Microsoft Surface Pro 4 useability questions

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MikeB4

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#240088 20-Aug-2018 10:25

Hi folks I am considering rationalsing and minimising my computing hardware and possibly getting rid of my desktop PCs which consist of a 27" Imac (5K) version and a HP Tower and using only a laptop. The options I am considering are

1. Surface Pro 4

2. Surface Book 2

3 Dell XPS 2 in one

I have three specific questions for Surface Pro users that I would really appreciate some help with.

A. What is the Surface Pro 4 like to use sitting in a lounge chair on ones lap?

b. What is the Surface Pro 4 like to use in bed in tablet mode and laptop mode?

c. Is thh keyboard comfortable to use on the lap or does one need to transform into Tyrannosaurus Rex mode to use it.?

When I am using the device for a long time on my desk I will dock it to a monitor keyboard and mouse. Any advice or feedback will be very gratefully recieved.

gehenna

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#2076081 20-Aug-2018 10:45

Depends on your style of use. I have no problem with the kickstand/keyboard on my lap. I know lots of people who don't like it though. Your best bet is to go to a shop and try it out, it is very subjective.

amiga500

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#2076119 20-Aug-2018 11:37

gehenna:

Depends on your style of use. I have no problem with the kickstand/keyboard on my lap. I know lots of people who don't like it though. Your best bet is to go to a shop and try it out, it is very subjective.

Yes, I'd agree with that. Much the same with cameras, although I have given buying those in favour of smartphones.

grimwulf

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#2076129 20-Aug-2018 11:58

Our Surface Pro 4 is housed on our kitchen bench and pulls surfing and TV duties in that room. Have to say that the face recognition login was a great boon - it's been flawless for us - just walk in turn on and look at the screen.

Other than that it's mainly used in tablet mode tbh - couch or bed surfing when phones don't cut it - I do sometimes use it for Netflix too when I cba to watch on a TV. I did also install Steam on it at the weekend for a bit of retro nostalgia - it can handle such pretty well. It ain't going to run your AAA games - although you can stream them from a gaming PC (via nvidia, steam, moonlight etc) - which also works well.

Usage with the keyboard is a bit of a pain (for me) - the kickstand is excellent (now) and offers a great angles and the keyboard is great and functional when set on a flat surface, however it isn't really that great for the lap, or chest if you're horizontal and I rarely want to use it when sat at a table - I generally use my main PC for sit up/do stuff type work.

The keyboard is a great 'cover' for the screen and is very light - so when on trips the Surface is now our go to mobile device. Only bugbear I have in that vein is the proprietary charger that means the bloody power block has to come on every trip too - the sooner stuff just charges via USB-C the better.

When buying we were to-fro between it and an IPad pro, but landed on the Surface Pro 4 due to it's versatility - in the back of my mind I was like - at a push I could use it for work - but in reality it's a great flexible home device and the missus would probably have my head if I took it away - which goes to show that the WAF is pretty good.

So recommended as a shared family device imho.

MikeB4

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#2076131 20-Aug-2018 11:59

I tried one briefly in Harvey Norman in the weekend, the sales person aggrivated me a tad he seem more concerned that I was going to attempt to sprint off with is in my wheelchair or drop the thing. I would really love to hear folks real life experiences with the units. A few minutes in a store is not the same as trying to use them for an extended time in various locales.

noroad

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#2076148 20-Aug-2018 12:12

I use a Surface Pro 4 as my main workstation. I have the Surface Dock with 2x27in monitors connected when in the office. I've carried this device on my travels around the USA and Australia as well as extensively in NZ. So far it has performed close to flawlessly and frankly I'm very happy with it.

timmmay

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#2076155 20-Aug-2018 12:24

I have a Pro3, and had a Pro4 before. They're only ok with dual monitors, and not so good if you dock and undock regularly, but using them as a fixed PC with them is ok. The keyboard is ok given its size, but I always plug in a full size mechanical keyboard. As a tablet, it's heavy. I don't like any laptop on my lap though, I use a tablet on the sofa for browsing, I use a full size keyboard / screen for anything that requires typing.

I'd rather have a Lenovo - I have one in addition to the Pro3. It's at least twice the weight, but has more ports which is really handy. I would look around hard before I purchased a Surface Pro myself, unless low weight was a key requirement.

MikeB4

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#2076169 20-Aug-2018 12:36

@timmmay I hadn't considered Lenovo its an OEM I tend to forget about.What Lonovo model did you have in mind?

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timmmay

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#2076178 20-Aug-2018 12:42

MikeB4:
@timmmay I hadn't considered Lenovo its an OEM I tend to forget about.What Lonovo model did you have in mind?

None in particular. I just find them fairly reliable.

