Surface Devices

[SteveJUAE]

The trackpad on the Surface Pro Keyboard is actually good. It feels a little plastic at first but don’t be fooled by that, it’s a good trackpad with great response.

I’m not sure about the Surface Book trackpad but I’m assuming it’s a little more premium than that on the Surface Pro. I think the Pro is more portable than the Book by the looks of it, however the Book is more powerful and the screen detaches so I think that makes up for it.

Most W10 premium laptops have excellent TP it's only Apple users that notice some gestures are different like W10 users notice menu's and right clicks are different on Mac's
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I’m in the U.K and the only physical store we have is in London (Which is miles away from where I live). It seems like the Microsoft Complete is the same as Apple Care +

I have been to that store in Oxford street, nearly walked out with a Surface Studio if it was not for excess baggage charge getting back to KL

 

[Dave245]

I have been to that store in Oxford street, nearly walked out with a Surface Studio if it was not for excess baggage charge getting back to KL

I have never been, I think if I was down London I would definitely go in and have some hands on time with the Surface Book 3. Obviously I can’t do that anyway because of Covington-19 at the moment.

 

[Expos of 1969]

I have never been, I think if I was down London I would definitely go in and have some hands on time with the Surface Book 3. Obviously I can’t do that anyway because of Covington-19 at the moment.

Should you get to the store, head upstairs as quickly as possible. When I was there in January on the lower level there was some live DJ playing a cacophony of "music?" and some sort of racing car attracting lots of people taking photos. A customer is supposed to be contemplating the pros and cons of purchasing a 2,000 GBP computer and is being assaulted with dance club volume music?....

It was a bit better upstairs. Of course, just a block or two away on Regent Street I was surrounded by a mob of frantic red shirted automatons in the Apple Store. The "music?" was almost as bad.

 

[kazmac]

Should you get to the store, head upstairs as quickly as possible. When I was there in January on the lower level there was some live DJ playing a cacophony of "music?" and some sort of racing car attracting lots of people taking photos. A customer is supposed to be contemplating the pros and cons of purchasing a 2,000 GBP computer and is being assaulted with dance club volume music?....

It was a bit better upstairs. Of course, just a block or two away on Regent Street I was surrounded by a mob of frantic red shirted automatons in the Apple Store. The "music?" was almost as bad.

🤢, same in NY; Except the Surface machines are all on the lower level where the crap music is blaring. I shut the Apple store up when I blasted Bolt Thrower from an MBP 16”, I would have done the same at the MS store if I had the chance.

There are some folks who want to test the speakers on these systems without headphones.

I nearly jumped on ordering a Surface machine last night, but until I can dump the useless* Lenovo Yoga, it is not happening. *Useless for my needs and especially for work from home...the WiFi card stinks and the 12gb of RAM was not enough to multitask in our network. I realize a lot of my Windows argh is me, but it is also the networks etc. my jobs have.

Anyway, once I get the hang of more complicated art programs, I’ll consider trying a Surface again.
The SB3’s look great.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Should you get to the store, head upstairs as quickly as possible. When I was there in January on the lower level there was some live DJ playing a cacophony of "music?" and some sort of racing car attracting lots of people taking photos. A customer is supposed to be contemplating the pros and cons of purchasing a 2,000 GBP computer and is being assaulted with dance club volume music?....

It was a bit better upstairs. Of course, just a block or two away on Regent Street I was surrounded by a mob of frantic red shirted automatons in the Apple Store. The "music?" was almost as bad.

Identical experience LOL

I did pop in the Regent St Apple store just to pick up a USB-C headphone adapter for my Bose in ear NC headset

 

[Queen6]

The trackpad on the Surface Pro Keyboard is actually good. It feels a little plastic at first but don’t be fooled by that, it’s a good trackpad with great response.

I’m not sure about the Surface Book trackpad but I’m assuming it’s a little more premium than that on the Surface Pro. I think the Pro is more portable than the Book by the looks of it, however the Book is more powerful and the screen detaches so I think that makes up for it.

Trackpad on the Surface Book is pretty much as good as on a Mac, best I've used on a PC.

