Just got mine yesterday (typing on it for this post). There are some problems on it I wasn't expecting.
- Drawing apps like Fresh Paint don't work sometimes when on split screen. By doesn't work, I mean it won't recognize the pen on start up. I would have to full screen the app, use the pen, then I can use the pen on split screen.
- Apps aren't adjusted to split screens correctly. The resizing of the apps gets rid of functions like creating a new page that can only be seen when app is in full screen.
- Chrome Windows 8 mode sucks. That thing resized to a quarter of the screen, blacked out the other 3/4ths and it took me 30 minutes to figure out how to undo it because the menu button on Chrome was blacked out. Figured out that they were still there, just not visable.
- Chrome sometimes disables my trackpad click recongniztion? I can activate links and tabs via the touch screen, but not by clicking the trackpad. All was good after restarting Chrome.
- Tablet does not recognize that I took off the keyboard sometimes. This causes orientation lock. I would have to reattached and detach keyboard.
- Trackpad kinda stuttering with movements. Sometimes jumps around so not very precise. This happens more when using on my lap for some reason..
- Changing screen orientation is sorta laggy, definitely more than a 1 second change. I have the 8gb/256gb version.
- I'm pretty sure Flux crashes this tablet. Froze it twice in 30 minutes after install. Perfectly fine now after uninstall.
I'm actually getting used to Windows Metro...strange. This is the first Windows machine I bought myself after 4 years. I was a Windows user for most of my life until college.
EDIT: Pen holder could have been designed better. Everyone at the store trying it out was confused it wasn't there. It's basically a stick on piece that comes with the keyboard, but none of the floor models have them at the Microsoft store. It's also uncomfortable placing the pen in there. I know it has to be tight so it doesn't fall out, but it's a struggle every time. Probably takes a good 3 seconds to fully place it in. If you don't think that's a long time wait until you're leaving a meeting and everyone is waiting on you. Bad user experience on the pen holder.
- Too heavy to hold for tablet use. Wasn't really expecting it, but have heard reviews about it, and this is the lightest pro version too. Good thing the kick stand can rest on my knees (actually pretty good for posture with knees bent because you're neck won't be pointed down the entire time).
I am experiencing many of these issues. I think they will continue to roll out firmware updates. But, the software needed a little bit more work. For Chrome I would disable scaling. 1. Right click Chrome shortcut icon and choose "Properties." (if you do this on an icon in you startbar, then you'll need to right click again on the third one up that says "Google Chrome.")
2. Click Compatibility tab.
3. Check box for "Disable display scaling on high DPI settings."
4. Click OK.
5. It will show small fonts, but you can change that in Chrome Settings under "Show advanced settings" --> "Web Content" --> "Font Size."
The workflow between Metro and Desktop becomes easier and better over the course of a week.
Chrome 37 (the current dev channel) enables high-dpi support on Windows out-of-the-box (which might fix the issues you had with win8 mode -- at least, it seems to work for me).
I'll have to check which version I have. I just downloaded the latest consumer version. The experience also wouldn't reflect most of the users since they would just be downloading off the main page. I probably won't give this a try since desktop mode works fine for the most part.
Genuinely wondering, why Chrome? IE11 has a really awesome touch UX, in the metro version, IMO. Did you try it and dismiss it, or not even consider it given IE's track record?
Ecosystem traps people if I want to be cynical. I do everything on Chrome from personal to work, all my favorites/bookmarks are synced through all my hardware.
Even if there was a sync option for IE to Chrome accounts this is just extra effort. You put too many steps in front of me I'm just not gonna do it (yes, I'm lazy, but UX should consider the lazy).
Firefox supports 1Password, MightyText, Adblock, Disconnect, Privacy Badger, Zotero, and a variety of other plugins including multiple HTTP clients and a top notch dev console.
