Surface Pro 2 is incredible

[Ns1]

also, another:

is there a built in surface app that let's you try out the stylus? I was at the staples store using a demo unit and couldn't find anything.

 

[gorcorps]

also, another:

is there a built in surface app that let's you try out the stylus? I was at the staples store using a demo unit and couldn't find anything.

Do they all come with a demo version of Office? Try OneNote if so

 

[TheJokker]

I got mine last week and it is great.

1) While it kind of begs to be used like a laptop it is still quite good one-handed or in portrait mode. I'm using it more and more often in that mode.

2) It is easier to use than I expected in desktop mode with legacy programs. I rarely have to use the touchpad or pen instead of just touching.

3) It's not going to replace my desktop for gaming but it will run games just fine when I have to travel.

4) I'm most surprised at the quality of Windows 8 apps. It makes my Transformer Prime seem like a piece of junk. I've found an equivalent Windows 8 app for my Android apps that are far superior.

Yeah it's expensive but the price is going to fall over the next 12 -24 months...

 

[Ns1]

Do they all come with a demo version of Office? Try OneNote if so

Not on the machine I tested. Doesn't really matter though since I'm going to get one anyway just wanted to play on it first lol

 

[Ichinisan]

Two questions.
1. Can android apps (dual boot?) be run on the Pro 2?

2. I have Office 2013 on a DVD. Is the only way to get it on a Pro 2 is to buy an external, USB DVD drive?

1. You could install the free Android DevKit and run them in the AVD (Android Virtual Device).

2. You could probably just copy the folder structure over the network and install. If not, just make an ISO from your disc using another computer, then copy it to your Surface Pro 2 and install and mount the ISO in a virtual disc drive program.

I would use IMGburn to make the ISO file. Slysoft Virtual CloneDrive for mounting it.

 

[zerogear]

Bluestacks

 

[Qbah]

1. You could install the free Android DevKit and run them in the AVD (Android Virtual Device).

2. You could probably just copy the folder structure over the network and install. If not, just make an ISO from your disc using another computer, then copy it to your Surface Pro 2 and install and mount the ISO in a virtual disc drive program.

I would use IMGburn to make the ISO file. Slysoft Virtual CloneDrive for mounting it.

.iso mounting is baked into the OS Right click -> mount.

 

[zerogear]

Also, another tip, if you lost your Pro Pen -- you can get accessory replacement (for almost any of the accessories) for free within the Warranty period, just goto myservice.surface.com

 

[HeXen]

it's absurd to think that a 16:9 tablet would ever be used in portrait mode. .

Which is the mode I use the majority of the time for reading books and digital mags and why I have to stay 4:3.
I thought the surface 1 felt odd to hold in landscape too cause it's so wide, seemed better to set on a table as if it's a laptop which kinda defeated the purpose to me.

 

[Ns1]

Also, another tip, if you lost your Pro Pen -- you can get accessory replacement (for almost any of the accessories) for free within the Warranty period, just goto myservice.surface.com

awesome.

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

Which is the mode I use the majority of the time for reading books and digital mags and why I have to stay 4:3.
I thought the surface 1 felt odd to hold in landscape too cause it's so wide, seemed better to set on a table as if it's a laptop which kinda defeated the purpose to me.

If you want to do serious book reading get a Kindle.

Tablets are a poor substitute IMHO.

 

[zerogear]

If you want to do serious book reading get a Kindle.

Tablets are a poor substitute IMHO.

I've been using it in portrait mode, it's a little weird, but not horrible. I guess i'm used to it from Android tablet days.

 

[Zaap]

Also, another tip, if you lost your Pro Pen -- you can get accessory replacement (for almost any of the accessories) for free within the Warranty period, just goto myservice.surface.com

Wow. How do they know if people legitimately lost theirs?

 

[Crono]

It's nice to see so many people come around. I remember trying to convince people to at least try the original Surface and Surface Pro but there was an instinctive dismissal of it for some reason, I think in part due to the expectations of what a Microsoft/Windows device is (unpolished, frustrating to use, relatively cheap).

