Tech: New Microsoft Surface Pro

Subject: Tech: New Microsoft Surface Pro
From: MarkS
Date: 16 Feb 13 - 04:11 PM

Anybody have any thought, experience, or opinions on the new Microsoft Surface Pro?
Kind of like the size and capabilities but would like other views before considering plunking down lots of dollars!

Subject: RE: Tech: New Microsoft Surface Pro
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Feb 13 - 11:57 AM

Is this just the tablet, or is this also a software/OS that comes with it?

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: New Microsoft Surface Pro
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 Feb 13 - 07:15 PM

A review from a reasonably trustable source, PC Advisor, is at Microsoft Surface Pro Review. So far as I can see, the starting price of $890 and more for the version reviewed isn't comparable to what you can get for $350 in a desktop for similar performance, but it is a "barely portable" thing that might be of interest to some. (There appear to be cheaper models, but they reviewed ones that might do something for you?)

Summary is: 1.) Expensive as H***., 2.) Runs very hot, 3.) Heavy as a big brick.4.) Screen resolution not as good as some others, 5.) only has "usable" keyboard - not an efficent one, 6.) It's 100% Microsoft.

Based on price alone, you'd get great "bragability" among budget conscious friends, but not much else.

YMMV.

A review from CNet, which usually gives more "technical" information, doesn't say a whole lot but has a nice slide show. They don't appear to be a lot more impressed than I've been, but ...

The Review by ZD Net also looks to me that they rate it as "unimpressive."

There are lots of other comments from people who appear to care, and have actually looked at it, but I won't post links to places I'm not familiar enough with to be able to know how much I can trust them.

Bottom line: "Ho ... and a big Hum" but of course YMMV.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: New Microsoft Surface Pro
From: GUEST,tony Rath aka Tonyteach
Date: 17 Feb 13 - 07:34 PM

I believe it is designed as a corporate tablet So firms will buy it in bulk which will drive the price down for them. Looks expensive and not value for money. Chromebook or netbook are better options

Subject: RE: Tech: New Microsoft Surface Pro
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 Feb 13 - 07:52 PM

The real factor that should be most considered is whether it does something THAT YOU NEED that isn't available in something cheaper with verified performance. I don't need "portable" and instant continuous connection with "friends" who don't actually GIS about me, so it's fairly uninteresting for my needs.

For some people, "I spent more than you did" is VERY IMPORTANT, and at present that seems to be a significant factor for those who might think they want Surface Pro. I don't see much else of significance, even when I try very hard to consider how important things that I don't need may be to others.

Maybe later. For now the important consideration is that with five posts to the thread maybe someone who cares will look at it and give us a useful comment. (Nobody looks at threads with only one or two posts. Confirmed. Data available.)

John

Subject: RE: Tech: New Microsoft Surface Pro
From: MarkS
Date: 17 Feb 13 - 10:37 PM

Thanks all for your comments and in particular JohninKansas! I am looking for convenience and the ability to just do slidshows of different files of photos. Do not need internet or streaming video or social networking, etc. And I sure do not need bragging rights about how much I spent.

Mark

Subject: RE: Tech: New Microsoft Surface Pro
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Feb 13 - 03:27 PM

A "Review" on Surface Pro that I didn't make notes on when it showed up a week ago has been recycled in a newsletter today, and might be of interest:

Surface Pro Is Most Unrepairable Tablet to Date: iFixit

By Michelle Maisto | Posted 2013-02-15

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has sworn that there's nothing Apple does that Microsoft won't do, too—no stone that Microsoft will leave unturned, as it seeks to challenge Apple in all it does.

With the Surface Pro, however, Microsoft followed through on Ballmer's vow a bit too literally. Apple has held the prize for stirring repair site iFixit's ire, regarding how difficult to fix its products are.

Following a June 2012 teardown of the MacBook Pro with Retina Display, iFixit's Kyle Wiens, calling it unfixable and untenable, further lamented, "Every time we buy a locked down product containing a non-replaceable battery with a finite cycle count, we're voicing our opinion on how long our things should last. ... If we want long-lasting products that retain their value, we have to support products that do so."

Tearing down the Microsoft Surface Pro Feb. 13, the team found a similarly disappointing situation. "The display assembly is anchored down with the most adhesive we've ever seen on a small device," wrote Miro Djuric. "Adding salt to the wounds, the battery is buried behind the motherboard and glued down to the case." Given these factors, iFixit gave the Surface Pro a repairability score of 1 on a sale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most repairable (and so the most friendly to users, their wallets and the environment).

Djuric added that the score was "the worst any tablet has ever received."


The article relies on a 15 view slide show that can't be posted here, although there's a "Print" button that allows you to print the article with the pictures. (I often Print to pdf for such stuff. You probably can too?)

It may be worth looking at even for those not interested in this particular device, since it may suggest directions in which the manufacturers intend to go in the near future.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: New Microsoft Surface Pro
From: Artful Codger
Date: 18 Feb 13 - 04:17 PM

Microsoft—need we say more? Anyway, "surface" to me suggests a road-paving application, which is perhaps the best use for one.