Choosing a laptop top for work and a bit of play. Help, please.

[OneMoar]

Op isn't gonna listen
get the surface pro use it a for a week take it back and get the msi thats how this is gonna go
./thread
the msi may not be hipster-cool but its got the hardware to handle anything you are gonna throw at it the surface doesn't end of story

 

[Crap Daddy]

That is what draws me to the SP3, the laptop/tablet functionality. What you said is correct. Say, it I had to do something late at night, while I am watching TV in my bed, I would just roll over and grab the SP3 and go to work right there. I know this sounds lazy, but I know that I will not have my full size laptop with me wherever I go. It will be most likely in its sleeve and case in my office, where it goes and stays right after work. I would have to go to my office and get it, fire it up and work. Maybe I put it back, maybe not. The point is, the SP3 will most likely be right there with me. And, instead of having a heavy (I know that a post said it is not too heavy) and hot laptop on my bed covers, stomach or lap, I will have a light, cool and versatile device that I can conveniently work, watch TV or stream.

lol...I think I may of just convinced myself to buy an SP3 .

Anyhow, the only reservation I have is power and price. Although, I don't mind paying that price because I would be essentially spending more if I went laptop and tablet.

Your choice but I would suggest you do some research regarding how the Surface works with particular applications that you use professionally. It also has certain shortcomings, you can't have all. I would recommend you watch this review, it's fun and fair:

 

[testudo]

Surface only has its 12" display + mini DisplayPort. To get more than that, you'd need to buy a DisplayPort hub and those are not cheap.

Edit: My mom has a Surface 2 (not Pro) and...let's just say it pisses me off. The screen is 10" I think and to use a web page, you have to zoom in order to click on links. The TypeCover sometimes acts wonky and the touchpad on it is vastly inferior to that on a laptop. It also has a proprietary charger connector (I'm sure Pro has it too). I am not a fan of Windows 8.1 to boot. Long story short, I would preemptively commit myself to a mental institute if I had to use a 12" tablet for any serious work because it would surely drive me insane.

About the only people that should consider ultrabooks/tablets for work are those that can accomplish everything they need from Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer. Beyond that (like your situation), look past them at laptops/desktops.

I doubt you even need a $2000 laptop for work. You could easily get by with $1000-1500 and spend the savings either on a tablet or extra monitor(s)/keyboard/dock/mouse for that laptop.

The Surface 2 is an entirely different machine. It has Window RT and, yes, a 10" screen. Windows 8.1 is actually pretty good for tablet use, if you want to learn how to use it. The Modern UI is made for touch screens. You only have to zoom in to click the links if you are using the desktop view of W8.1.

That last part is what I am struggling with a bit, too. Can I get away with something less expensive and get a tablet? I really like the idea of having full running Windows 8.1 at my finger tips. I can stream Steam, download my videos and music and stream/mirror them straight to my TVs on my home network.

Op isn't gonna listen
get the surface pro use it a for a week take it back and get the msi thats how this is gonna go
./thread
the msi may not be hipster-cool but its got the hardware to handle anything you are gonna throw at it the surface doesn't end of story

It is not about being "hipster" or "cool", it is about production, portability and versatility.

 

[testudo]

Your choice but I would suggest you do some research regarding how the Surface works with particular applications that you use professionally. It also has certain shortcomings, you can't have all. I would recommend you watch this review, it's fun and fair:

Thanks for that! I will watch it and see what it has to offer.

 

[OneMoar]

tested isn't a legit review they are bunch of idiots when it comes to pc hardware and with the exception of mr savage idiots in general

the bottom line is that as a device for school/mom its the SP3 is fine for anything that requires any amount of processing power or multi-tasking NOPE
the SP3 is targeted toward people that buy macbooks and don't care about performance/per-dollar spent

 

[FordGT90Concept]

The Surface 2 is an entirely different machine. It has Window RT and, yes, a 10" screen. Windows 8.1 is actually pretty good for tablet use, if you want to learn how to use it. The Modern UI is made for touch screens. You only have to zoom in to click the links if you are using the desktop view of W8.1.

