Surface Pro advice

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#1442111 7-Dec-2015 15:36

timmmay:
MikeB4: I would recommend the minimum CPU being i5 with your requirements but you should look to buy in the i7 range

i5 should be just fine, i7 not really much faster - though I'm talking about desktop processors, not about the specific Surface Pro models. Basically four cores is plenty, adding hyperthreading or more cores only helps for some operations.

The difference between i5 and i7 for what is needed here is not speed, granted speed between the two is fairly close, its about task handing especially dealing with RAW etc and photo processing in PS and LB, it's why I suggested an i7 it would
provide more raw grunt here.

Talkiet

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#1442123 7-Dec-2015 15:44

MikeB4:
timmmay:
MikeB4: I would recommend the minimum CPU being i5 with your requirements but you should look to buy in the i7 range

i5 should be just fine, i7 not really much faster - though I'm talking about desktop processors, not about the specific Surface Pro models. Basically four cores is plenty, adding hyperthreading or more cores only helps for some operations.

The difference between i5 and i7 for what is needed here is not speed, granted speed between the two is fairly close, its about task handing especially dealing with RAW etc and photo processing in PS and LB, it's why I suggested an i7 it would
provide more raw grunt here.

There's very little difference between the i5 and i7 used in the surface Pro 4 models...

http://ark.intel.com/compare/88190,91497

There's a little bit better GPU used in the i7 model, but again, if not gaming, then barely worth a mention.

The reasons to go for the i7 are nothing to do with the CPU. You can only get higher than 8GB RAM or higher than 256GB SSD with the i7.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Geektastic

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#1442132 7-Dec-2015 15:49

Talkiet:
MikeB4:
timmmay:
MikeB4: I would recommend the minimum CPU being i5 with your requirements but you should look to buy in the i7 range

i5 should be just fine, i7 not really much faster - though I'm talking about desktop processors, not about the specific Surface Pro models. Basically four cores is plenty, adding hyperthreading or more cores only helps for some operations.

The difference between i5 and i7 for what is needed here is not speed, granted speed between the two is fairly close, its about task handing especially dealing with RAW etc and photo processing in PS and LB, it's why I suggested an i7 it would
provide more raw grunt here.

There's very little difference between the i5 and i7 used in the surface Pro 4 models...

http://ark.intel.com/compare/88190,91497

There's a little bit better GPU used in the i7 model, but again, if not gaming, then barely worth a mention.

The reasons to go for the i7 are nothing to do with the CPU. You can only get higher than 8GB RAM or higher than 256GB SSD with the i7.

Cheers - N

For about another $1000!

surfisup1000

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#1442133 7-Dec-2015 15:51

i bought a surface pro 3, kind of regret it a little. Firstly, a bit too heavy. Next, the MS keyboard cover is not great.

Finally, when you want to use this as a 'laptop' it is not as comfortable as a real laptop with the screen hinged to the keyboard.

But, positives are that it is a windows machine!! Runs all your windows stuff. Sweet!!!

MikeB4

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#1442135 7-Dec-2015 15:53

surfisup1000: i bought a surface pro 3, kind of regret it a little. Firstly, a bit too heavy. Next, the MS keyboard cover is not great.

Finally, when you want to use this as a 'laptop' it is not as comfortable as a real laptop with the screen hinged to the keyboard.

But, positives are that it is a windows machine!! Runs all your windows stuff. Sweet!!!

hmmmm your last line, hrmmmm

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#1442161 7-Dec-2015 16:01

Agreed the 'lapability' (what an annoying word!) is probably worse than a true laptop, but frankly I rarely if ever use one on my lap.

surfisup1000

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#1442165 7-Dec-2015 16:09

Geektastic: Agreed the 'lapability' (what an annoying word!) is probably worse than a true laptop, but frankly I rarely if ever use one on my lap.

I tend to sit on the big old lazyboy with it resting on my lap, feels quite uncomfortable fairly quickly.

Anyway, sorry for going a bit off topic but if the OP wants one then maybe it is useful to know the opinion of some owners.

