yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Microsoft Surface] Linwood.Ferguson:
I was there for CPM and DOS as well, and agree with that first sentiment. I also went through DEC's "who needs a PC" (thank's Ken) and how that lack of any connection to the real world eventually doomed a company who was riding so high.

But for any lower end devices that are more tablet sized that would run real windows, absolutely. For Windows RT? Frankly that's another idiotic move (IMO) much like Microsoft Bob was, a solution in search of a problem. To me what is appealing here is not that it is revolutionary -- but that it's basically just a PC, in a convenient size.
[Microsoft Surface] EMINENT1:
Well, here's a review I posted elsewhere. Just so everyone knows, the mini DisplayPort to female-HDMI I got off Amazon was only $8. They don't cost $80!

I was one of the few lucky in Frisco, TX to have got one of the 128 Pro on release day.

As you can see, there was quite a bit of a line there since this seemed to be the only place that had them in the area. There was like 100 in front of me at 10:30 and another 50-75 behind or so until they started telling people they were sold out.

With my setup, browsing 3 windows and the ability to use my Surface if I wanted to, is pretty freaking amazing! I love it this way so I can just hook it up when in my room, and have my full pc in the living room when I want to go in there or anywhere else. I have a desktop that i'd like to move away from since I really don't use it for anything aside from occasional Photoshop and video editing. No gaming, so I don't have a graphics card.

The HD 4000 works impressively fine for my needs.

Today, I messed with the power options and i'm trying to debate on keeping my desktop. The negatives I faced was when using Adobe Flash video as the temps went up. I was able to find the slowest processor speed while keeping the temps down while maintaining smooth enough video. I took care of any wifi issues to my NAS in the living room from the WDTV Live Plus with a USB 3 hub to run my USB 3 desktop hard drive and USB 3 to ethernet adapter to eliminate any network lag so I can pretty much do away with the desktop for good now.

And to add to that, now I have all the Android apps I want to with Bluestacks. Had an Asus Transformer and just sold it. Glad I don't have to deal with Android anymore, but if I have to use an Android app, i.e Instagram, I can.

Anyways, after about a week now, everything has been working great so far. The type cover actually works good enough to sell the ol' Logitech. I think I may just keep it to avoid the hassle of selling, packaging, and taking the box to the mail store as i'm just really lazy. The Pro has done wonders for my overall mobile experience where I don't have to worry about stuff not working anymore or trying different roms to see what bugs I can find. It's really not that heavy either. Holding mine in one hand and the roommate's ipad 3 with an Incase back and origami leather cover, they both feel about the same with the Pro just a hair heavier. If you can hold an ipad with a case on it, you can hold a Pro. The battery life works out great when the power profile is configured for power saver. Using it for 2 straight hours of browsing, I still have 60% left. The way I see it, if you've got to be straight browsing more than 5 hours, you've got to find something else to do with your life.

Now, I can see the need to have a smaller, more portable, 7 inch device to mess around with for video/media or whatever, but i'd seriously spend $100-200 more for a cheap Atom tab with W8. It's still beyond me why anyone would choose a giant phone OS to a real one if within $100, but some people are gluttons for punishment.

If you can't tell, I am more than happy with my purchase as all of you are with yours.
[Microsoft Surface] Linwood.Ferguson:
As a footnote to my comments above, I finally gave up on the Touch and bought a Type keyboard. I can type as well on that as must full sized keyboards, whereas I just never made progress on getting less frustrated with the Touch.

It is very thin in an absolute sense given it has moving keys, but it is much thicker. Also, when folded back to use the tablet as handheld, the key motion (while they are not active) is distracting, and I would say make it very annoying in that orientation. But as a keyboard it works great.

I strongly recommend someone about to buy sit down at a store and try typing a fair amount on both before buying. One makes a terrific cover and fair keyboard, one makes a fair cover and terrific keyboard for the tablet.
[Microsoft Surface] ajamils:
The biggest reason not to get a cheap tablet with Atom and Windows RT is the lack of apps. Windows RT is totally useless (at this point at least) compared to iOS and Android offering and since you cannot run full blows Windows applications on RT, you are stuck with Windows Store offering which are very underwhelming right now.

