Surface Pro 2 is incredible

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dagamer34

Platinum Member
Aug 15, 2005
2,591
0
71
Man, if only the Surface Pro were in the body of a Surface 2, even if it meant a *reasonable* performance hit.
 

007ELmO

Platinum Member
Dec 29, 2005
2,046
36
101
i am regretting my surface 2 purchase i want full fledge laptop, i.e. pro. guess ill wait for SP3.
 

tsupersonic

Senior member
Nov 11, 2013
867
21
91
i am regretting my surface 2 purchase i want full fledge laptop, i.e. pro. guess ill wait for SP3.
If the SP2 doesn't suit you, then the SP3 will most likely not suit you. They'll probably carry over the form factor (maybe lighter/smaller), and give it better specs. If a laptop is what you want, sell your SP2 (it's in high demand now), and get a laptop!
 

007ELmO

Platinum Member
Dec 29, 2005
2,046
36
101
i do not have a SP2, I mean I have a surface 2. I do not like the RT OS, I should have known better being a programmer - should have gone pro.

I will keep this for microsoft glass operation with xbox one, and wait for SP3.
 

007ELmO

Platinum Member
Dec 29, 2005
2,046
36
101
it's OK, i have the flu (still after 11 days) so I'm also going kind of insane
 

tsupersonic

Senior member
Nov 11, 2013
867
21
91
it's OK, i have the flu (still after 11 days) so I'm also going kind of insane
Yikes, that's no good. I have had the cold for the past week, and it's not getting any better. The Surface is a great device to use in bed at least
 

bearxor

Diamond Member
Jul 8, 2001
6,605
3
81
Man, if only the Surface Pro were in the body of a Surface 2, even if it meant a *reasonable* performance hit.
I'm anxious for next year. With the failure of Windows RT in the marketplace, it will be very interesting to see if Microsoft sticks with ARM for another cycle, or if hey decide to move to an Atom x86 chip in the next surface.

i am regretting my surface 2 purchase i want full fledge laptop, i.e. pro. guess ill wait for SP3.
I think that will definitely be worth waiting for.
 
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bearxor

Diamond Member
Jul 8, 2001
6,605
3
81
i'm holding out for SP3

SP2 was too similar to SP1

Yeah, I feel like I really want to go return my SP1 for a 2. I even try to work it out in my head, like I could return my SP1 ($530), trade in an iPad 2 at the MS store ($200), use a $50 GC I got for Christmas and get the $25 OneNote discount and it would work out to like $100 to upgrade to the SP2.

But it's way too similar. My battery is performing a lot better once I did a drain and charge on it, I'm getting about 5.5h of use out of it per charge. The processor and GPU are only slightly faster. The cameras are still shitty. There's still no place to put this 'effin pen. It's the same size and weight.

What I'm really missing out on, IMO is the two-stage kickstand and a better screen. Mine is terrible with regards to back light evenness, but I think it's because it was, most likely, one of the first ones delivered to the BB I bought it from and there was a problem with early units and backlights. Thinking getting it replaced will get me a unit with a better backlight.
 

tsupersonic

Senior member
Nov 11, 2013
867
21
91
Yeah, if you have the SP1, then no reason to upgrade to the SP2. I started off with the SP2, knowing that Haswell has huge increases in battery. I'm very content with SP2 battery, I can get 8-10 hours of use.

IMO, cameras are still no use on a tablet - anyone who uses the rear camera on a tablet looks really stupid doing so. The FFC I understand is good enough for Skype/video conferencing.

Two stage kickstand is very nice, how it should've been from the get go. It would be nice to have a place to put the pen outside of the charging port, but oh well.
 

bearxor

Diamond Member
Jul 8, 2001
6,605
3
81
IMO, cameras are still no use on a tablet - anyone who uses the rear camera on a tablet looks really stupid doing so. The FFC I understand is good enough for Skype/video conferencing.

I don't disagree if it's about going out in public and taking pictures. But I've found them to be quite useful for documenting things if you're currently using it for something.

For instance, I listed a 4S on swappa and, since I was using the SP to post the sale listing, decided to take the pictures with the SP and be able to upload them at the same time I was creating the listing page. It was pretty sweet. Until I got an email from swappa telling me that my pictures sucked and I needed to submit new ones. Then I just had to go and take the pictures with my 5S and submit them via email anyways.

So there's definitely some utility to having a rear-facing camera on a full computer. I don't need something very powerful, but even a 5MP camera with a decent lens would be a massive upgrade.

A 1.3 or 1.9MP FFC is perfectly fine for Skype usage or whatever.
 

Demo24

Diamond Member
Aug 5, 2004
8,356
9
81
Score! I had my rep downgrade me to 128 and it shipped late yesterday, which means I'll get it early next week!
 

yuchai

Senior member
Aug 24, 2004
980
2
76
Very interested in the SP2, but can't quite get over the price. In particular the fact that it does not include the Type/Touch Cover AND no Office. If they threw either of those things in it would be such an easier purchase.
 

