Microsoft Surface Pro 4 announced: "better in nearly every way" (The Verge)

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I decided against picking up a Surface Pro 4 or Surface Book. Couldn't justify it having purchased the Surface Pro 3 and Dell XPS 13 over the last year. I did purchase the new keyboard and pen though, which almost makes the Pro 3 feel like a new device. The typepad is such an upgrade over the past iteration.

Souless_PJ said:
Do you feel like going from having the best device of each class to a master of none hybrid with the added bonus of hardware / software issues just so you can use one device instead? If so sign up!
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dat post history lol
 
A new Surface Pro 4 firmware has been released yesterday.


Surface Pro 4

  • HD Graphics 520 driver update (v20.19.15.4308) addresses some display issues, including some scenarios that result in screen flickering.
  • Display audio driver update (v8.20.0.659) supports compatibility with the updated graphics driver.
  • Surface Embedded Controller Firmware update (v103.855.257.0) improves system stability.
  • Surface Pen Settings driver update (v10.0.302.0) adds support for future functionality on Windows 10.

Microsoft is also updating the firmware for the keyboard and trackpad on the Surface Book that will hopefully fix the issue where the keyboard would become unresponsive.

Both the Surface Pro 4 and the Surface book received positive reviews across the web but one issue many found with the device, along with those who received the first batch, was the screen flickering frequently. But, one problem that does not appear to be addressed in this release is an issue where the Surface Book/Pro 4 can become hot after putting the device to sleep.

https://www.thurrott.com/mobile/mic...te-fixes-screen-flickering-improves-stability
 
Souless_PJ said:
Do you feel like going from having the best device of each class to a master of none hybrid with the added bonus of hardware / software issues just so you can use one device instead? If so sign up!
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MEH!

I sooo love my SP4. I just got the base Core m3 version as it's a supplement to my MBP, but I could easily see myself using the top specced SP4 or SB as my only computer. Battery life is less than an Apple laptop, but otherwise I don't think I'd miss much. I'm not just a Word/Web/Email guy either, I use Adobe pretty extensively.

head to head though yes, the MBP is a better computer, but they are very close IMO and that's super impressive considering the Surface is a thin tablet convertible.
 
brotkasten said:
A new Surface Pro 4 firmware has been released yesterday.


Surface Pro 4

  • HD Graphics 520 driver update (v20.19.15.4308) addresses some display issues, including some scenarios that result in screen flickering.
  • Display audio driver update (v8.20.0.659) supports compatibility with the updated graphics driver.
  • Surface Embedded Controller Firmware update (v103.855.257.0) improves system stability.
  • Surface Pen Settings driver update (v10.0.302.0) adds support for future functionality on Windows 10.

Microsoft is also updating the firmware for the keyboard and trackpad on the Surface Book that will hopefully fix the issue where the keyboard would become unresponsive.

Both the Surface Pro 4 and the Surface book received positive reviews across the web but one issue many found with the device, along with those who received the first batch, was the screen flickering frequently. But, one problem that does not appear to be addressed in this release is an issue where the Surface Book/Pro 4 can become hot after putting the device to sleep.

https://www.thurrott.com/mobile/mic...te-fixes-screen-flickering-improves-stability
Click to expand...

I wonder if the Windows 10 fall update coming next Tuesday will address any of the issues that aren't touched in the SP4 update released yesterday?
 
After about a week of using an i5 SP4 I love it. Does everything I need for daily use and looks great. And I appreciate the portability of it. I also find myself switching between mouse and touch/pen very frequently.

Happy there's already an update to fix out the issues. Once those are sorted I'll have absolutely no qualms of just owning an SP4 and a phone.
 
The Surface Pro 4 is finally going to be available in Europe at the end of next week (Friday 13th, great date). I can't wait to get my hands on one.

Got the Shakes said:
I wonder if the Windows 10 fall update coming next Tuesday will address any of the issues that aren't touched in the SP4 update released yesterday?
Click to expand...

God, I hope so. The sleep issue is embarrassing. I understand that they might not be able to handle it perfectly on custom machines and machines from partners, but on hardware they built and have total control over? Come on.
 
