Anyone here have the Microsoft Surface Book?

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  oMavericko on 31/01/2016 - 09:54

  I have it. Had it for about 3 weeks now.

  There's still quite a few issues with the device. I'm (and everyone else) hoping most can be cleared up with software updates. The first few weeks were frustratingly spent googling issues and manually trying heaps of different drivers to try and get around unacceptable issues like the screen flickering or battery draining.

  I'm not sure what you mean by 'Tablet experience' or what you're after. I came from the pro 3 and some things are annoying me. Like the battery life is about 3 hours (yet to fully test that) while undocked and there is no kickstand which is pretty damn annoying for a device that size.

  The surface pro 3 has a pretty amazing device for me. It did replace my old computer and ipad. The only problem was that it was a little under strength for some of the things I was wanting to do on it, hence why I went for Book this time round.

  Don't get me wrong, the device is incredible. I just quite buggy for such an expensive machine. But that's what you get being an early adopter. Surface Book 2 will hopefully address a few more design issues like the lack of kickstand or hinge not reclining enough and the software should be a lot more stable hopefully.

  What are you looking at using it for?

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  GLO on 31/01/2016 - 10:43

  Hi oMavericko,

  I work on the road and at home 50% of the time, and I always cart both my 16" Toshiba i7 laptop and Ipad Air around every day. Lots of web research and spreadsheets. Right now I have about 30 tabs open and 6 spreadsheets.(connected to a 24" 16:10 Dell monitor) I think the 3:2 screen format will work well for me.

  Client Meetings I usually take in my Ipad Air and use it as a glorified note taker (using Evernote) however I 'think' I would use the Notepad format and scribe on a PDF type template as I suspect this is more efficient way to capture meeting notes. I also record audio for reviewing incase I need to clarify something or if I wasnt quick enough to capture it typing (or with the Pen)

  I download a lot of PDF magazines and browse alot on the ipad, so am curious whether the tablet (no keyboard) use is as functional to replace the ipad all together.

  Thanks for mentioning the screen tilt, as I had not thought about that. I use the Ultrabook version of this Belkin USB 3 Video Dock. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvgSbyvsZzU and at home I use the Targus USB 3.0 SuperSpeed™ Dual Video Docking Station with Power https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ow34oY2SoY

  The tilt may not be enough for the Belkin Dock? What do you think?

  Also, do you think the 128Gb SSD is enough? Can you add some SD storage right?

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  themirror on 31/01/2016 - 12:12

  I am interested to learn what the 'tablet experience' is truly like?

  Depends what you're planning on doing with it. If you're trying to do web browsing + note taking side-by-side it's fine. If you're trying to use the command line (obviously most people won't ever need this), copying files around, etc. I find this a pain. Watching videos as a tablet using Plex/Netflix is great. All touch functions (pinch to zoom, panning) work on Google maps in Chrome (doesn't in firefox) so that's a plus.

  Do you use the Pen (and Notebook layout) as much as you thought before buying?
  Yes, I normally jot stuff down on scrap paper, now I use the tablet (the hinge isn't very sturdy as it's holding a heavier than normal laptop screen, so if you try writing on the screen as a laptop it will wobble). I haven't used it for serious note taking though.

  And any other expectations that you may have had before buying that turned out differently now that you have it.

  1. As the other guy said the lack of hinge when on tablet mode sucks but not the end of the world.
  2. Keyboard feels amazing, as does the trackpad
  3. Battery life bug when sleeping was a big issue for me, but as of last week it's a lot lot better.

  Can't really complain too much about the device, great build quality, Windows Hello is awesome and super fast W10 isn't the best but that's not the device's fault.

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  GLO on 31/01/2016 - 13:00

  where do you guys store the pen when your either using it as a tablet or when you have the SB bagged up?

  I know it sounds like a dumb question, but if its not attached permantly (like a Galaxy Tab where is has a slide in home) are you finding that you actually are less likely to grab it and as such simply use it as a laptop/tablet without the magic of the pen?

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  GLO on 07/02/2016 - 11:27

  Hi guys,

  Another few question for Surface Book owners.

  1.What bags are you finding the best for it?

  2.Are you using it with an external monitor?

  3.have you added additional storage via use or SD card? And how is that working for you?

  4.Microsoft Complete 24month accident protection. Is it worth it?