Anyone else touching the Surface?

[BillsCarnage]

I went down to the MS store yesterday and got two - 32gb and 64gb w/ touch cover. Waited in line about an hour, but should have probably arrived a few hours later and there wouldn't have been a line.

I'm digging it, but the more I've Win8 over the last 6mo or so, the more i dread going into the desktop mode. And Surface is essentially an ARM based laptop as the desktop is alive and kicking. Something I had hoped wouldn't be.

There are a number of things that annoy me, but there are annoyances w/ the ipad and droids too. I'm trying to find apps that will keep me as far away from desktop mode as possible, but you have to use it for office and power user options, so in that sense it's nice.

Everything I wish i could do with the droid or ipad i can do w/ the Surface. Print, plug in usb devices, multi task w/ apps, etc. So far I've plugged in about a dozen usb devices (ext drives to mice) and everything has worked. It takes a second or two for the device to be read, but it's true plug-n-play.

 

[BigRedRage]

I went down to the MS store yesterday and got two - 32gb and 64gb w/ touch cover. Waited in line about an hour, but should have probably arrived a few hours later and there wouldn't have been a line.

I'm digging it, but the more I've Win8 over the last 6mo or so, the more i dread going into the desktop mode. And Surface is essentially an ARM based laptop as the desktop is alive and kicking. Something I had hoped wouldn't be.

There are a number of things that annoy me, but there are annoyances w/ the ipad and droids too. I'm trying to find apps that will keep me as far away from desktop mode as possible, but you have to use it for office and power user options, so in that sense it's nice.

Everything I wish i could do with the droid or ipad i can do w/ the Surface. Print, plug in usb devices, multi task w/ apps, etc. So far I've plugged in about a dozen usb devices (ext drives to mice) and everything has worked. It takes a second or two for the device to be read, but it's true plug-n-play.

just bought my first droid tablet for a family xmas gift, looking forward to it.

Surface looks cool but maybe in a few years, not a big enough need to drop $600

 

[DeAnna]

I just ordered the MS Surface Pro 64gb. I was debating getting an iPad but this one seems to have a lot more going for it. I heard Windows 8 apps are sparse, tho.

Now I can get rid of my 2 old laptops. BTW, can anyone lead me to some good info on how to reformat the hard drive on these laptops? I've done it for a desktop before selling them, but wasn't able to do it for the laptops.

 

[Chaz]

I just ordered the MS Surface Pro 64gb. I was debating getting an iPad but this one seems to have a lot more going for it. I heard Windows 8 apps are sparse, tho.

Now I can get rid of my 2 old laptops. BTW, can anyone lead me to some good info on how to reformat the hard drive on these laptops? I've done it for a desktop before selling them, but wasn't able to do it for the laptops.

That is the one I was thinking about. It would replace a laptop and a tablet.
While the RT apps are limited with the surface pro you can run standard windows applications.

For erasing hard drives I use killdisk. http://www.lsoft.net/killdisk.aspx

You don't just want to reformat because that doesn't erase data it just erases the partition map. You want to securely erase the contents so it cannot be recovered.

 

[BigRedRage]

I would caution against ditching the laptops unless you have a desktop. Tablets are cool but certain things need a real computer.

 

[BillsCarnage]

I just ordered the MS Surface Pro 64gb. I was debating getting an iPad but this one seems to have a lot more going for it. I heard Windows 8 apps are sparse, tho.

Depends on what kind of apps you're looking for. There are approx 50k for Win8/RT.
Or as mentioned, you run traditional apps.

I would caution against ditching the laptops unless you have a desktop. Tablets are cool but certain things need a real computer.

I wouldn't unless you plan on doing heavy gaming or media development. Otherwise it should be a fine laptop replacement for most people.

 

[Chaz]

I would caution against ditching the laptops unless you have a desktop. Tablets are cool but certain things need a real computer.

The cool part about the pro is it has a usb and mini dp out.

so plug it into a keyboard, mouse, monitor and you have a regular i5 computer.

 

[BigRedRage]

I just find computers are faster, multitask better and etc

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

 

[DeAnna]

I've played around with it this weekend.

Main reason I got it was because it comes with a stylus - which I wanted for getting 'wet' signatures on real estate contracts. But the apps that allow that (like PDF Expert or iAnnotate) are not avail for Windows So I guess I'll use the regular desktop sofware for those, but they do take up a lot of space.

The display is fabulous - much like the iPad. Not too crazy about the "People" apps which combines Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. Don't like the layout and can't find any way to edit that.

It's a bit weird going from desktop mode to tablet mode but I'm still getting the hang of it. Has a USB3.0 and most of my peripherals are 2.0 so they won't plug in.

A lot less apps than for Apple products, and reading some of the reviews I can tell people are not happy with them. For example, both the Kindle and Nook apps got mediocre reviews.

So far, I'm liking it!

 

[BigRedRage]

I've played around with it this weekend.

Main reason I got it was because it comes with a stylus - which I wanted for getting 'wet' signatures on real estate contracts. But the apps that allow that (like PDF Expert or iAnnotate) are not avail for Windows So I guess I'll use the regular desktop sofware for those, but they do take up a lot of space.