Well, it's a shame but after deliberating I decided to cancel my preorder. Just glad Europe had a 2 week grace period from the US release.

Don't get me wrong I still really want one, they look brilliant, but with all the software issues at the moment, and the fact that I will be able to reorder with the educational discount, means I would be a total fool not to wait a while and see how the launch evens out.

Super jealous of the pics though, you have no idea how much willpower it took to cancel it ;P
 
DistortionOfReality said:
Well, it's a shame but after deliberating I decided to cancel my preorder. Just glad Europe had a 2 week grace period from the US release.

Don't get me wrong I still really want one, they look brilliant, but with all the software issues at the moment, and the fact that I will be able to reorder with the educational discount, means I would be a total fool not to wait a while and see how the launch evens out.

Super jealous of the pics though, you have no idea how much willpower it took to cancel it ;P
Click to expand...

Hah, tell me about it. While I never pre-ordered it, I had it at least 4 times in my basket and was about to do it. Now I constantly get ads for it on GAF, teasing me all the time.
 
what are the software issues you are concerned with? Only issue I've had is battery drain while in sleep mode. I changed to hibernate and it's perfect now. It takes about 5 seconds longer to start up out of hibernate but it's worth. I hardly consider that a dealbreaker but I guess others have different priorities.

Does anyone here know how I could remap the eraser button the pen to "Step Backward" when I'm using Photoshop?
 
- no wifi when asleep

- turn off most if not all app
background processes. Left groove and edge on

- turn off windows hello.

- changed what power and sleep functions/lid closing do... Aka put it in hibernate. It legitimately takes like 5-6sec to get to the login screen.

- screen brightness at 40%.... And when you are doing non processor intensive web browsing or watching a movie or streaming netflix, turn on battery saver mode.
 
Got mine in just now and I gotta say, the tablet is amazing for drawing.

It's an absolute joy when you're drawing curves as the pen glides really nicely.

It's a bit less good for tiny precision work, but I think I just need to get used to that.

Did a quick Squirrel Girl doodle on it

JuMpig9.png
 
I decided to give it a try at my local Best Buy (can't afford one now, so I'll probably by a surface pro 5 or something) and the keyboard cover is ace. So good.

Just... So good. It's almost as good as my Lenovo y410p laptop keyboard (travel time between keys is the same, trackpad is better on SP4, key solidity is the same, but key press distance is a TAD better on my laptop keyboard.)

I wasn't able to test the pen since it wasn't on the unit I was looking at, and the other unit's keyboard wasn't functioning for some reason

Anywho, extremely impressed. If my laptop died out, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. But since I don't really need one, and I don't really have the money to needlessly spend on one, I'll wait.
 
I transitioned to a surface pro 3 for all my developing at work, and it performs well for this.

I have been thinking of saving up for a surface book for my personal use, but I am so impressed with the Pro 3 I am thinking that a pro 4 might be good enough for me.
 
Divvy said:
Got mine in just now and I gotta say, the tablet is amazing for drawing.

It's an absolute joy when you're drawing curves as the pen glides really nicely.

It's a bit less good for tiny precision work, but I think I just need to get used to that.

Did a quick Squirrel Girl doodle on it

JuMpig9.png
Click to expand...

Wow, you're really talented.
 
Divvy said:
Got mine in just now and I gotta say, the tablet is amazing for drawing.

It's an absolute joy when you're drawing curves as the pen glides really nicely.

It's a bit less good for tiny precision work, but I think I just need to get used to that.

Did a quick Squirrel Girl doodle on it

JuMpig9.png
Click to expand...

Wow
 
Divvy said:
Got mine in just now and I gotta say, the tablet is amazing for drawing.

It's an absolute joy when you're drawing curves as the pen glides really nicely.

It's a bit less good for tiny precision work, but I think I just need to get used to that.

Did a quick Squirrel Girl doodle on it

[IMG http://i.imgur.com/JuMpig9.png[/IMG]
Click to expand...

Awesome. Do you have experience with a sp3? If so, how does it compare. I want to try before i buy. I found the pen on the sp3 to be a bit too laggy.
 
Supervlieg said:
Awesome. Do you have experience with a sp3? If so, how does it compare. I want to try before i buy. I found the pen on the sp3 to be a bit too laggy.
Click to expand...

