Upgrading from Surface Pro 2 need suggestions

[rocketboy]

FWIW, I did about an hour of tests with the SP4 pen at a MS Store to compare with the SP2 pen. There's definitely more friction involved in the SP4 pen and I have some concerns about wear. I've definitely seen worn down SP3 nibs. Fast strokes with the SP4 pen definitely required more labour, but that might just be my long term use of Wacom based pens.

The SP4 pen also did not work well (i.e. crazy random pointer jumping) with Corel Painter 2016, but did fine with Fresh Paint and Autodesk Sketchbook Pro (app version; couldn't install desktop version at the store). The Painter test was surprising as I'm sure people have used that program on SP3. All this to say don't be surprised if something worked pen-wise on SP2 and doesn't on SP4. It's not a 1:1 tech substitution.

I had enough concerns about the SP4 pen and assorted HW issues I experienced while at the store that I didn't upgrade immediately (especially using a SP2 trade-in to do so), but I plan to revisit the SP4 after a bit of time as I do think it'll eventually be a very nice replacement.

 

[snakebitten]

MCube, Amazon shows a bundle with the Brenthaven Colline Vertical and the Microsoft Arc Mouse (On the US Amazon)
I have the mouse too. Wicked cool.

But I would have NEVER bought that bag from a website picture. In fact, when I first picked it up at the store I was looking for a nice Folio cover like I use for the SP2. But it ooozed with quality build, which I felt the SP4 shares. And I didn't want to bury that SP kickstand in a Folio because it is a huge improvment over the SP2.

 

[MCube74]

The biggest concern I had about my old Surface Pro 2 was the weight. With the Power Cover if was getting very uncomfortable to carry everywhere. It was just too heavy.

The Surface Pro 4 is way lighter and hope that I have a good experience with it.

 

[MCube74]

MCube, Amazon shows a bundle with the Brenthaven Colline Vertical and the Microsoft Arc Mouse (On the US Amazon)
I have the mouse too. Wicked cool.

But I would have NEVER bought that bag from a website picture. In fact, when I first picked it up at the store I was looking for a nice Folio cover like I use for the SP2. But it ooozed with quality build, which I felt the SP4 shares. And I didn't want to bury that SP kickstand in a Folio because it is a huge improvment over the SP2.

OK let me check out Amazon.

Do you think any of the cases from this link looks good?

http://www.microsoftstore.com.hk/cat/Cover and Accessories

 

[snakebitten]

OK let me check out Amazon.

Do you think any of the cases from this link looks good?

Microsoft Online Store

Like I said, I'm old school. While I often buy online, it is usually products I have already touched and seen with my own hands and eyes. So I'm not the right fella to give an opinion otherwise. I probably shouldn't even expect you to feel the same way about the bag I did buy. After all, this stuff is all personal preference stuff.

But I wish you luck.

 

[MCube74]

Thanks everyone for you kind help and suggestions.

I bought the Surface Pro 4 (i5/8gb/256gb) today. Looking forward to having some good time using it.

http://forums.windowscentral.com/mi...face-pro-4-today-upgrade-surface-pro-2-a.html

Hope I don't regret not waiting for the i7/8gb/256 model which will be in stock 1 month from today. I thought I just upgrade next year again so why worry so much.

 

[mtalinm]

I had an SP2, then got an SP3 and now SP4.

be glad you skipped SP3. it had serious overheating issues, especially the i7 (whicih I had)

for sp4, I went for i5 in hopes of getting better battery life. MS says the chips are all the same but Panos Panay has a long history of lying.

one sad thing is your Power Cover won't work with SP4 (it did with SP3).

one reason battery is worse on SP3/4 is that the force you to use Connected Standby by default, which wakes up the machine periodically to check email/calendar (and connects to wifi). arrrgh. also the usual options to throttle the CPU are not present. there is an article on windows central about disabling CS with a registry hack and then going in and making your desired changes. I did and now throttle CPU to 70% when on battery power. I also DON'T connect to wifi in sleep. usually I hibernate the tablet.

I do find the SP3/4 less wieldy for taking notes (w/pen) than SP1/2. the screen is just a bit big honestly. but you will find the processor much faster, so it is probably worth the upgrade.

good luck

 

[MCube74]

Thanks. One of the big reasons to upgrade to Surface Pro 4 is the size and weight. It may be bigger but it is also lighter and faster.