Surface Pro 4

[Matt3o]

Did anyone give it spin? Impressions? I was almost going to get it, but I've read a lot of complains.

Alternatives? The Surface Book also looks pretty nice.

Thanks

[GL1TCH3D]

Surface book is a lot more expensive though isn't it?

Also less of a tablet and more of a laptop

[LeandreN]

I have the Surface Pro 3. Definetily more of a laptop than a tablet but the touch features are nice. I use it everyday, fast and responsive.

[Matt3o]

I have the Surface Pro 3. Definetily more of a laptop than a tablet but the touch features are nice. I use it everyday, fast and responsive.

yeah I heard the pro 3 is fine, but it seems the pro 4 is filled with bugs.

the book seems better in every possible way (battery life, power, screen, ...)

[GL1TCH3D]

I have the Surface Pro 3. Definetily more of a laptop than a tablet but the touch features are nice. I use it everyday, fast and responsive.

yeah I heard the pro 3 is fine, but it seems the pro 4 is filled with bugs.

the book seems better in every possibly way (battery life, power, screen, ...)

I thought the 3 was bad with bluetooth?

[vivalarevolución]

I just went ultrabook or 2 in 1 shopping and looked at almost every recent model on the American market.  For the specifications offered in a Surface Pro, you can get the same for a lower price.  Although I'm not sure if there is any advantage to the hardware/software integration offered by the Surface devices.

I liked what was offered by the Dell XPS 13 and Hp Spectre x360.  However, the Dell XPS 13 does not have a detachable tablet mode or be able to fold all the way back.  Some reviews said the comparable devices from Lenovo felt cheaper, unless you got something from the Thinkpad line.

All of these devices are going to have their fair share of problems, so I think getting a device without issues is the luck of the draw.  Pay attention to the warranty and return policy of where you buy the device.

[dgneo]

I've had a Surface Pro 2 for a couple of years now, and I love it. I've got the type cover, which is nice, but I usually disconnect it when I'm actually trying to get work done. The pen works really nice, and programs like Manga Studio 5 work fantastically with the pen. Definitely would recommend picking it up if you're looking into it. I've heard the Surface Book is even better, my Uncle recently picked it up and had nothing but praise for it.

Surface Pro 2 + HHKB + Logitech M570 = Heaven.

[jacobolus]

What are your criteria?

I got an iPad Pro + stylus, and the pen input is really fantastic, and there are several very nice sketching/illustration/notetaking apps. Compared to a friend’s Surface 2/3 that I’ve tried side by side with it, the input lag is something like half or less with higher update frequency, and there’s also noticeably better precision in position and pressure. Some of the difference might be down to software DSP and software pipeline overhead, I don’t know if there have been any direct hardware-level latency/precision tests using some kind of debug output. The screen is also much less flexible: on the Surface screen pressing the pen down causes the screen to flex with noticeable color shift, which makes me kind of nervous. I’m a big fan of the iPad display resolution/color accuracy/viewing angle/etc. For web browsing, watching videos, etc. it’s also a great device, though personally I prefer laptops for most uses.

Obviously an iPad won’t help you if you mainly want to run Windows apps though. The Surfaces also seem like pretty nice machines.

[Binge]

Really really trying to get my hands on one.  I got to use one at one of the offices in our area and it would be so useful for HWS stuff.

[Leslieann]

As LeandreN said, do not think of it as a laptop, Surfaces make for a sh*tty laptop, hey are good tablets though.

Keep in mind, the tablet market is collapsing, larger cell phones and smaller notebooks are killing them. I don't get the large cell phones, but I couldn't be happier to see the market for smaller laptops grow.

Personally, I wouldn't go near the tablet or book. I have customers with the tablet, and while well made and they like certain features, they also cuss and swear at them often, much of this due to Microsoft and the design. The book is a tablet with even more potential problems.  The deathnell for me though, is the fact that MS doesn't know how to make serviceable products.  Tablets are easily broken and the Surface line has a history of being almost unrepairable. If you buy one, get the best damned warranty you can on it and protect it with your life.

My advice, find a Microcenter, and buy one of their 10in tablets for 1/5th the cost, when it breaks, go buy another.

[Matt3o]

the ipad pro is not an option. I have an ipad that is getting old but I do not plan to renew it. Probably a laptop that can work as a tablet can replace both my macbook air and ipad. That's my hope at least. The stylus is not my priority.

It's not a win vs apple thing, I actually run linux on anything and generally speaking I hate windows. Just wanted to hear a first hand experience on the surface, so far I had all terrible experiences with MS products.

the Dell XPS 12 looks nice and costs a pinch less than the surface, a pity it doesn't come with 16gig of ram. I love to set large ram drives. not a fan of "flippable" laptops (yoga or hp 360).

[jacobolus]

Probably a laptop that can work as a tablet can replace both my macbook air and ipad. That's my hope at least. The stylus is not my priority. It's not a win vs apple thing, I actually run linux on anything and generally speaking I hate windows.

Understood.

Well, I have a couple friends who really like their Surfaces, and another friend who returned his Surface (2? 3?) a year or two ago because he found that the Windows apps he wanted to run had poor support for UI scaling and touch input.

