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Surface Devices
- Thread starter Dave245
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The Galaxy Book Felx is an interesting device and it comes with the S-Pen. However it isnāt available here in the U.K
The Go 2 is also interesting but Iām use to a bigger screen with having had the iPad Pro 12.9ā since they first came out in 2015 and then the 2nd gen in 2017.
I donāt think I could get on with a full desktop OS on such a small screen. But for the price it seems like a nice little device.
Personally I just need something to replace my iPad Pro 2017 when it dies. Something that I can get work done, edit some photos on, draw a little and a note take.
The Go 2 is also interesting but Iām use to a bigger screen with having had the iPad Pro 12.9ā since they first came out in 2015 and then the 2nd gen in 2017.
I donāt think I could get on with a full desktop OS on such a small screen. But for the price it seems like a nice little device.
Personally I just need something to replace my iPad Pro 2017 when it dies. Something that I can get work done, edit some photos on, draw a little and a note take.
SteveJUAE
macrumors 601
Dave still think you have your IPP hat on š you can change the resolution and scaling up or down and ICON size and text to suit personal preferences
Samsung tend to release their laptops first in US over UK but the Flex or Book S should get there and the FLEX is OLED
It's probably because i'm still using my iPad Pro at the moment š I think I have to rip the band aid off. I'm just very cautious and at the moment I'm browsing to see what's on offer. The probable with being in the Apple ecosystem for so long is that you tend to only focus on Apple products. That's what I had been doing until recently, now I'm looking around and seeing all these different products š
The Flex seems good, I've been watching unboxing's (while I wait to see reviews of the Surface Book 3 when they finally come out). I'm not sure if it will come to the U.K as Samsung have in the past said that they won't be releasing any more laptops in Europe.
Samsung laptops to be pulled from sale in Europe
Samsung is to stop selling laptops in Europe despite reports that demand for portable PCs is rising in mature markets.
www.bbc.co.uk
EDIT: Altho the Samsung Book S is available to buy here in the U.K so maybe they will update it with the Book Flex?
Samsung Galaxy Book S Qualcomm | View Specs | Samsung UK
Discover the Galaxy Book S Qualcomm laptop, Samsung's first mobile-PC. The ultralight, fast, powerful laptop designed to keep you mobile. View full specs.
SteveJUAE
macrumors 601
Well that's odd as I am sure I bought my Tab Pro S in 2016 in Samsung store in Leicester šIt's probably because i'm still using my iPad Pro at the moment š I think I have to rip the band aid off. I'm just very cautious and at the moment I'm browsing to see what's on offer. The probable with being in the Apple ecosystem for so long is that you tend to only focus on Apple products. That's what I had been doing until recently, now I'm looking around and seeing all these different products š
The Flex seems good, I've been watching unboxing's (while I wait to see reviews of the Surface Book 3 when they finally come out). I'm not sure if it will come to the U.K as Samsung have in the past said that they won't be releasing any more laptops in Europe.
Samsung laptops to be pulled from sale in Europe
Samsung is to stop selling laptops in Europe despite reports that demand for portable PCs is rising in mature markets.
I know you like looking but you are just going to confuse yourself and revert LOL
Quite frankly stick to the MS line up and get a SB3 and think about a GO as a companion device later for hols and trips to replace your IPP, once your more comfortable or even the NEO or DUO
Maybe they brought them back, that article I quoted is from 2014.
The Surface Book 3 seems like the best all round device. I can take off the screen to use as a tablet, when I want to watch Netflix, take notes or simply draw. What intrigues me the most is the ability to put the screen on backwards and still have all the power of both the GPU and CPU.
The only thing Iām not sure about, is if I should get the 13.5ā or the 15ā version. With my discount there is not much difference price wise (in Ā£ās).
Hopefully reviews and unboxings will not be far away š
SteveJUAE
macrumors 601
The 15" is stunning in 3/4 format and I still miss it over my top spec Razer Blade OLED, but like any 15" or more they are not friendly for travel and of course the 15 is a better spec GPU
If you intend to use the surface dial obviously the 15" is a better option and mixed with the right software enables perfect straight, parallel lines etc and no ruler necessary as someone else seem to comment on
Doubt the unboxing will reveal anything we have not seen before and specs easily meet your requirements, so you will just be trolling for points to revert LOL
I donāt really need it for travel, iām thinking of having it sit on my desk next to my old (2012) iMac, then when I want to move around the house i will remove the screen and go sit in the living room or bedroom and watch Netflix, iTunes content, write notes, draw or simply browse the web. Then when I want to play some games (nothing too heavy, A bit of Sims 4, Age of Empires, that type of thing) I will re-attach the screen.
Do you know if the Surface Dial is worth it? I have never used one or even seen one in person. Iām not too sure what itās even meant to be used for.
Mendota
macrumors 6502a
Thumbs up for Sims 4 and Age of Empires! Two of my favorites.
