Light programming on Microsoft Surface 3 (4 GB) - Microsoft Surface

Hello everyone. I'm looking at Microsoft Surface 3 which I will use for college. I was planing to use Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro I have at home but apparently it's good idea to have something to try code on the spot. We will be programing basic thing in JavaScript, CSS and HTML. Has anyone tried how good it works? I will be learning mostly this year so nothing too awfully complex. Anyone has any experience?

Sport Driver said:
Hello everyone. I'm looking at Microsoft Surface 3 which I will use for college. I was planing to use Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro I have at home but apparently it's good idea to have something to try code on the spot. We will be programing basic thing in JavaScript, CSS and HTML. Has anyone tried how good it works? I will be learning mostly this year so nothing too awfully complex. Anyone has any experience?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's fine to use as a computer for quick programming. I've been using MS Visual Studio with Python and many other languages and it works amazingly. HTML and CSS aren't a problem at all either. Haven't tried Java though, so I can't say, but I imagine it would work just as well as the others. The Surfave 3 is really good. I purchased it with the intention of being a secondary computer, only for when I'm out and use my custom i7 desktop at home, but I end up using the Surface as my main computer because it's so good, which I wasn't expecting at the beginning at all!

Related

[Q] Just picked up 3 G tablets....

I am a new member and have just bought the last 3 G's from my local office depot based on the forum support here for the tab. You guys are outstanding and based on the mods I convinced my wife to ditch dreams of her gettin an iPad.
Now my 1sst question I'd like to ask the community is has anyone tried the dual boot version of the G tablet and is it worth the money? I do alot of remote access to my server from my laptop, and would like to find a replacement for that method.
Not finding any good info on remotely accessing a windows machine from and android device, so I am considering the dual boot version for that purpose.
Any input?
There are plenty of VNC clients for Android, but I personally use LogMeIn Ignition (which is, admittedly, pretty expensive) because I already use LogMeIn's service elsewhere. Works like a dream.
For most people, typical VNC clients will work just fine. Depends on how you roll.
PhoneMyPC works well also.
machine73 said:
I am a new member and have just bought the last 3 G's from my local office depot based on the forum support here for the tab. You guys are outstanding and based on the mods I convinced my wife to ditch dreams of her gettin an iPad.
Now my 1sst question I'd like to ask the community is has anyone tried the dual boot version of the G tablet and is it worth the money? I do alot of remote access to my server from my laptop, and would like to find a replacement for that method.
Not finding any good info on remotely accessing a windows machine from and android device, so I am considering the dual boot version for that purpose.
Any input?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not "cheap", but the Xtralogic Remote Desktop Client for Android is actually a very slick solution. It supports encryption, and has all the support you need for accessing Windows machines through RDP. The mouse is moved by using the screen like a trackpad, all keys are available, and with the Gtab screen size it's actually fairly usable.
Also want to throw out there WYSE PocketCloud works great and the trial is more than enough for my remote desktop needs (15+ servers). Works great on the 10 inch screen, no complaints here!
I can give you some real-world recent feedback.
I have dozens of servers I need to be able to remotely access and we do not allow RDP, so UltraVNC and LogMeIn is installed on each. I have already set up shortcuts for each server for convenience in setting up a new user to access them.
Every one of the VNC clients I have tried is lacking in some way. Some in several ways.
RemoteVNC has ads across the top so it is essentially worthless. I didn't bother trying it other than the first connection.
