Surface Pro advice

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Geektastic

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#185815 6-Dec-2015 23:18

I am buying a Surface Pro 4 for use when travelling.

I wanted a tablet style interface that I can use a stylus on for editing images (I am a photographer) and originally hoped (as an Apple person) that the iPad Pro would do this. It won't. The SP4 will.

My probable buy is the i5 256Gb 8Gb RAM model.

I'm not, however, overly familiar with Windows machines not having used one for years and years. Is that spec enough to run Lightroom and Photoshop OK?

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#1441635 6-Dec-2015 23:22

Yes.

Sony

Geektastic

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#1441637 6-Dec-2015 23:36

Ok thanks.

I'll get on with tracking one down this week then!

JayADee

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#1441694 7-Dec-2015 07:05

Let me know how you make out. Business suppliers can't seem to get them in until February. Noel Leeming has them in stock but as far as I know can't sell the Microsoft extended business warranty which I think I might like plus their quote was $60 over a regular business supplier for the tablet and keyboard.

I'm after the same model.

If you do buy one could you post about your experience with it?

I have an upcoming project involving photoshop and Indesign and a text editor running at the same time and I'd like to know if you find any issues at all not only with that (doubt you will with that model) but anything in general like battery life. A great deal of my use is on the go or as a tablet which my iPad mostly covers very well but sometimes I really need a Windows machine at my part time job and as a hobbyist programmer.

Meanwhile, looks like I'll be waiting till next year.

khull

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#1441695 7-Dec-2015 07:10

Depending on the size of your libraries the most likely problem you'll run into is the 8GB ram, space issues can be remediated with external drives, so not as severe. For what you need to do I recommend getting a surface pro 3 with 16GB for more bang for buck.

MikeB4

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#1441707 7-Dec-2015 07:58

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

Geektastic

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#1441905 7-Dec-2015 11:39

Does anyone know if there are any issues with Lightroom & Photoshop talking to each other (as it were) when swapping files and catalogues between Windows versions and OSX versions?

My studio machine is a big iMac and if I get the SP4 obviously I will be working in the Windows versions of the apps on that.

I assume that since the file types are universal, individual JPEG, RAW, PSD etc will be simple. Is the same true of LR catalogue files?

Geektastic

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#1441906 7-Dec-2015 11:40

OK - answered my own question!

To transfer a catalog between a Windows computer and a Mac, copy your catalog, preview, and image files from the original computer onto a flash or other external drive. Then, attach that drive to the second computer and copy the files to the desired location on the second computer.

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MikeB4

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#1441908 7-Dec-2015 11:41

Geektastic: Does anyone know if there are any issues with Lightroom & Photoshop talking to each other (as it were) when swapping files and catalogues between Windows versions and OSX versions?

My studio machine is a big iMac and if I get the SP4 obviously I will be working in the Windows versions of the apps on that.

I assume that since the file types are universal, individual JPEG, RAW, PSD etc will be simple. Is the same true of LR catalogue files?

Can i ask, you seem to be a long term Apple user (I am also) why would you select a Windows option and not an Apple device for the job?

Geektastic

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#1442049 7-Dec-2015 14:25

MikeB4:
Geektastic: Does anyone know if there are any issues with Lightroom & Photoshop talking to each other (as it were) when swapping files and catalogues between Windows versions and OSX versions?

My studio machine is a big iMac and if I get the SP4 obviously I will be working in the Windows versions of the apps on that.

I assume that since the file types are universal, individual JPEG, RAW, PSD etc will be simple. Is the same true of LR catalogue files?

Can i ask, you seem to be a long term Apple user (I am also) why would you select a Windows option and not an Apple device for the job?

I am, and I do not really want to select anything but an Apple device. The thing is, there isn't one.

The - we'll call it 'solution' - should ideally achieve the following:

Allow the download of RAW and JPEG files from SD and CF cards
Allow the connection of at least USB 3 drives, if not Thunderbolt
Run Lightroom and PS
Allow the use of a stylus to edit with brushes etc in LR & PS
Be lightweight and portable for world travel several times a year
Have a Retina or equivalent screen with reasonable colour accuracy

Apple iPad Pro?

Not really.
No
No, not proper versions
Yes if it ran them
Yes
Yes although not sure about colour accuracy/calibration

Apple MBP

Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Kinda
Yes

Apple MB Air

Apple Macbook

Yes with adaptor
Yes with adaptor
Yes
No
Yes
Yes

Surface Pro 4

There is now iCloud integration for Windows and iTunes for Windows, so calendars, mail, documents and so forth sync with your OSX machines.