Mine as well. I also like Rise of Nations. They play pretty well on the Mac, however they probably play even better on Windows.
saying that I also have a game called Tropico on the iPad Pro and it plays well, it was a PC game.
xraydoc
Contributor
Since the form factor is exactly the same as the Surface Book 2, just review some of the SB2 comparisons between the 15" and the 13".
And just so you're aware, the 13" SB2 (which I have) weighs slightly less than a 15" MBP (1.65kg/3.6lbs vs. 1.83kg/4.0lbs). The 13" MBP is 1.4kg/3.1lbs. Just something to factor in. The 15" Surface Book is not a lightweight device (1.91kg/4.2lbs). Makes a good desktop-replacement though.
And the 15" SB3 doesn't seem like it'll have the power supply issues (battery discharging under heavy CPU+GPU usage) that the SB2 did, at least as far as I've read. Same goes for the Surface Dock 2 which apparently supplies more power than the 60W the original dock does. I have the 13" SB2, so I never experienced any such issues, even in the midst of playing a game.
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FalhĆ³fnir
macrumors 603
Just to throw a bit of a wrench in the works here:
These genuinely look Surface quality machines, much less expensive and upgradable SSD/ RAM! And the 17" option to boot!
These genuinely look Surface quality machines, much less expensive and upgradable SSD/ RAM! And the 17" option to boot!
Queen6
macrumors G5
Nice I like the 17" just wary of Dell's heavy handed thermal controls, although does sound promising.
Q-6
FalhĆ³fnir
macrumors 603
The vapour chamber cooling sounds positive, will be interesting to see how it does in tests, and particularly against the 15" with more conventional cooling.
SteveJUAE
macrumors 601
Yes I read the new dock and power supply is upgraded, but in truth for most the discharge under heavy use was more of a technicality as it would still take longer than most other laptops to discharge to 0
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Re Travelling my SB2 15" never left the house but I always have 1 or 2 alternatives for travel eg the GO, if you stick with the SB3 you may get more annoyed with the IPP if you intend to use that for travel and the lure of a GO or NEO or other 2 in 1 may be something you will consider
As you like drawing the dial could be more use to you re colour pen selection etc, but takes some training. I use it only during research on big PDF's mainly. But it is something you should look into as it is very tactile and would support your couch activities š
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Mendota
macrumors 6502a
It does look temping and I am rooting for Dell since they went private. Still I really like the way Surface is designed and the power of it's separate GPU. And the issue I had with Alienware and Dell's tech support was not nearly as good as Microsoft. But no doubt Dell really brings their A game to the XPS line.
This is partly the reason why Iām wanting out of the Apple ecosystem. They canāt even get a keyboard right without having issues, a Ā£349 keyboard at that. Itās starting to get embarrassing.
9to5mac.com
Some iPad Pro users complaining that the Magic Keyboard causes excessive battery drain - 9to5Mac
The iPad Magic Keyboard accessory has been widely praised for its responsive multi-touch trackpad, backlit keyboard, and clever counterbalancing magnetic...
9to5mac.com
SteveJUAE
macrumors 601
Dave I think the problems have always been there for all OEMThis is partly the reason why Iām wanting out of the Apple ecosystem. They canāt even get a keyboard right without having issues, a Ā£349 keyboard at that. Itās starting to get embarrassing.
Some iPad Pro users complaining that the Magic Keyboard causes excessive battery drain - 9to5Mac
The iPad Magic Keyboard accessory has been widely praised for its responsive multi-touch trackpad, backlit keyboard, and clever counterbalancing magnetic...
however
There seems more selective amnesia , myths, ease of repair etc excuses for Apple that has now worn thin
Many other OEMs have improved and provide similar premium devices that are not so easy to ridicule and take the spotlight off Apple when they go wrong or take x years and class actions to get resolved
The loyalty card has been played and entrapment via ECO is all that is left IMO
This is true, however I do think Apple seem to have got worse. With every product they release there seems to be an issue, iPad Pro and the bending issues, MacBook and the keyboard, the 16ā MacBook, Airpods. The only products Iām yet to see consistent issues with, is the Apple Watch. I havenāt had an issue so far.
Microsoft seem to have gotten a lot better, the only issue I see is Windows (maybe needing to adjust to it). Samsungs Note 10 seems to be better than the iPhone, I really like the look of the S-pen and what it can do. Meanwhile Apple want to charge Ā£349 for a keyboard and go back to an iPhone 4 type of design for the iPhone 12. The iMac is left to linger while e wait for a big re-design.
Queen6
macrumors G5
This is partly the reason why Iām wanting out of the Apple ecosystem. They canāt even get a keyboard right without having issues, a Ā£349 keyboard at that. Itās starting to get embarrassing.
Some iPad Pro users complaining that the Magic Keyboard causes excessive battery drain - 9to5Mac
The iPad Magic Keyboard accessory has been widely praised for its responsive multi-touch trackpad, backlit keyboard, and clever counterbalancing magnetic...
Apple will continue to ramp up pricing, scalp it's customers on upgrades with egregious margins, design hardware that serves itself first and foremost, until sales plummet or Apple decides to discontinue lines it's no longer interested in producing.