The display is fabulous - much like the iPad. Not too crazy about the "People" apps which combines Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. Don't like the layout and can't find any way to edit that.

It's a bit weird going from desktop mode to tablet mode but I'm still getting the hang of it. Has a USB3.0 and most of my peripherals are 2.0 so they won't plug in.

A lot less apps than for Apple products, and reading some of the reviews I can tell people are not happy with them. For example, both the Kindle and Nook apps got mediocre reviews.

So far, I'm liking it!

have you tried docusign? It has an android app..

 

[Chaz]

I've played around with it this weekend.

Main reason I got it was because it comes with a stylus - which I wanted for getting 'wet' signatures on real estate contracts. But the apps that allow that (like PDF Expert or iAnnotate) are not avail for Windows So I guess I'll use the regular desktop sofware for those, but they do take up a lot of space.

The display is fabulous - much like the iPad. Not too crazy about the "People" apps which combines Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. Don't like the layout and can't find any way to edit that.

It's a bit weird going from desktop mode to tablet mode but I'm still getting the hang of it. Has a USB3.0 and most of my peripherals are 2.0 so they won't plug in.

A lot less apps than for Apple products, and reading some of the reviews I can tell people are not happy with them. For example, both the Kindle and Nook apps got mediocre reviews.

So far, I'm liking it!

USB 3.0 should accept 2.0 devices.

 

[DeAnna]

USB 3.0 should accept 2.0 devices.

I thought so, but I tried plugging in a USB mouse 2.0 but it won't even fit?? I didn't want to force it - was afraid it might break, lol

 

[DeAnna]

have you tried docusign? It has an android app..

Couldn't find it at the Windows App store (this is not a Android platform)

 

[BillsCarnage]

Main reason I got it was because it comes with a stylus - which I wanted for getting 'wet' signatures on real estate contracts. But the apps that allow that (like PDF Expert or iAnnotate) are not avail for Windows So I guess I'll use the regular desktop sofware for those, but they do take up a lot of space.

Search the store for "document signing", there are several.

The display is fabulous - much like the iPad. Not too crazy about the "People" apps which combines Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. Don't like the layout and can't find any way to edit that.

I like it, but nope, no way to change layout.

It's a bit weird going from desktop mode to tablet mode but I'm still getting the hang of it. Has a USB3.0 and most of my peripherals are 2.0 so they won't plug in.

3.0 is backwards compatible, so your devices will work.

​

A lot less apps than for Apple products, and reading some of the reviews I can tell people are not happy with them. For example, both the Kindle and Nook apps got mediocre reviews.

There are a good number of apps and most of the major ones are available. I don't care about Nook or those types and there are very few on the ipad that i don't have on the Surface.

 

[DeAnna]

3.0 is backwards compatible, so your devices will work.
quote]

Got the usb plugged in, but desktop doesn't seem to recognize it? Couldn't find it under computer icon at all...

 

[BillsCarnage]

What kind of device are you trying to plug in? Depending on the power requirements, the Surface may not be able to supply enough power that a desktop can.
See if any of these help http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en...ers/connect-a-usb-phone-camera-mouse-and-more

Also, make sure you've installed any updates.

If it's still not working, you might peruse the forums Surface Pro forums

 

[DeAnna]

What kind of device are you trying to plug in? Depending on the power requirements, the Surface may not be able to supply enough power that a desktop can.
See if any of these help http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en...ers/connect-a-usb-phone-camera-mouse-and-more

Also, make sure you've installed any updates.

If it's still not working, you might peruse the forums Surface Pro forums

It's a Serial ATA external hard drive. I'm guessing it's not compatible with Win 8 - tried finding updated drivers for it without luck ... argh ...

Tried a suggestion from someone online to reboot to "repair itself" mode but that didn't help (while plugged in, not on battery). I had already downloaded a bunch of updates just yesterday.

 

[BigRedRage]

It's a Serial ATA external hard drive. I'm guessing it's not compatible with Win 8 - tried finding updated drivers for it without luck ... argh ...

Tried a suggestion from someone online to reboot to "repair itself" mode but that didn't help (while plugged in, not on battery). I had already downloaded a bunch of updates just yesterday.

I havent been able to hook my external harddrive up to ipads or droid tablets - the surface may have similar issues but being that it is windows I would expect it to do it.

 

[Chaz]

It's a Serial ATA external hard drive. I'm guessing it's not compatible with Win 8 - tried finding updated drivers for it without luck ... argh ...

Tried a suggestion from someone online to reboot to "repair itself" mode but that didn't help (while plugged in, not on battery). I had already downloaded a bunch of updates just yesterday.

Does the drive have a power cord in addition to the USB?

The port may not have enough juice to spin it up. Standard power for USB is .5A while most hard drives require at least 1A to spin the motor inside.

If it works with windows 7 it should work with 8.

 

[DeAnna]

Does the drive have a power cord in addition to the USB?

The port may not have enough juice to spin it up. Standard power for USB is .5A while most hard drives require at least 1A to spin the motor inside.

If it works with windows 7 it should work with 8.

No, it's a dual prong usb. I never tried it on Win 7, but it worked fine in Vista.

Maybe I can just upload everying from the external HD onto the SkyDrive cloud and be able to access them from there.