Surface Go and Logos
I picked up a new Microsoft Surface Go on Thursday. This is a 10-inch tablet that looks just like a Surface Pro. It is designed and crafted with the same attention to quality as the Surface Pro. I got the version with 8GB RAM and a 128GB NVMe SSD. There also is one that has 4GB of RAM and a 64 eMMC drive, but I wouldn't recommend that. The tablet weighs 1.15 lbs. without the keyboard. The keyboard must be purchased separately.
The weakest point of this tablet is the processor, an Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y, that runs at 1.6 GHz with no turbo boost. The graphics chipset with the Pentium Gold 4415Y is the Intel HD Graphics 615, which is supposed to be an improved graphics chip.
The Surface Go comes with Windows S on it, which means that out of the box you can only install programs from the Microsoft Store. This, of course, means you can't install Logos on it. But a 10 second free fix changes that and you have Windows 10 Home running instead.
You'd think with a processor like the Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y that Logos wouldn't run acceptably, but I can tell you that Logos runs pretty well on it. After a fresh boot, it's about 45 seconds to launch Logos and get to my layout. Once inside the program, two key things -- being able to rearrange windows easily and smoothly scroll through open windows with the pen or touch -- work pretty well.
It is a fanless computer and so that could mean it could get hot, but it certainly doesn't get hot when running normally. The heat rises when indexing or charging, but that is all I have noticed.
It took approximately 2.5 hours to download and index Logos for the first time (my Logos data folder is just under 36GB). I thought that was pretty good. Credit my fast wifi connection at work and the NVMe SSD for that.
Projecting to my 27-inch Dell monitor with Microsoft's USB-C to HDMI dongle worked flawlessly, but another dongle I had didn't work, so I guess all USB-C to HDMI dongles aren't created equally.
I haven't had a chance to really gauge battery life. There are some concerns with this, given that the Go has a 26.1Wh battery pack. For comparison, the Surface Pro has a 45Wh pack and the 2018 iPad, 32.9Wh.
Let me emphasize that this should not be your main computer, but if you are looking for a smaller device that lets you run the full version of Logos with all of your PBBs (unlike the iPad or Android mobile apps), then you may want to take a look. Taking sermon notes this morning in One Note was great! 
Comments
Yes, a Surface Go Pro would be fantastic -- with an eInk display!
Have you seen this? https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/11/lenovo-yoga-book-2018-review-the-keyless-keyboard-returns-now-in-e-ink/
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!
From the user experiences that I read here, it seems as though the only issues with Go are when Logos in indexing - but how often does Logos perform indexing? Is it daily? Hourly?
The Surface Go doesn't index any more frequently than any other desktop or laptop.
The issue I sometimes (I said sometimes) run into is I am unable to scroll a window with my finger using the SG as a tablet when the SG processor is under load (like when indexing). Interestingly, if I hook up the type cover to the SG, put it in laptop mode and scroll using the touchpad instead of with my finger on the touchscreen, scrolling is not a problem at all. So, YMMV.
Yes, a Surface Go Pro would be fantastic -- with an eInk display!Have you seen this? https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/11/lenovo-yoga-book-2018-review-the-keyless-keyboard-returns-now-in-e-ink/
Yes, I have. The specs are tempting, but I'm interested in the Surface form factor more than in a 2 in one like the Yoga. That, and it appears the Yoga's eInk display is pretty limiting right now when it comes to file types you can read on it. That, supposedly, should change. Thanks for bringing this up, Mark.
but how often does Logos perform indexing? Is it daily? Hourly?
In general, whenever resources in your library are added or updated.
Added depends on how frequently you buy new Logos resources from logos.com.
Updated can happen as frequently as every two weeks, if your library is large enough to contain the updated resources we publish every two weeks. And if this is too frequent, you can turn off automatic downloads and elect to download updated resources whenever it's most convenient for you.
