jamesf99
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 p.2 #13 · Surface Pro and DPP tethered shooting | |
StillFingerz wrote:
The Surface...
The biggest issue with tablets is their limited storage and the Surface Pro has the same problem, only worse as the native Windows 8 it uses is the real full version of Windows. Windows is a huge O/S and on the largest Surface Pro with 128gb of storage, the O/S takes about 1/3rd of this memory; leaving the user with a bit less than 84gb,. That's not much storage space for additional software or files, and the O/Ss temp memory needs..
Actually, you get an additional 10GB over what you listed. This has been all over the news in the past few days.
One example: http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-officially-and-confusingly-discloses-surface-pro-storage-figures-7000011078/
I have Win8 on a laptop and it takes up about 30GB (approx), which is not insignificant, but it is what it is right now. Additionally, the 128GB mac air gives you the same thing when you subtract the OS space. In effect, it's a wash and if mac people don't complain about their products, there's no reason for windows people to do so either.
Lot's of people seem to think they need to complain, but this is where things are going, and if reports are accurate, the desire to have a surface-like tablet far outstrips the iDevices.
This tablet is expensive, but it is a glimpse of the future, one already seen to a degree in the Google Chromebook. We still have a huge gap in the software area. There are two camps, Apps that run on mobile devices; phones/tablets, and software that runs on traditional computers; laptops/desktops.
That's not exactly correct as things are changing rapidly. WindowsAndroid and Bluestack (beta) are bringing Android to the windows platform. I'm not really interested in running my 100's of Android apps on one of my PCs, but it does open new possibilities. Those that pronounce the PC as "dead" are either listening to a company in Cupertino or not thinking things through (not sure there's a difference though).
Additionally, the Ubuntu phone is porting straight linux (with some mods of course) to an ARM device. Could muddy the waters more. As for Chromebooks, I wouldn't waste more than 1 second rejecting the idea; they will die and deservedly so IMO. Stranger things have happened though, so they may live on for another year or two.
I've been seriously looking at the Surface Pro as an alternative to a 'traditional' tablet. I still haven't decided if I'll jump as I've been looking at UltraBooks; including MacAir's as well. I'm still struggling with the need/want of a 'Touch' interface on my laptop/desktop device.
The Surface muddies things up a bit, has the limits of tablets, but runs a fully proven O/S and most all the software we use everyday. I like this idea, I think...with Win8 and USB 3.0, power external storage is available anf I've got 4 1.5TB drives that would work just fine for storing images/files 
At two pounds it's a heavy beast, would sit on my lap just fine but I wouldn't be hand holding it in bed while reading. Where it shines tho is in it's software base, not doubt I'd have LR, Photoshop and MS office, even a few development tools on it and be quite productive. But I'd also be packing a power converter, maybe two, one for the wall socket and one for the car. With less than four hours of battery life you're going to be charging this puppy all the time, and it doesn't have a removable/rechargeable battery.
Is battery life the deal breaker, I'm not sure, might just be a big inconvenience  ...Show more →
Any rev. 1.0 device may not be optimal, but the SP is coming pretty close in many ways.
I agree that you probably don't want to use it in bed, unless you prop it up with a little pillow or something. We have 6 Android tablets, and I even prop up the little 7" one, which can be held but there's no reason to do so.
The 10" Note II is beautiful for reading (must be seen to be appreciated), though even that is heavier than I would like (600g). At 50% more (900g), I wouldn't treat the SP as a casual entertainment device, but I'd happily use it as a work device in the right situations.
A review for reference: http://www.anandtech.com/print/6695
PS - you can always use wireless drives to connect to the SP.
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