Surface A, Surface B, Surface C...?
But which Surface will support this? (I’m mostly an Apple guy, but Mac dragging their feet on building a portable device that can run a full desktop application (Logos in particular), has forced my hand... so I’m considering crossing to the dark side. I also heard Costco had them on sale... but not sure if it’s the one I would need.
Any pointers will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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There used to be a Surface RT that didn't run full Windows. That's long been discontinued, so if you're buying new, you don't need to worry about that.
All modern Surfaces run full desktop apps. The Surface Go come with Windows S which only allows you to install apps from the Windows store. But it's very easy to switch to full Windows without cost.
So, if you want a new Surface, it just comes down to normal specs. I'd recommend a minimum of 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD - although you might get away with a smaller SSD if you don't intend to install a large Logos library and won't do much else with the device. (If you want speed, avoid the eMMC equipped Surface Gos and Surface 3s.)
This is my personal Faithlife account. On 1 March 2022, I started working for Faithlife, and have a new 'official' user account. Posts on this account shouldn't be taken as official Faithlife views!
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Liam,
As a former Surface Pro 3 owner, I would caution against the purchase. If you do decide despite my negative advice I would strongly advise you to purchase a service plan as the Surface is prone to issues making this option highly desirable. Reading is not a pleasant experience and for this I would go with a tablet like Fire or your choice.
I now have a MacBook Pro and it is by far a sturdier device. Less than 1 year into owning a Surface it had to be replaced because of an issue with the screen. Surface is cute and the touchscreen is a plus, but outside of that there is nothing to redeem the owning of it.
Meanwhile, Jesus kept on growing wiser and more mature, and in favor with God and his fellow man.
International Standard Version. (2011). (Lk 2:52). Yorba Linda, CA: ISV Foundation.
MacBook Pro MacOS Sequoia 15.3 1TB SSD
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Thanks for the feedback Beloved.
Yes my problem is that I absolutely need something that will run the full Logos platform (I have small kids and need to leave the house in order to do any reading or study at all). I’m considering purchasing a laptop in addition to some kind of tablet for reading digital books. But two birds with one stone would hit the sweet spot both practically and financially.
If I may ask, what was it that made the surface so painful to read from for you? And what was the screen problem you had?
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I have had a Surface Pro 4 (8gb Ram, 256gb hd) for about two and a half years now. It has my full logos library (80gb) with a few other software install on it. I use it for semon prep, reading and light work. It is especially handy for use as I travel around. I'm yet to have any problem with it. There are newer models which I understand are better.
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Liam said:
Do you personally use a Surface by the way?
No, sorry. I use a Lenovo Yoga 13, because I valued a proper keyboard over ultimate portability.
This is my personal Faithlife account. On 1 March 2022, I started working for Faithlife, and have a new 'official' user account. Posts on this account shouldn't be taken as official Faithlife views!
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Readability wise it is not as convenient as a true tablet, I prefer reading off of a device that was made for this purpose so I use my Fire for this purpose even now with my MacBook. So, no harm no foul. As to durability, the issue with the screen was as I recall pixels went dead. I still have my Surface, but it is unusable because the contact for the charger has malfunctioned and requires servicing that starts at around $100 depending on what's wrong with it. I'm nearly out of disk space on this device so I'm in no hurry to experiment with it.Liam said:Thanks for the feedback Beloved.
Yes my problem is that I absolutely need something that will run the full Logos platform (I have small kids and need to leave the house in order to do any reading or study at all). I’m considering purchasing a laptop in addition to some kind of tablet for reading digital books. But two birds with one stone would hit the sweet spot both practically and financially.
If I may ask, what was it that made the surface so painful to read from for you? And what was the screen problem you had?
Perhaps, you'll have an experience more along the lines of Alexxy and if you buy one I hope you do, but at least protect yourself with a service plan. I know that there are newer models expected to provide better service, but I am reluctant. Surely, the ability to run the desktop is an advantage. I had my entire library loaded and was indeed happy about this. Overall, you know the saying "once bitten twice shy". This is certainly true in my case.
Meanwhile, Jesus kept on growing wiser and more mature, and in favor with God and his fellow man.
International Standard Version. (2011). (Lk 2:52). Yorba Linda, CA: ISV Foundation.
MacBook Pro MacOS Sequoia 15.3 1TB SSD
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Hi Liam,
I had a Surface Pro 4 for three years and recently upgraded to a 6 because for me it is the right mix of portability and power. The only problem I have ever had running Logos on the Surface is because of my library size I've had to juggle space on my hard drive. This is no longer an issue due to Logos selective download option now being available.
Jeremy
Scripture set to music for worship and aid memorization. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DojPa0TlpCGhtUJq1e3Pw
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I have owned my share of Surface devices over the years, including the current Surface Pro 6 and Surface Go. Both will meet your requirement of installing the full desktop version of Logos. Both will perform the desktop functions of the software acceptably, the Surface Pro more than the Go due to the horsepower under the hood. For me, neither really functions well as a reading device. Perhaps it is due to the windowed interface of the desktop app. When I am reading, I want to focus only on what I am reading. For my use case, the mobile apps are better for this purpose. That's not to say the Surface Go in particular couldn't be a good reading device. It is light and easy to hold, and as a 10-inch tablet is better for this purpose than the Surface Pro. Maybe reading mode in the desktop app is a way to achieve this, but I haven't used it much. I hesitate to recommend the Go as an all-in-one solution because the processor is so weak, but if you get one with 8 GB of RAM and at least the 128 GB SSD (which is the faster NVMe SSD), it could make a good mobile companion for those days when you need to get out of the house and away from the kids to study.
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I use Lenovo Thinkpad x1 tablet and it works great running full logos. I preach from the tablet. My son has the surface pro 4 and runs full logos and works fine also. But comparing the two, the Lenovo tablet is the best by far.
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I had a great experience with the Microsoft Surface pro. Obviously, you need at least 8 GB of Ram, and a 256 SSD hard drive. A larger hard drive is a good idea if you can afford it. I used one for 4 years with no problems.
"In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church," John Wesley0 -
On my Surface Pro I also run Bluestacks (Andrioid emulation)for times where I want a more "appy" experience. I don't use it for the Logos app - for straight reading I have other options (mainly I use a Kindle Fire), whereas when I'm using Logos on the Surface it is for the purpose of study so I want the full app.
Scripture set to music for worship and aid memorization. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DojPa0TlpCGhtUJq1e3Pw
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I have a SP3 and it still works great though I hope to upgrade one of these days. My only gripe is using it as a tablet w/ Logos. I can turn it sideways and open up a book on a nice 13" screen but for the life of me I haven't figured out a way to highlight the text without turning it back to the side and using the trackpad.
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Mattillo said:
... I haven't figured out a way to highlight the text without turning it back to the side and using the trackpad.
There are many of us that have been asking for a more advanced and REAL touch/tablet interface for Logos. I have been asking for years. suggestions, emails, etc.
With that said, i still love that I can use L8 on a full, real computer tablet PC (not app on a tablet device). I use my Dell laptop this way. the keyboard folds back and it becomes a tablet PC. I have used surface tablet PC (not the older tablet device). and works great too, once you figure out your own workarounds for what you want it to do.
if the tablet PC supports a pen, you can use that for highlighting, etc. many do not support the pen/stylus, though.
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