BlueShift

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#2076203 20-Aug-2018 13:20

grimwulf:

The keyboard is a great 'cover' for the screen and is very light - so when on trips the Surface is now our go to mobile device. Only bugbear I have in that vein is the proprietary charger that means the bloody power block has to come on every trip too - the sooner stuff just charges via USB-C the better.

At work we've just switched from the Surface Pro 4 to the HP Elite X2 tablet - pretty much exactly the same specs and form factor as the Surface, but USB-C charging and docking which lets us use a standard dock for tablets and lappies for hot-desking.

blackjack17

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#2076213 20-Aug-2018 13:30

I have the HP elite x2 which replaced a surface 3 due to quality issues.

Works fine, slightly heavier with much bigger bezels, but it's a work laptop so who cares.

Kick stand is interesting, doesn't go back as far but you can you it like a handle.

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surfisup1000

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#2076217 20-Aug-2018 13:39

MikeB4:

Hi folks I am considering rationalsing and minimising my computing hardware and possibly getting rid of my desktop PCs which consist of a 27" Imac (5K) version and a HP Tower and using only a laptop. The options I am considering are

1. Surface Pro 4

2. Surface Book 2

3 Dell XPS 2 in one

I have three specific questions for Surface Pro users that I would really appreciate some help with.

A. What is the Surface Pro 4 like to use sitting in a lounge chair on ones lap?

b. What is the Surface Pro 4 like to use in bed in tablet mode and laptop mode?

c. Is thh keyboard comfortable to use on the lap or does one need to transform into Tyrannosaurus Rex mode to use it.?

When I am using the device for a long time on my desk I will dock it to a monitor keyboard and mouse. Any advice or feedback will be very gratefully recieved.

We bought an earlier model surface pro... didn't like it for certain use scenarios.

The kickstand is sharpish, so if you sit it on your lap it digs into you after a while and feels quite uncomfortable and slightly unstable compared to a normal laptop.

I wouldn't buy another surface pro, these days ultrabooks are so thin that I don't see much advantage of using a windows tablet.

But, this is just my opinion, there will no doubt be people who think it is the bees knees!! Maybe yourself included...but very much recommend you visit a retail store and try for yourself if possible. Sit there for 5 to 10 minutes with the surface on your lap.

Lostja

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#2076266 20-Aug-2018 14:54

surfisup1000:

MikeB4:

Hi folks I am considering rationalsing and minimising my computing hardware and possibly getting rid of my desktop PCs which consist of a 27" Imac (5K) version and a HP Tower and using only a laptop. The options I am considering are

1. Surface Pro 4

2. Surface Book 2

3 Dell XPS 2 in one

I have three specific questions for Surface Pro users that I would really appreciate some help with.

A. What is the Surface Pro 4 like to use sitting in a lounge chair on ones lap?

b. What is the Surface Pro 4 like to use in bed in tablet mode and laptop mode?

c. Is thh keyboard comfortable to use on the lap or does one need to transform into Tyrannosaurus Rex mode to use it.?

When I am using the device for a long time on my desk I will dock it to a monitor keyboard and mouse. Any advice or feedback will be very gratefully recieved.

We bought an earlier model surface pro... didn't like it for certain use scenarios.

The kickstand is sharpish, so if you sit it on your lap it digs into you after a while and feels quite uncomfortable and slightly unstable compared to a normal laptop.

I wouldn't buy another surface pro, these days ultrabooks are so thin that I don't see much advantage of using a windows tablet.

But, this is just my opinion, there will no doubt be people who think it is the bees knees!! Maybe yourself included...but very much recommend you visit a retail store and try for yourself if possible. Sit there for 5 to 10 minutes with the surface on your lap.

I have Surface Pro and agree with your comments. The concept is great but I have had lots of niggly issues and quirks with it.

kryptonjohn

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#2076273 20-Aug-2018 15:07

Our SP4 developed a screen shimmering fault and has been replaced under warranty after 2 years - just waiting for a chance to get in to HN and pick up the replacement.

It's actually my daughter's school BYOD. She likes it. I find the keyboard cover a bit of a pain for lap use but ok on a desk or bench. Personally I wouldn't buy one unless I really needed the processing power in a small form factor which I don't. If it's small I'm probably using it for media or remote desktop neither require an i5 or i7. So I'd probably just get a high end tablet.

MikeAqua

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#2076279 20-Aug-2018 15:12

I use an SP3 at work and an SP2 at home. Great for laptop use.

Not so good typing on a plane as the kickstand pivots too high up. Absolutely fine watching movies on a plane.

The SP4 design may have addressed this?

Looking at a new tablet for work and will probably get an SP4.

Mike