4 ms·

It's a compromise between an ultra book and a tablet. If you tout its ultra book qualities you can make it look like it trumps a tablet. If you tout its table

by forman 14y ago

It's a compromise between an ultra book and a tablet. If you tout its ultra book qualities you can make it look like it trumps a tablet. If you tout its tablet qualities you can make it look like it trumps an ultra book. The real issue is that as an ultra book it compares poorly to other ultra books and as a tablet it compare poorly to other tablets.

rlu 14y ago
Gonna go ahead and say that I've almost completely stopped using my Samsung Series 9 (amazing, beautiful ultrabook) ever since I got my Surface RT. It works fine on my lap and it's a great computer (Pro of course even MORE so). The only use case that a normal laptop runs circles around it is when you're laying in bed and need to use the keyboard. I agree with grandparent, though I do see what you're saying. Yes: there is compromise when getting a Surface. But, I honestly have a great laptop experience and a great tablet experience. I'm perfectly happy with it and wouldn't go back to using two separate devices.
- trimbo 14y ago
  How do you get it to work fine on your lap? I've tried it with the kickstand and it's very unsteady. Did you buy an accessory?
  - jasonlotito 14y ago
    I don't own one, but what is it's footprint like with the keyboard and kickstand? Compared to other laptops?
  - rlu 14y ago
    I didn't really have to try...it just worked? I usually have the kickstand be at the end of my knees - any further and it would be close to falling off(!) but that places the keyboard in a good spot. And sure, it's more unsteady than on a table and perhaps I look a little silly - but as far as typing speed is concerned, it's really a non issue.
gamblor956 14y ago
True, but the point of the Surface Pro and future ultratablets is that the user is willing to accept that it does not do either ultrabook or tablet as well as its competitors but can do both as the situation demands.
dragontamer 14y ago
Well a smartphone compares poorly to dumbphones as a phone (significantly worse battery life. Lack of consistent physical buttons such as "disconnect current call", less reliable, much larger / less portable than a dumbphone, generally more expensive as well). Smartphones compare poorly to tablets as a tablet (too small a screen for serious media viewing, generally underpowered compared to Tablet CPUs). But because a smartphone can do both, it has become a useful device. That said, of the convertables, the Surface isn't actually on my shortlist anymore. Lenovo Helix and XPS Duo 12 look superior to the Surface. But I'm not against the concept of a combined device.
robomartin 14y ago
So what? Sorry to be so blunt. I own half a dozen laptops and over a dozen desktops. If that's what I need, that's what I'll use. An sPro will actually provide greater capabilities and options rather than reduce them.

by forman 14y ago

rlu 14y ago

Gonna go ahead and say that I've almost completely stopped using my Samsung Series 9 (amazing, beautiful ultrabook) ever since I got my Surface RT. It works fine on my lap and it's a great computer (Pro of course even MORE so). The only use case that a normal laptop runs circles around it is when you're laying in bed and need to use the keyboard. I agree with grandparent, though I do see what you're saying. Yes: there is compromise when getting a Surface. But, I honestly have a great laptop experience and a great tablet experience. I'm perfectly happy with it and wouldn't go back to using two separate devices.

trimbo 14y ago
How do you get it to work fine on your lap? I've tried it with the kickstand and it's very unsteady. Did you buy an accessory?
- jasonlotito 14y ago
  I don't own one, but what is it's footprint like with the keyboard and kickstand? Compared to other laptops?
- rlu 14y ago
  I didn't really have to try...it just worked? I usually have the kickstand be at the end of my knees - any further and it would be close to falling off(!) but that places the keyboard in a good spot. And sure, it's more unsteady than on a table and perhaps I look a little silly - but as far as typing speed is concerned, it's really a non issue.

gamblor956 14y ago

True, but the point of the Surface Pro and future ultratablets is that the user is willing to accept that it does not do either ultrabook or tablet as well as its competitors but can do both as the situation demands.

dragontamer 14y ago

Well a smartphone compares poorly to dumbphones as a phone (significantly worse battery life. Lack of consistent physical buttons such as "disconnect current call", less reliable, much larger / less portable than a dumbphone, generally more expensive as well). Smartphones compare poorly to tablets as a tablet (too small a screen for serious media viewing, generally underpowered compared to Tablet CPUs). But because a smartphone can do both, it has become a useful device. That said, of the convertables, the Surface isn't actually on my shortlist anymore. Lenovo Helix and XPS Duo 12 look superior to the Surface. But I'm not against the concept of a combined device.

robomartin 14y ago

So what? Sorry to be so blunt. I own half a dozen laptops and over a dozen desktops. If that's what I need, that's what I'll use. An sPro will actually provide greater capabilities and options rather than reduce them.