Hi All
Got sick of waiting for the UK release date so used BundleBox to import. Great service. Anyway, the surface is a device that I feel was designed for me and I really did not want to wait any longer. Ironically ordered the Type cover from the UK store and it took longer to get here!
The device is living up to expectations, obviously the usual things apply - battery life and storage space, however for a decent spec laptop I've always thought 4 hours on a device this size capable as it is was a reasonable compromise. The storage is a shame, really can't see why a 256gb mSata card the same physical size could not have been included as an option. I've managed to get a full development environment working, however larger SQL databases are proving a pain, I've got a 64gb SD card in it, but it appears too slow, gave up waiting for the first 10% of a 50gb database restore on it. Going to see if an SSD in a USB 3 enclosure is any better. I was hoping I could use the surface as an emergency dev environment and stop travelling with my (what now feels immense) dell precession m6700. Double the drive space would have made this much more viable.
Currently downloading Steam to try out Civ IV, however this highlighted the WiFi problems... first start up I could not get it to connect to my Netgear Prosafe WiFI access point - limited connectivity. Thought at first it was a problem with DNS so manually set them all up - did not make any difference so I plugged in an old USB belkin adapter and disabled the built in and everything worked ok. Downloaded the updates and then the onboard appeared to start working. However it keeps dropping off the network (not due to low signal), then comes back to life - could not even download an update to steam. Tried a couple of Draytek routers, same thing off an on, getting frustrating.
Plugged the belkin back in and it's been fine since. So looks like that is the way to go for a while.
I've been trying with windows 8 on the desktop for a few months, given up a couple of times and reverted to 7, it's just not usable on a multi screen desktop. Using it now again since finding a decent start button replacement - start is back. Being able to completely hide the metro interface is a must for me - I love new operating systems, I even liked Vista, this is the first time I have ever hated a new MS operating system, I can't believe I once had to google how to get to disk management. However on the Surface it is awesome, to the point where I actually think the RT may have been worth while, I like the mail apps (connected to a couple of exchange accounts) and the couple of metro apps I have tried (google & RDP) seem great. I just wish it was all optional for the desktop - but that's off topic for this forum.
The type keyboard is nice, a bit flexible for use on your lap, which is a shame, however the surface is more usable as a "laptop" that I thought it would be, just need to have your legs up. Not great on the duvet though. I think an ridged keyboard with maybe extra storage and battery would be a nice touch. The only other thing with the type keyboard is the track pad, I tend to use 2 fingers with them, one for the cursor and another to click the buttons, this does not work as the buttons detect movement for the cursor. I get why and am sure I will get used to it, but it does slow you down. Also I've had a few occasions when the keyboard is not detected (as reported elsewhere) usually after it's been folded back. This is the first time I have used the keyboard for any length of time, and it's great - not as quick as a proper keyboard yet, but not far off (if my thumb joint stops hitting the trackpad).
Oh - anyone know if it is possible to disable the shortcuts on the F1-5 keys? I get them too, but as a Dev those keys are kind of crucial, other than the volume can't see why you need the shortcuts with all the actions being so accessible with a swipe one way or another.
Anyway, enough rambling - looking forward to getting active on the forum.
Cheers
TJ
Got sick of waiting for the UK release date so used BundleBox to import. Great service. Anyway, the surface is a device that I feel was designed for me and I really did not want to wait any longer. Ironically ordered the Type cover from the UK store and it took longer to get here!
The device is living up to expectations, obviously the usual things apply - battery life and storage space, however for a decent spec laptop I've always thought 4 hours on a device this size capable as it is was a reasonable compromise. The storage is a shame, really can't see why a 256gb mSata card the same physical size could not have been included as an option. I've managed to get a full development environment working, however larger SQL databases are proving a pain, I've got a 64gb SD card in it, but it appears too slow, gave up waiting for the first 10% of a 50gb database restore on it. Going to see if an SSD in a USB 3 enclosure is any better. I was hoping I could use the surface as an emergency dev environment and stop travelling with my (what now feels immense) dell precession m6700. Double the drive space would have made this much more viable.
Currently downloading Steam to try out Civ IV, however this highlighted the WiFi problems... first start up I could not get it to connect to my Netgear Prosafe WiFI access point - limited connectivity. Thought at first it was a problem with DNS so manually set them all up - did not make any difference so I plugged in an old USB belkin adapter and disabled the built in and everything worked ok. Downloaded the updates and then the onboard appeared to start working. However it keeps dropping off the network (not due to low signal), then comes back to life - could not even download an update to steam. Tried a couple of Draytek routers, same thing off an on, getting frustrating.
Plugged the belkin back in and it's been fine since. So looks like that is the way to go for a while.
I've been trying with windows 8 on the desktop for a few months, given up a couple of times and reverted to 7, it's just not usable on a multi screen desktop. Using it now again since finding a decent start button replacement - start is back. Being able to completely hide the metro interface is a must for me - I love new operating systems, I even liked Vista, this is the first time I have ever hated a new MS operating system, I can't believe I once had to google how to get to disk management. However on the Surface it is awesome, to the point where I actually think the RT may have been worth while, I like the mail apps (connected to a couple of exchange accounts) and the couple of metro apps I have tried (google & RDP) seem great. I just wish it was all optional for the desktop - but that's off topic for this forum.
The type keyboard is nice, a bit flexible for use on your lap, which is a shame, however the surface is more usable as a "laptop" that I thought it would be, just need to have your legs up. Not great on the duvet though. I think an ridged keyboard with maybe extra storage and battery would be a nice touch. The only other thing with the type keyboard is the track pad, I tend to use 2 fingers with them, one for the cursor and another to click the buttons, this does not work as the buttons detect movement for the cursor. I get why and am sure I will get used to it, but it does slow you down. Also I've had a few occasions when the keyboard is not detected (as reported elsewhere) usually after it's been folded back. This is the first time I have used the keyboard for any length of time, and it's great - not as quick as a proper keyboard yet, but not far off (if my thumb joint stops hitting the trackpad).
Oh - anyone know if it is possible to disable the shortcuts on the F1-5 keys? I get them too, but as a Dev those keys are kind of crucial, other than the volume can't see why you need the shortcuts with all the actions being so accessible with a swipe one way or another.
Anyway, enough rambling - looking forward to getting active on the forum.
Cheers
TJ