Like you, I also had Transformer (I have owned all TF versions so far TF1, TF Prime, TF300 and TF700) but I ended up selling it because the lack of usage (I also have Nexus 7 and HTC One X+) and replaced it with Acer W700. When I sold my Transformer, I was planning on replacing it with another Asus Transfomer...but with Windows 8 RT, but after reading tons and tons of reviews I decided against it and I am glad I did.

As for Surface Pro, it was a great devices when it was originally announced but I think Microsoft missed that train because there are already a lot of good contenders in the market that offer more options and better value for money than Surface Pro. Once the initial novelty of Surface Pro dies down, I see Microsoft having a lot of issue selling them (at current price), specially with the second generation of Windows 8 tablets/transformers coming out later this year.
[Microsoft Surface] goofball2k:
Only problem here is that the Google Nexus 7 is $240 CAN, whereas the next cheapest Win8 x86 tablet is $499 (Asus VivoTab SmartT) and most are $600+ (Samsung ATIV Smart, Acer W510). Given they are also different form factors, they are also not all that comparable.
[Microsoft Surface] SixSixSevenSeven:
Cut some extra out of these quotes to reduce post size a little.

The only tablets running windows RT are ARM based. Specifically qualcomm snapdragon and NVidia Tegra models (even samsungs RT tablet uses a qualcomm rather than their own enoxys chip). The intel atom is a full x86 chip so runs windows 8 not windows RT.

Its just windows RT. No 8 in there.

The windows RT tablet asus offer is the ASUS Vivotab RT. It is not part of the transformer brand. The ASUS transformer book which is their 13" convertible is the only windows tablet with transformer branding, thats a very high end affair with core i5/i7 CPU's in a unit large enough that its more laptop than tablet

Windows 8 RT. Its 2 seperate products. Windows 8. Windows RT. ASUS's RT offering is the VivoTab RT which although similar, is not part of the transformer lineup.

ASUS do have a windows 8 unit in the transformer lineup with the transformer book but this is a large 13" device that is pushing the boundary for useful tablet sizing. Its also more expensive utilizing a full intel core i5 or i7 CPU with a larger SATA based SSD (you would be surprised, not intel atom tablets so far have not used SATA based SSD's instead opting for slower but cheaper and more compact options). I'm pretty sure from the rest of your post that you did not mean this unit.
[Microsoft Surface] EMINENT1:
I understand the 7 at that price point is great, but I have seen some as low as $399. Even at $499, I'd rather spend $250 more for a bigger and better device.

Again, with Bluestacks you also have the best of both worlds. That's just me though. You may not want a full pc or a big screen. I'm glad there is something for everyone and I have what I want and need.
[Microsoft Surface] goofball2k:
Seen what, some full Windows 8 (not RT) tablets at 399 in Canada? I would love to get them at that price.

Remember that you're comparing devices at different sizes, somewhat different uses, etc. Double the price is not always an easy sell for what someone might use a Nexus 7 for. Don't need full blown Windows for that, and the battery life on the Nexus 7 is better than the Atom tablets.

Have you used Bluestacks with an Atom processor?
[Microsoft Surface] GoodDayToDie:
@ajamils: I think you're confused. A cheap Windows tablet with an Atom would obviously not be running Windows RT, because Windows RT is for ARM and Atom is an x86 CPU. It would run Win8, Win8 Pro, or Win8 Enterprise, and you would be able to run legacy programs on it just fine...
[Microsoft Surface] ajamils:
Yes, sorry..... I misread the original post and did not realize that he was talking about Atom processors.
[Microsoft Surface] mallen462:
l think he means the helix
[Microsoft Surface] mt2020:
Agree with a lot of posters. I too LOVE android. Love my Galaxy III phone, had bought an Acer droid tablet, hated it, bought the Galaxy Tab plus pretty good, but still lacking. Played with most new tablets in the stores including the new Surface Pro i core for $1,000.

In the end I need Windows 8 (AND NOT RT!!!). Too many programs I miss using on the tablet, alot of them business. Office, Quicken, Outlook, Cytrix client....

The Samsung Ativa felt too big at 11", but the screen realestate was great.