No, I never used the SP3. I have an SP1 but I don't use it much since it didn't really turn out to be very comfortable to use. The wacom digitizer is probably more precise, but the glass and pen interaction was poor, not to mention the 16:9 aspect ratio being difficult to manage.

I just got the SP4, so I haven't had the time to install and try out Photoshop yet, but I used clip art studio for sketching and it didn't feel too laggy to me. There is certainly a little bit of lag is you are doing super fast brush strokes across the screen, but its not bad at all.

I did another quick sketch and it just feels really good so far for quick sketchy stuff

ne2kIZg.png
Click to expand...
 
Can someone recommend me a good mini dp1.2 to hdmi/dvi/vga adapter that supports windows 10 and is not $50+ ?

Or even a mini dp1.2 to HDMI adapter would be good too. One with a decent length cable that does not hang from the surface connector.

Edit: I see lots of potential good ones on amazon that worked well with surface pro 3 with windows 8.1 but none with for the 4 that people reviewed to work with windows 10.
 
chekhonte said:
Still too expensive for what you get. You can get a dell 2 in 1 laptop with better specs for nearly half the price.
Click to expand...

Surface will be lighter, have a higher resolution screen, has a SSD not an actual spinning hard drive, and has the pen. You might be able to get a faster processor or more RAM for the price, but not all of the specs will be better and a Surface will work much better as a tablet than a 2 in 1 laptop will.
 
chekhonte said:
Still too expensive for what you get. You can get a dell 2 in 1 laptop with better specs for nearly half the price.
Click to expand...

can you please post which Dell model you are talking about? I'm guessing the screen isn't as nice, it't not as thin/light and the pen input isn't as good.
 
Got the Shakes said:
Surface will be lighter, have a higher resolution screen, has a SSD not an actual spinning hard drive, and has the pen. You might be able to get a faster processor or more RAM for the price, but not all of the specs will be better and a Surface will work much better as a tablet than a 2 in 1 laptop will.
Click to expand...

The surface line will have better portability, build quality and active firmware/driver support from MS vs 3rd parties IMO. Not to mention that they will retain there value better with time vs the 3rd parties product.
 
Phanatic8390 said:
Do we know if reviewers will be getting the i7 models in the coming weeks? I'm holding out till we see how they perform.
Click to expand...

I think they will most likely only be getting one model to review. Maybe different reviewers will be getting different models to review.

If battery is your top concern over performance get the m model.

If you want a blend of performance and battery (make tweaks mentioned in numerous posts before) get the i5 model w/8gigs men.

If you value power/performance over battery then get the i7 model with 8gigs minimum.
 
Divvy said:
Got mine in just now and I gotta say, the tablet is amazing for drawing.

It's an absolute joy when you're drawing curves as the pen glides really nicely.

It's a bit less good for tiny precision work, but I think I just need to get used to that.

Did a quick Squirrel Girl doodle on it

JuMpig9.png
Click to expand...

Great work sir seeing this makes me really excited to receive mines this week.
 
I learned my lesson with the Surface brand. I bought a Gen 1 and while it still works and truthfully I don't use it all that much, as soon as the battery goes, it's an expensive disposable piece of kit.

Microsoft Surfaces have had really poor buggy batteries since the first generation and it didn't change with The Pro 3, so I don't have hope for the 4 either. The battery will just stop being detected out of nowhere.

I have a few I manage at work and just today I had this issue where the battery is just not being detected or something..it says it has 100% charge. Microsoft wants $479 for an out of warranty replacement on Surface Pro 2. All because of a battery failure in an otherwise perfectly working machine. Thye absolutely need to make the battery user replacable on these devices. A potentially $2700 (top end Pro 4)computer shouldn't be disposable after a year because the battery died.
 
Divvy said:
Got mine in just now and I gotta say, the tablet is amazing for drawing.

It's an absolute joy when you're drawing curves as the pen glides really nicely.

It's a bit less good for tiny precision work, but I think I just need to get used to that.

Did a quick Squirrel Girl doodle on it

JuMpig9.png
Click to expand...

You're really good dude.
 