The new Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 definitely improve on a lot of things, but they aren't so fundamentally different from the old devices but rather incremental upgrades much like what Apple and Android manufacturers have done with their product lines.

If anyone really doesn't mind the lesser battery life and specs of the old Surface tablets, you can buy them at significantly cheaper prices, and the new Covers are still compatible with the old ones. Great way to save money if you don't absolutely need the best of what is available. The Power Cover will make it worthwhile to buy a Pro now. ~$600 for a Surface Pro (just looking at eBay) isn't bad at all when you think of it as a touchscreen ultrabook with a digitzer/stylus. Compared to a new iPad, I'd much rather have the Surface Pro.

 

[Ns1]

http://www.surfaceremixproject.com/

this is badass.

 

[Crono]

http://www.surfaceremixproject.com/

this is badass.

Yup. And there's potentially other custom covers coming too. For instance that cover might be useful for people involved with music, but I could see video editing ones, ones for web/graphic design, business and finance, etc.

The new backlight, 1,000 touch-sensitiive zones which allow for precision custom layouts, and the Power Cover (adds 10+ hours additional battery life, due to arrive early next year) make it much more than the attachable keyboard covers available for other tablets. There's also a dock and other accessories coming out next year. It could very easily be the only computer you need.

 

[Ns1]

Yup. And there's potentially other custom covers coming too. For instance that cover might be useful for people involved with music, but I could see video editing ones, ones for web/graphic design, business and finance, etc.

The new backlight, 1,000 touch-sensitiive zones which allow for precision custom layouts, and the Power Cover (adds 10+ hours additional battery life, due to arrive early next year) make it much more than the attachable keyboard covers available for other tablets.

goddamnit stop it, i'm not going to get my hands on one until next week. you're killing me. lol

 

[Demo24]

I am excited the boss is letting me buy one for myself, 8gb 256 model! I even tried to save money and go with the 128 model, but insisted I go higher. Any specific apps or anything else I should download when I first get it? Hope to order it today so I should get it early next week.

 

[zerogear]

Wow. How do they know if people legitimately lost theirs?

I think at this point, they don't care. They are trying to provide excellent service in order to grab marketshare

 

[Ns1]

I am excited the boss is letting me buy one for myself, 8gb 256 model! I even tried to save money and go with the 128 model, but insisted I go higher. Any specific apps or anything else I should download when I first get it? Hope to order it today so I should get it early next week.

So jelly...

 

[TerryMathews]

Wow. How do they know if people legitimately lost theirs?

Sounds like it works like warranty replacements on their mice and keyboards. They mark the serial number not valid for warranty and tell you to pitch it.

 

[Ns1]

So uh...do you guys actually have an apps on your surface, or are you just running x86 "apps" + internet explorer?

 

[zerogear]

i am using quite a few. but mostly when i am using it as a tablet (like now)

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

So uh...do you guys actually have an apps on your surface, or are you just running x86 "apps" + internet explorer?

I run the device almost exclusively in Metro mode unless I need to get real work done in a legacy app (Visual Studio, Office, etc.). Other than my productivity apps, the only x86 apps I run are VLC player to watch movies the default video app can't handle.

Metro IE11 is freaking amazing. So buttery smooth and literally the touch implementation blows away anything I've ever seen. Pages glide across your finger as you swipe back/forth, it's incredible.

Facebook for Win8 is very good.

I have Readiy Pro for reading RSS articles. It live tiles and shows me updates from all of my favorite sites, really cool feature.

Flixster is awesome for finding reviews and showtimes.

The Xbox games are also very well done. I've been playing Spartan Assault and love it.

The app store is growing and growing and there are many high quality apps available to play with. Really the most important thing is having a great browser, and IE11 delivers.

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

So uh...do you guys actually have an apps on your surface, or are you just running x86 "apps" + internet explorer?

I only have a few apps (Skype, Skydrive, Weather, Netflix, Facebook) since most of my use is in x86 programs. I use it in my programming and game dev classes, and it has replaced pencil and paper for math. I don't see how any apps that could be on the app store would improve my experience.