The Surface was nice and fast, but alittle heavy, short on battery life, and way too expensive

The Asus 400 turned out to be a comfortable fit for me. Good size and weight, reasonable price (paid $475) and great battery life. Yeah, not a full size usb, but the dongle works fine. Bought 6 for $1 each and leave them all over the place. May make a key chain out of one.

Why people complain too slow and won't run photoshop cs6 properly is beyond me. Who wants to work with huge image files on a small screen not color corrected is beyond my imagination.

For everyday use works great and snappy. Only tricks I recommend are:

Move recover partition to a cheap USB drive and reclaim partition

Change display settings for Desktop mode to 140-150 percent

Change the default virtual memory size to 3gig

Now word and excel 2010 are snappy, even to load.

and... oh yeah... android.. I'm keeping my galaxy phone... and the Tab Plus is going in my vehicles for a nice large GPS screen and media center. CoPilot works without an internet connection for mapping, and I can always tether to my phone for a hot spot. Ram mounts are the best.
[Microsoft Surface] SixSixSevenSeven:
Apparently there is a driver issue on clover trail devices preventing bluestacks from working perfectly right now (although its supposedly being looked into by both bluestacks and intel [effects more than just bluestacks] so should get better soon).

But I have seen angry birds working in bluestacks on a cedar trail based netbook. Significantly slower than the ASUS above.

I myself am trying to see how much hardware I can budget for. Might get the 400 myself. Although I would orefer the 810's larger screen, keyboard dock option and digitiser.
[Microsoft Surface] m.klinge:
Sv: Surface Pro vs anything else..

There's one working version out there for CT atoms - can't remember the version number but Google bluestacks w510 and you should be able to find it.

You can even update it to the latest version and it still works - haven't played with it much, but from the little I have its been working nicely :)

I'll see if I can find the link to the version I used, but it won't be within the next couple of hours :)

//M

Sendt fra min LT26i med Tapatalk2
[Microsoft Surface] EMINENT1:
Impressed Bluestacks even came out with a Surface Pro version so fast. Not that I use it much.
[Microsoft Surface] GoodDayToDie:
1920x1080, Windows 8 on x64, and multi-touch-capable Windows computers have all existed for a while now... I'm much more confused by the occasional reports of it *not* working. My guess in those cases is typically operator error.
[Microsoft Surface] SladeNoctis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn1gDLRhOXY

Here's a video comparing to the top three Windows 8 Tablets with i5 processor.

I personally use the W700 because its bigger bang for the buck, it has the new refreshed ivy bridge processors announced from CES 2013 depending where you buy it at. The newer models include a keyboard case with bluetooth and the dock is awesome for just expanding the usb ports and desktop usage. And i installed a Mushkin 480Gb msata ssd and this tablet is my main portable computing device. It's build quality is amazing and the design is impressive. For the weight and size its pretty good for a tablet featuring specs of an ultrabook. With a silent fan, 6-7 hours of battery life and a awesome display and ease to upgrade storage(if you have experience) i call this tablet a winner. The only thing i would want more is a wacom display and eventually in later generations of the line a thinner and lighter design with more expandability options.
[Microsoft Surface] SixSixSevenSeven:
Surface pro version???

Surface pro is just a normal x86 computer with a touch screen
[Microsoft Surface] mt2020:
Won't work on my Asus 400
[Microsoft Surface] goofball2k:
What happens when you try to run it? I didn't get beta 2 to ever work but beta 1 did. Haven't tried latest version unless it is beta 2 still.
[Microsoft Surface] EMINENT1:
I don't know, check the site. It's just optimized version for SP than the regular.
[Microsoft Surface] sweetfish:
Currently using my Sony duo 11 at the moment while writing this post. I have small hands and so the keyboard does not feel very cramped at all to write on. Another thing I would like to mention is that this machine is very capable of running almost everything I've thrown at it, from editing software to video games. It probably wont run crysis 3 or anything, but handles Skyrim fine at 30fps on low settings.

My girlfriend owns the Microsoft surface pro and side by side the Sony duo 11 is slightly thicker and of course a bit larger (11.6 vs 10.6) but not to where it's a monster compared to the surface. The duo does have a slightly thicker bezel which makes the length a bit longer but this gives my hands ease of use without the fear of accidently touching the screen while handling it in different positions.

