New to Surface Pro 6... Gripes and Questions

[gavroche]

So I recently go a Surface Pro 6, and am learning Windows 10. A few things stand out to me:

1. Seems like windows isn't good out of the box with media content. For videos, the stock app doesn't like more than half of what I try to play. Even for common file types. For example, it might play one .mp4, but no another .mp4. After some Google searches, all I find out is I need to download and install various codes. And after trying, gave up and installed vlc (which had the ugliest app icon ever, BTW). For photos, I transferred a bunch of jog files from my iMac... And none open. Tried third party app, no luck. I've read that the Mac now saves some as heic compression... But these have jog extension. I'm not sure if heic photos get different extension. Shouldn't Windows be more capable of opening common media files?

2. Hate brick chargers. Hate no being able to charge with USB. Ugh!!!

3. So many apps have such ugly and outdated looking interfaces. Curious if this is OS limitation or poor app design.

4. Tablet mode has split screen… but using it successfully seems so hit and miss, or just getting lucky.

5. When typing, fixing typos had been a pain. Im used to press and holding a moment to place cursor where u want... Its so much harder for me to insert cursor now.

There are things I like but for now just the gripes.

 

[AustinIllini]

Surface does a good job overall, but Windows just doesn't quite do the two in one perfectly yet.

 

[xraydoc]

Tablet mode split screen in Windows 10 work pretty well -- it's easier to set up the way you want if both apps are already running. Watching a YouTube video on how to enable and select apps would be much easier than trying to explain in a written format, however.

As for app interfaces, the blame falls squarely on the author.

 

[GoldfishRT]

Mostly on devs for the apps thing. You might be better off looking in the Microsoft Store app for ones that are more aesthetically pleasing if that's what you're in to.

 

[Mikael H]

1. Unlike most other operating systems, the built-in tools in Windows generally aren't good or don't exist at all, depending on what you want to do. Everything is dependent on third-party applications.
2. Wait a product generation or two.
3. Poor app design, mainly.
4. Can't really comment on this other than that my personal preference is not to run Windows in tablet mode.
5. Again a matter of taste, but yes, I prefer the ergonomics of macOS.

 

[Dave245]

I really don't like tablet mode, on my Pro 6 it lags when watching Netflix or iTunes, it really doesnt like iTunes. The lack of apps is also annoying, there isnt even a YouTube app

I do think the Surface Pro 6 is good as a laptop replacement if you're writing, blogging and every day tasks but now that I've tried it I would definilty stick with a Mac in the future. That's not to say I hate the Surface I'm just not a fan of Windows, while it's not as bad as previous versions of Windows it's still no where near as good as MacOS.

I'm going to be keeping my Surface Pro 6 as my game machine to play Windows games, so nothing is wasted

 

[Queen6]

I really don't like tablet mode, on my Pro 6 it lags when watching Netflix or iTunes, it really doesnt like iTunes. The lack of apps is also annoying, there isnt even a YouTube app

I do think the Surface Pro 6 is good as a laptop replacement if you're writing, blogging and every day tasks but now that I've tried it I would definilty stick with a Mac in the future. That's not to say I hate the Surface I'm just not a fan of Windows, while it's not as bad as previous versions of Windows it's still no where near as good as MacOS.

I'm going to be keeping my Surface Pro 6 as my game machine to play Windows games, so nothing is wasted

You might want to consider a reset. I have an Acer i3 Switch 5 (SP clone) I bought to throw in my bag while I'm out and about in the field visiting the contractors sites, it exhibits non of these tendencies. I did consider a SP6 however the Switch 5 was dirt cheap ($650 with KB & Pen) and potential for loss damage is high.

btw on W10 1809

Q-6​

 

[Valdna]

1. VLC Player has become the "standard" these days.

2. Get a spare charger. The charger is the only known weakish spot of the surface.

3. Poor app design. OS basically has no limits. What apps are you using?

4. I tend to use the regular desktop mode while using the touchscreen.

 

[Queen6]

Check your HTML no one can see your words, jus the quote

Q-6

 

[SteveJUAE]

Yet again we see this IOS mentality to apps when we are talking about a full OS that has the worlds largest collection of software and professional titles

It's no wonder these guys are struggling with their surface and the like devices

They really need to think outside the walled garden

 

[Queen6]

Yet again we see this IOS mentality to apps when we are talking about a full OS that has the worlds largest collection of software and professional titles

It's no wonder these guys are struggling with their surface and the like devices

They really need to think outside the walled garden

Exactly it's all out there, and so much more than Apple can ever offer. Just takes a little work on the users behalf, equally the benefits easily outweigh...

Q-6

 

[Dave245]

For a tablet experience you just won't beat the iPad. As a computer the Surface Pro 6 is fine, Windows 10 is what's holding it back from being great. I think if you're a long time Windows user it's probably easy to adjust to and use, but after using Mac's and loving MacOS Windows just isn't as good.