Equinox IT

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Geektastic

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#1442172 7-Dec-2015 16:16

It's always useful to hear how people find them.

I've tracked one down at Noel Leeming which I can collect in the morning unless the Apple Voice persuades me otherwise overnight!

It's a bugger that you can't connect Thunderbolt drives. The plugs fit in the Mini Display Port socket but I assume nothing will happen if you plug a drive in there.

I have a very nice WD My Passport Pro portable RAID unit that will end up living on my desk as attached storage for the iMac instead I guess.

Krishant007

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#1442207 7-Dec-2015 17:16

Would you consider a Macbook Pro Retina + Wacom Intous

heavenlywild

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#1442221 7-Dec-2015 17:33

Geektastic: It's always useful to hear how people find them. I've tracked one down at Noel Leeming which I can collect in the morning unless the Apple Voice persuades me otherwise overnight! It's a bugger that you can't connect Thunderbolt drives. The plugs fit in the Mini Display Port socket but I assume nothing will happen if you plug a drive in there. I have a very nice WD My Passport Pro portable RAID unit that will end up living on my desk as attached storage for the iMac instead I guess.

I would be keen to hear your thoughts on the SP4 if you do end up getting it.

Also, let me know if you manage to get it for under RRP!

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#1442315 7-Dec-2015 19:45

Geektastic: It's always useful to hear how people find them.

I've tracked one down at Noel Leeming which I can collect in the morning unless the Apple Voice persuades me otherwise overnight!

It's a bugger that you can't connect Thunderbolt drives. The plugs fit in the Mini Display Port socket but I assume nothing will happen if you plug a drive in there.

I have a very nice WD My Passport Pro portable RAID unit that will end up living on my desk as attached storage for the iMac instead I guess.

Plugging the Thunderbolt port into the Surface Pro mDP will do nothing, sorry

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#1442318 7-Dec-2015 19:53

Krishant007: Would you consider a Macbook Pro Retina + Wacom Intous

I just sold my MBP. I decided it was too much weight - never mind with a graphics tablet added!

My carry on weighed 13kg on my last overseas flight. Changing my cameras is harder than shedding a bit from the portable computer I take. It's not revolutionary but it all helps.

The good news is my laptop sold for only $200 less than it cost me 15 months or so ago!

Geektastic

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#1442319 7-Dec-2015 19:55

heavenlywild:
Geektastic: It's always useful to hear how people find them. I've tracked one down at Noel Leeming which I can collect in the morning unless the Apple Voice persuades me otherwise overnight! It's a bugger that you can't connect Thunderbolt drives. The plugs fit in the Mini Display Port socket but I assume nothing will happen if you plug a drive in there. I have a very nice WD My Passport Pro portable RAID unit that will end up living on my desk as attached storage for the iMac instead I guess.

I would be keen to hear your thoughts on the SP4 if you do end up getting it.

Also, let me know if you manage to get it for under RRP!

Fat chance. How much is rrp?

MikeAqua

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#1442352 7-Dec-2015 21:28

I have a I'm really happy with it. It's not as laptoppyas a real laptop but usable on the couch or on a plane. Handles some reasonably chunky number crunching.

Works nicely with mDP monitors - you can daisy chain up bajillions of monitors over mDP. I've only done three though.

My only objections are.

Some apps require particular user access control settings to run (W8.1), and EVERY time the machine updates it resets the UAC settings.

Occasionally, when I start it up on the dock, after using it as a portable, it has a PowerDriverStateError and has to restart.

Our IT guys tell me W10 resolves both those issues.

Mike

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#1442574 8-Dec-2015 11:44

So...I am typing this on my new SP4!

I have to say, based on 1 hour of use spent mostly doing setup tasks, that Windows has moved on a great deal! The UI is pleasant and so far fairly straightforward and logical. The setup wizard is well executed too.

The device itself is actually very nice: Apple really ought to have made this. There is a little too much reflection from the screen to be ideal in all light but that is a small niggle. The keypad is actually nice to use - no worse than most laptops really and better than many!

Noel Leeming had one in stock, with a black cover and gave me over $100 discount (which I did not even have to ask for!).

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