no student discount on surface pro 2

[cgmonkey]

I really want to get a Surface Pro 2 but as Microsoft don't offer a student discount on it in the UK so I'm tempted to get the Surface pro at the discounted price. Is the Original Surface really that much worse that I should wait? The Surface would work out almost 30% cheaper at the moment than a surface pro 2.

Sorry if this is the wrong forum for this question.

 

[anony_mouse]

I really want to get a Surface Pro 2 but as Microsoft don't offer a student discount on it in the UK so I'm tempted to get the Surface pro at the discounted price. Is the Original Surface really that much worse that I should wait? The Surface would work out almost 30% cheaper at the moment than a surface pro 2.

Sorry if this is the wrong forum for this question.

The Surface Pros are just PCs. A new PC is not worth 50% more than one that's 12 months old. Go for the original Pro.

 

[VKitty]

Actually I had both. The Surface Pro 2 is significantly better in terms of battery life, and performance. It all depends on what you want to use it for. If you need for anything work related, or plan on using it unplugged at times. Then you should really try and get the SP2. If you never going to unplug it. ( Should probably get a desktop instead), or you are not going to be away from a plug for more than about 4 hours. Then the SP1 should be ok, the battery of the SP1 is really that bad.

 

[cgmonkey]

I agree that its usually not worth spending that amount more on less than 1 year new tech, but the battery will make quite a big difference. I currently use a HP2730p and have to carry a charger with me and think about how I use it. 4 hours on the Original surface pro sounds great but being able to use it for longer without being concerned about the charger would be well worth it. Looks like going to have to wait or buy a Sony.

 

[bluetroll]

I'm not sure about UK, but in Canada, the Surface Pro 2 isn't available for student discount online. However, when you call in they will give you the student discount.

 

[cgmonkey]

I tried calling and waiting for their support system, spoke to them 3 times over the last 2 weeks. Had no luck. Even said I was considering a Sony, they said OK no problem.

 

[bluetroll]

that sucks... i lucked out and was able to get the student discount and stack another 10% off that; so 20% off.

i hope you can get some sort of discount on the sp2.

 

[MBytes]

that sucks... i lucked out and was able to get the student discount and stack another 10% off that; so 20% off.

i hope you can get some sort of discount on the sp2.

How did you get a 10% off in addition? Did you negotiate a price on the phone?

 

[MBytes]

I'm not sure about UK, but in Canada, the Surface Pro 2 isn't available for student discount online. However, when you call in they will give you the student discount.

Yea, MS dont' care... they are not like a OEM where # of unit sold and market share is more important.
All Microsoft cares, at least right now, is Windows 8 sales and market share... So saying that you'll go with another brand, they don't care.

That is why, when you call to order a Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.. you can negotiate a price rather easily, especially if you take 2-3 year warranty and/or high end system.
I recall, when I ordered my laptop from Dell, 5 years ago, after negotiating, I got:
-> larger (9-cell) battery for free
-> free upgrade to the higher resolution screen and LED back light (that was new back in the days)
-> free back light keyboard upgrade
-> free upgrade to a DVD burner
-> free upgrade to more RAM
-> free upgrade to a higher capacity HDD
-> free shipping (but that's a given)
-> free upgrade on the wireless card (jump from "Dell" wireless G card, to Intel Wireless N 5100)
-> 350$ off.

I got the Dell Latitude E6400 14inch with Nvidia Quadro GPU, with (it came as minimum), 3 year warranty with 3 year on site service.

 

[xandros9]

Yea, MS dont' care... they are not like a OEM where # of unit sold and market share is more important.
All Microsoft cares, at least right now, is Windows 8 sales and market share... So saying that you'll go with another brand, they don't care.

That is why, when you call to order a Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.. you can negotiate a price rather easily, especially if you take 2-3 year warranty and/or high end system.
I recall, when I ordered my laptop from Dell, 5 years ago, after negotiating, I got:
-> larger (9-cell) battery for free
-> free upgrade to the higher resolution screen and LED back light (that was new back in the days)
-> free back light keyboard upgrade
-> free upgrade to a DVD burner
-> free upgrade to more RAM
-> free upgrade to a higher capacity HDD
-> free shipping (but that's a given)
-> free upgrade on the wireless card (jump from "Dell" wireless G card, to Intel Wireless N 5100)
-> 350$ off.

I got the Dell Latitude E6400 14inch with Nvidia Quadro GPU, with (it came as minimum), 3 year warranty with 3 year on site service.

dang.

 

[RackDaddy]

I purchased the SP2 yesterday from the US online store after confirming that I (my wife, in reality) was a student of the local community college -- it gave me the discount yet never asked for proof. We received a call from Microsoft about an hour later, so I assumed they'd ask for AT LEAST the school email address, but they were just calling to confirm the order.

Now I'm not saying be dishonest, but..

 

[Rem97]

However, when you call in they will give you the student discount.

So, if I (from UK) call them and provide proof that I'm a student, they will give me student discount on the SP2?

 

[cgmonkey]

I rang them again tonight to see if I would get a different response from someone else. Same, no discount and he doubts there will be one this year on the Surface pro2

Apart from the battery is the Surface pro 2 much better performance wise? I will use Photoshop, Unity 3D and office. Will be looking at getting Manga studio. Maybe a little bit of Mudbox and XSI but nothing too heavy.

 

[dwigfor]

A fellow Softie? Wow, small world!

 

[cgmonkey]

used XSI for a long time, for me its by far the best software Autodesk sell, shame the bought it as they've killed it a little, pushed to the back so they can continue to push Max which in many areas is very outdated.

By the way found this for anyone wanting to compare Surface Pro and Pro 2

Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 Side by Side Comparison - Love my Surface