 

[SDColorado]

You might want to consider a reset. I have an Acer i3 Switch 5 (SP clone) I bought to throw in my bag while I'm out and about in the field visiting the contractors sites, it exhibits non of these tendencies. I did consider a SP6 however the Switch 5 was dirt cheap ($650 with KB & Pen) and potential for loss damage is high.

btw on W10 1809

Q-6​

Having spent more time watching Netflix and Hulu on my SP5, I think you are correct about maybe trying a reset. I have no lag whatsoever while watching on mine. I can't speak for iTunes, because I don't use iTunes on Mac or PC.

I believe the Intel Iris Plus 640 GPU in mine is a little better than the UHD 620 offered in the current models, but I don't think that would have much effect on Netflix/Hulu playback.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Having spent more time watching Netflix and Hulu on my SP5, I think you are correct about maybe trying a reset. I have no lag whatsoever while watching on mine. I can't speak for iTunes, because I don't use iTunes on Mac or PC.

I believe the Intel Iris Plus 640 GPU in mine is a little better than the UHD 620 offered in the current models, but I don't think that would have much effect on Netflix/Hulu playback.

Well I am off to Bali tomorrow for Chinese new year if that makes sense

I will only be taking my little GO so I have just DL 11 episodes of ST Discovery for the plane etc watched one episode at the same time and updated W10 2 KB updates and have outlook and chrome open so what lag
[doublepost=1548951424][/doublepost]

For a tablet experience you just won't beat the iPad. As a computer the Surface Pro 6 is fine, Windows 10 is what's holding it back from being great. I think if you're a long time Windows user it's probably easy to adjust to and use, but after using Mac's and loving MacOS Windows just isn't as good.

Dave far more people every day are productive or creative on Android and Windows

Do you honestly believe that all these are held back because they do not have the best in your opinion

Use what you enjoy but lets not exaggerate the overall capability of devices that only shine in such few areas.

Take away probably 6 software titles from most Apple fans vocab that they like to rinse and repeat and most would be mute

 

[Dave245]

Dave far more people every day are productive or creative on Android and Windows

Do you honestly believe that all these are held back because they do not have the best in your opinion

Use what you enjoy but lets not exaggerate the overall capability of devices that only shine in such few areas.

Take away probably 6 software titles from most Apple fans vocab that they like to rinse and repeat and most would be mute

Of course a lot of people prefer Android and or Windows, there was a time when I used both, but for me personally and a lot of other people Android and Windows just isn’t as good as using an iPhone, iPad or Mac.

Exaggerate what? you don’t think the iPad is the best tablet, have you seen the tablet competition it’s not even half as good. Of course the iPad isn’t perfect nothing ever is but it isn’t a stretch to call it the best tablet on the market at the moment.

 

[SDColorado]

I think that is a little like saying that the Spinner is the best addictive fidget toy out there, but that's just me

 

[gavroche]

Yet again we see this IOS mentality to apps when we are talking about a full OS that has the worlds largest collection of software and professional titles

It's no wonder these guys are struggling with their surface and the like devices

They really need to think outside the walled garden

What specifically are you talking about? I addressed a couple issues that have avolutely nothing to do with Apple or IOS or that walled garden. Pointing out that it need a charging brick? Nope... unrelated. Pointing out that I've had trouble playing some standard format media? Fair criticism with nothing to do with IOS.
Comments like yours frustrate me... because I've been using computers since the 70s. Commodore 64, Amiga, Generic PC... Apple... Why does any feedback about anything at all always have to turn into anti-apple fodder...?

 

[SteveJUAE]

Of course a lot of people prefer Android and or Windows, there was a time when I used both, but for me personally and a lot of other people Android and Windows just isn’t as good as using an iPhone, iPad or Mac.

Exaggerate what? you don’t think the iPad is the best tablet, have you seen the tablet competition it’s not even half as good. Of course the iPad isn’t perfect nothing ever is but it isn’t a stretch to call it the best tablet on the market at the moment.

Sorry Dave the numbers are not with you on this

If you want to call the IPP the best Mobile OS Tablet then I may agree

 

[oneMadRssn]

1. Seems like windows isn't good out of the box with media content. For videos, the stock app doesn't like more than half of what I try to play. Even for common file types. For example, it might play one .mp4, but no another .mp4. After some Google searches, all I find out is I need to download and install various codes. And after trying, gave up and installed vlc (which had the ugliest app icon ever, BTW). For photos, I transferred a bunch of jog files from my iMac... And none open. Tried third party app, no luck. I've read that the Mac now saves some as heic compression... But these have jog extension. I'm not sure if heic photos get different extension. Shouldn't Windows be more capable of opening common media files?

Surprised nobody has recommended this yet. Windows Media Player Classic. It's the way to go on Windows. They aren't really updating it anymore, unfortunately. But it's last update wasn't that long ago, it still works very well, and it will probably continue working very well for a long time.

 

[SteveJUAE]

What specifically are you talking about? I addressed a couple issues that have avolutely nothing to do with Apple or IOS or that walled garden. Pointing out that it need a charging brick? Nope... unrelated. Pointing out that I've had trouble playing some standard format media? Fair criticism with nothing to do with IOS.
Comments like yours frustrate me... because I've been using computers since the 70s. Commodore 64, Amiga, Generic PC... Apple... Why does any feedback about anything at all always have to turn into anti-apple fodder...?