PocketCloud looks great, but I cannot find a way to import .vnc files (shortcuts) or send keystrokes to the login window. Very counter-intuitive, IMHO. Their support is almost non-existent in my recent experience, since I have asked in their forum and have yet to get ANY kind of answer from either their devs or their forum community. UPDATE: they JUST responded to me with "Sorry."
MochaVNC Lite has no ability to send CTRL+ALT+DEL that I can find so ... worthless.
Android-VNC has weird glitchy graphic issues the two times that I tried it.
LogMeIn is the only one that looked good and performed well enough for me to check statuses.
jwischka said:
It's not "cheap", but the Xtralogic Remote Desktop Client for Android is actually a very slick solution. It supports encryption, and has all the support you need for accessing Windows machines through RDP. The mouse is moved by using the screen like a trackpad, all keys are available, and with the Gtab screen size it's actually fairly usable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1, this product is AMAZING and well worth the cash if you plan to use it a lot. I have it on my phone and tab and it's flawless. It allows you to save all settings for one click TS access and set the screen to 'full-screen' and will resize according to device AND layout!
+1 for LogMeIn Ignition for Android. I used to lug around my crazy heavy laptop when I traveled for business and now I leave it logged in at the office and access it via my gTab using LogMeIn. It works great and has plenty of folks using it if you need a question answered or issue resolved.
Thanks for the input on logmein. I've been using UltraVNC on my laptop to access all my machines on the network and has been great.
Will deffinately look into logmein pro.
THanks guys.
But 1 question remains unanswered. Has anyone had any experience using the dual boot G tablet? Is it worth the extra 2 bills for the dual boot option, or is just gimicky?
machine73 said:
Thanks for the input on logmein. I've been using UltraVNC on my laptop to access all my machines on the network and has been great.
Will deffinately look into logmein pro.
THanks guys.
But 1 question remains unanswered. Has anyone had any experience using the dual boot G tablet? Is it worth the extra 2 bills for the dual boot option, or is just gimicky?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you Mean the Viewpad? Not worth it if you want android. it has android 1.6, also it uses an atom processor instead of a Tegra 2 Dual core.
HorsexD said:
Do you Mean the Viewpad? Not worth it if you want android. it has android 1.6, also it uses an atom processor instead of a Tegra 2 Dual core.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Supposedly there's a group that's ported 2.2 over to x86, and the Viewpad is one of their main targets. I have no idea how well it works, or what its maturity is.
it2steve said:
+1, this product is AMAZING and well worth the cash if you plan to use it a lot. I have it on my phone and tab and it's flawless. It allows you to save all settings for one click TS access and set the screen to 'full-screen' and will resize according to device AND layout!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yes, another thumbs up for this one, Xtralogic that is! Absolutely top notch in my book. Well worth the 25 bucks if you plan on using it often.
Sent from my VEGAn-TAB-v1.0.0B5.1 using Tapatalk
are you selling any of those 3
sjmoreno said:
+1 for LogMeIn Ignition for Android. I used to lug around my crazy heavy laptop when I traveled for business and now I leave it logged in at the office and access it via my gTab using LogMeIn. It works great and has plenty of folks using it if you need a question answered or issue resolved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The biggest selling points for me, outside of my nearly everyday use of LogMeIn, are multiplatform support, ease-of-use, and integration with an existing workflow. Mac or PC, I've never had problems. Couple that with ConnectBot (which I use to do CLI-based Linux admin) and the Linode and Rackspace Cloud clients for Android, and I'm pretty much set anywhere I have WiFi to rock things out.
I <3 this tablet.
I must say after playing and tweaking my tab to my likings, I am nothing but pleased. Spent some time setting up LogMeIn and everything is running smoooothhh....like butta.
A few FC's but nothing to get all bent over.

