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[m_shortpants]

I bought a Dell Venue 8 Pro not too long ago for $160.

I was blown away. It has an x86 intel chip and runs full Windows 8.1. This is what a tablet should have always been. There's never any sacrifices to be made in terms of apps, etc, just do whatever you want. Stream from any site, in any quality. On my android tablet sometimes Netflix was crap, Amazon Instant Video was basically a non starter without flash, etc.

And only $160. Factory refurb, but looks brand new and performs extremely well. Take it with me everywhere now.

 

[Nero3000]

I bought a Dell Venue 8 Pro not too long ago for $160.

I was blown away. It has an x86 intel chip and runs full Windows 8.1. This is what a tablet should have always been. There's never any sacrifices to be made in terms of apps, etc, just do whatever you want. Stream from any site, in any quality. On my android tablet sometimes Netflix was crap, Amazon Instant Video was basically a non starter without flash, etc.

And only $160. Factory refurb, but looks brand new and performs extremely well. Take it with me everywhere now.

What desktop apps do you use?

 

[brotkasten]

RT covers the basics...mail, media, social, office.

For everything else there is a highly capable web browser - and it is the best mobile browser around.

All app stores are one part shit, one part accessing the same information from a website, one part games and one part novel.

My parents still use Safari to access Facebook over the app that's installed on the front page.

The nice thing about separate apps are simple things like notifications and background tasks. A mobile browser doesn't cover that.

 

[maximum360]

http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-and-intel-moving-ahead-with-surface-tablet/

I will stay cautiously optimistic. The Surface Pro 2 is great but a bit bulky for my taste. A thinner, more affordable variant of the Pro 2 would be ideal.

 

[juliushandle]

The nice thing about separate apps are simple things like notifications and background tasks. A mobile browser doesn't cover that.

I never liked notifications on my tablets, my smartphone's got me covered for that.

 

[Angry Grimace]

Windows RT

 

[m_shortpants]

What desktop apps do you use?

Well I can run Spotify, Hearthstone, Chrome...anything really. It's nice because I can use spotify while on the go or in my car without needing spotify premium to use it on my phone.

 

[Feep]

I'm going to the event! Because reasons.

Will take hilarious photos.

 

[brotkasten]

I'm going to the event! Because reasons.

Will take hilarious photos.

Tell Panos I won't buy the Mini until he drops it on stage.

 

[Pooya]

Tell Panos I won't buy the Mini until he drops it on stage.

IP67 rating or bust.

 

[Xplatformer]

You could always get a Dell Venue Pro 8.

Build quality compared to the Surface?

Like...if Gateway made a Mac Pro clone that cost $400 less, but they cut corners on the hardware I wouldn't give a shit about their clone.

 

[Jayayess1190]

Microsoft May Release a Fanless Surface Pro 2

There have been reports that Microsoft is planning an event to launch next-generation Surface tablets at a May 20 event. While the new Surface Mini is rumored to run Microsoft's Windows RT and pack a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, there is word that Microsoft also plans to launch something with an Intel based processor. While some have speculated that this will be something along the lines of a Surface Mini Pro, it's more likely to be a fanless Surface Pro 2 based on lower power Haswell-ULX silicon.

When Microsoft first launched the Surface Pro 2, it was largely the same as the original Surface Pro, with the exception that instead of an Intel Ivy Bridge processor, it sported a Haswell-ULT processor, which brought with it significant idle power savings and much improved power management. However, the power consumption of this part at full load (rated at a 15W thermal design power) was still too high to enable a thinner -- potentially fanless -- chassis.

At the time of the Surface Pro 2 launch, the low-power Haswell-ULT, aimed at Ultrabooks, was just beginning to roll out. The lower-performance, lower-power variant, Haswell-ULX, had been discussed and even demonstrated, but it wasn't really available in huge quantities. Only later did the first systems with Haswell-ULX begin to show up, which enabled fanless detachable and convertible systems. This chip would have been the perfect match for a high-end, productivity-oriented tablet or convertible like the Surface Pro 2.

If they put a ULX Haswell in than they would be switching from the U series to the more limited Y series. Anandtech article from last year.

 

[Paganmoon]

Build quality compared to the Surface?

Like...if Gateway made a Mac Pro clone that cost $400 less, but they cut corners on the hardware I wouldn't give a shit about their clone.

I've only had experience with the Venue 11 pro, and it didn't stand a chance against the Surface in build quality imo, specially the attachments and dock. The tablet itself felt sturdy, but didn't like the power connector.

But, if what you're looking for is a X86 "mini-tablet" (if there won't be a Surface Mini Pro), I think it will do fine. Not sure about attachments for the Venue 8 though.

 

[ksdixon]

Tell Panos I won't buy the Mini until he drops it on stage.

I still don't understand the point of that. Surfaces are totally droppable and their screens crackable. Why encourage such behaviour?

 

[ksdixon]

Microsoft May Release a Fanless Surface Pro 2



If they put a ULX Haswell in than they would be switching from the U series to the more limited Y series. Anandtech article from last year.

