Microsoft's Surface

addictzz

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I am using a bluetooth keyboard which works fine. The detachable keyboard can be a mixed blessing as sometimes you like to browse or read a book in tablet mode. If you do lots of photo and video editing, perhaps you can look into Surface Book instead.



This one no choice. Intel processor at that time was quite hot. Before SP3, I used a Vaio Z which ran like a jet engine.

Surfacebook is too expensive and too heavy for me. My experience with laptop is that, when it is heavier, I wont bring it with me so much thus defeating the purpose of having a laptop. My video editing will be minimal. Photo editing, vector creation will be more.
 

Uno_Hu

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Any user of SP3 using mini display port for connecting to TV HDMI? I'm thinking of getting adaptor from Q10 instead original from MS. Any thoughts on this ?
 

evq

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I got 2 dp to Hdmi cables fr qoo10 and them to 2 external monitor.
 

purpleberry

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Will it suit for (Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop or alternative), music creation, and some light video editing.?

I am using Lightroom and it works fine. Video editing should be ok too unless you are into 3D and stuff.
 

siaoboy

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Is this thread open for discussions of ALL surface devices? I am considering between Surface Pro & Surface Laptop. Checking spec-wise, Surface Pro seems to be better especially with this year's iteration. The only bad thing is I have to pay extra for the detachable keyboard. I am thinking of getting a wireless mechanical 60% keyboard instead of Surface keyboard. The only thing Surface Laptop wins from Pro is that it has better laptop experience & durability.

Any suggestion? BTW I am starting to be interested with Surface after browsing thru ultrabooks and Macbooks. Surface seems to be a good Macbook replacement. I like retina Macbook but the spec is really offputting compared to its price.

My usage won't be anything heavy. Normal browsing/music listening/video watching, Excel, programming, graphic design (Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop or alternative), music creation, and some light video editing.

Surface book is quite bulky. If you are not a power user, opt for the surface pro
 

Apparatus

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Re

Pros and Cons in using MS tablets. I have the MS SP3/4 tablets.

CONS

1) Only 1xUSB port. If you need to connect more devices at the same time you'll need a USB hub and note the maximum current from a USB3.0 port is only 0.9A

2) It doesn't support BIOS/MBR but the newer UEFI/GPT. And that means you cannot run OS like TAILS on a USB stick because such OS needs a BIOS to run

3) Due to only 1xUSB port it is not possible to set up TAILS OS because you'll require 2 USB ports to do that.

4) No 15 inch size screen. Inconvenient to work on 2 WORDS documents side-by-side without straining your eyes

5) OEM SSDs only support BitLocker encryption and not others

6) As a user it's impossible to maintain, upgrade and perform simple troubleshooting internally

7) Short battery life


PROS

1) Easy and convenient update. Only need to concern with update from MS. Firmware/driver updates and compatibility are issues from other manufacturers like ASUS, DELL, HP, NVIDIA, KILLER etc
 
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jace88

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I have owned several Surface models now - Surface 3 and a Surface Pro 4. Both are great, and they are very 'popular' devices in the sense it's easy to get accessories for... almost as easy as an Apple product. You really can't underestimate this if you like customising your device with perfectly fitting cases, vinyls, etc. It's also great having device drivers up to date and the latest updates come quickly, but then Surface hasn't been without it's firmware challenges (which I'm glad MS does address).

That being said, unless you buy into the MS vision with Surface Docks on your desk, it's really not great financially beyond just being a decent 2 in 1... of which there's plenty of good competition now.

For example I use a Lenovo Miix 720 for work which is a Surface Pro clone with similar detachable keyboard, hinge, etc... but it has two USB ports and a USB C port for charging. It's great. My company used to use Surface Pros as well so every desk in our office has both a Lenovo charger (not a USB C though) and a Surface connector so it makes it an easy choice for us to continue, but I would probably recommend one of the clones to a new user who doesn't already have the investment.
 

purpleberry

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Hope that this will encourage Microsoft to innovate more. There's no reason they should stick with 1 USB port while the competition offers more.

 

Apparatus

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Hope that this will encourage Microsoft to innovate more. There's no reason they should stick with 1 USB port while the competition offers more.


This device comes with a large bezel. Should designed with a slim bevel to make it more saleable
 

RAYRAY1

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Looking for a tablet PC, should I wait for new Surface Pro or go for the current Surface Pro 4 with price reduction.
General usage like office productivity and note taking plus small light gaming and watching movies during traveling. I am looking at the lower end series the m3 CPU.
 

Intrinion

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A surface tablet is excellent for the other things that you listed but is really not designed for gaming.

It can game, but it depends on what games you would be gaming on, how many frames you are looking at as well as what gaming settings they are on.

Being a fanless, passively cooled system in a very thin frame, do expect certain thermal trottle - which is the reduction in your CPU speeds - to reduce heat.

Hope this helps you out.
Looking for a tablet PC, should I wait for new Surface Pro or go for the current Surface Pro 4 with price reduction.
General usage like office productivity and note taking plus small light gaming and watching movies during traveling. I am looking at the lower end series the m3 CPU.
 

trento

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A surface tablet is excellent for the other things that you listed but is really not designed for gaming.

It can game, but it depends on what games you would be gaming on, how many frames you are looking at as well as what gaming settings they are on.

Being a fanless, passively cooled system in a very thin frame, do expect certain thermal trottle - which is the reduction in your CPU speeds - to reduce heat.

Hope this helps you out.

Sp4 got fan right?
 
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