It's not ideal and I will admit to being nervous about the whole thing, but Apple have hamstrung their iPads for photographers by denying users ports, file system access and a full OS.

MikeB4

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#1442052 7-Dec-2015 14:31

Geektastic:
MikeB4:
Geektastic: Does anyone know if there are any issues with Lightroom & Photoshop talking to each other (as it were) when swapping files and catalogues between Windows versions and OSX versions?

My studio machine is a big iMac and if I get the SP4 obviously I will be working in the Windows versions of the apps on that.

I assume that since the file types are universal, individual JPEG, RAW, PSD etc will be simple. Is the same true of LR catalogue files?

Can i ask, you seem to be a long term Apple user (I am also) why would you select a Windows option and not an Apple device for the job?

I am, and I do not really want to select anything but an Apple device. The thing is, there isn't one.

The - we'll call it 'solution' - should ideally achieve the following:

Allow the download of RAW and JPEG files from SD and CF cards
Allow the connection of at least USB 3 drives, if not Thunderbolt
Run Lightroom and PS
Allow the use of a stylus to edit with brushes etc in LR & PS
Be lightweight and portable for world travel several times a year
Have a Retina or equivalent screen with reasonable colour accuracy

Apple iPad Pro?

Not really.
No
No, not proper versions
Yes if it ran them
Yes
Yes although not sure about colour accuracy/calibration

Apple MBP

Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Kinda
Yes

Apple MB Air

Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No

Apple Macbook

Yes with adaptor
Yes with adaptor
Yes
No
Yes
Yes

Surface Pro 4

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

There is now iCloud integration for Windows and iTunes for Windows, so calendars, mail, documents and so forth sync with your OSX machines.

It's not ideal and I will admit to being nervous about the whole thing, but Apple have hamstrung their iPads for photographers by denying users ports, file system access and a full OS.

Ahh get your point.
iCloud integration on windows is ummm irksome. I have other adjectives but they would fracture the rules.

Geektastic

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#1442067 7-Dec-2015 14:48

I'm sure that is the case!

As I say, I have no great wish to be involving Mr Gates, it is merely that his device appears to be better for the use than anything Apple can offer me. I'm very open to persuasion! If the Air had a Retina display I would probably buy that - or if the iPad Pro allowed the file and software access etc I would gladly use that. But....

Talkiet

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#1442084 7-Dec-2015 15:09

I just bought a Surface Pro 3 (i5, 8GB, 256GB) for precisely this use case... I run Lightroom and photoshop on it. I don't use the Stylus much yet, but it does work well. I just got back from a weekend shooting and I took my cameras, SP3, USB3 card reader and that was all I needed.

The SP4 would be even nicer. I have to admit I have even considered replacing my desktop (16GB i7 with MANY MANY HDDs in it) with a SP4 (i7/16GB) for primary use that can move with me... I't use a docking station to get real LAN and lots of extra storage/display connectivity.

I'll never buy another traditional laptop again.

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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#1442090 7-Dec-2015 15:16

Talkiet: I just bought a Surface Pro 3 (i5, 8GB, 256GB) for precisely this use case... I run Lightroom and photoshop on it. I don't use the Stylus much yet, but it does work well. I just got back from a weekend shooting and I took my cameras, SP3, USB3 card reader and that was all I needed.

The SP4 would be even nicer. I have to admit I have even considered replacing my desktop (16GB i7 with MANY MANY HDDs in it) with a SP4 (i7/16GB) for primary use that can move with me... I't use a docking station to get real LAN and lots of extra storage/display connectivity.

I'll never buy another traditional laptop again.

Cheers - N

Interesting. Have you experienced any reliability issues?

Talkiet

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#1442091 7-Dec-2015 15:17

Geektastic:
Talkiet: I just bought a Surface Pro 3 (i5, 8GB, 256GB) for precisely this use case... I run Lightroom and photoshop on it. I don't use the Stylus much yet, but it does work well. I just got back from a weekend shooting and I took my cameras, SP3, USB3 card reader and that was all I needed.

The SP4 would be even nicer. I have to admit I have even considered replacing my desktop (16GB i7 with MANY MANY HDDs in it) with a SP4 (i7/16GB) for primary use that can move with me... I't use a docking station to get real LAN and lots of extra storage/display connectivity.

I'll never buy another traditional laptop again.

Cheers - N

Interesting. Have you experienced any reliability issues?

Nope, but I've only had it a couple of weeks.

So far everything is perfect. Way exceeds my expectations.

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.

timmmay

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#1442094 7-Dec-2015 15:18

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.

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