Welcome to the Surface Blog

Title = Twice the night before Christmas

The Story (Christmas Time) = Hello, my name is Roberto S. and I’m a systems analyst in Los Angeles, California.  My story starts during the Christmas 2012 shopping season.  My daughter (age 10) was hinting (lobbying) very hard to get an iPad for Christmas.  Being the sole provider in the family, purchasing a $500 toy seemed a little extreme to both my wife and I.  My daughter kept on hinting/lobbying that she wanted an iPad for Christmas, so my wife said let’s get her one that she can share with her brother (age 7).  A gift for two (2), but I still didn’t like the idea of a $500 toy.  I said OK, but let’s check out the new Microsoft Surface RT and other Android tablets.  I told my wife that an iPad was just a toy (e-mail, movies, games, apps, etc.), but that the Surface had Office and could be used for school aside from using it as a toy.  My wife liked the idea.  I went on the internet and got a comparison list that compared the Surface RT, iPad, and Galaxy Tab.  I showed it to my wife explaining to her the benefits of the tablet.  Bigger screen, MicroSD, Micro HDMI, Office (I loved this one, but school work is not a plus for kids).  I slowly started mentioning the Surface to my kids in subtle hints.  My son who idolizes me agreed the Surface was better, but my daughter said, “Let’s play with it and see how it works?”  So we drove out to the nearest Microsoft Store (Costa Mesa – 37 miles away), because at that time Best Buy and Staples still didn’t carry it.  We used it, I liked it (I easily adapt to new technologies), my son liked it (kids are always quick learners), my wife loved it (because the kids could use it for school), and my daughter started to really come around.  So, then came the days of waiting for the rumored price drops that never came.  Then, on Christmas Eve I went in a hurry to buy it at my local Best Buy (Staples & Best Buy now had the Surface) before it closed early for Christmas.  When we went to sleep that night I noticed my daughter suspiciously eyeing the Christmas tree.  The Surface wasn’t there; she went to sleep contempt at not getting what she wanted.  I wrapped up the gift at night while they slept and carefully put it under the tree.  When morning came, both my kids were jumping, excited at what Christmas gifts they could open.  They saw one gift with both their names on it, from Mom & Dad.  When both my kids opened their brand new surface they were thrilled, ecstatic, and overwhelmed with joy (so was I).  I will never forget the look on their faces.

The Story (The Surface) = Now the deal was that this new tablet would be for all the family to use (and boy did we use it).  I was constantly on it streaming movies/TV shows on it, downloading new games/apps, using Office, browsing the web, taking HD video and plugging it to our HDTV.  My kids were always on youtube, playing games, or browsing the web.  We had to make a schedule for when everyone could use it.  I knew something had to change, then came a point and time that changed everything for the better.  I drove down to Staples (we were already in February 2013) and I bought a second Surface RT, so that the whole family could more easily enjoy this great tablet.  I never thought that a tablet could change something this much.  Now I wonder how we could’ve gone so long without one.  Christmas is not too far away, so who knows what will appear under our tree this year (Surface Mini, Nokia Phablet, or something new).

The Conclusion = When compared to other tablets of similar price and specs, I believe that the Surface RT is the overall winner if you plan on being productive (Office).  Sure there are not that many apps, but you can always go to Facebook.com, Youtube.com, or whatever.com and do what you want to do if there’s not an app for it.  I’m not a Microsoft fan boy (I’ve seen a lot of blogs, internet sites about this), but I do find the Surface RT to be a great tablet for what I want.  All the complaints about apps and new interface seem to have not applied to us.  This is great for my family and me and we enjoy it everyday.

Other Facts = I own a Galaxy SII Android cell phone, my wife owns an iPhone 4S and all our PC’s are Windows XP.  The Surface RT tablets were our PC upgrades.

Is this where you leave your Surface stories? Or, do you have to do it on FaceBook & Twitter?

Time-lapse video Retouching with the Surface Pro

I used an external bluetooth keyboard and Adobe Photoshop CS6

www.youtube.com/watch

Retouching and Photography done by http://www.exactdigital.com

Java is essential for many applications that run in internet explorer.  When Java application will be available to Surface RT?