The only difference is ARM versus x86. Beyond that, the OS is virtually identical, the design of the hardware is almost the same (Pro is a little thicker), the screen is slightly larger on Pro, and the TypeCovers are almost identical (just larger on Pro). And no, websites are largely designed for wide screen desktop displays. When you compact 1920x1080 content that normally fills 23" into a 12" space, everything (especially links) become 1/4 of the size. The Internet Explorer app is better for touch than desktop Internet Explorer but it suffers the same general design flaw.

That last part is what I am struggling with a bit, too. Can I get away with something less expensive and get a tablet? I really like the idea of having full running Windows 8.1 at my finger tips. I can stream Steam, download my videos and music and stream/mirror them straight to my TVs on my home network.

From what I gather, Photoshop is the most demanding program you're going to use. See the hardware requirements. It doesn't need much of anything.

Streaming is not as good as sitting in front of the computer running the game and never will be; moreover, very few games that can be streamed are meant for touch input. It's kind of a lose-lose proposition.

tested isn't a legit review they are bunch of idiots when it comes to pc hardware and with the exception of mr savage idiots in general
*snip*
the bottom line is that as a device for school/mom its the SP3 is fine for anything that requires any amount of processing power or multi-tasking NOPE
the SP3 is targeted toward people that buy macbooks and don't care about performance/per-dollar spent

The TypeCover touchpad looks better than what is available for Surface 2. As he said though, still nothing fantastic.

 

[testudo]

tested isn't a legit review they are bunch of idiots when it comes to pc hardware and with the exception of mr savage idiots in general

the bottom line is that as a device for school/mom its the SP3 is fine for anything that requires any amount of processing power or multi-tasking NOPE
the SP3 is targeted toward people that buy macbooks and don't care about performance/per-dollar spent

Thank you.

That may very well be true, and maybe the hype got me, but I still like the concept. This is why I had to post this because I am stuck.

If I decide to go with a laptop and a tablet, a tablet that I can do everything that I want, what you would you all recommend?

The only difference is ARM versus x86. Beyond that, the OS is virtually identical, the design of the hardware is almost the same (Pro is a little thicker), the screen is slightly larger on Pro, and the TypeCovers are almost identical (just larger on Pro). And no, websites are largely designed for wide screen desktop displays. When you compact 1920x1080 content that normally fills 23" into a 12" space, everything (especially links) become 1/4 of the size. The Internet Explorer app is better for touch than desktop Internet Explorer but it suffers the same general design flaw.

From what I gather, Photoshop is the most demanding program you're going to use. See the hardware requirements. It doesn't need much of anything.

Streaming is not as good as sitting in front of the computer running the game and never will be; moreover, very few games that can be streamed are meant for touch input. It's kind of a lose-lose proposition.

The TypeCover touchpad looks better than what is available for Surface 2. As he said though, still nothing fantastic.

It isn't 1920x1080 on the 12", it is 2160 x 1440. You can use a controller for games and K/M for ones that require it. I would not use the touchscreen for gaming. I know that streaming on a 12" isn't better than in front of my screen or my HDTV, but it would be great when I am on the couch or in bed or something.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

It isn't 1920x1080 on the 12", it is 2160 x 1440.

Which is even worse. He touched on it at the end of the video. So many applications don't scale correctly to DPI settings.

 

[testudo]

Which is even worse. He touched on it at the end of the video. So many applications don't scale correctly to DPI settings.

That is a concern, but that is why I am asking questions here. I need to know this stuff before I purchase something.

If I decide to go with a laptop and a tablet, a tablet that I can do everything that I want, what you would you all recommend?

 

[FordGT90Concept]

A cheaper Sager and an Atom-based Tablet.

 

[testudo]

A cheaper Sager and an Atom-based Tablet.

To tell you the truth, I have not hear of Sager, but I can search for it. Any brand of tablet, in particular?

 

[Chetkigaming]

the surface pro's gaming experience is gonna be non-existent the msi's are the way to go I think the msi is only like 4lbs with the 17 being about 6

Ye, i am with this guy. really, 17" isn`t your biggest problem, macbook or some is.
15" 3k http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O65HVY8/?tag=tec06d-20
15" fhd http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O4ORONE/?tag=tec06d-20
Sorry for this word but i can`t not to say )) "Unfuckupable" variant.