The official Surface Pro 2/Surface thread

[darkewaffle]

I am going to get the 8 GB 256 Surface Pro 2.

It is as fast as a Macbook Air with a similar screen. It doesn't have a keyboard, but it has a Wacom pen which is more important to me. (It sucks that 8GB is considered a premium in this day and age, and MS should be ASHAMED they are selling the 64GB model, but whatever.)

64GB is a bit light on the storage for users like "us" but I don't think it's too little for average Joe. Now whether nor not average Joe would even consider a SP2 is another story. I would say 8GB of RAM is more than enough however unless you're taking the mobile workstation bit extremely seriously.

I like it, but I'm reluctant to actually buy without some hands-on at least. Plus I have a hard time personally justifying a third computer simply because I want one lol.

 

[Ns1]

64GB is a bit light on the storage for users like "us" but I don't think it's too little for average Joe. Now whether nor not average Joe would even consider a SP2 is another story. I would say 8GB of RAM is more than enough however unless you're taking the mobile workstation bit extremely seriously.

I like it, but I'm reluctant to actually buy without some hands-on at least. Plus I have a hard time personally justifying a third computer simply because I want one lol.

I think storage requirements are higher for non-techs as they will store multiple copies of everything under the sun in numerous places, as well as not use cloud storage properly.

 

[Bateluer]

Priced wrong. Again.

Curious to see Nvidia's Tegra 4 in a Microsoft tablet though. Nvidia wasn't picking up many design wins for it.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I am going to get the 8 GB 256 Surface Pro 2.

I think the price is reasonable, not great.

It is as fast as a Macbook Air with a similar screen. It doesn't have a keyboard, but it has a Wacom pen which is more important to me. (It sucks that 8GB is considered a premium in this day and age, and MS should be ASHAMED they are selling the 64GB model, but whatever.)

All in all it is roughly in line with ultrabook/macbook pricing, which is what it is competing again.

There are no other shipping Haswell tablets with pens. So they just don't have much competition.

It's got a much better screen than the Macbook Air, the Air has a crappy 900p TN panel while the Surface Pro has a 1080p Super PLS panel.

 

[Mopetar]

I think storage requirements are higher for non-techs as they will store multiple copies of everything under the sun in numerous places, as well as not use cloud storage properly.

Which is kind of funny because I believe that they announced 2 years of 200 GB of SkyDrive storage with purchase, which is quite a lot.

Curious to see Nvidia's Tegra 4 in a Microsoft tablet though. Nvidia wasn't picking up many design wins for it.

Microsoft probably managed to get it at a discount because it hasn't been moving many units, likely because it runs too hot for a phone, and most other tablet makers have passed it by for something else. They also used the Tegra 3, so they might have tuned some of their code to run better on NV's GPU.

 

[Ns1]

Which is kind of funny because I believe that they announced 2 years of 200 GB of SkyDrive storage with purchase, which is quite a lot.

yup. 200gb of SkyDrive might be enough to get me to move from dropbox.

 

[foghorn67]

Surface Pro 2, 8GB, 256GB SSD. With power cover. With docking station.

This is my next.

Yep. :thumbsup:

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

Yep. :thumbsup:

People literally don't understand how revolutionary the Surface Pro 2 is.

It is a complete replacement for EVERY computing device in your house, sans your phone. There is literally nothing like this on the market today. I see absolutely no reason to get a MBA over the Surface Pro 2 at this point.

 

[foghorn67]

People literally don't understand how revolutionary the Surface Pro 2 is.

It is a complete replacement for EVERY computing device in your house, sans your phone. There is literally nothing like this on the market today. I see absolutely no reason to get a MBA over the Surface Pro 2 at this point.

It's crazy, huh? Just knee-jerk reactions to this so far. The most appalling thing I've seen is the The Verge's G+ post (-edit-comments, not the article) on the Surface Pro 2. Just a bunch of snide remarks by folks that don't even know what it is.
I can't wait to get it. I just started to draw again. Not only will this replace my desktop, laptop and even sub my Nexus 7 for most occasions, it will also help me with artwork. Can't wait to install PS and buy Sketchbook.
And yes, it will handle my RAW files just as well as any MBA in Lightroom and PS.

 

[Ns1]

People literally don't understand how revolutionary the Surface Pro 2 is.

It is a complete replacement for EVERY computing device in your house, sans your phone. There is literally nothing like this on the market today. I see absolutely no reason to get a MBA over the Surface Pro 2 at this point.

Pretty much.

 

[Red Storm]

People literally don't understand how revolutionary the Surface Pro 2 is.