Onboard GCC?

Has anyone succeeded in building GCC on android? And, yes, it would be slow. But it would also be awesome fun.
I started a similar threat a few weeks ago and didn't find anything out
there are c/c++ and java(jikes) compilers for iphone as well as a python shell
I find it strange that they would exist for iphone but not android
I think it would be really cool to have these. If I had a xoom with a bluetooth keyboard, I would use them all the time. In school, almost everything we do is just simple CLI programs so this would be all I need most of the time. I don't know if there are any good text editors for android but there's always vi, if all else fails.
if anyone wants to work on this, I'd definitely be will to help but I don't really know where to even start myself.
I'm a second year software engineering student so I don't have that much experience but I think I could help out. I've been using android phones for years and I am currently on a work term with the android development team at broadcom so I do know android well enough.
http://thebigboss.org/2009/03/28/iphone-os-c-compiler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BDylxLzUEM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFrzSDdTXkk
This goes deep down to a dependency hell of cross-compiling to ARM. I see it do-able if anyone has enough time to dedicate to cross-compile gcc and glibc all the way down to its bottom dependencies. I'm not sure if we can get the kernel headers, either.
Probably do-able, but unpractical. Maybe writing a compiler in Java would waste less time, albeit being inefficient?
Funnily enough, I wanted to build vim, as busybody VI is awful.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA App
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10258071&postcount=6
maybe there's hope?
also, check this out
http://code.google.com/p/android-scripting/
not what you were looking for, but still pretty cool.
I'm installing it right now.. it takes quite a while
smaskell said:
I started a similar threat a few weeks ago and didn't find anything out
there are c/c++ and java(jikes) compilers for iphone as well as a python shell
I find it strange that they would exist for iphone but not android
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't used my iphone in a year but I think the difference is that debian is installed on the iphone during jailbreaking. You can put debian on the sdcard and I think it would give you the same thing with android. But its not native gcc on either phone, its just the debian ARM version of gcc which happens to be on the iphone/android phone.
The Android scripting project is nice. Lots of examples, pretty good interface. I think that is the best way to go for developing stuff right on the phone.
If you want a good way to write code in class from a tablet with a keyboard, I'd recommend getting a shell account somewhere. freeshell.org and devio.us are both good providers (but there are many more). Then you can use connectbot to ssh into the account, and do all your coding there. Anything CLI will work fine.
Also means when you get home you can just ssh into the box and jump right back in where you were before, without having to transfer files around.
I found ASE a great idea, but a little limiting. Iwas usong python
The UI classes are pretty basic and found SSL support missing.
Good proof of concept however.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA App

