Yoga Book, Surface 3, or something else?

[ozaz]

I want to buy a laptop/tablet hybrid soon. It will be a light, low-power device that I keep in my bag on a day to day basis and manly use for short periods of note-taking, reading documents, light MS Office work, email, and internet. This will be while travelling and at meetings.

I'm thinking of getting either a Surface 3 or the recently announced Yoga Book.

I've never used a Surface-type device before. My concern with it is how usable is the Surface 3 on your lap or on a back-of-the-seat tray (public transport / train /airplane use)? On the other hand, I do prefer the screen ratio of the Surface 3 (3:2) to the Yoga book (16:10), and the Yoga book 'keyboard' might be a disaster.

Would appreciate any thoughts people have or suggestions for alternative devices.
I'd rather not get something that costs a lot more than the two devices I'm already considering.

What I want
- Windows
- Stylus for notes and annotating documents
- Light: less than 1kg (2.2 lbs) including keyboard
- Long battery life

What I don't need
- High computing power - all my main work will be done on other fully powered computers.

 

[tbayrgs]

I want to buy a laptop/tablet hybrid soon. It will be a light, low-power device that I keep in my bag on a day to day basis and manly use for short periods of note-taking, reading documents, light MS Office work, email, and internet. This will be while travelling and at meetings.

I'm thinking of getting either a Surface 3 or the recently announced Yoga Book.

I've never used a Surface-type device before. My concern with it is how usable is the Surface 3 on your lap or on a back-of-the-seat tray (public transport / train /airplane use)? On the other hand, I do prefer the screen ratio of the Surface 3 (3:2) to the Yoga book (16:10), and the Yoga book 'keyboard' might be a disaster.

Would appreciate any thoughts people have or suggestions for alternative devices.
I'd rather not get something that costs a lot more than the two devices I'm already considering.

What I want
- Windows
- Stylus for notes and annotating documents
- Light: less than 1kg (2.2 lbs) including keyboard
- Long battery life

What I don't need
- High computing power - all my main work will be done on other fully powered computers.

I'll add another device to your list---Samsung TabPro S. Lighter than a Surface and more usable on your lap, with a smaller footprint while doing so. It's running a core M CPU which is more than enough for your needs and helps contribute to better battery life. Also, the high-res OLED display is terrific. It comes with its attachable keyboard but the stylus is sold separately.

One con when compared to the Surface or Yoga that you only have 2 choices for viewing angle when using the keyboard. That being said, the keyboard feel and trackpad were better than I expected.

I have one and while I haven't taken to it heavily because I'm just still not a fan of Windows, it's a pretty great device.

 

[ozaz]

I'll add another device to your list---Samsung TabPro S. Lighter than a Surface and more usable on your lap, with a smaller footprint while doing so. It's running a core M CPU which is more than enough for your needs and helps contribute to better battery life. Also, the high-res OLED display is terrific. It comes with its attachable keyboard but the stylus is sold separately.

One con when compared to the Surface or Yoga that you only have 2 choices for viewing angle when using the keyboard. That being said, the keyboard feel and trackpad were better than I expected.

I have one and while I haven't taken to it heavily because I'm just still not a fan of Windows, it's a pretty great device.

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Thanks. It costs a little bit more than I'd like to pay, but I'll definitely consider it.

One possible downside is it might be a bit larger than I'm looking for.... One likely tablet mode use case for me is reading pdf documents whilst having to stand on commuter train . Currently use an iPad mini for this, but would like to try switching to the Windows tablet I get if its small/light enough. For this reason, a 10-11" device might be more suitable.

 

[tbayrgs]

Thanks. It costs a little bit more than I'd like to pay, but I'll definitely consider it.

One possible downside is it might be a bit larger than I'm looking for.... One likely tablet mode use case for me is reading pdf documents whilst having to stand on commuter train . Currently use an iPad mini for this, but would like to try switching to the Windows tablet I get if its small/light enough. For this reason, a 10-11" device might be more suitable.

Sorry, just noticed your wrote Surface 3...not Surface Pro. Not sure what the secondary markets are like in the UK but I was able to get mine from Swappa.com, still new for a deep discount vs retail. Yes, it's a bigger device but it's quite thin and light, comparatively.

 

[ozaz]

There doesn't seem to be much of a secondary market for TabPro in the UK. But if I'm patient enough, could probably get one on eBay for about £500 which is fine for me price-wise. It's less than the launch price for the Yoga Book (£550).

 

[tbayrgs]

There doesn't seem to be much of a secondary market for TabPro in the UK. But if I'm patient enough, could probably get one on eBay for about £500 which is fine for me price-wise. It's less than the launch price for the Yoga Book (£550).

The Yoga Book is certainly an intriguing product...my biggest concern would be that keyboard implementation. If you are looking for easy of use while commuting, the TabPro S might be a bit too big.

 

[ozaz]

The Yoga Book is certainly an intriguing product...my biggest concern would be that keyboard implementation. If you are looking for easy of use while commuting, the TabPro S might be a bit too big.

Yeah those are my primary concerns with both those devices. Also not sure how I'd get on with lack of a standard usb port on the Yoga Book. But my curiosity may get the better of me in spite of concerns, as I too find it a very intriguing device.

 

[tbayrgs]

Yeah those are my primary concerns with both those devices. Also not sure how I'd get on with lack of a standard usb port on the Yoga Book. But my curiosity may get the better of me in spite of concerns, as I too find it a very intriguing device.

Just a heads up...TabPro S only has a single USB-C port as well.