Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


Filter this topic showing only the reply marked as answer View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
tripp
3848 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1220

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1050340 21-May-2014 11:11
Send private message

It does look nice.
the i3 and 4g ram would be a nice replacement to the atom/2gig in the current machine
However i would also want to see if the pro 2 drops in price now and by how much :)





Lizard1977
2134 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 628

ID Verified

  #1050456 21-May-2014 14:11
Send private message

I've been following the evolution of the Surface since the original model.  While I've always been tempted, I've never purchased.  The latest version might change that.  A core i5 model with 256GB storage and 8GB RAM would be a pretty good device.  And on NZ pricing ($1879 + $200 for a type cover) it's pretty competitive with the same specced machines on Pricespy - the closest (and cheapest) I could find was this for $500 more - http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?e=2586721  Even compared with the MBA, the SP3 is still only $200 more expensive, and includes touchscreen and detachable keyboard.

ajobbins
5053 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1279

Trusted

  #1050464 21-May-2014 14:20
Send private message

Still no cellular option. boo!




Twitter: ajobbins




mattwnz
20520 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4797


  #1050465 21-May-2014 14:28
Send private message

I think we may see an ipad pro in the future, with a bigger screen, and a pen for precision. The problem apple have though is that their OS's are fragmented, and IOS is not really suitable to run desktop type apps on it. They current;y don't even let the screen to be split to allow two apps to run at the same time, which windows does, and some limited android devices/apps also do.. IOS is really more of a phone interface than a tablet one.  Although windows 8 is somewhat fragmented between desktop and metro, and they have put in some crude fixes into it to try and help with this. But I think their is still alot of legacy code and software under the hood that needs cleaning out of it, as it is very bloated for what it is, and uses a huge amount of the storage compared to ios.

mattwnz
20520 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4797


  #1050466 21-May-2014 14:30
Send private message

ajobbins: Still no cellular option. boo!

 

That is a pretty major omission, especially considering it is a mobile type of device. But then again, with windows updates, and difficulty controlling what gets downloaded over 3g vs wifi on windows, which is a lot easier on ios and android, it is possibly something that is being worked on.

freitasm
BDFL - Memuneh
80658 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41072

Administrator
ID Verified
Trusted
Geekzone
Lifetime subscriber

  #1050471 21-May-2014 14:38
Send private message

mattwnz:
ajobbins: Still no cellular option. boo!

That is a pretty major omission, especially considering it is a mobile type of device. But then again, with windows updates, and difficulty controlling what gets downloaded over 3g vs wifi on windows, which is a lot easier on ios and android, it is possibly something that is being worked on.


This comment makes no sense. There are already Surface 2 with built-in LTE. Just not in New Zealand and just not Surface Pro 3.

The "download over 3G vs WiFi" is solved - they already have options on Windows Phone and since Windows 7 there are options for "metered connections". Even on Windows 8 there are "metered connections" options already.






Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies 

 

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

 


 
 
 
 

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).
macuser
2120 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 506


  #1050473 21-May-2014 14:42
Send private message

Nathan, time to do some member reviews! Give out a few :O

mattwnz
20520 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4797


  #1050499 21-May-2014 14:59
Send private message

freitasm:
mattwnz:
ajobbins: Still no cellular option. boo!

That is a pretty major omission, especially considering it is a mobile type of device. But then again, with windows updates, and difficulty controlling what gets downloaded over 3g vs wifi on windows, which is a lot easier on ios and android, it is possibly something that is being worked on.


This comment makes no sense. There are already Surface 2 with built-in LTE. Just not in New Zealand and just not Surface Pro 3.

The "download over 3G vs WiFi" is solved - they already have options on Windows Phone and since Windows 7 there are options for "metered connections". Even on Windows 8 there are "metered connections" options already.