Beyond that, I can’t give much useful feedback for you. Good luck either way!

[studentben]

I have a Pro 3 which I use for school, and I love it a lot. Just got a replacement Surface Pro 3 and I'm not happy with the stand being so loose, I've brought it back for a replacement once but the new one they gave me had the same issue.

I really want to try out the Surface book though, it seems more usable than the Pro 3 for myself.

The reason that I had to get my first Surface Pro 3 replaced was someone walked by me in the aisles during a lecture and their backpack clipped the Pro 3. I grabbed the keyboard hoping to save it but the magnet wasn't strong enough so it just kinda fell to the ground and cracked the screen.

[Pemdas]

I've been torn between the surface pro 4 and surface book for a while now, I'm leaning towards the pro 4 though.

The GPU in the book is nice but I don't really think I'd use it. I don't do any 3d work, I wouldn't need to push any extra monitors, and all of the games I'd play on the road aren't very graphic intensive(rocket league, binding of isaac, hearthstone, etc) any heavy duty gaming I can save for my desktop at home.  I always have a mech with me so the keyboard on the book would just be extra weight really. And I could save ~$500 by choosing the pro 4 over the book.

On the other hand the fulcrum hinge, that awesome wire lock, the new form factor and general "coolness" of the book keep drawing me back to it...

I went to best buy and just kept undocking the screen from the keyboard over and over again, it just feels so solid when it locks in.

[vivalarevolución]

the ipad pro is not an option. I have an ipad that is getting old but I do not plan to renew it. Probably a laptop that can work as a tablet can replace both my macbook air and ipad. That's my hope at least. The stylus is not my priority.

It's not a win vs apple thing, I actually run linux on anything and generally speaking I hate windows. Just wanted to hear a first hand experience on the surface, so far I had all terrible experiences with MS products.

the Dell XPS 12 looks nice and costs a pinch less than the surface, a pity it doesn't come with 16gig of ram. I love to set large ram drives. not a fan of "flippable" laptops (yoga or hp 360).

Your search for a laptop/tablet is very similar to my recent search for a similar item.  I found the options in high-end laptops with detachable tablets somewhat lacking.  Compared to the Surface Pro and Surface Book, most options were lower powered.  I think this website and article does a great job of documenting what is on the market right now:  http://www.ultrabookreview.com/2218-top-ultrabook-convertible/

Also, I read in a few places that high resolution screens and Linux have some issues, because many of the apps and desktop environments are not supported to work well with high resolution screens.  So buying a laptop with a high resolution screen for Linux may not be worth it.

Also, if your plan is to only use Linux, perhaps you could consider a Chromebook.  The Google Chromebook Pixel is a very good device with a touchscreen, although does not have a detachable tablet.

What I ended up doing in the end was building my desktop computer and buying a Dell Chromebook 13 with a touchscreen.  The total was less than a Surface Book.  I figured that most of my computing is done at home, so just keep a modular desktop around for that, and then have this Chromebook for light computing (office documents, browsing, videos and music).

[studentben]

I've been torn between the surface pro 4 and surface book for a while now, I'm leaning towards the pro 4 though.

The GPU in the book is nice but I don't really think I'd use it. I don't do any 3d work, I wouldn't need to push any extra monitors, and all of the games I'd play on the road aren't very graphic intensive(rocket league, binding of isaac, hearthstone, etc) any heavy duty gaming I can save for my desktop at home.  I always have a mech with me so the keyboard on the book would just be extra weight really. And I could save ~$500 by choosing the pro 4 over the book.

On the other hand the fulcrum hinge, that awesome wire lock, the new form factor and general "coolness" of the book keep drawing me back to it...

I went to best buy and just kept undocking the screen from the keyboard over and over again, it just feels so solid when it locks in.

If you read my story about me trying to catch the Pro 3 by the type cover.... I think after what I know now, for my use I would go with the Surface Book.

If you're in no danger of ever being in a similar situation which I was in, then the Pro 4 might be a better option for you. Save dat cash for more keyboards!

[GL1TCH3D]

I've been torn between the surface pro 4 and surface book for a while now, I'm leaning towards the pro 4 though.

The GPU in the book is nice but I don't really think I'd use it. I don't do any 3d work, I wouldn't need to push any extra monitors, and all of the games I'd play on the road aren't very graphic intensive(rocket league, binding of isaac, hearthstone, etc) any heavy duty gaming I can save for my desktop at home.  I always have a mech with me so the keyboard on the book would just be extra weight really. And I could save ~$500 by choosing the pro 4 over the book.

On the other hand the fulcrum hinge, that awesome wire lock, the new form factor and general "coolness" of the book keep drawing me back to it...

I went to best buy and just kept undocking the screen from the keyboard over and over again, it just feels so solid when it locks in.

If you read my story about me trying to catch the Pro 3 by the type cover.... I think after what I know now, for my use I would go with the Surface Book.

If you're in no danger of ever being in a similar situation which I was in, then the Pro 4 might be a better option for you. Save dat cash for more keyboards!