I think your barking up the wrong tree on this one my comment was not addressed to your specific points they refer to a similar point from the same poster in another thread. As you note your comments are just personal gripes which seem trivial to me and not worth remarking on

 

[gavroche]

Surprised nobody has recommended this yet. Windows Media Player Classic. It's the way to go on Windows. They aren't really updating it anymore, unfortunately. But it's last update wasn't that long ago, it still works very well, and it will probably continue working very well for a long time.

I found a way to re-enable it in the contextual menu... have used it a few times..

 

[SDColorado]

To be fair, you never did follow up with this, so what do you like?

There are things I like but for now just the gripes.

Speaking for my own self, with the exception of my current frustrations with the 2018 MBP, since I am currently on unit #5 and recently had the "e" key become unresponsive until I smashed it hard and repeatedly, I generally love all my Apple products and find them very useful, with the exception of one. My iPad Pro. I find it just too limited in what it is, nothing more than a companion device imho and despite my initial enthusiasm for it, it has been mostly retired as a bedside device. Are there things I like about it? Sure. I enjoy coloring on it and using it for some browsing and so on before I go to bed or before I drag my butt out of bed. Could I live without it? Absolutely. Would I buy another? No way. There is a reason why "tablet" sales have been on a steady decline, and I think as much as Apple would like to change that trend, I don't think most people are happy with the Tablet only or find it worth the expense as a "companion device."

The whole best tablet thing is kind of like saying Cycle SideCar makes the best motorcycle sidecars ever. But without a motorcycle they aren't of much use and if you don't really need a sidecar they aren't of much use either

 

[gavroche]

I think your barking up the wrong tree on this one my comment was not addressed to your specific points they refer to a similar point from the same poster in another thread. As you note your comments are just personal gripes which seem trivial to me and not worth remarking on

fair enough. But having trouble playing.mp4 files and opening some jpg images is far from trivial to me! To each his own...
[doublepost=1548955898][/doublepost]

To be fair, you never did follow up with this, so what do you like?



Speaking for my own self, with the exception of my current frustrations with the 2018 MBP, since I am currently on unit #5 and recently had the "e" key become unresponsive until I smashed it hard and repeatedly, I generally love all my Apple products and find them very useful, with the exception of one. My iPad Pro. I find it just too limited in what it is, nothing more than a companion device imho and despite my initial enthusiasm for it, it has been mostly retired as a bedside device. Are there things I like about it? Sure. I enjoy coloring on it and using it for some browsing and so on before I go to bed or before I drag my butt out of bed. Could I live without it? Absolutely. Would I buy another? No way. There is a reason why "tablet" sales have been on a steady decline, and I think as much as Apple would like to change that trend, I don't think most people are happy with the Tablet only or find it worth the expense as a "companion device."

I agree with all this. Since the processor speed improvements are starting to slow down as the A chips mature.. it's going to be a lot harder to convince people to upgrade iPads. They really need os improvements. I'm now in the camp wanting full os/file system access. Especially after using the Surface Pro 6... which I've enjoyed using so far.

Edit: What do I like? First and foremost, having a full os... not a limited os lacking full file system control. Second, ability to install any app. IOS I'm forced to get apps through the app store, so I'm limited to what they want to allow/approve. Third... I'm playing some of the oldie games I used to play long ago but can't on iOS..

 

[SteveJUAE]

fair enough. But having trouble playing.mp4 files and opening some jpg images is far from trivial to me! To each his own...
.

I remember encountering a similar issue a few years back when Apple first introduced jog files, but fortunately they saved both formats on the Ipad I had at the time, so when transferring my pics I just segregated them

Same thing with mp4 I seem to only collect these when I was using my Ipad and had a separate utility to play them on my laptop

Once you distance yourself from parts of Apple these file formats seem less often encountered. Other than some old ringtones from years back I cant really say I have any mp4's but then I am not an avid music collector so maybe my case is not typical

 

[gavroche]

I remember encountering a similar issue a few years back when Apple first introduced jog files, but fortunately they saved both formats on the Ipad I had at the time, so when transferring my pics I just segregated them

Same thing with mp4 I seem to only collect these when I was using my Ipad and had a separate utility to play them on my laptop

Once you distance yourself from parts of Apple these file formats seem less often encountered. Other than some old ringtones from years back I cant really say I have any mp4's but then I am not an avid music collector so maybe my case is not typical

To be honest, most of my media issues turned out to not be os related at all. I had bought a cheap micro SD card to transfer files from my iMac. after lots of trouble opening and playing stuff, I realized that many of the photos I had put in folders on the SD card were not there. I tried re-copying them, still nothing. So I did a full (slow) format of the card... and have had no issues since. So although it came 'formatted'... wasn't right.

p.s... having the microsd slot is another thing I like.. now if only they had put lte modem in there