Surface Pro 2 is incredible

[OneOfTheseDays]

I just picked up my preorder unit, 256GB storage and 8GB of ram.

This device is a revelation. There is nothing like it on the market today. If you're someone that wants one device that splits tablet/laptop duties then this is it. It will replace all of the devices in your bag.

I'm simply floored at how awesome every aspect of the device is. Kickstand rocks, 1080P screen is beautiful, type cover 2 is SO easy to type on, speakers are great, battery life is now 8 hours and STILL GOING on the first charge. Performance blows pretty much any tablet out of the water today and is competitive with any modern $1000+ ultrabook. The talk about the weight is overblown. You're not going to be holding this device one handed or in portrait mode, it's absurd to think that a 16:9 tablet would ever be used in portrait mode. This device is meant to be used on your lap or on a flat surface, period.

METRO interface is downright beautiful when apps are done correctly and utilize split screen capabilities effectively. I can do SO MUCH more on this device in tablet mode compared to any other tablet on the market. As the app store begins to flesh out people will realize that maybe MSFT made the right gamble all along to unify their tablet/desktop OS so early in the game.

Honestly, all of the tech reviewers got it wrong. They simply did not know how to review this device. Microsoft hit it out of the park. I'm fucking loving this thing.

Let me know if you guys want any videos/pics of anything in particular.

 

[corkyg]

It is now getting some very good reviews. I'm impressed, and am consi8dering the Surface Pro 2.

 

[foghorn67]

I'm getting it, just a matter of time. Probably just after the holidays. It's the first device I have been excited about in a while. Especially since I have picked up drawing again.

 

[zerogear]

Only quirk I don't like about Windows 8 is that you can't set another browser as default and still use Metro version of IE11 -- The Touch aspect of IE11 is heads above all the other browsers out there

 

[RossMAN]

How much was it?

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

How much was it?

$$$

 

[zerogear]

If you factor in that it replaces a tablet and a laptop, it's really not all that expensive. (Not cheap, but not expensive)

 

[manko]

I'm considering one too, but also waiting to see the Dell Venue 11 Pro and other alternatives. With a lot of upcoming Bay Trail products, it sounds like next year may be very good for Win8 convertibles. The AT review also made me really hope for a slimmer Broadwell powered Surface Pro 3 next year, but that's a long way off.

 

[ilkhan]

Ill get one when it has thunderbolt to support external GPUs.
Maybe. I just grabbed a GTX770m laptop and its working just fine for me.

 

[The_Dude8]

How much was it?

it's $899 from the ms store website:

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/html/pbPage.PDPS/productID.286866600

 

[Zaap]

Nice review!

You make it sound seriously tempting. I'll have to check one out.

As for posting videos, the Pro 2 has a pressure sensitive stylus, right? I'd really appreciate if you could do a video showing how well it works. ( I dunno, is there a drawing or pen-enabled app that would show it off well?) That's the one thing I'm ultra curious about that could just sway me to get one.

And holy.... $899? That's not bad at all.

 

[Imaginer]

Do note, one still has to install the Wacom's Feel It tablet PC drivers for pressure sensitivity Wintab functionality. Otherwise, an even more solid drawing and painting device.

 

[gorcorps]

it's $899 from the ms store website:

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/html/pbPage.PDPS/productID.286866600

He got the 256gig version, which is $1299

 

[OBLAMA2009]

there are so many advantages to having full windows on your tablet, i really think ms is gonna take off now that they have decent tablet chips

 

[jaydee]

I want to like this machine, but I'm not (or it's not?) ready. Too thick/heavy for tablet, and too small of a screen for a laptop. Plus you're looking at $1300 plus $130 for the 256GB/8GB + keyboard cover, after tax its about $1,550 in NY.

I actually like what MS is doing with Win8 and Win8RT (for the most part, no WMC on non-Pro is still very foolish IMO), but I can't jump on this bandwagon yet. I have little incentive to unify my laptop and tablet into one device, especially at that price. For the same price, I'll take $500 tablet + $850 13-15" laptop and it's not even close. Maybe someday.

 

[zerogear]

I want to like this machine, but I'm not (or it's not?) ready. Too thick/heavy for tablet, and too small of a screen for a laptop. Plus you're looking at $1300 plus $130 for the 256GB/8GB + keyboard cover, after tax its about $1,550 in NY.

I actually like what MS is doing with Win8 and Win8RT (for the most part, no WMC on non-Pro is still very foolish IMO), but I can't jump on this bandwagon yet. I have little incentive to unify my laptop and tablet into one device, especially at that price. For the same price, I'll take $500 tablet + $850 13-15" laptop and it's not even close. Maybe someday.

If it's too small for you, then it will never likely be "ready" for you. This is one of the concessions when you're trying to do a hybrid device. As I said, it's not that expensive when it's two devices in one, but clearly you prefer having two devices rather than a hybrid one.

 

[Red Storm]

This device is meant to be used on your lap or on a flat surface, period.

When talking about a laptop, sure. But a tablet needs to be comfortable to use in hand as well IMHO.

I think I will wait out for the next version, they need to make it thinner and lighter.

 

[zerogear]

When talking about a laptop, sure. But a tablet needs to be comfortable to use in hand as well IMHO.

I think I will wait out for the next version, they need to make it thinner and lighter.

I don't know, I think it's pretty comfortable in hand. I used it in the toilet one handed in portrait mode reading the news. It didn't feel that much different than my iPad 4.

 

[Genx87]

If this had a true docking solution it would be replace our laptops. Maybe next generation they will add that capability.

 

[Ventanni]

Is there any video out with the Surface Pro?

 

[zerogear]

If this had a true docking solution it would be replace our laptops

Do you mean this? http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/accessories/docking-station

Is there any video out with the Surface Pro?

micro HDMI -- Also if you have MiraCast, 8.1 supports MiraCast out of box

 

[SLCentral]

Only quirk I don't like about Windows 8 is that you can't set another browser as default and still use Metro version of IE11 -- The Touch aspect of IE11 is heads above all the other browsers out there

I got the SP2 on launch day and I'm struggling with this as well. Chrome is a disaster on a high-res touchscreen, even with all the optimizations (turning off DPI scaling, enabling touch mode, zooming, etc.). But, I use Chrome on my Android device and work computer and love that it syncs between all 3. IE 11 obviously does not sync between my other devices.

Will Chrome release a Metro version that is actually usable anytime soon, and that can be easily switched from Metro to Desktop mode seamlessly?

 

[zerogear]

I don't think so, Google is being Anti-Microsoft as of not-so-late

 

[Canbacon]

I got the SP2 on launch day and I'm struggling with this as well. Chrome is a disaster on a high-res touchscreen, even with all the optimizations (turning off DPI scaling, enabling touch mode, zooming, etc.). But, I use Chrome on my Android device and work computer and love that it syncs between all 3. IE 11 obviously does not sync between my other devices.

Will Chrome release a Metro version that is actually usable anytime soon, and that can be easily switched from Metro to Desktop mode seamlessly?

Most likely not.

However, if you don't mind Firefox, they have a good metro version of their browser that is really touch friendly. It is not as good as the Metro IE but a lot better than Chrome. You just need to grab the Aurora (recommended) or Nightly builds of Firefox.

 

[paperwastage]

This device is a revelation. There is nothing like it on the market today. If you're someone that wants one device that splits tablet/laptop duties then this is it. It will replace all of the devices in your bag.

the Thinkpad Helix is similar (though no haswell