Surface 4 Pro options

[nOOky]

I'm pretty sure I'm picking up one of these for the wife this weekend. I have not seen any reviews that compare the i5 128GB/4GB memory version versus the 256GB/8GB model. It's almost $280 more and the base model is about at my upper limit for price as it is.

Can anyone comment if the microSD card reader can be used for temporary storage of documents and files (I assume so). Also how does it function as a tablet for reading, I have not handled one and I won't be able to until I go shopping this weekend.

I'd be curious about any overall thoughts of it also. She will use it for things like Quickbooks, watching how to videos, simple games, and web browsing. We might put STEAM on it and a few games. We kind of want Windows 10 which is why we were thinking the Surface. We have a $200 cheapie right now and it sux as far as it's slow, heavy, and has a smaller display.

I wonder also about the durability, how it handles drops and normal handling, and how scratch resistant the display is.

 

[Topweasel]

Windows 10 is light on memory usage. So memory amounts negligible unless you use programs that needs tons of memory or are running a lot. The 128GB is a bit tight all things considered but you should be fine if you are using a MicroSD card for additional storage Though on a couple of Surfaces over the years the SD card doesn't always stay in the slot correctly and might "disconnect". That just means do auto direct "library" folders to it.

Now the one thing I am going to throw out there is that you might be better served with a Surface 3 rather than a 3 or 4 Pro. The 128GB model has 4GB of ram and a 4 core atom. It's surprisingly peppy. It's not good for 3d games. But other than that it's a full blown windows laptop and the smaller screen and 1080p res might be a better on the couch reading tablet than it's 12 inch 3k res pro compatriart.

As for the tablet itself. The magnesium bod and the GG display are both pretty tough and if you get a keyboard it will probably help it avoid 90% of the opportunities for the tablet screen to get scratched.

 

[quikah]

Surface 3 has SLOOOOWWWWW storage. I wouldn't recommend it unless you really prefer the smaller size and/or are very price sensitive. That said, I have one and enjoy using it, used it for a month to work while staying at my parents place. I have the 128GB/4GB model, I haven't had any issues with the 128GB storage, YMMV.

The only real issue for me with the Surface Pro is the size. It is a little bit large to me for tablet use, this is personal preference though.

 

[Topweasel]

Surface 3 has SLOOOOWWWWW storage. I wouldn't recommend it unless you really prefer the smaller size and/or are very price sensitive. That said, I have one and enjoy using it, used it for a month to work while staying at my parents place. I have the 128GB/4GB model, I haven't had any issues with the 128GB storage, YMMV.

The only real issue for me with the Surface Pro is the size. It is a little bit large to me for tablet use, this is personal preference though.

Well Yeah it's much more tablet like in using emmc instead of Sata III or NVME. Still for anything but large file transfers (copies to and from) you don't really feel the pain. I mean it's not much unlike my N6 vs. my Pixel XL. The XL gets nearly SIII speeds vs. the N6 still using eMMc, but outside running Hearthstone, I don't know if I could be pressed to tell the difference.

That said a Pro 3 or 4 is a much much faster machine. You can feel it. I just always fall back to my S3 rather than my S3P when doing the stuff outlined above. It weighs less. The battery last longer in use. It doesn't feel slow (nor fast either). Finally the size is just about perfect for picking up and reading and then setting back down on my lap. The Pro's really require true professional work to really shine. Stuff that can only be done on a full powered laptop and having the advantage of having easily the fastest, thinnest, lightest, most flexible laptop.

 

[KeithP]

FWIW, the microsoftstore.com has refurbished units with 1 year warranty if you want to save a little money.

However, do you really want to buy right now? I was under the impression that new Surface models were expected before the end of March?

-KeithP

 

[nOOky]

Finally got play with one hands on. I was impressed with the display and the overall speed. Best Buy has the lower i3 variant with the keyboard for $749. However... the 5 will be out, and rumor has it there will be a type C port and other improvements so I should probably wait and see, the 4's may even be discounted more by then.