Awesome deal!
gamingeek said:Only thing that bugs me about my w8 device is storage space and the CPU makes some intensive stuff slow.
yeah, 128Gig isn't much. But hey, I can add a microSD and add another 64Gig. I'm going to install all my stuff first and see how much space I've still got left. Might be I plug in a microSD from the get go and just forget it's there.
It gets eaten up with games or video. Mine is HDD is smaller and a I have a 64gb card.
aspro said:I've been holding off from getting a tablet, but now I have this MLB all games pass the time is soon approaching for me to start looking at them.
If you're looking for a classic tablet, the Surface Pro line isn't really what you need though. While I'm a big fan of Win8.1, tablets who use the OS are usually a lot more powerfull than your average tablet and will come with a significantly lower battery life. The Pro2, which I got, should last for about 7-10 hours, but I remain skeptical about that. I'm loving the Wacom digitizer though. It makes navigating such a, dare I say it, pleasant experience. The type cover2 is also very cool. You have to see the backlighting to believe it.
I would like the ability to attach a keyboard for this site though. So if I see something, plug the keyboard in and go (as opposed to going back to the PC and doing that.
Would you say that is a worthy enough reason to not go with a low-price android shitablet? (which is significant, we are talking $180 versus probably $400+).
EDIT: I do have a laptop, I jsut nevr use it, I was hopign a tablt would be more of a "device" like my kindle where I can turn it on and off without any wind-up/ shut-down time penalties.
gamingeek said:Get an ASUS transformer Aspro. They are reasonably priced too and usually the keyboard dock has a battery in it too which extends battery life. One of them gives you 10 hours battery on the tablet, 10 hours on the keyboard dock, runs FULL windows 8.
Eurogamer did a digital foundry article on them recently (well, sort of)
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2014-what-if-you-could-play-pc-games-on-a-tablet
aspro said:I would like the ability to attach a keyboard for this site though. So if I see something, plug the keyboard in and go (as opposed to going back to the PC and doing that.
Would you say that is a worthy enough reason to not go with a low-price android shitablet? (which is significant, we are talking $180 versus probably $400+).EDIT: I do have a laptop, I jsut nevr use it, I was hopign a tablt would be more of a "device" like my kindle where I can turn it on and off without any wind-up/ shut-down time penalties.
I never really liked android, and I do not like the concept of a tablet as an entertainment consumer device either, so I'm probably not the right person to ask.
However, since you did ask: the surface pro probably isn't for you. It's a fullfledged laptop shrunk down to a tablet.
What you're needing is a lower spec tablet. Problem with those is that they always seem to be of low build quality as well and often boast ugly displays. If you're really only thinking of using it for browsing and consuming digital entertainment, why not consider the Surface 2? It runs on windows RT (think the windows tiles OS without the desktop functionality), but that shouldn't bother you. You still get the great build quality, great fullHD screen and the option to snap those deliciously stylish type or touch covers to them. Oh, and it doesn't have a wacom digitizer. Nor does it support Steam. Think of it as MS's answer to the Apple Ipad, but with free office added in.
Would something like the Kindle FireHD be applicable here?
Pro:
Asus T100TA-DK002H 10.1-inch 2-in-1 Convertible Netbook (Intel Atom Z3740 1.33GHz Processor, 32GB SSD, 2GB DDR3, Intel HD Graphics, Touchscreen, SDXC Card Reader, USB 3.0, Micro HDMI, Windows 8.1, Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013)
- IPS display & ASUS SonicMaster audio
- Intel quad-core processor lets you do more while on-the-go
- Microsoft Windows 8.1
- Reading Mode
- 11hrs long battery life
Or the newer model:
video comparision of the T100 and the Surface 2
Hah! 
I didn't watch it all myself, I skipped to the 10 minute mark where they were drawing to conclusions. If you want true laptop capabilities at an unbelievable pricepoint, go with the T100. If you're looking more for something Ipad like (but with killer keyboard), go for the surface 2.
And that's enough free PR for Microsoft today. I'm off to do some actual work so I can once again afford food after having spent so much on my Pro2.
Eh, I prefer the malleability of the T-1000.
Foolz said:Would something like the Kindle FireHD be applicable here?
That's my tablet of choice.
Product Description
The T100TA's optimum-comfort keys and 19mm travel distance keyboard provides users with an unforgettable typing experience. Also the T100TA's detachable docking station provides high mobility, perfect for different usage scenarios.
The T100TA's battery provides up to 11 hours battery life - depending on usage - so you can spend more time enjoying your music, movies and games, or working on your projects without having to locate the nearest plug.
Box Contains
Battery
AC Adapter
User Documentation/Media
No wonder the new Pro3 is being made with a different finish to it.I've also been looking into folio's, sleeves, cases and whatnot to keep this thing more or less presentable when I actually start taking it places. On this front its versatility is its curse it seems. I have yet to find one that doesn't hinder the use of the kickstand and/or the type cover.
So far the MoKo rotary case seems like my best bet, as it's just as schizofrenic as the device itself. If you put the two parts on it really protects the surface, even letting you sit it upright. If you take the outer sleeve off it leaves the job of protecting the screen to the type cover, but you get a strap for your hand on the back, which I could see being very useful for me. Bah, I'm even considering just getting 2 sleeves at this point. One to look stylish when I go to customers and one sturdy one with a strap for when I go to construction sites.
Ravenprose said:Foolz said:Would something like the Kindle FireHD be applicable here?
That's my tablet of choice.
They sell those down here. How is the browser? (I am already a Kindle reading dude). It's sub $200.
Sup and GG, thanks for your posts, I read it all and followed links, it was very helpful.
I finally bought one. A Surface Pro. I've been eying these babies from when the original Surface was announced. As someone who spends a reasonable amount on-site and away from his desk, having a powerfull tablet that could connect to my NAS on hand always sounded like a great proposition. Thing is, this was an offer I could refuse as long as a) the battery life sucked, b) the price wasn't right.
The first point was taken care of by the release of the Pro2, which boasted an at least reasonable battery life of about 7 hours. The second was resolved today, as I walked into the Fnac, which must be about the most expensive place to buy anything user electronics related, and saw that they were having massive sales on the surface pro 2. So I bagged me a Pro2 with 128gig SSD for €699, which is €180 below the suggested retail price. To add to the deal, a free Type Cover 2 was thrown in. And then Microsoft had this promotion that if the store clerk didn't inform you on their great Office deals (-€20 on Office if bought along a PC), you were entitled to a free year of Office 365 Home Premium. The store clerk I was talking to was pleasantly savvy on the matter of the Surface line, even the upcoming Pro3, but we were more talking about the product then that he was trying to sell me one. He didn't ever mention the Office deal. So basically I saved about €450
I've just begun installing my software, so not many impressions so far. I tried the pen out for a couple of minutes, and it's a joy to use. The Wacom pen was one of the main features that drew my attention and I can really see this replacing regular pen and paper for a lot of stuff.
As for gaming, this thing is as powerfull as my 4 year old laptop, which I used to play Borderlands 2 on. Even better, if I get an HDMI out, I'll be able to use this with my desktop PC and Steam inhome streaming to finally get my PC gaming started. I just can't get used to gaming behind my desk, and now I'll be able to reach all those cheap Steam games from the comfort of my couch.
Overall I'm as happy as an Aussie who just got his internet cap raised by a factor of 40 and very glad I postphoned purchasing one all those times. I don't think I'll be seeing an as good of a deal on these any time soon. Also, congrats to my wife, for arguing against getting worse deals earlier on.