It is a complete replacement for EVERY computing device in your house, sans your phone. There is literally nothing like this on the market today. I see absolutely no reason to get a MBA over the Surface Pro 2 at this point.

Not everyone likes Windows 8. Some want a device that lasts longer and runs iOS or Android. Some already have laptops and/or desktops and don't see the need for Surface, etc.

 

[Ns1]

Not everyone likes Windows 8. Some want a device that lasts longer and runs iOS or Android. Some already have laptops and/or desktops and don't see the need for Surface, etc.

I think the point was the surface could legitimately replace all those devices and your notepad to boot (operating system preferences aside)

 

[Red Storm]

I think the point was the surface could legitimately replace all those devices and your notepad to boot (operating system preferences aside)

Jack of all trades, master of none. I get that mentality, but some people would rather have devices that excel in their roles, rather than one device that won't work as well in some roles. Also not everyone needs a $1000 machine. My aunt used to have a computer, now she just has an iPad. My uncle used to have a laptop, now he just has a Chromebook. Desktops are going the way of the dodo when it comes to light users. I don't think the Pro 2 is going to sell very well because it has a high price of entry, which goes against more and more people getting by with cheaper tablets and phones running Android and iOS.

 

[Ns1]

Jack of all trades, master of none. I get that mentality, but some people would rather have devices that excel in their roles, rather than one device that won't work as well in some roles.

I dunno, I find it a better tablet than any iOS or android device, and a better laptop than most.

 

[Red Storm]

I dunno, I find it a better tablet than any iOS or android device, and a better laptop than most.

I think it's a very interesting device too, but that's because I'm a tech user and I can look past the price. A lot of people can't and price does matter in the end.

 

[Ns1]

I think it's a very interesting device too, but that's because I'm a tech user and I can look past the price. A lot of people can't and price does matter in the end.

no arguments there. RT v2 falls flat on it's face for that reason, but Surface Pro is a very good device for the "Pro" sector cuz there is no real competitor in it's niche.

It's most certainly more worthy of that "Pro" moniker than say, an MBP. IMO

 

[gorcorps]

Nope, the power cover. From the pictures it appears to be a type cover with a built in battery but there aren't many more details about it since it's not due out until early 2014.

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/pre-order#scroll-2

Wow, that's the most disappointing list of accessories I've seen. I like the surface but it's an absolute mystery to me why they won't release a real hinged keyboard for this thing. I was told by a friend that "the next one will have the full blown keyboard with battery like you want", but it looks like it's the same stupid cover, just with a battery 🙄

I want a tablet, but I also want to use it as a laptop. There are few options out there that offer a detachable keyboard, and VERY few if you want a full blown digitizer and pen (which I would like). So my only real option is the Helix which STARTS at ~$1500... jesus.

Was hoping to get a Surface 2 if the rumored keyboard turned out well. Looks like I'll have to look elsewhere.

 

[Ns1]

Can't you just get a surface pro with type cover and Bluetooth kb?

 

[olds]

I am going to get the 8 GB 256 Surface Pro 2.

I think the price is reasonable, not great.

It is as fast as a Macbook Air with a similar screen. It doesn't have a keyboard, but it has a Wacom pen ...

Link? I didn't see that in the atricle I read.

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

Wow, that's the most disappointing list of accessories I've seen. I like the surface but it's an absolute mystery to me why they won't release a real hinged keyboard for this thing. I was told by a friend that "the next one will have the full blown keyboard with battery like you want", but it looks like it's the same stupid cover, just with a battery 🙄

I want a tablet, but I also want to use it as a laptop. There are few options out there that offer a detachable keyboard, and VERY few if you want a full blown digitizer and pen (which I would like). So my only real option is the Helix which STARTS at ~$1500... jesus.

Was hoping to get a Surface 2 if the rumored keyboard turned out well. Looks like I'll have to look elsewhere.

The point of the integrated keyboard is to give you something useful in a pinch, not to fully replace a desktop or high end laptop class keyboard. It simply wouldn't make sense in this form factor. If you really find the keyboard lacking, you're likely using the Pro in a non tablet mode in which case you can easily hook up whatever USB/Bluetooth keyboard you like.

This is the greatest strength of the Pro, the versatility it provides. It's literally a no compromise device that is capable of handling everything you throw at it. It is a jack of all trades that can do everything well. You don't have to sacrifice anything IMHO now that the battery life has been improved. The weight/size argument is overblown. This is no more cumbersome than a full sized iPad with cover.

 

[Ns1]

Link? I didn't see that in the atricle I read.

it's been a feature of the surface pro since v1

In addition, the Surface Pro includes a digital pen and Wacom's digitizing technology. This allows the pen to be contacted with up to 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity.