Daniel,
I would strongly suggest that if you want a SG you opt for the 8GB RAM/128GB SSD model instead for a few reasons. First, you'll not have near to 64GB of storage on the base model. Out of the box, it will be somewhere in the 40s according to this article. That doesn't give much room. Second, the type of SSD in the base model is the much slower eMMC type of SSD and not the much faster NVMe SDD in the SG with the 128GB SSD. Third, 4GB of RAM could also be limiting in Logos. If you are budget constrained, I believe there is a 4GB RAM/128GB SSD version as well that uses the faster SSD. Costco sold it at launch; it may be more widely available elsewhere now.
I am not a pastor and haven't preached with a SG. Others may want to chime in on this. Using the SG for notes will be superb.
I run it off the SD card.
Sounds like SD performance is good, I took a different approach and have been controlling the size of my library on the Surface GO so fa I have downloaded 565 out of a possible 14,877 (which I knew would not fit on the available space on the 128GB SSD).
For me the Surface GO is a good, and reasonably low risk, excuse to get involved with the beta again
I think I will stay with my older surface pro 3 for now. Bill it all sounds slow and complicated on the new smaller go.
Hello Bill thanks for the info, I'm planning to buy the Surface Go and I've just one question, is it possible when after installing the logos app, that I can go back to S mode? Will my installed logos app run on it?
Hello Bill thanks for the info, I'm planning to buy the Surface Go and I've just one question, is it possible when after installing the logos app, that I can go back to S mode? Will my installed logos app run on it?
Jessie, my understanding is that you can’t switch out of S mode for the Logos app and switch back for other apps. It’s all or nothing and once you switch out of S mode you can’t switch back. Someone can correct me if I’m off base on this.
Hello Chris, could you please give us a tutorial of how to transfer the library from the main storage to the external storage?
Thank you.
Hello Chris, could you please give us a tutorial of how to transfer the library from the main storage to the external storage?
Running Logos from an SD card (or removable drive) is NOT supported by Faithlife, especially as you can install a smaller library on main storage. When you run the installer, you can choose a Recommended download or Everything. My recommended installation uses 13 GB with 467 resources (out of 2234) on the drive.
You don't need to do this if all resources are on the drive, and you have Logos 8.4 or higher - you can Remove resources from Library to get more free space on the drive.
Dave
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Windows 11 & Android 13
Is anyone using the Surface Go in Tablet mode also - with Logos? Or using it to preach from? I would like to display my sermon on it.
Thanks for your input.
Glen
May be a stupid question, but could a really fast SD card actually be faster running Logos than the inbuilt storage in the Surface Go?
May be a stupid question, but could a really fast SD card actually be faster running Logos than the inbuilt storage in the Surface Go?
It depends!
If you're talking about the base Surface Go with eMMC internal storage, you might find an sd card that comes close to it in speed. However, if you're talking about a Go that has an SSD for internal storage, no way. All the more so if you're talking the Go 2.
Hi Bill Sir
After all theses years and two concurrent back surgeries which thanks be to God above my wife and Jesus got me through...I finally looked into forums and saw your awesome posts again.
Can you and others tell me what fast economical detachable budget tablet or PC or iPad you would use to study via Logos and maybe even preach from? I want to upgrade or ditch my old Surface Pro 3. Thanks
Hi Josh, it's good to hear from you and I trust you are on the mend.
You have a laundry list of wants/needs here: fast, economical, budget, detachable, something to preach from.
I would recommend an iPad Air, frankly, You'd need to get a keyboard for it, but it comes as close to "budget" and "economical" when compared with the other options. I don't preach, but having preached for 10 years, if I were buying a detachable tablet to preach from, I would want it "to just work." I trust Apple products for that.
I would want it "to just work." I trust Apple products for that.
I would 2nd that statement. I recently had the chance to try out an iPad Pro and a Surface Pro 7 in my Sunday School class, connecting it to an old portable projector with a VGA connection and an adapter. Surface Pro: nothing. Poked around in settings, eventually gave up. iPad: instant results. The screen was projecting on the wall in a few seconds. Didn't have to do a thing but plug in the adapter cord.
I would want it "to just work." I trust Apple products for that.
I would 2nd that statement. I recently had the chance to try out an iPad Pro and a Surface Pro 7 in my Sunday School class, connecting it to an old portable projector with a VGA connection and an adapter. Surface Pro: nothing. Poked around in settings, eventually gave up. iPad: instant results. The screen was projecting on the wall in a few seconds. Didn't have to do a thing but plug in the adapter cord.
