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People kinda need to hold off being too excited for the Surface Book.
- Thread starter TechGod
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I said something similar in the Microsoft products thread--$1499 sounds great until you realize that to get decent specs and the dedicated GPU, you're really starting at $1899. That being said, if the pen functionality is important to one's work, these devices look pretty damn good. The flexibility in form factor is pretty nice as well. I can't see using it for more than brief moments as a tablet due to it's size/weight and likely pretty short battery life but being able to quickly chance the laptop form (reverse the display, prop it up like tent, similar to a Yoga) could be quite useful.
If I was looking for a a dedicated Windows first device, this would certainly be on my short list.
I preordered the Book so I've been trying to find info but my guess is it's a customized 950.
Far as the 2x as powerful, I'm pretty sure it's just marketing and not hard benchmarks. Kinda like how Apple claimed the iPad Pro is faster than 80% of all laptops based solely on clock speed. The two extra chips I have no clue. Some people speculated they used a quad core and the extra "chips" are really cores, but who knows. Also that Best Buy ad with specs I would ignore. Best Buy also ran an ad saying the keyboard was sold separately.
Coolest thing about this device is the dGPU is technically a external GPU. Imagine you stuck your iPad on a dock and the graphics hot swapped over to a discrete GPU in the dock. That's what this thing is doing. Technically, they could just sell the base by itself with dGPU refreshes.
Of course! And people comparing the price of buying mbp and iPad Pro vs a Surface Book seem to keep forgetting you have two screens with the Apple option, and two screens make heavy work a lot easier to deal with than one
That guy was pretty good. He was convincing without sounding too "pompous"
I really hope that since this is Microsoft and not Apple, they don't block the capability to hot swap the dGPU and provide full support to the previous generations. Would really help brand loyalty IMO.
This is interesting. http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/10/microsoft-surface-books-secret-nvidia-gpu-what-is-it/
Especially this.
"Nvidia does say that the GPU is new, and as yet unannounced, suggesting that it might be a semi-custom chip developed specifically for the Surface Book and sitting in between models in the existing line-up."
EDIT: More info I managed to find. Of interest is:
"Speaking about the GPU, we were told it is a Maxwell-based with 1GB GDDR5 memory and custom made specifically for Surface Book but so far, we still have not managed to obtain extra info regarding it. That being said, NVIDIA mentioned to us that the custom GPU can’t be compared to a traditional 900M series GPU due to the way it is implemented and designed for the device’s keyboard base."
Especially this.
"Nvidia does say that the GPU is new, and as yet unannounced, suggesting that it might be a semi-custom chip developed specifically for the Surface Book and sitting in between models in the existing line-up."
EDIT: More info I managed to find. Of interest is:
"Speaking about the GPU, we were told it is a Maxwell-based with 1GB GDDR5 memory and custom made specifically for Surface Book but so far, we still have not managed to obtain extra info regarding it. That being said, NVIDIA mentioned to us that the custom GPU can’t be compared to a traditional 900M series GPU due to the way it is implemented and designed for the device’s keyboard base."
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So like how Windows does Continuum?
Not really, continuum isn't really Windows 10. You can't use full desktop programs/legacy programs. You can't even split screen. It's basically just a blown up phone OS. Yes it's "windows 10" underneath it all, but functionally it isn't.
Would Windows 10 devices have the same integration that Apple users have with an iPhone, iPad, and MacBook?
I think so, so far in my experience there is a lot of integration. Skype, Outlook, OneDrive, OneNote, etc all sync up instantly and make sense on different devices. The only hole there is messaging, but Microsoft is supposed to release a universal messaging app very soon similar to imessage.
Just found out that the surface book has only three hours battery life in "clipboard" mode or when detached from the keyboard.
I guess I'm ordering the iPad pro.
I guess I'm ordering the iPad pro.
Its a laptop first, then a tablet. It makes perfect sense to me.
That doesn't seem to make sense. If you are looking at the Surface Book but concerned about battery life in clipboard mode, why would you jump to the iPad Pro in response rather than give the Surface Pro 4 a look? The SP4 is closer in features and functionality to the SB than the iPP.
From a personally perspective to say that the clipboard aspect only lasting three hours means a no sale is fine, but if getting the surface book for the purpose of using the screen portion for an extended period of time, why not get a SP4 instead. It is a laptop afterall and there exist the option to fold the screen back, the fact that the screen detaches is a nice bonus.
"People kinda need to hold off being too excited for the Surface Book."
Too late! I already am.
After trying out the surface pro 3, I liked it, but felt it was too small, and wanted something closer to a laptop. Then I saw the announcement of the surface book; I've returned my surface pro and waiting for it to come out. I don't really worry if it's the fastest laptop out there or if it lives up to the hype. I'm just excited by the idea of a laptop that I can use as a drawing pad.
Too late! I already am.
After trying out the surface pro 3, I liked it, but felt it was too small, and wanted something closer to a laptop. Then I saw the announcement of the surface book; I've returned my surface pro and waiting for it to come out. I don't really worry if it's the fastest laptop out there or if it lives up to the hype. I'm just excited by the idea of a laptop that I can use as a drawing pad.
They got the surface book on display at MS stores yet? I'm heading over the to the mall later and I'd love to fondle one of these. 99% sure I'm going for the SP4, but that 1% indecision still bothers me.
The Microsoft store near me only had a prototype version of the surface book. You could try it out, typing on the keyboard and getting a sense for the form factor, but it was buggy and didn't work properly.
The discrete GPU is innovative. From what I've read, it's a custom NVIDIA unit. If that's the case, I woudn't be surprised to see more of these popping up, with other types of devices. Personally, I'd like to see one pop up in a dock, which is where I'd really need the horsepower. Think 1994 Mac Duo.. LOL
But the Surface Book isn't nearly as good of a true tablet, as the SP4. Three hours of batt life without the keyboard is a non-starter, and it's too heavy to tablet, with the KB. Still, it's a very nice step forward and a great laptop that can serve as an occasional tablet. Kudos!!!
Me, I'm sticking with my SP3. Though the SP4 is intriguing, my SP3 still does everything I need it too. I've got no problems driving two huge high res displays, and it's also a good tablet.
But the i7 version of the SP4 looks good, especially with the IRIS graphics. That will be a small powerhouse. I'm interested in seeing how it stacks up against the SB with the NVIDIA chip. It'll be behind, but maybe not by too much?
But the Surface Book isn't nearly as good of a true tablet, as the SP4. Three hours of batt life without the keyboard is a non-starter, and it's too heavy to tablet, with the KB. Still, it's a very nice step forward and a great laptop that can serve as an occasional tablet. Kudos!!!
Me, I'm sticking with my SP3. Though the SP4 is intriguing, my SP3 still does everything I need it too. I've got no problems driving two huge high res displays, and it's also a good tablet.
But the i7 version of the SP4 looks good, especially with the IRIS graphics. That will be a small powerhouse. I'm interested in seeing how it stacks up against the SB with the NVIDIA chip. It'll be behind, but maybe not by too much?
They shortchanged the tablet portion's battery to make the entire system lighter and to make the tablet more tablet-y. If you watch the unveiling video with the x-Ray shots, there's actually a ton of empty space in the tablet portion, which looks very odd for a modern piece of technology.
exactly. My Acer Aspire Switch 11 (which is basically a poor man's version of the Surface Book) suffers a bit because the entire battery is in the tablet portion, making it a bit top heavy at some angles when connected to the keyboard. Given the pricetags for the Surface Book, I'm still impressed at what the Acer delivers for $450.