Q-6

 

[Dave245]

Microsoft have now added the 60 days return policy to the U.K store, i saw this when i just clicked on the Surface Book 3

I've been spending more time on the Microsoft Surface website, than i have on the Apple website it seems like i'm really gravitating to the dark side now

 

[Dave245]

Just as I was planning to leave the Apple ecosystem this is leaked. Something I would actually want. Only problem is this will only work with iPhone, much like the Apple Watch.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Just as I was planning to leave the Apple ecosystem this is leaked. Something I would actually want. Only problem is this will only work with iPhone, much like the Apple Watch.

Dave....don't be drawn in deeper, financially and otherwise. Head for the door...

 

[Silvestru Hosszu]

Just as I was planning to leave the Apple ecosystem this is leaked. Something I would actually want. Only problem is this will only work with iPhone, much like the Apple Watch.

It says it will be available at the end of 2021.
That's far and away ...

 

[Dave245]

It says it will be available at the end of 2021.
That's far and away ...

announcement Q4 of this year or early 2021 (Depending on the whole Covid-19 thing), probably similar to Apple Watch where announced early and released later. Jon Prosser is very reliable.

 

[Queen6]

Just as I was planning to leave the Apple ecosystem this is leaked. Something I would actually want. Only problem is this will only work with iPhone, much like the Apple Watch.

Not for me, just not interested in such a device, hopefully none of these things will have cameras. TBH I don't even care for Smartwatch's unless they are aimed at being Nav tools...

Q-6

 

[Dave245]

Not for me, just not interested in such a device, hopefully none of these things will have cameras. TBH I don't even care for Smartwatch's unless they are aimed at being Nav tools...

Q-6

Jon Prosser had said they don’t have a camera but they do have LIDAR, at least in the prototype he has seen. I think these have a potential to be a great product. I have to wear glasses anyway, if they can make them so that they present information (such as miles on my run and even a route) I think they could be great.

I use my Apple Watch daily, its very accurate for going on a run, mileage, heart rate, pace and so on. Apple Glasses have the potential to be even greater than that, being able to see all of that detail in just glasses that I already have to wear would be convenient but also makes use of having to wear glasses.

 

[Silvestru Hosszu]

announcement Q4 of this year or early 2021 (Depending on the whole Covid-19 thing), probably similar to Apple Watch where announced early and released later. Jon Prosser is very reliable.

I said availability, not announcement. As we have already learnt, there may be a big difference between the two.
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Not for me, just not interested in such a device, hopefully none of these things will have cameras. TBH I don't even care for Smartwatch's unless they are aimed at being Nav tools...

Q-6

Same here, I have a Garmin Fenix 5 exclusively for hiking.

 

[Queen6]

Jon Prosser had said they don’t have a camera but they do have LIDAR, at least in the prototype he has seen. I think these have a potential to be a great product. I have to wear glasses anyway, if they can make them so that they present information (such as miles on my run and even a route) I think they could be great.

I use my Apple Watch daily, its very accurate for going on a run, mileage, heart rate, pace and so on. Apple Glasses have the potential to be even greater than that, being able to see all of that detail in just glasses that I already have to wear would be convenient but also makes use of having to wear glasses.

I'm rather of the opinion that such devices are of more use to the provider than the consumer, being yet another way to monitise the userbase by acquiring ever more personal data.

Q-6

 

[Queen6]

Same here, I have a Garmin Fenix 5 exclusively for hiking.

The Fenix is one of the very few I'd consider as it's more of a standalone device. I do have a GPS Rangeman G-Shock which is fully autonomous, equally it has rather limited Nav capabilities and can be heavy on the battery. More of a get you "home" device than full on GPS navigator, that said it's impressively accurate and if used wisely the battery can be sustained by it's solar panel.

Watches in general I like to have a "beating heart", if they are multifunctional quartz self powered, preferably solar. Had a plethora of ABC watches and still do, as very handy in the field especially the barometer.

Q-6

 

[Dave245]

Anyone been keeping up on the news from Microsoft build today? Some interesting stuff.

 

[grmlin]

Anyone been keeping up on the news from Microsoft build today? Some interesting stuff.

Amazing, thread worthy, news. Don't have the time right now, but wsl linux GUI apps running natively in windows are a game changer for me. Also a friggin windows package manager. What a time to be alive.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Anyone been keeping up on the news from Microsoft build today? Some interesting stuff.

