Surface Pro 3
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Some of our field service engineers use Netbooks. I've always quite liked them. They use them to connect to our hardware on customer sites to run diagnostics software. I'm wondering about replacing them with Surface Pros.
I have two concerns.
One is robustness. Netbooks were pretty robust and dirt cheap to replace if they did break. But we could put the Surfaces (or should that be Surfi?) in rugged cases.
Second is using them in confined spaces. It's pretty easy to find somewhere flatish to place a Netbook and type on it.
Whatdya think?
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@Carnival-Boy said:
Some of our field service engineers use Netbooks. I've always quite liked them. They use them to connect to our hardware on customer sites to run diagnostics software. I'm wondering about replacing them with Surface Pros.
I have two concerns.
One is robustness. Netbooks were pretty robust and dirt cheap to replace if they did break. But we could put the Surfaces (or should that be Surfi?) in rugged cases.
Second is using them in confined spaces. It's pretty easy to find somewhere flatish to place a Netbook and type on it.
Whatdya think?
They are well built but have near zero reparability for even the most seasoned IT pro. They will be for sure heading to Microsoft for repair. As far as cases go, sleeves may be the way to go because of the stand, keyboard connector and fan vents.
The new stand/type cover combo DOES improve for use on laps and small places. Better on hard surfaces though.
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I finally got one of these. Initial impressions are that I don't like it at all! It hasn't helped that I had four BSODs within the first hour. It's either faulty or there is an issue with my Live account (I suspect the later).
But mainly, I just don't like the format. For a tablet, it is really big and heavy. Whilst the specs look good, I hadn't factored in the size and weight of the keyboard. With the keyboard it is only marginally lighter and thinner than an ultrabook - 1.1kg versus 1.36kg for my Acer Aspire, for example.
I don't like that before you use it you have to flip the stand as well as open the keyboard, versus a laptop where you just lift the lid. OK, it's like an extra half-a-second, but it's an extra step.
I don't like that the keyboard will get scuffed really easily so you need a get a sleeve. That sleeve will add extra weight and size versus a laptop that I just chuck in my bag naked. Plus you'll then have to get it out of the sleeve before you use it, so that's another step.
We're currently buying HP Elitebook 820 G1 laptops and I'd choose one of these over a Surface every single time. Granted they're a little more expensive (but not much), and the screen isn't as good. But I find them so much more practical and I reckon they will prove far more robust so will easily justify the extra cost.
I just think it's too big to be a useful tablet. Oversized tablets suck. But using it with a keyboard just makes it a rubbish design compared with a clamshell. Clamshell computers are just a brilliant design - nothing beats them for robustness, comfort, aesthetics or practicality.
Ultrabooks FTW!
That said, if I got used to using the touchscreen features of Windows 8.1 maybe I'd learn to love it. The touchscreen interface is its only saving grace. I'll be taking it home this weekend and playing some games on it.
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This has been my opnion of my Surface Pro2 as well. I have found it's great as a backup desktop with the dock that way I can connect a monitor keyboard and mouse, which completely defeats the whole purpose. IF you want a tablet get a tablet. If you want a laptop get a laptop the hybrid not so much.
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I'll agree with something that Scott has said many times, this is a device that's between a tablet and a laptop. Other than reading you don't use a tablet. I have an aging Asus Transformer Prime that use to read, or my wife's old Kindle. I have tried using an iPad and other Android tablets and have yet to find a need/desire to own one for general use.
I don't just 'look' at things often enough to warrant carrying around two devices (laptop and tablet). I'm constantly typing emails, or posting on boards, etc, so the tablet serves very little purpose to me.We deployed our first SP3 here in the office this week. One of my docs is trying it out for our EHR. So far it's working pretty well, but time will tell.
The problem with a Windows tablet is most of us want Windows - you know, the windows we've grown up with since Windows 95. A start menu, a desktop, etc. We want these apps to be mobile and usable like our new mobile apps - but unfortunately that just doesn't seem to be possible.
I really can't see how Windows 10 is going to solve the old school app problem on a mobile device. I guess only time will tell.
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Very well put @Dashrender
I am of similar opinion, in that a laptop has the features that I want (upgradable, good keyboard, good performance etc) but I like the form factor and portability of a tablet.
The SP3 ticks a lot of boxes but... It's not upgradable, the type covers suck and it's super expensive.
There are also no iOS style apps as it's the same store that Windows Phone uses (we've already covered the malware issue in several threads).
What I really want is a phone that I put into a docking station and then use like a PC. There was supposed to be an Ubuntu phone that did this but I don't think that it'll make production. Extremely disappointed.
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@nadnerB said:
it's super expensive.
I disagree. Calling it a tablet is a misnomer. I think it's basically an ultrabook. Comparing it with other ultrabooks it is pretty competitive price wise. It's biggest competitor is probably a Macbook Air and they're pretty similar price wise aren't they? Certainly not super expensive.
I'd buy neither with my own money.
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Mine is either going back to the supplier or in the bin as I am having constant BSODs - with a variety of different error messages.
I've updated the firmware.
I've done a factory reset
I've changed my WiFi from Unifi to Netgear (as a lot of people report WiFi issues causing BSODs).
I've run the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool but no problems have been detected.None if this has worked.
I always seem to end up regretting buying anything that isn't made by HP
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Mine has been incredibly stable, not once have I had an issue with anything other than trying to use any apps from the store.
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@Carnival-Boy said:
Mine is either going back to the supplier or in the bin as I am having constant BSODs - with a variety of different error messages.
I've updated the firmware.
I've done a factory reset
I've changed my WiFi from Unifi to Netgear (as a lot of people report WiFi issues causing BSODs).
I've run the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool but no problems have been detected.None if this has worked.
I always seem to end up regretting buying anything that isn't made by HP
Sounds like you got a dud. Do you have the i5 or i7?
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i3..
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I just deployed an i3. It's primary use will be our EHR with Dragon. So far it's working pretty well.
I wanted something that would give me the best battery life, and I don't need a lot of power for Dragon or the EHR website.
