asked on What is your experience using Microsoft Surface?
If you have any good or bad experiences using the Microsoft Surface and specifically the Surface Pro-X https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/surface-pro-x/8vdnrp2m6hhc?activetab=overview I would like to hear your own experiences. (I have already looked up reviews and youtube)
Main uses are Google Docs, MS Word, Excel and marketing up PDF files for somebody else to finalize.
Originally, we were looking at Sony Paper https://www.sony.com/electronics/digital-paper-notepads/dpt-series and that looked promising. One of the big drawbacks is it has to be tied to a computer and all the documents are in the cloud on Google Drive. That means having to manually sync so not an option. As I was looking at reviews, one pointed to the fact that for the price of the Sony, you can get a Surface that does the same thing. While the lower end surface is in that price range, having the ability to use cell service for internet is a feature we liked and that lead to the Surface Pro X.
Main uses are Google Docs, MS Word, Excel and marketing up PDF files for somebody else to finalize.
Originally, we were looking at Sony Paper https://www.sony.com/electronics/digital-paper-notepads/dpt-series and that looked promising. One of the big drawbacks is it has to be tied to a computer and all the documents are in the cloud on Google Drive. That means having to manually sync so not an option. As I was looking at reviews, one pointed to the fact that for the price of the Sony, you can get a Surface that does the same thing. While the lower end surface is in that price range, having the ability to use cell service for internet is a feature we liked and that lead to the Surface Pro X.
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Scott Fell
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Hi Scott,
I don't know what page you are referring to, but my Surface Pro 3 has an Intel i7 processor, and is running Office 64-bit:
![Surface-Config.png]()
![Office-Version.png]()
I don't know what page you are referring to, but my Surface Pro 3 has an Intel i7 processor, and is running Office 64-bit:
ASKER
I was referring to the Surface Pro X
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/surface-pro-arm-app-performance
Applications run differently on ARM-based Windows 10 PCs such as Surface Pro X. Limitations include the following:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/surface-pro-arm-app-performance
Applications run differently on ARM-based Windows 10 PCs such as Surface Pro X. Limitations include the following:
- Drivers for hardware, games and apps will only work if they're designed for a Windows 10 ARM-based PC
- . For more info, check with the hardware manufacturer or the organization that developed the driver. Drivers are software programs that communicate with hardware devices—they're commonly used for antivirus and antimalware software, printing or PDF software, assistive technologies, CD and DVD utilities, and virtualization software. If a driver doesn’t work, the app or hardware that relies on it won’t work either (at least not fully). Peripherals and devices only work if the drivers they depend on are built into Windows 10, or if the hardware developer has released ARM64 drivers for the device.
- 64-bit (x64) apps won’t work
- . You'll need 64-bit (ARM64) apps, 32-bit (ARM32) apps, or 32-bit (x86) apps. You can usually find 32-bit (x86) versions of apps, but some app developers only offer 64-bit (x64) apps.
- Certain games won’t work.
- Games and apps won't work if they use a version of OpenGL greater than 1.1, or if they rely on "anti-cheat" drivers that haven't been made for Windows 10 ARM-based PCs. Check with your game publisher to see if a game will work.
- Apps that customize the Windows experience might have problems
- . This includes some input method editors (IMEs), assistive technologies, and cloud storage apps. The organization that develops the app determines whether their app will work on a Windows 10 ARM-based PC.
- Some third-party antivirus software can’t be installed.
- You won't be able to install some third-party antivirus software on a Windows 10 ARM-based PC. However, Windows Security will help keep you safe for the supported lifetime of your Windows 10 device.
- Windows Fax and Scan isn’t available.
- This feature isn’t available on a Windows 10 ARM-based PC.
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ASKER
Thank you both. You helped solidify my decision. No surface and no sony paper.
I think we are going to dive into the higher end dell xps 2 in 1 for this need.
I think we are going to dive into the higher end dell xps 2 in 1 for this need.
You are most welcome (sorry that I misunderstood the "X").
Good luck in your quest!
Good luck in your quest!
The original surface pro was ARM and was very limited. I used it temporarily as a file server since it ran on arm, very few Windows ARM viruses exist, so practically no AV software except Windows defender. It was already a few years old, yet no real usable software was available for it because nothing really ran on ARM for Windows.
The Surface Pro 3 and Surface Pro 5 that I have freezes up a lot more than a typical windows computer. It gets quite hot and suddenly it's stuck. You will need to force a shut down, let it cool down and it will work. The super thin form factor make them prone to heating up. I hear the fan a lot more than I would on other systems. The original Surface Pro didn't overheat like the 3 and 5 I've used.
You should get the 7 rather than the X, if I were using it as a computer. The X is better suited as a limited computer for kids or classroom use of Office software, because you won't be able to find as much other software for ARM based Windows. That was the case for the original Surface Pro.