What would this mean in terms of real-life usage? Any issues playing games/impact to battery life on a fanless version of Surface Pro 2?

 

[Paganmoon]

I still don't understand the point of that. Surfaces are totally droppable and their screens crackable. Why encourage such behaviour?

I have first hand experience of a cracked Surface 2, 1/4:th of the screen is now unusable for touch

though, I think he means he should drop it to prove it's not as crackable.

 

[Doominated]

Unless Intel's set up to release either a much more powerful y-i5 haswell chip, or they're prepared to get a y-i7 haswell chip out there, I can't possibly imagine a Y-series Surface Pro being unveiled. They'd be going backwards in terms of CPU and GPU capabilities, just to make a design that's still probably going to be a pound and a half heavy. It's only going to further confuse the consumer level market on the "Which surface do I need?" aspect.

 

[spwolf]

Unless Intel's set up to release either a much more powerful y-i5 haswell chip, or they're prepared to get a y-i7 haswell chip out there, I can't possibly imagine a Y-series Surface Pro being unveiled. They'd be going backwards in terms of CPU and GPU capabilities, just to make a design that's still probably going to be a pound and a half heavy. It's only going to further confuse the consumer level market on the "Which surface do I need?" aspect.

why would you need faster surface? I have Encore tabler with Atom and it is perfectly fine.

I need more battery life and no fan in future Surface Pro to make it more interesting. 7-9 hours is minimum for a tablet.

 

[Doominated]

why would you need faster surface? I have Encore tabler with Atom and it is perfectly fine.

I need more battery life and no fan in future Surface Pro to make it more interesting. 7-9 hours is minimum for a tablet.

Because the Surface Pro needs to be able to handle more than just web and light multitasking. It's supposed to be the type of machine that you can rely on to do heavy photo/video work on, run your business on, or do anything you could expect a tower computer to do. Not to say that'd be impossible with a Y series processor, just that it kind of takes away from "progression" when your flagship device actually gets weaker. It's bad enough that the jump from i5-3317u/3337u to i5-4200u/4300u was only about a 10% processing power increase, now we'd be talking about a 20% processing power decrease for the newest model? That doesn't work imo.

 

[MCD]

http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/13/lenovo-thinkpad-10/

Lenovo doing MS job.

 

[Bob Dobalina]

http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/13/lenovo-thinkpad-10/

Lenovo doing MS job.

Oh lenovo. thinkpad without a trackpoint on the keyboard?

I'm pretty close to picking up a surface pro gen 1 to use at school. Just waiting for the right firesale price.

 

[Exokell]

Ms being 3 yrs late again. Really a surface mini?

 

[Tablo]

I'm pretty close to picking up a surface pro gen 1 to use at school. Just waiting for the right firesale price.

It's been like 600$ for a minute lol Don't see why you're still waiting...Get that and the power cover and you're golden.

Also as I've said numerous times, a fanless surface pro is counter intuitive. Unless it's running on an Atom processor.

 

[Rodney McKay]

I'm always excited for new product announcements, even if they rarely ever get me excited enough to actually get the product when it comes out, haha. Actually the last time I got pretty excited was when Microsoft announced the Office apps for iOS. I've never actually USED them since I have an iPad Retina and that's a little too small for doc editing, but they were pretty damn awesome apps. (I had an office 365 account through my job, so I lucked out there!)

http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/13/lenovo-thinkpad-10/

Lenovo doing MS job.

Mmm, definitely a tablet I'll keep my eye on. Need to know what the screen quality, battery life, and performance of it will be before really knowing if it's a contender. Expensive accessories, but I do love the dock for it; USB 3.0 ports, headphone jack, and HDMI port would be awesome to have (would be even better if it had some front facing speakers though).

 

[enzo_gt]

http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/13/lenovo-thinkpad-10/

Lenovo doing MS job.

At that pricepoint, I'm very interested. If there's a pen-enabled model that is reasonably priced and recognition is good, I might go with this if there's no Surface Pro 2 price drop.

 

[Bob Dobalina]

It's been like 600$ for a minute lol Don't see why you're still waiting...Get that and the power cover and you're golden.

Also as I've said numerous times, a fanless surface pro is counter intuitive. Unless it's running on an Atom processor.

I'll bite at $400 or less, it's been close to that several times. I have a laptop that works fine to use in the meantime.

The price and specs on the Lenovo are nice but adding the pen will raise the price and I wish it had a built in stand. Surface pro+battery cover still seems like the best choice.

 

[Tablo]

Highly doubt it will hit 400$, maybe refurb or used...
I presume they are making a pretty damning loss on each Surface Pro being sold at 600$. I wonder what the margin on the Pro 2 is...

 

[LQX]

Ugh, I wish a mod would fix the date in the thread title. Its really bothering the hell out of me.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Ugh, I wish a mod would fix the date in the thread title. Its really bothering the hell out of me.

Because it's not on the 20th?

 

[Nero3000]

Ugh, I wish a mod would fix the date in the thread title. Its really bothering the hell out of me.

Ugh I wish north America would fix their date system...

