Looking for a new laptop, Surface Book or HP ZBook workstation

[vincentw56]

I am trying to decide on a new laptop. The biggest thing I do on my laptop is programming using Visual Studio. I've had really good luck with my HP Elitebooks (workstation class laptops). I torn between the Surface Book and a ZBook which is HP's new workstation class laptop. Weight doesn't matter to me. I can get a ZBook with a touchscreen unless I want the better screen. Price isn't a problem either. I just want to make sure I am getting the best. I'll probably keep it for 5 years like I have with my current setup.

Also, should I wait until the Surface Book 2 is announced next year? I am not in a big hurry, I am just looking into my options. Any advice would be great. And if you have experience with programming on a Surface Book using VS, that would be great too.

 

[Chintan Gohel]

I am trying to decide on a new laptop. The biggest thing I do on my laptop is programming using Visual Studio. I've had really good luck with my HP Elitebooks (workstation class laptops). I torn between the Surface Book and a ZBook which is HP's new workstation class laptop. Weight doesn't matter to me. I can get a ZBook with a touchscreen unless I want the better screen. Price isn't a problem either. I just want to make sure I am getting the best. I'll probably keep it for 5 years like I have with my current setup.

Also, should I wait until the Surface Book 2 is announced next year? I am not in a big hurry, I am just looking into my options. Any advice would be great. And if you have experience with programming on a Surface Book using VS, that would be great too.

I think the surface book can handle VS but the device itself seems more geared towards creativity with pen and touch use rather than a lot of typing hard crunching.

You could wait for the surface book and then also wait a couple of months after that to see what the reviews are

 

[zerospace-net]

If you're really interested in a Surface Book, I'd wait for the next generation of them (hopefully early next year). Also keep in mind that Surface Book is not a laptop, exactly. It is a 2-in-1 device with a detachable touchscreen tablet portion and a pen for handwriting/drawing input. This really should not be overlooked when you're considering a new laptop, as these things can cause other issues with just basic usability & stability.

For instance, Surface Book can suddenly act as though the keyboard base is not attached. It's been known to not "see" the larger battery, keyboard, ports, etc, and for me right now, my Surface Book loves to have the keyboard be unresponsive on wake from hibernation or sleep. These are issues you won't have with a regular laptop.

Chintan is right -- SB is geared more towards pen & touch use, so if that really doesn't interest you, you may wish to go with what has worked for you and save yourself the extra expense for hardware you don't really care about.

Just some food for thought!

 

[impromark]

If you're hardcore programming, I'd probably look elsewhere than the Surface book. Its form factor is one of its best selling points, and none of that seems applicable to your requirement. IMO you can find a great and portable device without having to pay THAT much... Then again, if price isn't the issue and you want to have something that can code for you AND look great to your clients, it probably wouldn't be bad at all for you.

Mark

 

[Dush Ku]

the taller display on surface book might help you see more code on screen at one time.