[Q] Transformer for students.

A bit of background: I will be attending UCLA as a computer science student in the fall. I will be bringing my desktop with me, and am trying to decide between a laptop/netbook or the Transformer.
Would the transformer work in conjunction with the desktop, or will I need a full laptop.
Thanks.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
You should consider what you want to use this device for before you decide. As a CS major, you will certainly be doing quite a bit of programming, and you might want to prefer to use a full linux environment for this, depends largely on the program you have at UCLA. What you can consider is to get this device and using the splashtop program access your desktop to do your programming. However, you will want to consider whether or not you want to utilize the local processing power of your device. It would be far simpler to use a laptop/netbook for those purposes, rather than trying to find solutions with the tablet+dock. In the end, if you find that you will be using the device docked most of the time for school, then you should probably consider just getting a laptop/netbook. If the convenience of the tablet and media consumption is something you'd prefer, then get the transformer.
tl;dr, I consider the transformer+dock a fun/entertainment device. For CS based schoolwork, you would most likely want a laptop/netbook.
unless you wanted to focus on tablet development in your coursework...but that's not for another 2 years...
Hope that helps.
It helped a lot. Thank you.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Keep in mind that you can use the Transformer's bundled remote desktop app and/or a terminal app to control your PC, and run stuff that way - assuming you can connect to your desktop from wherever you are.
I do agree with omguss, if you don't plan on using the device mostly for entertainment, get a netbook/laptop.
Sorry if this is hijacking your thread (ill start a new thread if you want) but just wondering if there is a good note taking apps for android?
There are two uses I can see being needed for me.
First I would need something to annotate on pdf's and powerpoints. I remember seeing an app that looked pretty solid for this so it should be good.
Secondly I would need an app that I can be typing with the keyboard, and then when needed draw in equations, graphs, pictures, whatever. Not really sure if there is something good for this.
As a programmer, I would suggest getting a full laptop for somebody majoring in CS. As much as I love the transformer, you cannot compile code on it. At least in my searching I have not found a single IDE meant to be run on Android (Lot's target Android, but none run on Android). More than likely, there will be several times that you want to do work away from your room. On the transformer, the only real way to do this will be remote desktop software. It's up to you whether you think the remote desktop software will be sufficient for this, but one other thing I would caution against is the small keyboard. It is far more comfortable (and efficient) to program on a full-size (or as near to full-size as possible) keyboard.
I don't know what type of program you are going into, but if you take any courses on 3d graphics you are almost certainly going to lose the ability to test your programs through a remote desktop connection.
I personally think that tablets are great in conjunction with a desktop. I plan to get rid of my netbook once I get the transformer. My only concern for you is that a tablet simply isn't a good tool for programming. If the hacker community manages to get ubuntu onto the transformer then the device will be an acceptable programming tool in my opinion; although, you will still lack a full size keyboard.
My advice to you is wait until mid-to-late summer. There is a slew of new tech toys coming out this summer, and almost anything you get now will be outdated by the time you start in the fall. By summer you will know if we managed to get Ubuntu on the transformer, AMD's Llano processor will be out on laptops, and Tegra 3 tablets may be just around the corner.
BongoBong said:
Sorry if this is hijacking your thread (ill start a new thread if you want) but just wondering if there is a good note taking apps for android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't need to hijack anything. Just look here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=980783
I'm a secondary school student, I have a HP DM1 (Not the Z ), runs 7 pro X64 + VS 2010 Pro + VS2008 Pro. Got a load of VM's for debugging ETC...
Windows is good for note taking to, Onenote is great.
Hope this helps
Badwolve1
good old days of using SSH + eMacs + X client, they all switched to windows in school?
Magnesus said:
Don't need to hijack anything. Just look here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=980783