Could anyone please help me out with one of my projects and take this really quick survey. www.surveymonkey.com/.../5WNCR7X

It is on the Surface. It would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

My Surface Pro gets hot, a thermometer shows on the screen, and then, it turns itself off.  Why is it getting hot?

I’m an old guy – I remember working with UNIX version 1 on an ATT PC running X-win.  I started on a single-sided floppy driven Apple, and found MS DOS version 1 to open doors literally unthinkable prior to the vision of a few guys as Seattle Pacific and marketed through that little startup, Microsoft.  After weathering over 20-years of new innovations and bigger aspirations I’m happy to report that a new product has rocked my world, and I would surmise, will rock the computing industry.

Computers are not my life.  They are tools to empower me to enjoy the life I live.

Enterprise networks and integrated IT platforms that do more than play songs and give me something to read at night are the lifeblood of my professional existence.  At the end of the day, when I’m making specifications for a multi-national network nobody has been able to provide the soup to nuts platforms that Microsoft offers.  Don’t get me wrong.  This is often a love/hate relationship as we grow through the countless nuances driven by the latest product acquisition, but since life is more than a cool smartphone, it is a marriage that offers more benefits than challenges.

I awaited the Surface with anticipation.  My HP Slate tablet valiantly attempted to support the Windows 8 environment.  As a matter of fact, Windows 8 saved the Slate from the ‘also tried’ category of products that litter my office and almost turned it into a workable business solution.  So, the Surface offered the performance specs of a real computer, and the convenience of a tablet.  The RT scared me, and it wasn’t until I put hands on a Windows 8 Pro while looking for camera equipment, that I decided to take the plunge.

It arrived late last week.  Packaging was spectacular – something far different than the piles of Microsoft boxes that line my office shelves.  Each of the peripherals did what marketing said they would, and the system powered up seamlessly.  In less than an hour I had replicated my working laptop with all of the software, virtual environments, and security required for our enterprise.  Today I retired my state-of-the-art laptop, and trust my Surface with the responsibilities inherent in operating and managing an enterprise environment.

I read the reviews online this weekend.  I’m reminded of a seminal point in lecture I heard when teaching graduate school, ‘... a child is born with the ability to find fault in their environment, it is how they express and meet their needs for food, rest, and clean diapers.  It is an adult trait to find what is right with their environment, and to use those assets to improve it for those who follow …’  

I’m not dissuaded or discouraged with 5-6 hours of battery life.  This is a computer, after all.  The battery lasts through most flights, and a day’s worth of meetings.  If you run out, plug it in.  Is it too heavy?  Do you want to play midget football or compete in the NFL?  Anything can be produced cheaper, lighter, and less expensively if you are willing to reduce quality and functionality.  Is it too expensive?  This is an enterprise workhorse.  It is a lot less expensive than buying a laptop to do my work, and then carrying a tablet to do my social networking.

Microsoft hit a home run with this platform.  The laplet will drive tablet technology into the enterprise realm.  It will be the death-knell to the desktop environments, and will put the laptop manufacturers on notice. I had an old music teacher that said, ‘It doesn’t matter if someone else performs a song before you do it, as long as what you do is markedly better.’  I believe I hear the ‘fat lady’ singing …

Running out of space on my Surface Pro 128! I added a 64 gb microSD however I do not not know how to set the apps (Kindle and Audible) to point to it. Help please

My wife purchased a Surface Pro 128G with a type keyboard on Feb 9th.  It is an excellent PC which ventures into new territory with its combination of a legacy laptop and a tablet.  She loves the Pro.  Clearly, extensive thought and testing went into the Pro but some improvements are still desirable.  My wife is a retired University professor who still lectures periodically and an active member of multiple professional organizations both of which require her to run legacy software (the Pro), but the ability to have a tablet to take to lectures and meetings is important too.  The RT was not a suitable because of its inability to run legacy software.

I am a semi-retired corporate lawyer with a need for a legacy laptop but a desire for the convenience of a tablet.  I still engage in extensive legal research and drafting but like the ability to have a small package that I can add a large screen monitor to when engaged in extensive writing.  I currently use a Lenovo U460.  I will delay purchase of a Pro waiting for three things.  