 

[BBQMan]

Ugh, I wish a mod would fix the date in the thread title. Its really bothering the hell out of me.

Nothing wrong with the date at all.

 

[ThoseDeafMutes]

Ugh, I wish a mod would fix the date in the thread title. Its really bothering the hell out of me.

Deal with it, North America.

This is what you get for betraying Her Majesty's date format.

 

[Funky Papa]

Surface 3 incoming?

Microsoft is holding a Surface press event in New York City next week, but the company may have accidentally revealed one of the announcements. In a support article published yesterday, Microsoft says a fresh update for Windows 8.1 "adds support to the Surface Pro 3 camera." The reference could be a simple typo, but recent supports have suggested Microsoft will launch a fresh Intel-based Surface tablet on May 20th alongside a smaller Surface mini.

God damnit, I just want a smaller x86 one with a stylus. Is it too much to ask?

 

[TheLaughingStock]

Highly doubt it will hit 400$, maybe refurb or used...
I presume they are making a pretty damning loss on each Surface Pro being sold at 600$. I wonder what the margin on the Pro 2 is...

Bill was on Fox recently and said margins overall are low, but implied the Pro 2 has decent margins for HW.

 

[enzo_gt]

Surface 3 incoming?



God damnit, I just want a smaller x86 one with a stylus. Is it too much to ask?

HYPE INCREASING

 

[zeeaykay]

Surface 3 incoming?

This would be perfect. I've been in the new market for a PC I can use for drawing as well and have been saving up for a while so I want to get something right at release.

I'm a bit confused, though. They keep mentioning how Microsoft plans to "Launch" the Surface Mini/Pro 3 at this event. That doesn't mean it will also release soon, does it? Especially since the Pro 2 only released seven months ago, and I remember the Surface being announced a while before it was available to purchase, unlike Mac products.

 

[TxdoHawk]

I give Microsoft credit, they show no sign of giving up on the Surface.

If this leads to fire sale prices on Pro 2's like it did on Pro 1's, I'd be the happiest camper ever. 64GB refurb for $500 and I'm in there like swimwear. The Pro 1 is just a little too underpowered for my needs, otherwise I would've already bought one of those.

 

[MCD]

They didn't give up on the Zune till the third or fourth Gen. I wouldn't be optimistic till these things actually make a profit.

 

[enzo_gt]

This would be perfect. I've been in the new market for a PC I can use for drawing as well and have been saving up for a while so I want to get something right at release.

I'm a bit confused, though. They keep mentioning how Microsoft plans to "Launch" the Surface Mini/Pro 3 at this event. That doesn't mean it will also release soon, does it? Especially since the Pro 2 only released seven months ago, and I remember the Surface being announced a while before it was available to purchase, unlike Mac products.

Wasn't the original Surface launch delayed? I though they didn't intend that to be the case. Surface 2 took about a month from announcement to release, I would imagine it's a similar case for the Surface 3.

I give Microsoft credit, they show no sign of giving up on the Surface.

If this leads to fire sale prices on Pro 2's like it did on Pro 1's, I'd be the happiest camper ever. 64GB refurb for $500 and I'm in there like swimwear. The Pro 1 is just a little too underpowered for my needs, otherwise I would've already bought one of those.

64GB is close to nothing with the OS, but I think if the 128GB comes down to a reasonable price, it's an instabuy for me.

 

[Shogmaster]

At that pricepoint, I'm very interested. If there's a pen-enabled model that is reasonably priced and recognition is good, I might go with this if there's no Surface Pro 2 price drop.

I think they all come with Wacom pen AFAIK.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

12" Surface Pro 3 and you have my money, MS.

 

[IllumiNate]

Surface Pro 3 better have 4G wireless or MS can fuck itself.

 

[enzo_gt]

I think they all come with Wacom pen AFAIK.

Does the display factor in as well? I know colour accuracy and lag can vary between devices. Sort-of in the same boat as zeeaykay, if I get a surface I eventually want a laptop replacement that also is fairly competent as something I can use for drawing.

TBH, I'm sort of hesitant to go with anything but the Surface Pro line at the moment. I just fear Lenovo's keyboards or some other shit like that will break on me, and the lack of a built-in stand is sort of driving me away as well.

 

[Cse]

Is Windows RT officially dead?

Or is the likely Surface Mini going to be running RT?

 

[ThoseDeafMutes]

If Surface Pro 3 releases next week, we should be able to get them in Australia sometime next year. Woo!

 

[IllumiNate]

If Surface Pro 3 releases next week, we should be able to get them in Australia sometime next year. Woo!

You guys get beautiful weather, beautiful girls, beautiful beaches. You can't have everything..

 

[ThoseDeafMutes]

You guys get beautiful weather, beautiful girls, beautiful beaches. You can't have everything..

Well in my state we get half of one of those things.

 

[jwk94]

So... What happened at the event?

 

[nhlducks35]

So... What happened at the event?

It's in one week

 

[enzo_gt]

Well in my state we get half of one of those things.

Damn, well at least the other half of the year is sunlight, right?