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but I have already seen that thread and done some other looking up and the majority of discussion is whats the best handwriting app. They really don't mention how good it would be for mostly typing (understandable since most would be using the on screen keyboard).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1039287&highlight=onenote
someone seriously needs to start porting some compilers to android..
many scripting languages are available through SL4A but most CS courses are taught with C/C++ or Java. I'd love to help out with this project but I just wouldn't know where to start
Just adding on to this, since I'm a student and also looking for a tablet solution.
I'd love:
1. Printing to my university printers. My university currently requires you install some software to use their printers. Mac and Windows versions available, no Linux, no Android.
2. Onenote would be awesome. I read that there was an iPhone version available? Android should be coing soon hopefully.
I would suggest a full laptop, and something with high resolution. Once your CS load picks up you'll need something you can work on in between or during classes. Android lacking compilers on the OS itself is the killer here, otherwise you are free to code all you want via text editors.
j7899 said:
I would suggest a full laptop, and something with high resolution. Once your CS load picks up you'll need something you can work on in between or during classes. Android lacking compilers on the OS itself is the killer here, otherwise you are free to code all you want via text editors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a CS student myself I would agree with the above and add that in programming classes you will want all the screen real-estate you can get your hands on(17"+), a good amount of hard disk space, 4gb+ ram, and a good Virtual Machine program. Less important is video and cpu power unless you intend to make it a desktop replacement/gaming machine.
That being said... Such a laptop is going to be rather heavy. I am getting the Transformer to replace an early gen AspireOne for less technical classes.
Just my $0.02
Flowah said:
Just adding on to this, since I'm a student and also looking for a tablet solution.
I'd love:
1. Printing to my university printers. My university currently requires you install some software to use their printers. Mac and Windows versions available, no Linux, no Android.
2. Onenote would be awesome. I read that there was an iPhone version available? Android should be coing soon hopefully.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was about to say that you're insane and that MS would never make OneNote for iOS but.. turns out you're right. That's really strange. Hopefully they start work on an Android version soon.
Edit: The iOS version of OneNote doesn't seem all that great. You can't write with a stylus.. it's just keyboard input. lame. Writing with a capacitive stylus on the transformer would kind of suck anyway, but I might still consider the HTC Flyer which has an active digitizer.
smaskell said:
I was about to say that you're insane and that MS would never make OneNote for iOS but.. turns out you're right. That's really strange. Hopefully they start work on an Android version soon.
Edit: The iOS version of OneNote doesn't seem all that great. You can't write with a stylus.. it's just keyboard input. lame. Writing with a capacitive stylus on the transformer would kind of suck anyway, but I might still consider the HTC Flyer which has an active digitizer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, but I'm interested in the Transformer almost purely because of the keyboard dock, so keyboard input only is fine with me tbh. As long as it's decently full featured.
I'm waiting to see if the AMD Llano will make the best thin gaming laptop. Hopefully, new AMD laptops will come out in June, right before back-to-school season.
Oh yeah, OneNote. Yeah, that's important too.
joe_dude said:
Oh yeah, OneNote. Yeah, that's important too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Onenote is the single most useful piece of software MS has ever produced (Excluding win7;p))
Virtual Machines? Eh, I never needed to use one except when I was using a Mac. Wandering what you guys are doing with it.
Any laptop that is 13"+ in screen size is good. The power of the computer depends on what you plan to do. So you have to decide on the specs yourself. Dual Core is fine unless you plan to do any CPU intensive tasks. If you ever need a bigger screen, then you can just buy a monitor and hook it up so even a netbook could be fine if you are okay with the power it gives. 13"-15" is good. 17" is just monstrous and you don't want to be lugging that around.

[Q] Tablet... Android or Windows? What do you suggest?