1- Stronger WiFi antenna/reception.  The Pro gets half the wireless signal strength (with attendant slower speeds for upload and download) of my U460 unless it is in the same room as the wireless router.  The Pro does not have cellular access to the Internet which means WiFi is the only means to connect with the outside world.  It needs enhanced strength.  Hopefully, this enhancement can be included in the Pro version 2.

2- Stylus attachment improvement.  The use of the magnet on the right side of the Pro for both the stylus and the power cord is unsatisfactory.  The enhanced magnet in the Pro vs the RT successfully keeps the power cord connected.  That is a good improvement.  However, use of that magnet for the stylus is not satisfactory.  The battery life of the Pro is not adequate for all day use when at the office.  This means keeping the Pro connected to the external power source except when it is used in a mobile mode.  When the power source is connected, there is no place for the stylus.  Moreover, when the stylus is mounted on the magnet with mobile use, the stylus is knocked loose much too easily.  This situation could be solved by adding a 1" long by 1/2" diameter "sleeve" to the keyboard.  Ideally, the sleeve could be manufactured into the right and/or left side of the keyboard.  When the stylus is not in use, this would permit it to be securely connected to the Pro but always in the user's line of sight so fumbling for the stylus would be eliminated.  This modification to the keyboard could be done quickly and would not need to wait for the next version of the Pro.  Further, existing Pro owners could obtain this enhancement by purchasing an upgraded $129 keyboard and they would not need to replace a $999 Pro.

3- Longer battery life.  Four hours +/- is at the margin.  It is not long enough for all day conferences or meetings. Hopefully, a stronger batter or an Intel chip that uses less battery power will be included in the Pro version 2.

The Pro is an excellent product.  It could be better.  Hopefully, these three items can be considered.

anyone have a bit of the finish coming off the edge of the kickstand.. Its not a huge deal, but debating on weather to take it back.. its only the kickstand so maybe they can just replace that...

After three weeks post launch, I was finally able to get a Surface Pro 12 in Tampa Florida.  An excellent first attempt that I am proud to own.  I do have ideas to consider;

1.  Place a small rubber-like bead near around the edge of the active portion of the display that will instantaneously let the user know in a tactile way, he/she is about to activate/violate the display erroneously, while allowing a better grip.  Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved, Dale S. Dervin.

2.  Place similar rubber-like points or strips located on the back in an with relation to ergonamic, finger spacing to better facilitate grip while protecting the back.Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved, Dale S. Dervin.

3.  Redesign the magnetic power plug so that the internal portion is more easily drawn into it's receiver, as it already must be done by feel alone due to the beveled shape of the Surface Pro edges.  Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved, Dale S. Dervin.

4.  Incorporate a cable lock port to allow a cable lock to dissuade theft.  Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved, Dale S. Dervin

Hello, would love to see a 2 for 1 deal on hsn, qvc, and shop nbc. That way parent and fam could use..... Please !!!

I managed to get a Surface Pro the day they came on sale.  But Future Shop didn't have any of the accessories.   I was going to order some of the accessories from the MS store today but I just realized a few things.  First the Type cover isn't in stock.   And the adaptor to adapt it to a monitor is hdmi to vga.  What moron engineer thought that up? Lets take a Digital signal and convert it to an analog signal.

Love the Surface Pro. Was lucky enough to snag one (128GB) of February 9th. Only disappointment so far is how system manages interaction when hooked up to an external monitor via the mini-display port. When attached to external monitor, and when surface goes into sleep mode, when waking the screen often goes into a spastic fit of shaking blur that sometimes corrects itself after a few seconds or often does not correct itself. At that point have to force a shutdown & reboot. Then all well again...I am suspicious that MS pushed product out without the external display mode fully vetted for issues?

T Jones

Hi Folks

I have 2 Surface RTs (wife & mother, both just content consumers), and 2 Surface Pro units (my daughter & me).

One thing that is needed is a decent portable CD/DVD burner or BD burner. It seems like a no brainer but remember both the Pro & the RT only have a single USB port and so far all but one of the portable optical drives I researched so far connects via a Y cable (needing to USB ports).

Has anyone found a portable optical drive that works well with the Surface tablets?