Purchasing the SP4 m3 version, what should be done?

[Brownartist]

Hi guys,

After having bad experiences with the i5 version (mostly due to the fan noices, returned it after 3 days) and reading a ton of reviews and almost every threads here (omg, I was obsessed, checking new posts every hour :/), I decide to give the m3 version a shot.

Could someone write a instruction/guide what need to be done on a stock new sp4 m3?
In my understanding so far, I should:

1. Update the SSD driver from the provider site manually to get better speeds

2. Update the september version of Intel graphics driver manually (or its not necessary anymore after the 2. December driver update?)

3. Turn off *fast startup* and set the machine to hibernate instead of sleep mode

Any help or suggestion are welcome

Greetz

 

[zkyevolved]

And enjoy your device.

 

[boltman2013]

Cancel that list...

1. Update
2. Create a recovery drive (Store in safe place)
3a. Create a Battery Saving Power plan and use while on battery How To: Optimize Microsoft Surface Pro Battery Life
3b. Create a Max Graphics Power plan.....How to max out the Intel HD graphics on Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 | Windows Central
4. Turn off the SP4 instead of sleep/Hibernate (Hit power button)
5. Always check updates (Settings and Store)

Relax and enjoy..seriously do not try too hard, be smart the M3 is solid as is.

 

[ryland Johnson]

....

 

[Eric J F]

I just got one two days ago and the only thing I did was reinstall Windows from the MS W10 download site. I did it mostly to get the newest OS version without going through a lot of intermediate updates. Once done, it only needed the December 2 firmware update.

I've not had any of the problems discussed in these forums. The only incidents were two back to back bad pool header BSODs early on. Since then, nothing. I did get Update failing to install a Windows Defender update even though WD is turned off. I think that's a Norton bug. I disabled Fast Startup also because Norton works better and I've seen other bugs with it on on different devices.

I seem to get pretty good battery life but will monitor it closely as I go. I got about 1% loss per hour on standard sleep today for a short session. Note I don't use Windows Hello or Cortana.

In summary, I'm not going to make major changes unless I see specific issues. I think the m3 is different enough from the others it may not be as buggy.

 

[Brownartist]

I just got one two days ago and the only thing I did was reinstall Windows from the MS W10 download site. I did it mostly to get the newest OS version without going through a lot of intermediate updates. Once done, it only needed the December 2 firmware update.

I've not had any of the problems discussed in these forums. The only incidents were two back to back bad pool header BSODs early on. Since then, nothing. I did get Update failing to install a Windows Defender update even though WD is turned off. I think that's a Norton bug. I disabled Fast Startup also because Norton works better and I've seen other bugs with it on on different devices.

I seem to get pretty good battery life but will monitor it closely as I go. I got about 1% loss per hour on standard sleep today for a short session.

In summary, I'm not going to make major changes unless I see specific issues. I think the m3 is different enough from the others it may not be as buggy.

That's really good to hear, I am looking forward to my m3!
You did not make any battery power plan and still get only 1% drain/hour?
You could give boltman's tips a try, maybe the advices/links he posted would even make the m3's battery life/performance better

 

[Eric J F]

I actually extended the wake settings periods a bit and run it on the 'brighter' setting in use, which I think is 75%(?). It's the next one up from 'suggested.' No other changes. The sleep period was only a couple hours and it dropped 2%, but I don't know if you can extrapolate that for longer periods.

I added an edit to my first post that I don't use Windows Hello or Cortana, so I'm sure that is a big factor.

Now that I'm pretty much done setting it up and getting used to it (it's my first tablet), I'll monitor the battery and tweak as necessary. I've learned my lesson many times- don't fix what ain't broke.

 

[Eric J F]

Oops- sorry. I also turn Bluetooth on only when using the pen, which is rare.

 

[Brownartist]

got my m3 just now, the machine is updating.
I wunder why I got the charger with the usb slot just like other models, shouldn't m3 has its own charger?

 

[boltman2013]

got my m3 just now, the machine is updating.
I wunder why I got the charger with the usb slot just like other models, shouldn't m3 has its own charger?

Yes the one that comes with the m3 24W charging capacity compared to the 36W for i5 and i7 (Plus those have extra USB port)

Only advantage the m3 24w has is its smaller. Easier to compact into a case...otherwise the other chargers are better due to greater W and USB.

You may have got an open box if the wrong charger was provided..perhaps a return/refurb?

 

[Brownartist]

Yes the one that comes with the m3 24W charging capacity compared to the 36W for i5 and i7 (Plus those have extra USB port)

Only advantage the m3 24w has is its smaller. Easier to compact into a case...otherwise the other chargers are better due to greater W and USB.

You may have got an open box if the wrong charger was provided..perhaps a return/refurb?

I might just keep it, the charger is better anyway
the m3 is working fine till now, I followed your instructions , updated and created those 2 plans (one for max battery and one for max gpu performance), the only thing i noticed is while scrolling (horizontal) in regedit, it blurs on the edges.
I haven't create a recovery disc yet (don't have a spare usb stick).
This thing is really silent, love it!

 

[boltman2013]

I might just keep it, the charger is better anyway
the m3 is working fine till now, I followed your instructions , updated and created those 2 plans (one for max battery and one for max gpu performance), the only thing i noticed is while scrolling (horizontal) in regedit, it blurs on the edges.
I haven't create a recovery disc yet (don't have a spare usb stick).
This thing is really silent, love it!

Cool glad its working well . Not sure what you mean by regedit horizontal scrolling.. I opened regedit and everything is fine.

 

[Brownartist]

Here a picture

 

[boltman2013]

View attachment 118679

Here a picture

Mine does that for a split second then clears as I scroll that window horizontally...maybe check for latest video driver. Especially if its persistent. Intermittent split second is probably "normal"

 

[Brownartist]

Mine does that for a split second then clears as I scroll that window horizontally...maybe check for latest video driver. Especially if its persistent. Intermittent split second is probably "normal"

Where to get the latest video driver/check the current video driver?

This happens only in regedit so far

 

[boltman2013]

Where to get the latest video driver/check the current video driver?

This happens only in regedit so far

Intel HD Graphics 515 and 520 driver has been updated to version 20.19.15.4326 should be able to get it from Windows Update

 

[Brownartist]

Intel HD Graphics 515 and 520 driver has been updated to version 20.19.15.4326 should be able to get it from Windows Update

Got the newest graphic driver , however the device Manager can not be displayed in high dpi, is that normal?