Another huge plus is that the windows key is an ACUTAL button unlike other tablet/pc devices which uses capacitive buttons, so your hands don't accidently graze the bezel and get sent to the start screen (a problem my girlfriends surface has). In terms of weight between the two devices is pretty small and not noticeable at all. Although the surface is about 1.8gs and the duo is 2.8gs the weight distribution is much better on the duo and causing it to feel almost lighter then the surface.

So if your trying to decide what to get, the question you first must ask yourself is what do you want more; portability, or functionality? The surface gives you the same specs but in a smaller package(plus the totally awesome touch/type covers) vs the Sony duo which offers a larger screen estate and more ports (2x usb 3.0, vga, hdmi out, SD/pro duo slot, Ethernet port) Performance they are very similar in processing power and battery life, however the Sony duo does offer a sheet battery option that will double the life of your device, at the cost of weight, and portability.

For all you graphic artist out there who are wondering about the pens that are included in both devices, the surface pro uses Wacom tablet pen vs the Sony's N-Trig pen. There is much debate about which is better but overall they have their pros and cons. Wacom tablets have more pressure sensitivity, but the screen tracking on the surface is horrid (gets especially worse near the edges), while the N-Trigs have more accuracy but lacks pressure sensitivity. Neither has wintab drivers for pressure sensitivity on adobe software, and both promises further support but that has yet to be seen.

Ps. Did I mention the Sony has a gorgeous backlit keyboard

Edited with love <3
[Microsoft Surface] GoodDayToDie:
OK, two things:

Less important: wall of text; did not read. Allow me to introduce to you the concept of paragraphs. Take the minimal time to make your writing readable, please.

More important: Copy-pasting between threads (well, except for the first sentence): not so cool. It's on-topic for both, but still unnecessary. We have hyperlinks on this World Wide Web thingy.
[Microsoft Surface] sweetfish:
Here is your hyperlink, your majesty. :D

For you <3

I would also like to add that the surface does get slightly warm (nothing uncomfortable), perhaps due to the magnesium alloy build. This gives it a very premium feel and amazing durability. The Sony Duo 11 is a mixture of aluminum and plastic, which is not bad, but does not compare to the surface when talking about build quality.

The sliding design of the Sony duo does offer better lap usage for those people who wish to use their laps vs a table which is essential to the surface. Both screens are beautiful and gorgeous to look at, both offering vibrant colors and wide viewing angles.

I never use the track pad for ether devices so I highly recommend getting a Bluetooth mouse (especially for the surface, due to the limitations of only 1 usb port)

If you have purchased a 64gb version of the surface and wished to get more hard drive space, I have a couple of suggestion to help you. The first is to remove the recovery partition, this will require a 16gb usb thumb drive to do so. The second suggestion I have is to purchase a micro sd card to expand the memory, and using it as a local disk drive allowing you to install applications onto it. I would recommending getting a UHS-1 card for better read and write speeds, but its not necessary if you don't care about that.

Directions to install applications into SD card
[Microsoft Surface] eknutson:
tl;dr: Duo is worth a look, Surface Pro is running great for me with the expected trade offs (plus runs Pro Tools 9 and Guitar Rig Pro 5 wonderfully).

I agree (mostly) with Sweetfish. I was at the MS store getting some stuff for my Surface Pro and tried out the Duo 11 (and Yoga 13). The Duo was a much nicer experience than the reviews led me to believe (I didn't try out the pen at all). The machine felt very nice, although not as polished / crafted as the Surface Pro. The keyboard was nice to type on, and the sliding mechanism for the keyboard wasn't as flimsy as reviewers had stated.

I'd recommend it to anyone who feels the form factor would fit them. Everything is a trade off, the trick is finding the right one for you as an individual.

Mini Surface Pro review

As for my Surface Pro, which I've been playing with for a couple of weeks now, it has been everything I'd hoped for and more. It runs my DAW reasonably well for a mobile device (Pro Tools 9, use it on-the-go but heavy-duty is still relegated to my i7 machine w/ 8GB RAM etc.), and I was VERY happy with the support for my live-gig setup (NI's Guitar Rig Pro 5 - although I needed a beta USB 3.0 driver to get the sound cleaned up). I practiced with the band for 4 hours (nearly strait) without a hitch.