The Surface Pro 3 and Surface Pro 5 that I have freezes up a lot more than a typical windows computer. It gets quite hot and suddenly it's stuck. You will need to force a shut down, let it cool down and it will work. The super thin form factor make them prone to heating up. I hear the fan a lot more than I would on other systems. The original Surface Pro didn't overheat like the 3 and 5 I've used.
You should get the 7 rather than the X, if I were using it as a computer. The X is better suited as a limited computer for kids or classroom use of Office software, because you won't be able to find as much other software for ARM based Windows. That was the case for the original Surface Pro.
ASKER
Thanks serialband. Actually, going to the 7 would have been the choice for the Surface. The X was out because of ARM and the other Surface machines use older processors. The 7 seemed to be most up to date.
The decision now seems to be going with a 2 in 1 and using the Dell XPS 13 with 10th gen i7 and 16gigs of RAM https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/2-in-1-laptops-tablets/xps-13-2-in-1-7390-laptop/spd/xps-13-7390-2-in-1-laptop/cax13w10p1c111s
Besides being used as an every day driver, the fold-able option allows for a client to sign documents or the user to mark up pdf's.
The Sony paper would have been a good option as an additional device but the reviews and lack of ability to import documents from Google Drive/ One Drive or the network makes it not an option.
The decision now seems to be going with a 2 in 1 and using the Dell XPS 13 with 10th gen i7 and 16gigs of RAM https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/2-in-1-laptops-tablets/xps-13-2-in-1-7390-laptop/spd/xps-13-7390-2-in-1-laptop/cax13w10p1c111s
Besides being used as an every day driver, the fold-able option allows for a client to sign documents or the user to mark up pdf's.
The Sony paper would have been a good option as an additional device but the reviews and lack of ability to import documents from Google Drive/ One Drive or the network makes it not an option.
If you need more than 1 USB port, you're supposed to get the docking station.. The reason I have a surface pro is that it's quite a bit lighter. I currently carry it daily as my 2nd system along with a Macbook Pro.
Sure, I can run VMs, and I also have those, but having a 2nd separate system is actually easier for some of the things I do.
Sure, I can run VMs, and I also have those, but having a 2nd separate system is actually easier for some of the things I do.
The 7 and the X came out last November. I don't know if they've fixed the overheating issue on the Intel chip Surface Pro 7. You really need to undervolt the CPU and GPU a bit to keep the surface pro more stable. I used to underclock desktops so they would remain stable in warehouses without AC or in a house without AC.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/e1qnkx/surface_pro_7_i5_throttlestop_undervolting_guide/
https://www.surfaceforums.net/threads/surface-pro-4-i5-full-speed-fanless-by-undervolting.19379/
The whole point of the Surface Pro isn't about the power, so why would they clock them so high that they'd overheat even with the fan running at full blast. That's bad design. The original ARM chip in the Surface Pro didn't overheat, but it was slow. You could not install Firefox or Chrome, so it was only usable for basic office and as a not so likely to be hacked file server for the home, because there was really no Windows ARM viruses out there. That would be my only reason for the X, because surfing with Edge or IE ... bleh!
I remember when IBM made desktops, they had giant heatsinks instead of CPU fans and that made the system quieter and less dusty inside, which is much better for dusty, industrial environments. You can't open these Surface Pros to clean them, so having the fan run all the time means they'll collect dust and overheat more as they age. I open my laptops to clean out the dust annually. It makes them run better and last longer. I've kept 11+ year old laptops that still run, even if the batteries no longer work. Undervolting them so they don't run as hot would make them last longer and prevent dust collection.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/e1qnkx/surface_pro_7_i5_throttlestop_undervolting_guide/
https://www.surfaceforums.net/threads/surface-pro-4-i5-full-speed-fanless-by-undervolting.19379/
The whole point of the Surface Pro isn't about the power, so why would they clock them so high that they'd overheat even with the fan running at full blast. That's bad design. The original ARM chip in the Surface Pro didn't overheat, but it was slow. You could not install Firefox or Chrome, so it was only usable for basic office and as a not so likely to be hacked file server for the home, because there was really no Windows ARM viruses out there. That would be my only reason for the X, because surfing with Edge or IE ... bleh!
I remember when IBM made desktops, they had giant heatsinks instead of CPU fans and that made the system quieter and less dusty inside, which is much better for dusty, industrial environments. You can't open these Surface Pros to clean them, so having the fan run all the time means they'll collect dust and overheat more as they age. I open my laptops to clean out the dust annually. It makes them run better and last longer. I've kept 11+ year old laptops that still run, even if the batteries no longer work. Undervolting them so they don't run as hot would make them last longer and prevent dust collection.
ASKER
I had the IBM P/70 and it was a huge improvement from my Osborne/1
I did a little research and found a hidden page on Microsoft about the SurfacePro-X talking about the fact it is an ARM processor and can not run many apps. Any apps like office has to be the 32 bit version. Microsoft is saying developers are working on being able to add more ability, ,but I see this as a drawback.
Looking at going back to a Dell 2-in-1 XPS higher end.
For android, I am playing with Foxit's app and it looks promising.
I really appreciate your comments.