Surface Pro 2 any good without Type Cover?

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kiwifidget

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#208850 2-Mar-2017 09:57

My local charity is considering buying some refurbished Surface Pro 2's, but they dont come with the Type Cover.

After a bit of googling around I dont think you can buy their TypeCover anymore.

I'm thinking by the time you spend $500 on the device, and $? on a cover so you can stand it up like a screen, and $? on a bluetooth keyboard, would they be better off looking at cheap laptops? Or just not bother with the extras and use them solely as tablets?

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gzt

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#1728749 2-Mar-2017 10:07

I've seen typecover here and there for $99. Depends what they plan to use the Surface for. If it's not portable except for video and touch broswing, then plug in any USB keyboard. There is only one USB socket. Any other USB needed and it's another accessory, ditto with screen output.

sidefx

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#1728753 2-Mar-2017 10:12

I have a surface pro 1 without the type cover, just the touch cover - I've tried the type cover a few times, and it's certainly better, but I find the normal touch cover fine for occasional use (though it takes a bit of getting used to) and have a bluetooth keyboard when I want to use a real keyboard.

PS: You don't need the cover to stand it up like a screen - the hinge on the back is built in.

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kiwifidget

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#1728761 2-Mar-2017 10:17

Does the SP2 have a built in kick stand or does it need a case to stand up?

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sidefx

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#1728762 2-Mar-2017 10:18

Lol, just cross-edited my original post - AFAIK all surfaces come with the kick stand built in

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kiwifidget

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#1728767 2-Mar-2017 10:22

Thanks @sidefx , that's one less thing to buy!

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gzt

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#1728774 2-Mar-2017 10:31

Lenovo has some similar machines available new btw. Don't know the pricing.

Also pro 2 is 10". Imo a bit small for most people to get used to.

I run mine with W8 and very happy. Tried 10 but had some problems with touch precision after that. Calibration no difference. I did not look into it one bit so don't take that as gospel, but I would advise a good evaluation period if you plan to run 10. Maybe someone else has some better experience on sp2 and w10.

kiwifidget

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#1728778 2-Mar-2017 10:39

Thanks @gzt . These units will come with Win10 pre-installed so that's good to know. Will check out the Lenovo range, but I imagine anything new in this segment will be pretty pricey.

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gzt

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#1728964 2-Mar-2017 15:25

Yep, but then additional accessories you might have to add plus any desire for business level warranty support of some kind can add up. Depends on the SP2 price and spec I guess. I'm sure you know what you are doing and the outcome will be excellent : ).

KillerHulk

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#1728968 2-Mar-2017 15:34

i own a surface rt.

only Bought flip cover for it over trademe.

whenever i needed, i used my bluetooth keyboard & mouse which i use for my computer.

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#1729021 2-Mar-2017 16:46

Surface Pro 2 have a range of issues. In my view for that money you would be better off with an ex lease I5 laptop and chuck a small SSD in it.