I have been distracted by the big story on the $19.00 reduction on the iPod Touch but once I get over that excitement I will focus on the Microsoft news.

 

[Dave245]

I've just watched a review of the Surface Book 3, they say that when used as a tablet (screen detached) it only lasts 3.2 hours i spend longer than that with my tablets. For example i've been using my iPad Pro for the last 7 hours at home today.

 

[Queen6]

I've just watched a review of the Surface Book 3, they say that when used as a tablet (screen detached) it only lasts 3.2 hours i spend longer than that with my tablets. For example i've been using my iPad Pro for the last 7 hours at home today.

That's how SB is, comparing to an ARM or Apple based tablet is worlds apart in usability. That said the tablet section of the SB can be charged directly, so to me a non issue given SB offers i7 performance and a full desktop OS experience.

My daughter now has my 1st Gen SB, she never complains of battery the life and predominantly use's in tablet mode as she's uses it for digital art.

As with all there's always a trade off, only you know what will suit your needs and what limitations your willing to accept...

Q-6

 

[Mendota]

Amazing, thread worthy, news. Don't have the time right now, but wsl linux GUI apps running natively in windows are a game changer for me. Also a friggin windows package manager. What a time to be alive.

Yes! Microsoft is doing the deed. I will always have a separate Linux device, but this will be welcome as it means not having to run different machines for different tasks.
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I've just watched a review of the Surface Book 3, they say that when used as a tablet (screen detached) it only lasts 3.2 hours i spend longer than that with my tablets. For example i've been using my iPad Pro for the last 7 hours at home today.

Well that is a non issue for me as I usually turn the tablet around and attach it because I want the gpu for Painter and my games. Microsoft puts in a smaller battery and separates the elements in order to keep things cool and running without throttle. In addition the tablet only portion can be plugged in. I find the tablet only part generally last for about 4 hours when using it for browsing and watching video. In the end, there is nothing that says you have to get rid of your iPad if you have use for it. I have both Android and iPad and use them (Android mostly) from time to time. If I want power, lightweight and long lasting I use my Surface Pro.

 

[LeeW]

Apple Glasses have the potential to be even greater than that, being able to see all of that detail in just glasses that I already have to wear would be convenient but also makes use of having to wear glasses.

Yeah, I guess if that appeals to you, I will stick with the Apple Watch, I don't want it staring me straight in the face that I still have 9.8km to go, 9.7km, 9.6km when I am running

 

[Dave245]

Yeah, I guess if that appeals to you, I will stick with the Apple Watch, I don't want it staring me straight in the face that I still have 9.8km to go, 9.7km, 9.6km when I am running

I’m not sure what the interface and OS will look like (Jon Prosser didn’t say, he only mentioned the name of the OS). But I would guess that it won’t be a permanently on thing, for example when going for a run the wearer will obviously need to see where they are going and so I can’t see all the information being center of the lenses.

It’s an interesting thing, if they look like normal glasses they have the potential to be a great bit of tech.

 

[Dave245]

Well that is a non issue for me as I usually turn the tablet around and attach it because I want the gpu for Painter and my games. Microsoft puts in a smaller battery and separates the elements in order to keep things cool and running without throttle. In addition the tablet only portion can be plugged in. I find the tablet only part generally last for about 4 hours when using it for browsing and watching video. In the end, there is nothing that says you have to get rid of your iPad if you have use for it. I have both Android and iPad and use them (Android mostly) from time to time. If I want power, lightweight and long lasting I use my Surface Pro.

For some reason i thought the tablet part/screen of the device would have longer battery life. I spend a lot of time with my tablet vs my laptop or iMac. I'm in no hurry so i can wait and see what happens and or what else is released this year. I did also want the Surface Neo, however that seems to have been pushed back until next year, altho the Duo is still rumoured to be coming this year.

Even if i don't get the Book 3, i'm still looking at Surface devices, even if it's the Surface Pro X. For the time being my iPad Pro is still working (not sure how long for) and the longer i use it, the more i'm getting my moneys worth i guess. I'm not sure when Microsoft typically update the Surface Pro line up, but maybe i'll have another go at one of those.