Imaginer

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 1999
8,076
1
0
Very interested in the SP2, but can't quite get over the price. In particular the fact that it does not include the Type/Touch Cover AND no Office. If they threw either of those things in it would be such an easier purchase.

For what it is worth, it is the cost of a good ultrabook with either YOUR CHOICE of type or touch covers or none of either if you have your own bluetooth keyboard, and no necessary "bundling" marketing terms or SKU inventory tracking in combining the device order.

The stand alone Office 2013 inclusion would be delicious icing on the already tasty cake.
 

yuchai

Senior member
Aug 24, 2004
980
2
76
For what it is worth, it is the cost of a good ultrabook with either YOUR CHOICE of type or touch covers or none of either if you have your own bluetooth keyboard, and no necessary "bundling" marketing terms or SKU inventory tracking in combining the device order.

The stand alone Office 2013 inclusion would be delicious icing on the already tasty cake.

I guess what makes the surface pro line stand out from other devices is the productivity options, and to me you need both the type/touch cover & office to realize that potential. Since I don't yet have a bluetooth keyboard/office license, it's a fairly significant entry price for the system. Just saying that I would have been sold already if they threw in either one of those things, but now I'm sort of on the fence.

Maybe my expectations are unreasonable *shrug*
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,418
1,599
126
I should get paid for this or something. Got an email from a colleague...

I wanted to let you know that i bought Surface(complete with type 2 cover) & I am loving it. Although i have always been an early adopter, but tablets as work devices never made sense. My biggest reason for going ahead with the buy was the way i saw you using Surface. You made the case for Surface completely unaware.
 

bearxor

Diamond Member
Jul 8, 2001
6,605
3
81
I'm contemplating switching mine out at BB and upgrading to the 128GB version they have on sale for $679. I don't "need" it, but it would be nice to have.

Still can't quite convince myself to pony up another $500 to upgrade to a SP2, but I have taken a renewed interest in the Venue 11 Pro. The Core i5 version with 128GB is only $849. It's a little bit slower processor than the Surface Pro 2, but it's also almost 4w less power usage, which is about the difference between a Haswell and a Ivy Bridge. Just wish I could lay hands on one first. And the Surface Pro kickstand is a fantastic feature.
 

zerogear

Diamond Member
Jun 4, 2000
5,611
9
81
I basically equate my Surface Pro 2 to a Ultrabook (1000-1200$) plus an iPad ($600). The way I see it at the end of the day, I still came out ahead with $1299 with 10% discount and a $299 bundle which includes Office, Type Cover 2, Microsoft Complete Warranty, screen protector and a sleeve. (And I no longer have to suck at the teets of iOS)
 

saratoga172

Golden Member
Nov 10, 2009
1,564
1
81
I'm contemplating switching mine out at BB and upgrading to the 128GB version they have on sale for $679. I don't "need" it, but it would be nice to have.

Still can't quite convince myself to pony up another $500 to upgrade to a SP2, but I have taken a renewed interest in the Venue 11 Pro. The Core i5 version with 128GB is only $849. It's a little bit slower processor than the Surface Pro 2, but it's also almost 4w less power usage, which is about the difference between a Haswell and a Ivy Bridge. Just wish I could lay hands on one first. And the Surface Pro kickstand is a fantastic feature.

I would hold out on the Venue 11 Pro for a bit longer until they work out the links and issues. We got a couple at work for testing and have had nothing but problems so far. The dock is not passing multiple hard drive connections, bsod on the initial setup, bsod taking the tablet off the dock, video out issues and a faulty drive in one.

I know the drive could be a one off and we got one of the first runs so maybe Dell has already shored up some of the issues, but it's been a challenging experience for us. And many issues have been experienced on both tablets. Not just one.
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,418
1,599
126
doh

Microsoft has some trouble on its hands with the latest Surface Pro 2 firmware update. The company has abruptly pulled the update after reports of failed installations (and battery issues in instances where the update was successful). Microsoft originally pushed out the new firmware as part of its December package of Surface updates, but the ongoing complaints have apparently led to the unusual takedown. Microsoft says another reason for the decision was to ensure Surface Pro 2 owners have a smooth experience using the tablet through the new year. "To ensure the best experience for our customers during the holiday season, we have taken steps to remove the update for Surface Pro 2 that was previously published," the company said. And to be clear, you won't be seeing a fix until after the new year. Microsoft hopes to deliver an alternate, problem-free update package "after the holidays, which is sure to be unwelcome news to customers that have already installed the faulty update.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/18/5224996/microsoft-pulls-latest-surface-pro-2-firmware-update
 
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