Uh oh what happened?!?

[iamtootallforthis]

I've been torn between the surface pro 4 and surface book for a while now, I'm leaning towards the pro 4 though.

The GPU in the book is nice but I don't really think I'd use it. I don't do any 3d work, I wouldn't need to push any extra monitors, and all of the games I'd play on the road aren't very graphic intensive(rocket league, binding of isaac, hearthstone, etc) any heavy duty gaming I can save for my desktop at home.  I always have a mech with me so the keyboard on the book would just be extra weight really. And I could save ~$500 by choosing the pro 4 over the book.

On the other hand the fulcrum hinge, that awesome wire lock, the new form factor and general "coolness" of the book keep drawing me back to it...

I went to best buy and just kept undocking the screen from the keyboard over and over again, it just feels so solid when it locks in.

If you read my story about me trying to catch the Pro 3 by the type cover.... I think after what I know now, for my use I would go with the Surface Book.

If you're in no danger of ever being in a similar situation which I was in, then the Pro 4 might be a better option for you. Save dat cash for more keyboards!

Uh oh what happened?!?

I have a Pro 3 which I use for school, and I love it a lot. Just got a replacement Surface Pro 3 and I'm not happy with the stand being so loose, I've brought it back for a replacement once but the new one they gave me had the same issue.

I really want to try out the Surface book though, it seems more usable than the Pro 3 for myself.

The reason that I had to get my first Surface Pro 3 replaced was someone walked by me in the aisles during a lecture and their backpack clipped the Pro 3. I grabbed the keyboard hoping to save it but the magnet wasn't strong enough so it just kinda fell to the ground and cracked the screen.

[Leslieann]

On the other hand the fulcrum hinge, that awesome wire lock, the new form factor and general "coolness" of the book keep drawing me back to it...

And how long will that last.
Talk to owners of the original Surface tablets and many will tell you how many problems they have with the keyboard connection. Same with many of the other convertibles. And the there is the actual hinge itself.

I have a Pro 3 which I use for school, and I love it a lot. Just got a replacement Surface Pro 3 and I'm not happy with the stand being so loose, I've brought it back for a replacement once but the new one they gave me had the same issue.

I really want to try out the Surface book though, it seems more usable than the Pro 3 for myself.

The reason that I had to get my first Surface Pro 3 replaced was someone walked by me in the aisles during a lecture and their backpack clipped the Pro 3. I grabbed the keyboard hoping to save it but the magnet wasn't strong enough so it just kinda fell to the ground and cracked the screen.

This is a good example of what I referenced earlier, there is almost no way to fix any problems, you simply replace the whole thing. Something that costs so much, and has so much potential for damage, shouldn't be impossible to repair.

[GL1TCH3D]

On the other hand the fulcrum hinge, that awesome wire lock, the new form factor and general "coolness" of the book keep drawing me back to it...

And how long will that last.
Talk to owners of the original Surface tablets and many will tell you how many problems they have with the keyboard connection. Same with many of the other convertibles. And the there is the actual hinge itself.

I have a Pro 3 which I use for school, and I love it a lot. Just got a replacement Surface Pro 3 and I'm not happy with the stand being so loose, I've brought it back for a replacement once but the new one they gave me had the same issue.

I really want to try out the Surface book though, it seems more usable than the Pro 3 for myself.

The reason that I had to get my first Surface Pro 3 replaced was someone walked by me in the aisles during a lecture and their backpack clipped the Pro 3. I grabbed the keyboard hoping to save it but the magnet wasn't strong enough so it just kinda fell to the ground and cracked the screen.

This is a good example of what I referenced earlier, there is almost no way to fix any problems, you simply replace the whole thing. Something that costs so much, and has so much potential for damage, shouldn't be impossible to repair.

Maybe this is one time that budgeting for the warranty should be done?

I'm not a fan of laptops in general. Really liked the idea of full windows on a tablet with a stand so I could connect my own board for typing or just using it for general other use.

[studentben]

Maybe this is one time that budgeting for the warranty should be done?

I'm not a fan of laptops in general. Really liked the idea of full windows on a tablet with a stand so I could connect my own board for typing or just using it for general other use.

For me, I bought Microsoft Complete when I first purchased the Surface Pro 3. It was mainly my mom's idea, but I'm sure as hell happy that I did.

[Leslieann]

Maybe this is one time that budgeting for the warranty should be done?

Absolutely, MS doesn't have the best history, and tablets do not either, combine the, and there's a good chance you may need that warranty.

However, a bit of warning... Most warranties are only good for one replacement and then the warranty is void unless you pay again or at least extra, be sure to verify. Also, if they can repair or replace it, do a VERY through test of it as soon as you get it back. I'd then sell it because they can often be problematic from then on. My policy is that a good reliable product (especially one I can fix myself) is FAR better than the best warranty I can buy, which is why unless something drastically changes, I won't be buying a Surface anytime soon unless I can get it at a disposable price, because that's exactly how they are built... Disposable.

Also, there are other tablets that you can put a keyboard on, often bluetooth, which seems more reliable than the magnetic connection many tablets have.