*** The Official Microsoft Surface Pro Thread ***

[POB]

I'm going to see if my sis is willing to pick me one up from the states in April.
Although we're getting close to the possible launch of haswell, but then it's taken companies this long, there no guarnetee anything will be out in the wild for ages.

Plus with the 20% ish saving from buying in the states, even if they release a new one you can upgrade without loosing.

 

[Martini1991]

I'm impressed, http://m.youtube.com/user/SurfaceProGaming

Seems to run most things resonably well albeit it at low settings.

I'm going to see if my sis is willing to pick me one up from the states in April.
Although we're getting close to the possible launch of haswell, but then it's taken companies this long, there no guarnetee anything will be out in the wild for ages.

First game I checked, Alan Wake, it's sub 20 half the time. He's also playing it at 800x600.
But yeah, I take it you now believe me when I said just how poor the HD4000 in the mobile Ivy's is compared to the desktop variant?

Haswell with GT3 will be pretty decent.
GT2 is what's in the Desktop Haswell chips, and isn't a massive deal greater than HD4000.

 

[Glaucus]

It doesn't matter what resolution he's playing it in, it's very respectable and can play games, which was the question.

 

[Martini1991]

It doesn't matter what resolution he's playing it in, it's very respectable and can play games, which was the question.

Sub 20 FPS and about half the native resolution isn't in anyway acceptable or respectable in my standards, fair play if it fits yours.

 

[Trig]

If it's released in the next 4 weeks I'll get one.
If not, I'll go with my original plan and get a Macbook Air or a Samsung ultrabook.

I dont do Samsung and want a tablet with a bit more usability than an Android/iPad device..
The RT has whet my appetite but I'm getting bored waiting...

 

[Skidder]

I have US surface pro inbound, can i use UK rt keyboards? thanks

 

[Michael_10]

I have US surface pro inbound, can i use UK rt keyboards? thanks

Yup! Just remember on the initial setup screen to set your language to English uk, if it stays on US then some of the symbols on the keyboard will be swapped about

 

[Skidder]

Yup! Just remember on the initial setup screen to set your language to English uk, if it stays on US then some of the symbols on the keyboard will be swapped about

Thank you!

 

[Skidder]

So those that have tried both, touch or type?

Personally I have a decent laptop as well and desktop so not too likely to be writing whole reports on this but not sure how usable the touch is? Was thinking of getting us wedge keyboard and mouse and a touch cover each, good plan? Mostly cos of the pretty colours!

Or just get wedge mouse and type cover?

 

[POB]

So those that have tried both, touch or type?

I have gone for Touch cover + wedge bluetooth keyboard.

Mainly as the blue cover is awesome, and when I need to do heavy typing the bluetooth keyboard is perfect.

Touch cover is decent for typing when you get used to it. Plus the coolness factor is worth it.

If you plan to use it with a second monitor then a separate keyboard offers much better ergonomics.

I purchased an Arc Mouse Touch instead of the wedge mouse, but the Pen covers most mouse duties so its not used as much.

Wedge keyboard has an advantage as it comes with the stand, which offers an alternative angle to the Surface (which is a little too upright)

 

[Skidder]

Food for thought, thanks. To be honest I really want a blue cover even if the type cover is a bit more practical!

 

[POB]

Do it the blue cover is too nice not to. eBay was a good source for discounted covers. Just watch you get a UK layout.

 

[Skidder]

Got the blue cover just waiting for my surface! Got a type for one of my colleagues so we can compare.

 

[POB]

Got the blue cover just waiting for my surface! Got a type for one of my colleagues so we can compare.

Should probably not use the £99 keyboard as a coffee mat

 

[theheyes]

The blue does look smart although spending £100 on a keyboard cover isn't something I want to do regularly. Here's hoping it's forward compatible for a long time.

 

[Skidder]

Is the touch cover responsive enough to use for a bit of light gaming?

 

[theheyes]

Personally, I would say no. But your mileage may vary of course. Out of the two I would get the type cover if you want to game. It's not the responsiveness that's the issue, it's the feel.

 

[Skidder]

Have deliberately not bought one of my colleagues a keyboard so that I can try both and if I don't like the touch give it to him! I think I will end up with the touch and a bluetooth keyboard.

 

[haroon]

Any news on when this is actually suppose to be hitting the uk?

Last i read was microsoft was readying a global launch 'in a matter of weeks' but that was a month ago,what is going on with the availability of the surface pro,obviously not that great of an importance to microsoft's overall strategy of tablets?

I keep reading many are holding off until the haswell version comes out but as far as i know the ultra low power haswell tablet chips aren't scheduled to come out until Q4 so if everything went smoothly then might be lucky to see the surface pro 2 at christmas.

All this waiting and no firm announcements plus a far superior tablet chip on the tablet coming makes it hard for me to even bother waiting to invest in one of these things although it seems like the first proper windows tablet i would buy...decisions decisions.

 

[spinstorm]

I have the surface pro and both type and touch covers, the pro was imported the same week it came out in the US. I love it. I use it like a tablet but as its a whole PC I can do everything.

I keep the touch cover attached all the time as a cover and in case I do want to do some light typing but if I wanted to do proper work I'd use the type cover. It is like using a proper keyboard and very good, it just makes the surface a tiny bit thicker than I would like for normal everyday use.