Is someone using a Surface Pro full time? It seems like a good compromise between tablet and notebook, because its only 50% heavier than an iPad and solves the inter-app data exchange and the App Quality problems.
I've tried this recently after receiving a Surface Pro as a gift. I find myself gravitating back toward an iPad and a MacBook -- the Surface, despite doing many things right, feels trapped in a worst-of-both-worlds situation.
- It doesn't make a great laptop; the awkward kickstand-and-lightweight-keyboard setup feels unbalanced and doesn't really work on your lap, for example. The keyboard, by virtue of being a cover, is not awesome and the attached trackpad is pretty terrible. The screen is small enough that coding feels cramped.
- It doesn't make a great tablet; the aspect ratio is too tall for reading and the extra weight really does make a difference when holding it for even a few minutes.
I really like drawing with the pressure-sensitive stylus, though.
I do. I dock it at home with a bigger screen/keyboard/mouse, so there it's just like another laptop/desktop. When I'm on the move, I bring my wireless mouse and the type cover. It works well enough for me. The screen is pretty small (obviously), but very high res, so I have as much screen real-estate, but with smaller fonts. My eye-sight is good so I have no problems with that. The keyboard is OK, but if I need to do a lot of work I much prefer a bigger one.
A huge plus for me that differentiates it from both laptops and iPads is the Wacom stylus, which has replaced all my (paper)notebooks at home and work.
To anyone considering to buy one I recommend going to a Microsoft store or Best Buy to try it out. Seems like a love it or hate it kinda product.
I was at a conference with someone who had a work-issued Surface Pro. We talked for a little bit about how he liked working on it, and he said he only used it for traveling. At his desk he still has his Thinkpad with dual monitors.