We are talking about NZ market though, what is available in other markets isn't really applicable if it isn't going to be available here. If there was a surface pro with 3G in NZ, it would be an attractive option to many. I haven't seen the options for controlling 3G vs wifi data usage in windows 7 or 8 or how easy it is to setup and configure.  Perhaps it needs a 3G chip in the computer for those menus or options to be visible, but would expect it to be setup directly from the right swipe menu in metro, and not have to go into the desktops control panel. 



freitasm
BDFL - Memuneh
80658 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41072

Administrator
ID Verified
Trusted
Geekzone
Lifetime subscriber

  #1050500 21-May-2014 15:01
Send private message

Yes we are talking NZ market but you wrote "But then again, with windows updates, and difficulty controlling what gets downloaded over 3g vs wifi on windows, which is a lot easier on ios and android, it is possibly something that is being worked on." giving the impression a device with 3G didn't exist not because of market location but software limitations.





Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies 

 

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

 


TwoSeven
1712 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 304

Subscriber

  #1050502 21-May-2014 15:03
Send private message

I use my surface pro tethered to my phone via wifi or Bluetooth so get 4G/3G/Gprs depending where I am at and what time of the day it is. 

While I would like to have a device with a SIM in it, my Telco does not offer the ability to have two SIMS on one connection (for the same connection fees) so I can share my connections services across both devices.  If I were allowed 2 sims on a connection I would probably by a portable Wifi hotspot that I could tether my devices to.






Software Engineer
   (the practice of real science, engineering and management)
A.I.  (Automation rebranded)
Gender Neutral
   (a person who believes in equality and who does not believe in/use stereotypes. Examples such as gender, binary, nonbinary, male/female etc.)

 

 ...they/their/them...


networkn

Networkn
32871 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 15469

ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1050503 21-May-2014 15:04
Send private message

I've never understood built in Cellular services. Non Upgradable. Tethering or USB devices are simple and easy to use. No hardship.

 
 
 

Support Geekzone with one-off or recurring donations Donate via PressPatron.
MikeB4
MikeB4
18776 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 12767

ID Verified
Trusted
Subscriber

  #1050510 21-May-2014 15:17
Send private message

networkn: I've never understood built in Cellular services. Non Upgradable. Tethering or USB devices are simple and easy to use. No hardship.


This is what I do, no hassle




Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.


mattwnz
20520 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4797


  #1050515 21-May-2014 15:21
Send private message

TwoSeven: I use my surface pro tethered to my phone via wifi or Bluetooth so get 4G/3G/Gprs depending where I am at and what time of the day it is. 

While I would like to have a device with a SIM in it, my Telco does not offer the ability to have two SIMS on one connection (for the same connection fees) so I can share my connections services across both devices.  If I were allowed 2 sims on a connection I would probably by a portable Wifi hotspot that I could tether my devices to.




But would that active winodws built in system for managing wifi and 3G. I have tried that in the past on windows 7 and it didn't, hence why I didn't intially think it was built in.

billgates
4706 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 672

Trusted

  #1050517 21-May-2014 15:41
Send private message

networkn: I've never understood built in Cellular services. Non Upgradable. Tethering or USB devices are simple and easy to use. No hardship.


This is what I offer to all the mobile devices at work like tablets and laptops. Use the Internet sharing/Hot Spot feature on the phone. Not paying 2 monthly connection fees for 1 user.

Windows 8 along with Windows Phone have a nice pairing feature built in which automatically turns on Internet sharing via Bluetooth connection turned on and connected on both tablet/ultrabook and phone. No need to go separately turn ON/OFF internet sharing on the phone each time you want to use it.




Do whatever you want to do man.

  

freitasm
BDFL - Memuneh
80658 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41072

Administrator
ID Verified
Trusted
Geekzone
Lifetime subscriber

  #1050743 21-May-2014 22:57
Send private message

Folks, I have just been invited to the Microsoft aff program so if you are planning to place a Surface order (or anything else from the Microsoft NZ Store really) please use the following link: Microsoft New Zealand store.




Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies 

 

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

 


1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Filter this topic showing only the reply marked as answer View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic








Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.