I would want it "to just work." I trust Apple products for that.
I would love to see what my iPad would do with our new church TV screen, Hmm never even thought about it until now
The mind of man is the mill of God, not to grind chaff, but wheat. Thomas Manton | Study hard, for the well is deep, and our brains are shallow. Richard Baxter
Thanks Bill and others. Never considered iPad but may now do so. Blessings.
Which iPad air or iPad pro please?
I have a huge library. Thin and light is best but cost overruled all other concerns.
When you say a huge library, what sort of size do you mean?
And, assuming you have good Internet access you don’t need to download many resources.
Please note the mobile apps do not provide all the functionality of the desktop one
If the mobile app serves your needs, the iPad Air will work very well. If you need the desktop app, check out the Surface Go 2. Don't get the Pentium Gold CPU - too slow for Logos. Get the M3 CPU. That version also has 8 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD. It has a microSD card slot for more storage. There is also a 256 GB SSD Business version, but affordability is important to you and that version costs more.
You can likely find a slightly used iPad Air or Surface Go 2, with keyboard, on Swappa for less than new.
Which iPad air or iPad pro please?
I have a huge library. Thin and light is best but cost overruled all other concerns.
Josh, like others have said, using the iPad means using the mobile app, not the full desktop app. If you must have that, then your options for an economical solution are few. The Surface Go that was mentioned with a 256gb SSD is just under $900. An iPad Air 4 with 256gb of storage is $750 before you add a keyboard. If you don't need to download your resources to the iPad, there the base iPad Air 4 with 64gb is $600 before you buy a keyboard.
If you want the cheapest iPad you can get, you can get the base iPad with 128gb of storage for $429 before you add a keyboard.
Go to Apple.com to look at all iPads. You can find them on sale at other retailers from time to time.
Based on our prior discussions, all options except possibly the base iPad may be outside of your range, since you mentioned cost overrules all other concerns.
Thank you all. I need the fullest most powerful fastest version of logos still. I am a dummy newbie when it comes to iPad and Mac. I have logos silver 9.x on windows. Will it port over from wibdows or would I be starting from scratch? Not sure an app is enough for me. Thanks for your patience all.
I need the fullest most powerful fastest version of logos still.
Then you need the desktop version - not mobile (so it won't work on an iPad)
I have logos silver 9.x on windows. Will it port over from wibdows or would I be starting from scratch?
It would work fine on a MacBook platform (such as the MacBook Air) but not on an iPad (if you want full Logos functionality)
What a mess.
I don't understand this comment
Will it port over from wibdows or would I be starting from scratch?
You own the same resources and features across all platforms. The question is what functions are implemented on a particular platform? I have not seen a simple chart answering that.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
Thanks. If I own logos on Wimdows but want to switch to a MacBook and it's os? Do I need to rebuy Logos? If yes that would be a deterrent for me.
I own an older iPad (Generation 4). There are a few Logos books that won't load on my iPad. Are there features that I am missing with this iPad? I have looked at the features that I use on my desktop (bible word study etc.) and they appear to load. It does appear though that I am missing some of my note files so I am wondering if I am missing some updates to some of the other features as well.
Thanks. If I own logos on Wimdows but want to switch to a MacBook and it's os? Do I need to rebuy Logos? If yes that would be a deterrent for me.
No - you can run Logos on both Windows and a MacBook at the same time without any additional cost. Your resources and features are available in both.
I own an older iPad (Generation 4). There are a few Logos books that won't load on my iPad. Are there features that I am missing with this iPad? I have looked at the features that I use on my desktop (bible word study etc.) and they appear to load. It does appear though that I am missing some of my note files so I am wondering if I am missing some updates to some of the other features as well.
Possibly - it sounds as though you are unable to run the latest version of the iPad app on your iPad. If so, you won’t have access to the ability to edit sermons on the iPad, for example.
Possibly - it sounds as though you are unable to run the latest version of the iPad app on your iPad. If so, you won’t have access to the ability to edit sermons on the iPad, for example.
Thanks Graham
Gram and Bill are such a treasure to these forums. God bless them both.