The keyboard on the Surface Pro is as expected: not great but gets the job done - but it was always for on-the-go for me. The device gets a little warmer than I would have liked, but it's fine and not a problem to hold. I like it here in the winter, we'll see how that changes in the summer ;) The pen has already been lost, very predictably so. I have used it very successfully for navigating and working within apps, but then I've been using a stylus since the Palm Tungsten C days - I'm no stranger and so it was very natural. YMMV.

For 'desktop mode' I put it on my desk and plug in a 27" monitor, the power, the audio cable (music while I work) and a USB 3.0 hub. Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. Runs great, true computer experience. No slow downs or hiccups with several apps running while doing development / office apps.

All in all I'm very happy w/ my Surface Pro - I would caution anyone looking to find the right fit for them. I've recommended the device to some, and steered others away based on their needs and what they are used to doing.
[Microsoft Surface] Aprentice_:
I got the Surface Pro on Feb 9, was one of the first ppl who got it and it sold out after few hours... was planning to get it once they announced it.

I am an android user and sure will find some differences but believe me you'll get used to it after few hours or max few days.

If you are looking for a tablet to browse and play games, the Surface Pro is not for you, get an android tablet instead. the Surface Pro is a tablet you can use to browse, play games, get entertained and travel light for business meetings.

positives

- nice touch interface, colorful, new, away from the iPad style.

- you have full windows, you can run full windows applications.

- nice solid build and design

- can connect to my homegroup and stream videos and music.

- connect to my Xbox

- super great display

- the USB port is super useful.

- the interface is very nice, sliding from all sides. scrolls are good.

Negatives

- i needed quicker notifications. I don't want only to see it when the screen is locked. on android you can see it on the bar.

- keep an eye on the stylus as you;re going to loose it. the solution is ti use a dummy headphones plug and hook it (available on Amazon).

- i needed quick bar like in android. i.e. to turn off an ON the WiFi, blue tooth...not to go through few menus

- can't customize the background in the start screen and password screen. you can try some software methods but you'll loose some functionalists. hope Microsoft will change that soon.

- the video output is not standard, I hoped it'll be a normal mini or micro HDMI.

- to arrange the tiles, you have to move tile by tile, can't select many tiles and move them at once.

- didn't like the touch pad on the type keyboard.

- i want numbers % on the battery indicator on the metro. to know the remaining you have to go to desktop and check the battery icon.

- there is no email support, you have to live chat or call.

I know the negatives are more then positives but i guess it's something that can be fixed. Please correct me if you already have solutions for the above the I didn't know about.

Battery life is more than 5 hours if you use it for browsing, news, emails during the day..

In general it's a good device and I guess Microsoft will keep improving it.
[Microsoft Surface] ttxxaa:
i still didn't find the ix windows 8 tablet as i want

i wanted transformer tablet like ativ pro but have extra batteries with duck but all of i saw are only tablet or ultra book like asus tichi and this kind of tablets are too heavy with the keyboards

there is only asus transformer book but it still big with 13 inch screen
[Microsoft Surface] SixSixSevenSeven:
the lenovo helix and the ativ smart pc pro are both intel core iX based. The ativ smart pc is atom based though, only the pro is i5. Both are 11" I think.
[Microsoft Surface] ttxxaa:
thanks but the ativ smart pc pro does not have extra battery in the dock like ASUS vivo tab !

also lenovo helix didn't come yet and i think it didn't also has extra battery in the dock because the think pad 2 doesn't has !
[Microsoft Surface] SixSixSevenSeven:
The helix has a battery in the keyboard dock for a stated life of 10 hours. Really shows the weakness of the i5 as a tablet CPU, many ARM and atom tablets aren't far off of that number without keyboard docks.
[Microsoft Surface] eknutson:
Well... if by weakness you mean 'the powerful i5 drains the battery faster than the weak ARM/ATOM counterpart, leading to poor battery life by comparison to these totally different chips which are marginally functional for advanced uses, but with battery life on par with laptops using the i5 chip' then yes, I could agree with you.

However, choice is a good thing - the end user is best served by selecting a choice appropriate for themselves. Every selection has one tradeoff or another.