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Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - Grammar Rays - Sep 27, 2021
Anyone thinking of getting the Microsoft Surface Pro 8?
I've wanted a Microsoft Surface Pro for years but never finally made the decision to buy.
In my scenario, I'd be looking to replace my Desktop PC, tablet, and MacBook with the 1 device.
Curious and interested as to people's thoughts?
I'd want to use it for general browsing and light usage, as well as programming. I'd have it in tablet mode, soft keyboard, and docked at my computer desk, depending on where I am, what I'm doing etc.
Anyone any thoughts?
RE: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - Dog. - Sep 28, 2021
I'd 100% go for it. Be sure to try it especially the tablet mode in a local Microsoft store because it was a little different from what I expected, but Microsoft put a ton of R&D into their Surface line and you can tell. None of the other current 2-in-1 laptops on the market come close atm. Impressive performance as well.
The only gripe I have with it is that I much prefer a solid keyboard base and the Surface can't provide that, at least when I tried the Pro 7. It still feels like I'm typing on a flimsy Bluetooth keyboard and I couldn't make myself code on it for more than a couple of hours at a time.
I will say that I instead went for the iPad + Apple Pencil + MacBook route and never looked back. I'm assuming that you know enough about the Apple ecosystem to know you want to go Windows since you mentioned you already have a MacBook so I won't push you to reconsider, but it's worth mentioning in case you haven't given that line a serious thought yet.
Either way you can't go wrong, so enjoy your new tech soon. :)
RE: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - Grammar Rays - Sep 28, 2021
(Sep 28, 2021 05:23 AM)Overseen Wrote: I'd 100% go for it. Be sure to try it especially the tablet mode in a local Microsoft store because it was a little different from what I expected, but Microsoft put a ton of R&D into their Surface line and you can tell. None of the other current 2-in-1 laptops on the market come close atm. Impressive performance as well.
The only gripe I have with it is that I much prefer a solid keyboard base and the Surface can't provide that, at least when I tried the Pro 7. It still feels like I'm typing on a flimsy Bluetooth keyboard and I couldn't make myself code on it for more than a couple of hours at a time.
I will say that I instead went for the iPad + Apple Pencil + MacBook route and never looked back. I'm assuming that you know enough about the Apple ecosystem to know you want to go Windows since you mentioned you already have a MacBook so I won't push you to reconsider, but it's worth mentioning in case you haven't given that line a serious thought yet.
Either way you can't go wrong, so enjoy your new tech soon. :)
Firstly, thanks for the comprehensive reply!
I'm not completely set on Microsoft. I'd go the Apple route with little convincing I think!
I just need to refresh my equipment and ideally consolidate. I quite like the idea of going from a PC capable of replacing my desktop to a tablet with a pen/pencil.
I'm worried that I'll get stuck between the 2 ecosystems and not make any decisions (that's the status I've been in for 12-18 months lol).
RE: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - Dog. - Sep 28, 2021
(Sep 28, 2021 05:54 AM)Grammar Rays Wrote: Firstly, thanks for the comprehensive reply!
I'm not completely set on Microsoft. I'd go the Apple route with little convincing I think!
I just need to refresh my equipment and ideally consolidate. I quite like the idea of going from a PC capable of replacing my desktop to a tablet with a pen/pencil.
I'm worried that I'll get stuck between the 2 ecosystems and not make any decisions (that's the status I've been in for 12-18 months lol).
Awesome!
If the simplicity of carrying one device to do everything is attractive to you then the Surface Pro is what's up. I can bring my MacBook and iPad in my bag wherever I go and don't mind pulling one out over the other based on what I'm about to do, but there is an appeal in just dipping the keyboard back and pulling out the pencil for the Surface...
I used to have one foot in both camps, but over the last couple of years started committing to Apple. First it was the iPhone and iPad, then an Apple Watch, now a MacBook. I think Windows doesn't actually have enough of an ecosystem for it to be a bad idea to own one since there aren't many perks of being wholly vs partially in it, so if anything the Surface purchase is less of a commitment if you want to look at it from that perspective.
But yeah, bottom line I'd go to the store and take a feel for yourself. Let me know what you think!