Hello!
I want to buy a tablet for use in school instead of my notebook.
I really love Android Honeycomb but I have some problems here and there...
I will tell you something about what i need and want. I hope some of you can make some good suggestions.
I looked around a bit and three devices were generally suitable... The problem is I don'T know what to take... Win or Android...
The three devices:
-Acer Iconia A500 (or A501)
-Acer Iconia W500 (or W501)
-Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101
Perfect fo me would be to have a dual-booting tablet with Win7 and Honeycomb.
I want to have an easy to handle Tablet. Means I do never want to have a real HArd Disk. Thats why most Windows Tablets are not possible for me.
SSD or Flash / NAND storage is an important criteria.
Next I want my pad to be lightweight meaning I preferr ARM-Platforms as they have much less Hardware. Especially the Fan in x86-HW is annoying in my eyes.
But I need the Tablet for basicly five things:
-Presentations: Animated Presentations like in PowerPoint (That's a Contra Android I think)
-Text (Word or similar - Okay Eee Pad has an office solution)
-Table Calculation (low weight not so important)
-Software engineering (Which is a big Pro for Windows as I don't know apps for Android doing that.
-Gaming: Playing Minigames whan I'm off... Well thats a point where I like Android
And some point for me is the battery time... Unformtunately x86-Hardware is much power consuming in opptsite to ARM.
I'd love to have a device which is able to boot both systems but unfortunately honeycomb is not ported to x86 yet
Well I have a windows server so I could probably use terminal sessions for programming as a workaround
What do you think?
Or would you suggest me another Tablet else than the ones listed above?
Do you believe it will be possible to install Windows 8 onto Eee Pad Transformer?
Probably even DualBoot?
For school purposes, I think a Windows tablet would be your best bet. You just can't get all of the widely used/ popular business features in Android. Plus you don't wanna get distracted during class
I would have to Say Windows if it for school, but then again look into Android with Word power, or use of School related Apps, for which Android I think is perfect because of the use of many many different Apps to help with whatever situation you're in.
I would think Android would be a much better tablet experience than Windows.
Excluding the possibility of Windows 8.
I would like to point out Bluestacks
http://www.bluestacks.com/
Wait a few months, and a dual-booting tablet will be possible
In the meantime, have you used windows 7 with a touchscreen? IMHO, it kinda sucks.
hahah ,very thanks
Well Windows 7 on touchscreen is possible and it is quite usable. I tried one out (Ambiance AT-something)
But I really love Android as I already stated. And it is better in tiouchscreen-use of course.
The school I mean is not a regular school but it is a school wehre you go if you learn a job (don't know the english word for it). I'm learning an IT-Specialist Job so thats not any problem
The question is while looking on each parameter what would be the best choice for me?
None is suitable 100% I guess this will end up in a 45-55 percent decision...
As I you said generally Windows has much more "known" capabilities e.g. MS Office but on the other hand android is much better while talkting from tablets... It is more efficient light-weight (focussing on hardware specs) and when I focus on travelluign I would like to have android as it has more battery lifetime and at the same time the games are better (You have to remember that most windows games are too hardware-hungry to run on a tablet and if they do you have battery times around two hours? )
For my purposes the polaris office Word equivalent is enough.
The presentation thing is okay for small presentations. for bigger ones I'd have to use windows or wait until some software comes out (which will happen I think)
I did not try table caluclation on polaris office yet...
A big plus-point for windows is programming... IS there any software out for android which supports that? I don't think so.
But therefore I could use my server as I already said.
A big plus for android is portabliity and the in my oppinion better games for entertaiment.
Besides the Transformers Screen is awsome in comparison to the Acer...
The transformer does have a nice screen. It's a quite capable tablet, I liked the hardware much more than the Acer. Honeycomb just isnt quite there yet. If It has to work and be easy, go Windows. If it has to be fun go Android
I wouldn't buy any android tablet at the present date, especially if i don't wanna use it mainly as a toy...android is not mature yet, it still has a lot of glitches to be ironed out, on a tablet they can become even more annoying.
It'S exactly what my problem is^^ I want fun but also be able to do my work.
But I don't mind having it a bit more complicated then.
I would instantly say I take a windows thing and use android-x86 ginger as dualboot... But I dislike the x86-Arch-Hardware in a Tablet.
Tablet android 100%
There is already a tablet with dual booting os i.e. android n windows....
here is the link..
rajivshahi said:
There is already a tablet with dual booting os i.e. android n windows....
here is the link..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Friend I am really sceptic when I see a Dual-Booting Tablet, looking like an ipad coming from Hong Kong and haveing Win7 ULTIMATE on it.
Next there is another doing this from Viewsonic. But installing Android 2.2 or 2.3 on an x86 platform is not the problem...
Honeycomb is not possible unfortunately - YET I know TegaTech is workign on it and it is running. Just google not permitting the release yet.
dari0 said:
Tablet android 100%
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you describe why?
Going off what you've said you need it for, and that you don't mind how W7 works on a tablet, I'd say go that route, and install bluestacks when it comes out to get your android games.
Coding inside android is not something I've ever heard about, I know you mentioned it, but I don't know how important it is to you.
If battery life is really important, however, I'd recommended the Asus transformer - massive battery life with the dock, and works great as a netbook or a tablet. Dunno how Google docs or similar works on it as an office suite, but its definitely an option.
Thanks mtmerrick
Your post is exactly what I think.
Win7 is good in software and Transformer in Hardware...
If Transformer 2 was out now I would have bought it... Do you think if I buy TF now I will be able to install WIndows 8 on it when it comes out?
I don't know if it's even possible to install anything there?
//Edit: The Programming part is not important for me. But for School. As said I'd use Terminal Sessions for this purpose when thats the only death criteria for android.
Thank my posts if they helped.
There's been talk of putting windows 8 on android devices already, but its too soon to say if it'll actually be possible. I also want to add, Windows 8 ARM apps are most likely not going to be compatible with windows 8 x86 and x64 programs, if that makes a difference to you.
Android has several office suites avalible, and they're pretty good. I'm not exactly sure how strong they are but I do know they're more then enough for most of my entire office. Add the Transformer's hardware keyboard and you should be good to go.
So, I've effectively talked myself into the Asus Eee Pad Transformer for you. What do you think?
I am sure Windows 8 ARM will support MSOffice and Visual C# Express As wella s there will be a notepad++ compile for ARM so that's really all I need lol
Well Microsoft has already said there'll he a version of Office avalible for ARM, so no need to worry about that. But, as I said, android office apps should be all you need,expically with that hardware keyboard. And the transformer has an HDMI out, if I remember correctly, so that (probably) means dual monitor support, and definitely mirroring. Thing is, most people just don't NEED the full capabilities of windows. Only reasons for my laptop are AutoCAD and iTunes. And if windows 8 ARM is going to require its own programs, honestly, why bother with it?
I agree with you.
Define "need"
I saw ubuntu is able to run on the transformer... That opens a new way =)
Which includes even most programming problems
Does anyone know if I can dualboot Android and Ubuntu on the Transformer?
If yes I know what I will buy
android of cos....

