Surface Pro 2 is incredible

[vi edit]

The added angles and the fact that it has a place to hold the stylus was enough for me to buy in.

 

[TripleThreatTLT]

Anyone got any recommendations for a really good to do app? Just got my surface in the last couple of weeks and I'm having a tough time finding something that really works well. Preferably something that is free. Although something with a decent trial would work as well.

 

[zerogear]

For to-do. I still stick with Outlook synced with Google Calendar. However, I see a bunch of free to-do apps in the Windows Store. Give gTasks HD a try -- it also syncs with Google account.

 

[Nebor]

I just use the Tasks from Microsoft Outlook. Syncs w/ my microsoft account to my WP8 phone for reminders.

 

[GarfieldtheCat]

Anyone compared the sp2 to a Note 10.1 (or 12.2)? Trying to decide between the sp2 and new note pro 12.2.

Main uses are handwriting notes at work (so digitizer wanted), and PDF reading of tech books/articles. Secondary use would be the usual stuff, web, netflix, email, etc.

Not looking at anything smaller then 10" because the PDF's just get too small to read comfortably, and I don't want to have to scroll around a ton to read them.

 

[TripleThreatTLT]

I had a original Note 10.1. I used it for work and it was ok. Honestly I thought the digitizer was just ok. I always got curls, and stray marks on my writing. I also found it difficult to keep s-note or other 3rd party note apps synced up with what I was doing at work.

I have a surface pro 1 now. Overall I find the experience superior. Windows 8 is much more fluid and multi tasking is much better. The multi window on the note I found to be very clunky, whereas on the surface it is very easy. The stylus on the surface also works much better for me. No stray mark and looks exactly like my normal handwriting. Not to mention OneNote is superior to S-Note.

 

[zerogear]

Has anyone's battery life improved significantly since the last few rounds of firmware updates? I'm hitting 8-10 hours pretty regularly

 

[ozymandius42]

Has anyone's battery life improved significantly since the last few rounds of firmware updates? I'm hitting 8-10 hours pretty regularly

Are you on the Pro or Pro2? Haven't really pushed the battery with the Pro2 after the updates yet. If you don't mind me asking, what settings are you running with to get those sorts of figures? Pre-update, on 'balanced' I was getting about 6-6.5 hours.

 

[Imaginer]

Under balanced, with use of drawing and 3D work, I have around 10W draw.

Under power saver, I am under 5W. This is with using OneNote, IE, and emails.

This is a point of observation. Right now, I cannot get the Battery meter widget to time record power draws.

 

[Zaap]

Anyone compared the sp2 to a Note 10.1 (or 12.2)? Trying to decide between the sp2 and new note pro 12.2.

Main uses are handwriting notes at work (so digitizer wanted), and PDF reading of tech books/articles. Secondary use would be the usual stuff, web, netflix, email, etc.

Not looking at anything smaller then 10" because the PDF's just get too small to read comfortably, and I don't want to have to scroll around a ton to read them.

My final choice of tablet came down to exactly the Surface Pro 2 or a Note Pro 12.2. The 12.2 ended up being best suited for me. Choice came down to the larger screen, and the fact that it does everything I need as both a productivity tool and content consumption device. Its now my most used work device other than the computers I edit animation with.

However: it was a really close call. If my main focus was note taking and/or drawing, the Surface would have won hands down. Its the clear winner for better digitizer (though the 12.2 is not bad) and full Windows software for productive tasks is unquestionably better.

The Note 12 is for me better as a straight up tablet though: for reading and media. I do absolutely no scrolling. I can lay a standard comic book over the screen and its the same size-so reading comics is a 1:1 experience. In landscape, I now find it most comfortable to read ebooks in two page spread form. There's rarely a need to zoom or scroll, which is what I like most. And multi-window is really useful on such a large screen- I have my preset layouts now where I can have a PDF storyboard, script, movie window and notepad up side by side able to take notes for work tasks using one mobile device where I used to do the same task with more than one.

I'd recommended going to Best Buy or similar and putting the two tablets side by side and seeing which you like best for yourself. I still feel I could go either way and be happy, just for slightly different reasons. In fact I eventually will get a Surface 2 (or even newer-gen Windows tablet) just for drawing. For now, loving the Note 12.2.