 

[gorcorps]

Can't you just get a surface pro with type cover and Bluetooth kb?

The point of the integrated keyboard is to give you something useful in a pinch, not to fully replace a desktop or high end laptop class keyboard. It simply wouldn't make sense in this form factor. If you really find the keyboard lacking, you're likely using the Pro in a non tablet mode in which case you can easily hook up whatever USB/Bluetooth keyboard you like.

This is the greatest strength of the Pro, the versatility it provides. It's literally a no compromise device that is capable of handling everything you throw at it. It is a jack of all trades that can do everything well. You don't have to sacrifice anything IMHO now that the battery life has been improved. The weight/size argument is overblown. This is no more cumbersome than a full sized iPad with cover.

I must be the only one that uses a laptop literally on my lap. I've tried using the surface pro in a similar way and the kickstand just doesn't work. The new one might be a tad better if the new stand gives a steeper angle to work from, but it's still not as stable as a laptop. I don't want to use it like that all the time though, hence why I would want a detachable tablet vs. a touchscreen laptop or convertible. There are many times when I'm just browsing and reading and just want a tablet, but times when I'm typing (like right now) I'd like to post from the couch during commercial breaks. Instead I'm at my desk in my office because that's the only real keyboard I have.

And why do you say it doesn't make sense in that form factor? It makes perfect sense... otherwise the transformer books wouldn't have done well and wouldn't have been copied. Just because you don't want a better keyboard doesn't mean others don't. I don't need the thing to be designed any differently than it already is, I just need them to make a heavier keyboard that has a hinge on it and charge me for it like any other accessory. I don't understand why anybody would think this is a bad idea... it doesn't affect any of you people who don't want it and I can finally get something I'd be happy with. It doesn't even need to be microsoft. If they license out that accessory port to allow 3rd parties to utilize it than somebody else could do it. I don't care, I just don't want to pay $1500 on the Helix.

 

[Ns1]

My only reply would be...you can't win em all.

I don't care, I just don't want to pay $1500 on the Helix.

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

I must be the only one that uses a laptop literally on my lap. I've tried using the surface pro in a similar way and the kickstand just doesn't work. The new one might be a tad better if the new stand gives a steeper angle to work from, but it's still not as stable as a laptop. I don't want to use it like that all the time though, hence why I would want a detachable tablet vs. a touchscreen laptop or convertible. There are many times when I'm just browsing and reading and just want a tablet, but times when I'm typing (like right now) I'd like to post from the couch during commercial breaks. Instead I'm at my desk in my office because that's the only real keyboard I have.

And why do you say it doesn't make sense in that form factor? It makes perfect sense... otherwise the transformer books wouldn't have done well and wouldn't have been copied. Just because you don't want a better keyboard doesn't mean others don't. I don't need the thing to be designed any differently than it already is, I just need them to make a heavier keyboard that has a hinge on it and charge me for it like any other accessory. I don't understand why anybody would think this is a bad idea... it doesn't affect any of you people who don't want it and I can finally get something I'd be happy with. It doesn't even need to be microsoft. If they license out that accessory port to allow 3rd parties to utilize it than somebody else could do it. I don't care, I just don't want to pay $1500 on the Helix.

I really think MSFT needs to open up their cover system to external manufacturers so that they can fill in the gaps for users like yourself that have particular needs.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I must be the only one that uses a laptop literally on my lap. I've tried using the surface pro in a similar way and the kickstand just doesn't work. The new one might be a tad better if the new stand gives a steeper angle to work from, but it's still not as stable as a laptop. I don't want to use it like that all the time though, hence why I would want a detachable tablet vs. a touchscreen laptop or convertible. There are many times when I'm just browsing and reading and just want a tablet, but times when I'm typing (like right now) I'd like to post from the couch during commercial breaks. Instead I'm at my desk in my office because that's the only real keyboard I have.

And why do you say it doesn't make sense in that form factor? It makes perfect sense... otherwise the transformer books wouldn't have done well and wouldn't have been copied. Just because you don't want a better keyboard doesn't mean others don't. I don't need the thing to be designed any differently than it already is, I just need them to make a heavier keyboard that has a hinge on it and charge me for it like any other accessory. I don't understand why anybody would think this is a bad idea... it doesn't affect any of you people who don't want it and I can finally get something I'd be happy with. It doesn't even need to be microsoft. If they license out that accessory port to allow 3rd parties to utilize it than somebody else could do it. I don't care, I just don't want to pay $1500 on the Helix.

Exactly. I will just wait until other OEMs come out with a better transforming design and keyboard. I would trade the stylus for a Transformer form factor all day any day.