Need Advice, please.

I have 500 bucks to spend and am hesitating between getting either the Surface or a nexus 7 + a chromebook. For those who have had some experience with those devices, what do you think would be a better way to go? I am honestly hesitating between the two choices.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
The Chromebook really doesn't enthuse me...I don't completely think that its existence is justified yet. It depends how you consider the convenience of two devices vs one.
What are you planning on doing? Will you type a lot? Integrate the products into an existing Windows 8/Android phone ecosystem? Watch movies and videos? Games? Travel with it, or are they devices for home? Will you carry a Nexus 7 around alongside your Chromebook?
Personally, I'd look at the range of Atom-based Windows 8 Pro hybrid tablets. They get better battery and performance than the Surface RT, and have access to all Windows applications of the past. There's heaps from every OEM, and I don't know your exact price-point, so I can't really make a recommendation.
I don't agree re: the Atom systems providing better performance and battery than the surface. I've used an Atom Windows machine and it was a dog and the battery life was comparable to a PC.
I do agree regarding understanding just what you are going to use it for.
Are you a student? An office worker?
Are you watching movies? Playing games? Just browsing the web?
Are you going to need any Office document editing?
The Nexus is going to give you the best app ecosystem and access to Google Play books, movies, and music. The Chromebook is basically just an android tablet in a laptop form factor (with some limitations).
The Surface is more of a PC with some restrictions but doesn't benefit from the Google Play Store. It does have access to the XBox ecosystem but it is not as extensive as Google offerings (yet?).
I have Android tablets and an iPad and in the week I've had the Surface I have found the Surface to have more utility than any other tablet I've owned, but I look at things from a work standpoint. I don't play games or use "apps" on a tablet. I need them on my phone (which is why I have an Android phone).
Thanks for your input. I had the transformer prime but returned it because of a screen that went really bad. I am planning to go to school and was wondering which device (surface or chromebook) would help more on the go (I have a 17" Toshiba at home). I don't play much on my tablet but I like to watch movies on Netflix and videos online and browse the web. I am leaning toward the surface, I guess I am looking for assurance that I won't be disappointed.
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Wendemixda said:
Thanks for your input. I had the transformer prime but returned it because of a screen that went really bad. I am planning to go to school and was wondering which device (surface or chromebook) would help more on the go (I have a 17" Toshiba at home). I don't play much on my tablet but I like to watch movies on Netflix and videos online and browse the web. I am leaning toward the surface, I guess I am looking for assurance that I won't be disappointed.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
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That's an impossible assurance, but if this is for school, I think Surface is the way to go. They have a no-restock 14 day return policy. Worst case scenario, you can buy it, use it, and if you don't like it, return it.
Surface already has Netflix, Hulu, Kindle, and supports Amazon Instant Video via the web browser.
If you need Office, then get the Surface. I've tried just about every word processor/spread sheet app on android and none of them come close to the real thing. The Touch Cover and the way it's integrated is also vastly superior to any keyboard peripheral I've used on my android tablets.
If you do work with a lot of PDF's though be warned that right now you're pretty much stuck with converting them into office docs for now, the pdf reader that comes with the Surface barely has any functionality beyond the ability to open and read them, and there aren't any alternatives on the market yet.
As for netflix, hulu and web surfing it's all there. The Surface uses the desktop version of IE10 and as far as I know, it's the only new tablet to have flash support. Subjectively speaking I've found it to be just as fast as Chrome on Android 4.1.1, while I like the way Chrome renders some websites better, IE10 will always pull the desktop version of websites and does a much better job with animated gifs and embedded video.
hoodoomagic said:
If you need Office, then get the Surface. I've tried just about every word processor/spread sheet app on android and none of them come close to the real thing. The Touch Cover and the way it's integrated is also vastly superior to any keyboard peripheral I've used on my android tablets.
If you do work with a lot of PDF's though be warned that right now you're pretty much stuck with converting them into office docs for now, the pdf reader that comes with the Surface barely has any functionality beyond the ability to open and read them, and there aren't any alternatives on the market yet.
As for netflix, hulu and web surfing it's all there. The Surface uses the desktop version of IE10 and as far as I know, it's the only new tablet to have flash support. Subjectively speaking I've found it to be just as fast as Chrome on Android 4.1.1, while I like the way Chrome renders some websites better, IE10 will always pull the desktop version of websites and does a much better job with animated gifs and embedded video.
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I find the built in pdf reader more than capable. I work with large pdfs for work and with the options menu at the bottom I can search , find bookmarks, highlight and add notes. What else do you want from a reader?
The only other thing I need is a pdf driver to create pdfs on the go but that is a different app.
guitar1969 said:
I find the built in pdf reader more than capable. I work with large pdfs for work and with the options menu at the bottom I can search , find bookmarks, highlight and add notes. What else do you want from a reader?
The only other thing I need is a pdf driver to create pdfs on the go but that is a different app.
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You're right, I was a too quick to judge and missed a lot of things that the stock reader is capable of doing. I'm used to using ez-pdf on android and that throws a lot of options in your face and was thrown off by the cleaner interface of the ms reader. I still can't figure out how to quickly get to a page though, and a night mode would be nice.
hoodoomagic said:
I still can't figure out how to quickly get to a page though
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Pinch to zoom out.
mk1151 said:
The Chromebook is basically just an android tablet in a laptop form factor (with some limitations).
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Except that it isn't that at all!
No Android whatsoever in the Chromebook.
Regards,
Dave
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foxmeister said:
Except that it isn't that at all!
No Android whatsoever in the Chromebook.
Regards,
Dave
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
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correct, chromeOS doesn't share app stores with android, so no apps aside for the ones built specifically for that OS (which is just a fullscreen chrome browser)
aside from the rock bottom pricing for a basic use computer, i don't see the point of the chromebook at all.

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