RE: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - xPower - Sep 28, 2021
I've wanted one for a while to be honest. Is there anything particularly special about the surface pro 8?
RE: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - Grammar Rays - Oct 2, 2021
(Sep 28, 2021 05:24 PM)Panik Wrote: I've dealt with hundreds of various generations of surface/pros and surface books in the past few years - in my opinion they are shit. Many had battery/chassis swell issues (both users with docks and regular chargers) and other hardware problems as well as software bugs. The tablet mode is clunky and not really useful at all. I'd rather have a powerful notebook and an iPad. If you want to stay in the tabletbook realm you could check out the HP Spectres or whatever Lenovo's latest iteration of the Yoga is.
Ah dude you're making me reconsider buying it instantly! Suppose that's the point of the thread to get some more input before paying.
Is this experience recent or older generations by any chance? I was almost primed to buy. 😕
RE: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - Grim - Oct 2, 2021
was thinking of replacing my laptop with a surface as well.. hearing quite a bit of good stuff about them
RE: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - Grammar Rays - Oct 2, 2021
(Oct 2, 2021 10:23 AM)Grim Wrote: was thinking of replacing my laptop with a surface as well.. hearing quite a bit of good stuff about them
Except the post by [mention=96230] above. 😭
[mention=2774521] has the Pro X (AMD CPU) so keen to hear his thoughts on it, albeit I'll probably get the Intel Pro 8.
RE: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - guardian - Oct 2, 2021
I know someone that uses a Microsoft Surface and is super satisfied with it, but he doesn't work in IT. Personally don't deem it to be a good fit for programming, but everyone is different, do you have the opportunity to borrow it from someone and test it out for a few days?
RE: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - Grammar Rays - Oct 2, 2021
(Oct 2, 2021 10:33 AM)guardian Wrote: I know someone that uses it and is super satisfied with it, but he doesn't work in IT. I personally don't deem it to be a good fit for programming, but everyone is different, do you have the opportunity to borrow it from someone and test it out for a few days?
It's not gone live yet - I think you can only pre-order right now.
I'll probably wait a month or 2 for real user feedback before buying, and may head over to a shop to have a hold of it first.
RE: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - guardian - Oct 2, 2021
(Oct 2, 2021 10:35 AM)Grammar Rays Wrote: It's not gone live yet - I think you can only pre-order right now.
I'll probably wait a month or 2 for real user feedback before buying, and may head over to a shop to have a hold of it first.
Oh, sorry, I was talking about Surfaces in general.
And I think that sounds like a good idea.
RE: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - shakur123 - Oct 2, 2021
No way im actually in the same dilema. I had a surface a few years ago, the only downside i got is that upgrading / repair was nearly impossible vs the other devices.
RE: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - Grammar Rays - Oct 2, 2021
(Oct 2, 2021 10:37 AM)shakur123 Wrote: No way im actually in the same dilema. I had a surface a few years ago, the only downside i got is that upgrading / repair was nearly impossible vs the other devices.
You can easily swap out the SSD with the Pro 8 - is that enough or still a blocker?
Not sure how easy the other bits would be, but it's not 'designed' to be as easy as the SSD, but maybe you can still open up the case etc and go wild.
Would love to hear your thoughts on it, to help me make a decision.
Stuck thinking about it right now.
You thinking Pro 8? Don't fancy the AMD Pro X?
RE: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - shakur123 - Oct 2, 2021
(Oct 2, 2021 10:39 AM)Grammar Rays Wrote: You can easily swap out the SSD with the Pro 8 - is that enough or still a blocker?
Not sure how easy the other bits would be, but it's not 'designed' to be as easy as the SSD, but maybe you can still open up the case etc and go wild.
Would love to hear your thoughts on it, to help me make a decision.
Stuck thinking about it right now.
You thinking Pro 8? Don't fancy the AMD Pro X?
I got the first surfaces RT, surface 1 and surface 2. RT it was trash and is a paperweight in my office, surface 1 and 2 still work flawlessly even after all these years, you can do browsing, using office, youtube etc.
Im keeping my eye on the Pro 8 but im open to ideas / suggestions
RE: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - Nate - Oct 2, 2021
Let me know how you like it if you end up getting one, I want to get one for school.