Unfortunately the 8gb ram version to me is priced somewhat high at $300 more. I realize this is because it comes with the 256gb SSD however but even not factoring the rather large markup I don't really need that over 128gb storage. The downside of being constrained to manufacturer set SKUs I suppose.
At the moment my consideration would be more the 4gb/128gb ssd versions of the Pro or Pro 2 versus a more conventional laptop with a GPU (like the Acer v7 482pg i5 version ~$900). One thing is I want a device with a good display and it seems in general these are rather sparse in this price range. I figure the Surface Pro though would be more interesting then a simply a laptop with a ULV CPU and no GPU.
I would say I hope to at minimum be able to play Civ 5 and LoL and similar games. More demanding FPS games like BL2 I could live without playing away from the desktop. On the flip side I also already have a Wacom drawing tablet as well. So basically neither is critical too me but each has it's own benefits which makes this a tough decision.
Thanks I was trying to find some more numbers on the difference from IB ULV to Haswell ULV GPU wise, especially factoring in TDP limits and mobile thermal constraints.
Civ 5 will still work on the 4/128 and League of Legends. Those games are not as demanding. Gaming will make the device as warm as a to-go cup filled with fresh hot coffee.
It is more than hard numbers though.
Keep in mind that the reasons for a Surface Pro usage, why I went with the Surface Pro (and now Pro 2) is because of eliminating the bulk spaghetti device setup of a dedicated digitizer attached to a laptop that cannot be used in the hands to draw, this needing to be table bound or lap bound.
Also, with my previous Wacom digitizers (at the time the Cintiq would double the capability cost) there is a disconnect from working the digitizer and screen. Understandable that the Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 has a very nice screen, it has to to deal with many angles of handling, writing implement, and drawing viewing.
I factored these greatly in deciding to jump setups (my previous Envy 14 had a dGPU, rough numbers determined the performance of GPU to be slightly higher than the Pro 1). It is more than benchmark numbers for me, and it is what disappointed me about any initial official review of the Surface Pro. People are trying to adopt a strict traditional laptop only usage model (placing it like a laptop with a propped screen - but is better with the Surface Pro 2) and/or a strict tablet only usage model (holding these things above their heads, even I wouldn't hold a normal paperback book above my head for long) to not see that despite being in the middle of it, it has great flexibility and handling (even those that said it is uncomfortable in one hand, I cradle it like a clipboard just fine)
But in the end, that is what one should ask looking at the new tablet PC hybrid convertibles. Does one need the power, work, and capability of their laptop, tablet deployability, and tablet flexibility when wanted without additional carry bulk and weight?
My Envy 14 seldom travels with me day to day, only for extended trips away from home. The Surface Pro and Pro 2 always comes along.