2-in-1 light laptop choice

[RooFlyer]

I'm looking to buy a Microsoft Surface 6 Pro as my second 'laptop' for running around with, as I find my Tecra 15" is a bit coughbersome to carry around. I'd like to leave it docked at home.

I can get a decent student's discount on the Surface Pro, but is there anything comparable I should be looking at in the PC line? I looked closely at Levono's X1 2-in-1, but its quite a bit more expensive and probably a bit over-specced for a second unit.

The main drawback with the Surface Pro is that it has just on USB-3 port, and not USB C, but as its going to be my second, run-around unit, that's not a deal-breaker.

If I spec the i5 processor, it apparently eliminates the necessity for a fan in the unit which is also attractive.

 

[cove]

i dropped my ASUS laptop on its edge getting thru security on my last trip to the US and had to rely on a Lenovo and a Surface both of which were very annoying to use so I had the screen on the ASUS fixed for $242 so I am happy.
I don’t use much of a computer’s power so I may not be the best to comment but I prefer easy to some IT geeks idea of how it should function with certain key strokes.

 

[Tawita]

I love my Surface Pro 6, so much so that I no longer travel with my Dell XPS 15. When I'm home I use both on a daily basis, so I have little trouble justifying the expense.

 

[BillytheFIsh]

We have 2 surfaces in my family which are liked by both the tech savvy and not-so-savvy.

As well as the other Microsoft products - surface laptop and surface book, we looked at Dell XPS13 and Lenovo Yoga and other ultrabooks. I think even if we didn't go for the surface pro form factor, we probably would have gone for the surface laptop.

I have used ipads and iphones before, but no longer do. The Ipad pro is an option if you don't need full OS functionality. I think my other half was going down that route until I pointed out you can't use a mouse with it. Didn't really consider the Macbook air or pro as we've never used macOS.

The surface go now has usb-c, so if you can wait for the new surface pro, it will almost certainly switch over, but it might be late this year, at least.

Just a note - I bought the i5 8GB ram version with a dock, expecting it could fully replace my i5 8GB desktop from about 2014, but it's just not snappy enough for my liking for use for 8+ hours every day, but I do still use it a lot otherwise.

 

[RooFlyer]

Just a note - I bought the i5 8GB ram version with a dock, expecting it could fully replace my i5 8GB desktop from about 2014, but it's just not snappy enough for my liking for use for 8+ hours every day, but I do still use it a lot otherwise.

One thing I would like to do with the Surface (and the i5, 8GB is what i'm looking at too), is to edit photos, probably with Lightroom. Do you think it could handle that, without grinding to a halt?

 

[Hvr]

Probably the only thing I would say to be aware of is to ensure they don't have proprietary cords. I had to purchase a small laptop awhile ago and to my dismay later found that it will only charge using its own cord not another brand. Given it is a USB C charger that removes so much usefulness.

 

[Tawita]

I did buy a Microsoft Surface Connect to USB-C Charging Cable from J-Go. It doesn't work for data (you can buy a super-expensive adapter from Microsoft that does that) but it is extremely handy for charging on the go. I have a 20000 MAh Xiaomi power bank with power delivery that works a treat for this, particularly as I am frequently off-grid.

 

[BillytheFIsh]

One thing I would like to do with the Surface (and the i5, 8GB is what i'm looking at too), is to edit photos, probably with Lightroom. Do you think it could handle that, without grinding to a halt?

It's not something I do, so I can't answer your question directly, but bear in mind it is only dual-core i5.

I expect it would not grind to a halt, but it's certainly not going to be blisteringly fast.

 

[BillytheFIsh]

I did buy a Microsoft Surface Connect to USB-C Charging Cable from J-Go. It doesn't work for data (you can buy a super-expensive adapter from Microsoft that does that) but it is extremely handy for charging on the go. I have a 20000 MAh Xiaomi power bank with power delivery that works a treat for this, particularly as I am frequently off-grid.

I know you bought a different brand, but I would be wary of using any non-microsoft usb-c adapters, see this review:

BETOP Surface Connect cable makes serious safety omissions.

The Microsoft Surface Connect to usb-c adapter is bulky for a reason - it is protecting the surface connect port from whatever random voltage/current might be thrown at it from any given usb-c source.

It won't happen to everyone, but you run the risk of frying the port with third party cables, which, on a $1500+++ device is not one I personally am prepared to take.

 

[Tawita]

I know you bought a different brand, but I would be wary of using any non-microsoft usb-c adapters

Thanks Billy - I am aware of that issue. The risk can be avoided by connecting the Surface Connect to the Surface Pro before plugging it in to the power supply. So far, no problems