 

[bearxor]

Anyone compared the sp2 to a Note 10.1 (or 12.2)? Trying to decide between the sp2 and new note pro 12.2.

Main uses are handwriting notes at work (so digitizer wanted), and PDF reading of tech books/articles. Secondary use would be the usual stuff, web, netflix, email, etc.

Not looking at anything smaller then 10" because the PDF's just get too small to read comfortably, and I don't want to have to scroll around a ton to read them.

I think you just have to ask yourself one question. Do I need x86 compatibility?

If not, then the Note Pro 12.2 is probably the better choice.

 

[Imaginer]

I'd recommended going to Best Buy or similar and putting the two tablets side by side and seeing which you like best for yourself.

Honestly, that alone may not be enough. For me in the decision making process - it involves asking the Best Buy employee to allow me to install trials of the software I would be using to evaluate (at the time when Wintab wasn't even working) the digitizer.

Knowing full well Wintab support would come, I ordered the device. However, I also had great alternatives that worked as well with the Ink api.

Show models, do not have your intended work environment - playing with floor models can only gauge so much. For me, being able to leverage my current software - without finding (and purchasing) additional alternatives solely for a specific device, and to be able to extend (with little to no sacrifice) of my PC is the biggest key.

And in owning my Surface Pro 2 and before with the Pro 1, there are additional "hidden" device leverages I have taken (in off desk usage, lap usage, dual touch and pen manipulation - I cannot experience in a short period of time in a Best Buy, especially with a security tether).

 

[Zaap]

Well sure, I suppose you can use the "Buy it... try it... return it" method.

Personally, I can make a descision based on seeing something myself before I own it. (Along with prior reasearch and reading ). Its not like this is completely new technology or anything. I know the parameters of Android and Windows already, just need to compare the hardware. But of course whatever works for people.

 

[zerogear]

Are you on the Pro or Pro2? Haven't really pushed the battery with the Pro2 after the updates yet. If you don't mind me asking, what settings are you running with to get those sorts of figures? Pre-update, on 'balanced' I was getting about 6-6.5 hours.

I've modified the Balanced battery profile to have "maximum battery savings" for most of the 'On Battery' parts of the settings. I also keep my brightness at around 30% unless I need more.

I had around 7 hours or so before the Feb/March firmware updates. With latest ones it went upward to around 8-10 (depending on usage).

 

[ozymandius42]

I've modified the Balanced battery profile to have "maximum battery savings" for most of the 'On Battery' parts of the settings. I also keep my brightness at around 30% unless I need more.

I had around 7 hours or so before the Feb/March firmware updates. With latest ones it went upward to around 8-10 (depending on usage).

Yup, so I was running a similar power setting (and had brightness at around 35%) and have been getting the same hours as you. Looks like the firmware updates did do something worthwhile!

Just as an aside, are you thinking of getting the power cover? Am a little torn on this, especially regarding the cost.

 

[zerogear]

I am thinking about it, I might wait for a discount first, from either Staples or something. It's not something I need on day 1.

 

[Imaginer]

Done a web browsing session only for about 40 minutes. When I had the chance to switch back to the desktop (with no major applications running in that space) my power drain is at 3.685W.

This is on a Power Saver option.

Meaning, yes, it CAN go up to 8 to 10 hours given the capacity of the 42Whr battery. (if those 8 to 10 hours are solely web surfing documents with light video or music, etc).

Again, I haven't been focused on finding a power usage over time recording and tracking software, but I am sure there is one that exists to give a curve over time that a user can correspond to their activity.

 

[jpeyton]

I found a Surface Pro 2 at a pawn shop, and they apparently didn't know what they were selling. Let's just say they priced it under $350, and I snatched it up.

I need to find a nice case for it now. I'm hoping it will knock both my laptop and Nexus 7 LTE out of my rotation, but we'll see.

First impressions: extremely fast, but also chunky by tablet standards.

 

[Ns1]

First impressions: extremely fast, but also chunky by tablet standards.