So...is it true I can't make my pen clicks work with the OneNote Windows desktop app instead of the shitty Windows store app?
 
Anybody have case recommendations for the Pro 4? I'm not sure what to grab.

EDIT: Just like a carrying case. Something that could hold the charger possibly.
 
Didn't get the SP4 since I already have a good SP3. The new keyboard cover with fingerprint reader is a definite worthy upgrade however. Every SP3 owner should get one.
 
An online store here is selling the black and dark blue Type Cover 4 for just 117€. I actually wanted the red one, but might settle for dark blue. Ugh, such a good price.
 
So I went to the MS store and got my S4 excahnged. Its great to have a working device! I'm digging this. However every time my device sleeps for more than a few hours when I try to start it up I get stuck on the Surface screen for a long time. Is this normal? Sometimes I need to hold down the power button and turn it back on again.

Also, can anyone tether their iOS hotspot to the SP4? I can never connect.
 
HammerOfThor said:
So I went to the MS store and got my S4 excahnged. Its great to have a working device! I'm digging this. However every time my device sleeps for more than a few hours when I try to start it up I get stuck on the Surface screen for a long time. Is this normal? Sometimes I need to hold down the power button and turn it back on again.

Also, can anyone tether their iOS hotspot to the SP4? I can never connect.
Click to expand...

It shouldn't get stuck, though it can take like 5+ seconds longer to boot up. Default is if it is in sleep for two hours, it will go into hibernate (which preserves battery life much better).
 
HammerOfThor said:
So I went to the MS store and got my S4 excahnged. Its great to have a working device! I'm digging this. However every time my device sleeps for more than a few hours when I try to start it up I get stuck on the Surface screen for a long time. Is this normal? Sometimes I need to hold down the power button and turn it back on again.
Click to expand...

That happened to me last night for the first time, freaked me out since it never happened until after I downloaded the most recent firmware. Worked fine this morning. Mine is set to hibernate on power button/lid close so I'm not sure if that has to do with it.

After having more time, a few things

- Battery life estimate jumps all over the place, is not super reliable
- Tablet mode needs to resize windows when using the touch keyboard. Since most chat inboxes are at the bottom of the screen, the touch keyboard covers it all up.
- I wish the Pen were pressure senstive so you could squeeze it to simulate a right click. Would make playing starcraft 2 a lot easier. Is there a way to re-map pen inputs (perhaps the button on top)?
 
Spork4000 said:
So we're all agreed that as is the pro 4 is a much better product than the book, right?
Click to expand...
Really? I'm regretting I spent my money on this (i5/8GB/256) instead of a book. The battery is half of what is advertised, and that's just at half brightness and casual web browsing, I keep getting display driver crashes, the touch screen randomly doesn't work sometimes and requires a reboot. Same goes for the type keyboard or trackpad.
 
Kibbles said:
Really? I'm regretting I spent my money on this (i5/8GB/256) instead of a book. The battery is half of what is advertised, and that's just at half brightness and casual web browsing, I keep getting display driver crashes, the touch screen randomly doesn't work sometimes and requires a reboot. Same goes for the type keyboard or trackpad.
Click to expand...

Honestly sounds like you got a bad unit, I didn't get one, but my buddy did and he hasn't had any of these issues. Though I've heard plenty of complaints about the book.
 
Spork4000 said:
Honestly sounds like you got a bad unit, I didn't get one, but my buddy did and he hasn't had any of these issues. Though I've heard plenty of complaints about the book.
Click to expand...

To me it sounds like something for coming firmware updates to fix, as it always happens at launch.
 
I'm going to take advantage of all the trade in offers and grab one on the way home tonight. My colleague got a Surface Book and I am super jelly, but I can get one of those for my next work PC, this one will replace my nightmarish shitty Galaxy Pad 10 S. I think the "S" stands for "slow down incrementally every time you use it."
 
Divvy said:
For some reason the last update killed my pen pressure, had to reinstall the wintab drivers to fix it.
Click to expand...

Thank you for pointing this out.
I was trying to work yesterday and my pressure just seemed... off. Guess I'll reinstall the drivers.


Also your work is fantastic, as others have stated.
 
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