mac mini, running parallels and W10, since I require some Windows-only software daily. So the majority of my typing is done on a full size keyboard, with lots of numerical entries. This has worked great so far, and has improved my workflow a great deal (contacts, files, etc). The rest of the computers at work are all still old windows PCs, and will likely be replaced with the same. I see no need to pay the apple premium for something that is only used for a web-based property management system. Any browser works... the OS doesn't matter.

The next step was going back to iPhone. This was prompted only by the unreliable cellular service from the Google Fi network. The only carrier that works 100% at home didn't support the Pixel at the time. It was a good phone, and android has gotten much better IMO. Wife and I purchased 2 XRs, and they are the best phones we've ever owned. Call clarity is superior to every other phone we've had. Good news for old deaf guys like me.

Next, I returned to iPad, (11" pro). Yes, it has a slight bend, but I really don't care. Great little device, and the pencil saves me a ton of printing and scanning documents since my signature is required often. It has been flawless, though still limited.

Then I bought the rMBA, for the few times per month I need to type a document or navigate a website that doesn't play well with iOS, when at home. It was fine, but the keyboard was a concern. A few weeks ago my wife decided she wanted a Mac laptop, so I sold her the MBA and replaced it with the new MBP. The keyboard feels much better than the one on the air, to me. Hopefully they both last. Fingers crossed.

I don't blame you for holding out though. I'm not sure I would be using Apple gear if my workflow depended on using a laptop only.

 

[kazmac]

I think there is a separate set of scenarios to consider those that are gifted artist and in isolation these considerations the majority of owners can largely ignore as most W10 touch tablets or Ipad would easily exceed the non gifted requirements

What starts to come in to play for many is can you live your life of computing requirements solely in the mobile os world be it IOS or Android etc

Generally if you think this is possible it only makes sense to follow the same path as your Phone OS preference for the 100's of reasons you opted for with your mobile selection

What is significantly different is the W10 laptop/tablet dual device scenario and mobile compared to Apple Tri device solution

The W10 is more focused on capability of full OS in a portable solution to your main at home where Apple is focused on mobile OS solutions to your main at home

If you can survive 24 hours or even 24 days away from your main full OS device with a mobile OS then that's fine and specs and pro's and cons etc etc is just rhetoric on top of your basic needs

For myself I cannot survive with just a mobile OS when away from my main. Since this thread started what made it even more interesting is the collaboration between Samsung and MS.

Starting with the New Note 10 devices making your lightweight mobile solutions even more integrated and a further set of solutions for many that are not possible in just a mobile OS setup

Solid advice.

I am, as everyone in this sub forum knows, trying to untangle myself from Apple as I not keen on the directions they have -and are- going in, especially when hardware/software issues are not addressed. I loved drawing on the iPad for the ease of use and instant undos. I was able (when no touch disease etc) to just get into drawing.

I still need a desktop or preferably a desktop replacement laptop. The RTX creators laptops are certainly piquing my interest. The Asus Pro Duo will be available in the States later next week.

I hope the Microsoft Store in NYC gets them in so I can test everything. It might solve the need for a Wacom or iPad, or not. While the Vivobook did not work out for me, this machine may because I do not have to give up anything except some iOS art apps.

I do have questions about the second screen and cooling, plus if that would cause any physical strain, but I'll consider those if demo units are available to test.

As far as mobile OS, I am ready to try Android again.

Anyway, thanks for your insights. Very much appreciated.

I would consider staying with macOS 1) if I could guarantee being able to run Sierra when I have to do video converting (This particular app does not work on Macs post Sierra) and 2) guarantee the build quality doesn't suck and software gets sorted. However, Apple's greed, apathy and services keep bugging me...

 

[xraydoc]

I hope any software advancements Microsoft announces at their Surface event come to the rest of the Surface line (unless of course they rely on specific new hardware). I wouldn’t mind a nice feature update for my SB2.

 

[pika2000]

Yes, I still have the Surface Pro 3.
No, I don’t really like it, but it’s the only Windows machine I have and as much as I dislike it, it’s “better” than many other Windows machines out there. At the least, it’s microsoft reference software without any 3rd party crap, and it has SSD (too many Windows laptops today still use slow hard drives).

 

[derekamoss]

I hope any software advancements Microsoft announces at their Surface event come to the rest of the Surface line (unless of course they rely on specific new hardware). I wouldn’t mind a nice feature update for my SB2.

They have been pretty good at backwards compatibility unless it is new hardware. I mean you can still use asurface pro 3 type cover on the newest surface pro today.