Apple's real genius is in the handling of negative situations, especially at it's stores with the customer always being lead to believe that Apple has their best interests a heart. In reality Apple is exactly the same as the vast majority of major companies with itself & $$$$ simply coming first.
All companies that design & manufacture generally know fairly rapidly if they have a design or manufacturing issue on their hands. Yet Apple is renowned for stringing out such matters, until compelled to react to it's customers by a court of law or imminent action it knows it has no possible chance of defending. A quick look at the history of the 15" MBP exemplifies, with model after model suffering issue upon on issue that Apple deliberately chose to ignore as long as it possibly could. Meanwhile the customer's suffered to varying extents, some with no recourse.
Other companies don't put themselves on a pedestal as Apple does, nor so arrogant or pretentious. Apple's ecosystem does work, equally only on Apple's terms and that's not for me. I could live with Apple when it actually cared about the hardware & OS X. When attention to detail was present and validated. Today Apple is just another OEM, overpriced with questionable design decisions for it's own purposes.
Apple is very simple to understand; Apple want's it's customers on the hook for multiple major purchase's every 12/36 months (macOS/IOS), subscribe to as many services as possible ensuring a continuous revenue stream for Apple. Therefore Apple designs both it's hardware, software and ecosystem to deliver this....
In all fairness Apple is a safe bet in some respects for the less tech savvy, however for the informed is ever becoming a more limited environment. Ultimately Apple is a monopoly plain and simple and monopolies rarely if ever serve the end user...
Q-6
Mendota
macrumors 6502a
Starting?...This is partly the reason why Iām wanting out of the Apple ecosystem. They canāt even get a keyboard right without having issues, a Ā£349 keyboard at that. Itās starting to get embarrassing.
Some iPad Pro users complaining that the Magic Keyboard causes excessive battery drain - 9to5Mac
The iPad Magic Keyboard accessory has been widely praised for its responsive multi-touch trackpad, backlit keyboard, and clever counterbalancing magnetic...
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You will come to love Windows and the effort that Microsoft puts into it. As an example look what they have done with their phone app. All of the features that people wanted from IOS - Text from computer, notifications, and now the ability to make phone calls from your PC. Microsoft listens. And by the way, have you seen the threads concerning the Catalina supplemental update that is bricking computers? Unbelievable.
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Queen6
macrumors G5
I far prefer to put my money both personally and professionally into companies that listen to their user base and actually care what they think. Do due diligence on QA & QC prior to unleashing havoc onto their customers, then blatantly ignore/disregard their issues...
Apple could pull this off in the past when they had a visionary CEO who demanded the absolute best from the team without any excuse. Sadly Apple tries to apply the same philosophy today of "knowing best", without any such visionary leader, or a care for being the industry best outside of making the most revenue. Apple now mostly ends up excusing itself why it cant and or blatantly ignores issues it created in the first place without comment, with a double helping of corporate hubris.
MS is far from perfect, however remains on a good trajectory including embracing aspects of Linux. Meanwhile Apple is ever more inclusive, focusing on ever more ways to milk the faithful...
That said IMO MS could do themselves a big favour and knock off the Apple pricing strategy, as Surface is gaining ever more traction becoming more and more mainstream. Surface should no longer be considered a technology exposition. No need to bury the competition, just be more competitive and the rest will happen naturally, given well designed & executed products at sensible pricing, something Apple has long since forgotten about...
TBH I have far more faith in MS, as Surface is not their core product, and management superficially looks to give the Surface team a good leeway to design & evolve new products without overly interfering.
Q-6
Apple could pull this off in the past when they had a visionary CEO who demanded the absolute best from the team without any excuse. Sadly Apple tries to apply the same philosophy today of "knowing best", without any such visionary leader, or a care for being the industry best outside of making the most revenue. Apple now mostly ends up excusing itself why it cant and or blatantly ignores issues it created in the first place without comment, with a double helping of corporate hubris.
MS is far from perfect, however remains on a good trajectory including embracing aspects of Linux. Meanwhile Apple is ever more inclusive, focusing on ever more ways to milk the faithful...
That said IMO MS could do themselves a big favour and knock off the Apple pricing strategy, as Surface is gaining ever more traction becoming more and more mainstream. Surface should no longer be considered a technology exposition. No need to bury the competition, just be more competitive and the rest will happen naturally, given well designed & executed products at sensible pricing, something Apple has long since forgotten about...
TBH I have far more faith in MS, as Surface is not their core product, and management superficially looks to give the Surface team a good leeway to design & evolve new products without overly interfering.
Q-6
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The_Interloper
macrumors 6502a
Universal copy-and-paste working flawlessly this week too (might just be as I have a Samsung device, not sure). They've really filled that gap.
You're right - I've "come to love Windows", too. Sure, it's flawed. But the sheer power and flexibility it has is fantastic. The Office/OneDrive ecosystem is excellent, the ability to squeeze so much power out of so many types of hardware from desktops to laptops to 2-in-1s, pen and touch support and now a near-seamless interface with Android...Microsoft's efforts have been pretty underrated really.
