Surface Pro 2 with 8 GB / 256 GB

[onlysublime]

Okay, I'm definitely going to get a Surface Pro 2. so that's not the issue. My huge internal debate is whether to get the 4 GB / 128 GB model or the 8 GB / 256 GB model. The latter is busting my budget big time. What's making me especially hesitate is that SSD prices have dropped dramatically. I can buy a 240 GB SSD for around $100. And if there's a new Surface Pro 3 on the horizon (completely conjecture), it would kill me if I spent so much on the 8 GB/256 GB model if prices suddenly drop on the SP2 or if the SP3 comes out. I can see a price reduction on the SP2 since component costs are dropping.

If it was possible (like on my ancient laptop), I'd swap the 128 GB for the 240 GB SSD myself but with the way the SP2 is constructed, it's way too hard for a neophyte. I recently updated one of my PCs from a 120GB SSD to a 240 GB SSD as I was very very low on space. and that was with what I consider a small set of installed apps and programs.

Anyway, I'd love the 8 GB as well as I do a lot of Photoshop and Premiere as well. I would love to have power somewhat similar to my desktop with me on the road in such a small form factor. I keep my machines for a very long time so I can see 4 GB as being problematic (my desktops have 12 and 16 GB). If it was a new SP3, I'd bust my budget a bit for longevity's sake.

Anyway, just curious on thoughts people had.

 

[MBytes]

Microsoft uses high-end SSD's (the ones with 5 year warranty, not 3 years), so the their price didn't drop much.

Expect the 64GB model to disappear for the Surface Pro 3, and the all models will shift down, is what I am personally expecting
I won't be surprised if you have:
-> 128GB with 4GB of RAM
-> 256GB with 4GB of RAM
-> 256GB with 8GB of RAM
-> 512GB with 8GB or 16GB of RAM
or
-> 128GB with 8GB of RAM
-> 256GB with 16GB of RAM
-> 512GB with 16GB of RAM

It all depends on the price of the CPU, RAM and storage, when the device comes out.

What I suggest is to get the system that fits your needs. You never win by trying to be ahead. There will be always something better and faster, which will always lead to disappointment.
I didn't get the Surface Pro 1, because the battery life was inadequate. The Pro 2 provided the battery life I needed, and I got it. I got the 256GB 8GB model. My desktop has 6GB of RAM (triple channel).
Personally, I didn't need the storage, I needed the RAM, but I could afford it. I follow an extended life cycle on my systems. I usually upgrade every 4-5 years. And start saving for my next PC as soon as I buy a new one.

 

[Nimdock]

To me the deciding factor wasn't the HD space. It was the RAM. So I went with the 8GB RAM / 256 GB HD model.

 

[onlysublime]

Yeah, I keep my systems forever. I thought my ideal setup would be the 8 GB / 128 GB model if it existed.

I do personally.want the 8/256. the only thing holding me back is if there's a price change (like your thought process above where they get rid of the 64 GB model and move the other models downward) or if a new SP3 comes out. the price is also higher than I want to spend but I could bite the bullet. eat some ramen.

 

[Professorbx]

Get the 256gb model. I've got the 256gb, and, while amazing, even it is at times lacking on the space side. I have a 64gb MicroSD card in the SP2 at all times, which helps, but think of it this way-you can always add a 64gb/128gb MicroSD card, but if you get the 128gb unit then at best you will have 256gb, no more.

 

[onlysublime]

Yes, I ended up getting the 256 GB model. 256 GB already feels cramped on my desktop (augmented by 10 TB of HDD's).

I'll be adding a 64 GB microsd card when there's a nice sale on high speed ones. The SP2 runs warmer than I imagined but it's performing like a champ. The battery life is a little shorter than I expected but I haven't used it enough to truly judge it yet.

 

[Nimdock]

Get the 256gb model. I've got the 256gb, and, while amazing, even it is at times lacking on the space side. I have a 64gb MicroSD card in the SP2 at all times, which helps, but think of it this way-you can always add a 64gb/128gb MicroSD card, but if you get the 128gb unit then at best you will have 256gb, no more.

I guess it really depends on what you do. It cannot be generalized. For example I have 191 free GB in my 256 GB model.

 

[MBytes]

10TB?! Dude you don't need to backup the Internet...

 

[Kevin Rush]

Wow. I really enjoyed reading this string of comments! Your comments are interesting to me because you have a similar "use".

That said, I purchased the 8GB / 256GB SurfacePro2 and it is perfect for me. It runs AutoDesk Building Design Suite Premium, Bentley MicroStation V8, CorelDraw X7, all the Office365 software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, ...)connecting to the internet (OneDrive, SharePoint, Lync) and lesser software and the modern Apps too. AND it's a portable tablet. Amazing!