That's because you bought a laptop. (With options)


Now go download hearthstone and laugh at the guys in pc gaming playing hearthstone with a mouse.

 

[ictguy]

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

The best browser for Windows 8.1 is Internet Explorer. Leave it alone

 

[MarkizSchnitzel]

The best browser for Windows 8.1 is Internet Explorer. Leave it alone

While I have turned from IE hater to actually using it exclusively on my tablet, I still miss extensions. A lot.

 

[bearxor]

I've had my used Surface Pro I picked up for $500 for a couple of weeks now. I still feel the same way I thought about it over Christmas before I retuned it. Its a fantastic device that is too heavy and too wide to use as a tablet. But I still love it anyways. I think Win8.1 is just freaking fantastic on a tablet so I've already made the switch and will see what the SP3 beings this fall, though I doubt it will be anything fantastic enough to get me to upgrade.

What I really wanted to make a mention about is the Touch Cover 2. I got it with my SP and I thought I was going to really dislike it. That was based mostly on what is the massive anti-touch cover movement online. It's essentially Type Cover or bust as far as most people are concerned. I just wanted to say that I LOVE the Touch Cover 2. Its way better in use than I was expecting it to be. Its at the point where I don't think id even trade my touch cover for a type cover. Its super thin and feels great to type on once you spend a few hours getting the feel down.

 

[jpeyton]

I picked up a Type Cover 2 for $30. I'm actually surprised by how quickly I can type on it; the key travel is great. The trackpad is responsive if you hit the mark, but you miss sometimes since the target area is so small.

The battery life on the Surface Pro 2 is fantastic. On Power Saver, I get still great performance with at least 9-10 hours of light use. I can usually go 2-3 days before I need to charge.

 

[zerogear]

I've had my used Surface Pro I picked up for $500 for a couple of weeks now. I still feel the same way I thought about it over Christmas before I retuned it. Its a fantastic device that is too heavy and too wide to use as a tablet. But I still love it anyways. I think Win8.1 is just freaking fantastic on a tablet so I've already made the switch and will see what the SP3 beings this fall, though I doubt it will be anything fantastic enough to get me to upgrade.

What I really wanted to make a mention about is the Touch Cover 2. I got it with my SP and I thought I was going to really dislike it. That was based mostly on what is the massive anti-touch cover movement online. It's essentially Type Cover or bust as far as most people are concerned. I just wanted to say that I LOVE the Touch Cover 2. Its way better in use than I was expecting it to be. Its at the point where I don't think id even trade my touch cover for a type cover. Its super thin and feels great to type on once you spend a few hours getting the feel down.

It's kind of a backlash from how shitty Touch Cover 1 was. Touch Cover 2 is way way better.

 

[Imaginer]

It's kind of a backlash from how shitty Touch Cover 1 was. Touch Cover 2 is way way better.

I actually like trying out the Touch Cover 2, but find my fingers tend to drift still, even with some distinction on the Touch Cover 2. I also found I sometimes do need to hover my fingers over the cover's keys while typing or risk some error versus a Type Cover.

I picked up a Type Cover 2 for $30. I'm actually surprised by how quickly I can type on it; the key travel is great. The trackpad is responsive if you hit the mark, but you miss sometimes since the target area is so small.

That is a crux on all the covers, not enough area to do long drags for pointer travel. But I find no reason to use it, being touch screen on the Surface Pro 2 (with a virtual touch screen mouse). The trackpad, for me, is a last resort pointer device.

I like the trackpad (and buttons) on the first Type Cover, being a bit more physical in depressing. The Type Cover 2's trackpad buttons, are of a spongy depress.

Definitely hope the Surface Pro 3 has pen tilt recognition and pen barrel rotate recognition - as this would alleviate any calibration issues, no matter how you orient the device and your pen to write, draw, and now do calligraphy with given those implemented features.

And of which, would already work with any painting program (Corel Painter would come to mind) with the many brushes it has.

The project leads on the Surface Pro 3, I hope, would possibly strike a good deal with Wacom for such an implementation (doesn't need to be their greatest EMR digitizers, just ones with the same pressure points and the tilt and barrel rotate).