So, I deleted the comment where I applaud IE yet describe the extensions you just rewrote in almost parody (edit: misread Firefox on my mobile device as IE. Good point! I love Firefox too for these reasons!). But, my point is that the metro IE doesn't have extensions. Chrome does (the metro edition) because last time I checked it's just a frozen implementation of the desktop browser but full screen. Lack of extensions is the weak point for me for any browser. And, the metro IE and better scaling overall are the only compelling benefits I see to IE. So, I usually opt for Chrome (edit: or even firefox! :) )
The trackpad issue is probably from how Microsoft rolls their own capacitive trackpad solution and the capacitance from your leg is causing issues. My Type Cover 2 would also have issues when my fingers got sweaty. The way to fix it would be to reconnect the cover so that it would recalibrate. I've heard the Type Cover 3's trackpad is leaps and bounds above the previous two in terms of usability, though.
Try Firefox. I'm surprised almost no Surface Pro user recommends it, but I've found it very friendly with HiDPI and touch screen. Except for zoom, stepped reflow instead of continuous scale; although I like it like that).
I plan on dl'ing FireFox, mostly because Chrome doesn't support download helper extension (super helpful since machines run super hot streaming video).
Looking at Microsoft's track record, if Apple could execute on a tablet stylus with their traditional level of excellence, they could kill! If I could have a combination of a small Macbook and an iPad mini which could also act like a decent "mini Graphire," this would be simply awesome! They could sell tons of these to the angsty teenage journalling set. It would also be a tremendous boon to designers and game and web developers.
It wouldn't be easy to do, however. As the hardware manufacturer and OS producer, they are in a unique position to be able to do it, however.
One of the reasons why I bought the SP3 before the Apple announcement this year is because I know how unlikely they are to come out with a product such as this because it would cannibalize their tablet line. Lesson learned the hard way waiting for an iPod Touch with a good camera (0.7mp...).
One of the reasons why I bought the SP3 before the Apple announcement this year is because I know how unlikely they are to come out with a product such as this because it would cannibalize their tablet line.
How could Apple's tablet cannibalize Apple's tablet line?
Late reply. A product like the SP3 for me would be at the MBA having touch screen like the Ultrabooks have. This would have the MBA cannibalizing the IPad sales. Thin, lightweight, touchscreen device, full OSX.
- Drawing apps like Fresh Paint don't work sometimes when on split screen. By doesn't work, I mean it won't recognize the pen on start up. I would have to full screen the app, use the pen, then I can use the pen on split screen.
- Apps aren't adjusted to split screens correctly. The resizing of the apps gets rid of functions like creating a new page that can only be seen when app is in full screen.
- Chrome Windows 8 mode sucks. That thing resized to a quarter of the screen, blacked out the other 3/4ths and it took me 30 minutes to figure out how to undo it because the menu button on Chrome was blacked out. Figured out that they were still there, just not visable.
- Chrome sometimes disables my trackpad click recongniztion? I can activate links and tabs via the touch screen, but not by clicking the trackpad. All was good after restarting Chrome.
- Tablet does not recognize that I took off the keyboard sometimes. This causes orientation lock. I would have to reattached and detach keyboard.
- Trackpad kinda stuttering with movements. Sometimes jumps around so not very precise. This happens more when using on my lap for some reason..
- Changing screen orientation is sorta laggy, definitely more than a 1 second change. I have the 8gb/256gb version.
- I'm pretty sure Flux crashes this tablet. Froze it twice in 30 minutes after install. Perfectly fine now after uninstall.
I'm actually getting used to Windows Metro...strange. This is the first Windows machine I bought myself after 4 years. I was a Windows user for most of my life until college.
EDIT: Pen holder could have been designed better. Everyone at the store trying it out was confused it wasn't there. It's basically a stick on piece that comes with the keyboard, but none of the floor models have them at the Microsoft store. It's also uncomfortable placing the pen in there. I know it has to be tight so it doesn't fall out, but it's a struggle every time. Probably takes a good 3 seconds to fully place it in. If you don't think that's a long time wait until you're leaving a meeting and everyone is waiting on you. Bad user experience on the pen holder.
- Too heavy to hold for tablet use. Wasn't really expecting it, but have heard reviews about it, and this is the lightest pro version too. Good thing the kick stand can rest on my knees (actually pretty good for posture with knees bent because you're neck won't be pointed down the entire time).