Surface Pro doesn't fit on my lap :-(

[@robertmatson8025]

As always, a great video... A lot of long-time Surface Pro users have an "Ah-ha" moment when you show them they can fold the keyboard underneath as you did. This is my normal docked mode on my desk so I can take notes. BTW... love the boots.

[@oztabletpc]

Glad you noticed the RM Williams! 😁 From South Australia, like me!

[@motherfucker42069]

some people end up connecting it backwards

[@STGN01]

I am 185cm tall, Surface Pro is by far the best most versatile device, I dislike laptops with a passion. The only downside to the pro is that when I am wearing shots the stand has a weird uncomfortable feel when touching the bare skin on my legs.

[@arafatjahangir5309]

The laptop tries to harass you.

[@STGN01]

@@arafatjahangir5309 it's as happy to see me as I am of it, maybe a little too happy :D

[@ClydeWarden]

This is TOTALLY my experience too! Big increases in productivity.

[@RemofRenaissance]

Great video. For me in general working on a laptop feels like an archaic way to get things done. The multi-purpose that a tablet brings (easier to pinch / zoom, use of a pen, detaching from keyboard and elevating on a stand for better posture even) means I can't go back... Working off a Surface Pro 6 and 2018 iPad Pro. Gets the job done but holding out for a much needed upgrade. Thank you for the tips (lapability)!

[@DouglasMcLaurin]

I have a Pro 7, a Go and a Studio Laptop...all of them are great in their best usage scenario. I used the Pro 7 for travel and I could use it on my lap to write but the screen is far from your eyes and that is really a no-go for me!

[@wcarlosw]

This man is looking really good. I hope to age like this man. Anyhoo, I wish OneNote would have free rotation on the lasso selection tool. It is so limited with what you can do with the selected text. I love OneNote, but Goodnotes on the iPad wins me over because of this one feature. There is more freedom when you are able to lasso a group of words or pictures and move them anywhere in the note page or rotate them freely or even crop them by a rectangle or freehand. OneNote has so much to improve on. I'm sticking to GoodNotes anytime I can.

[@erickupfer3983]

Good notes is coming to windows, you can use the beta right now.

[@MissEugeniaS]

That's what I do in OneNote, check it again probably they recently added these features

[@db3229]

This guy has a Doctorate degree in One Note

[@FitriShukri]

Just got my Surface Pro8 a few days ago. I love the Surface Pro 8 TypeCover... its one of the best and smooth typing experience.

[@ALxdCr4ftPlays]

Still have my SP7 from 2018. i7 250GB 16GB version. Problem is, those type covers are super expensive, and my ice blue alcantara from 2018 stopped working. Microsoft NZ/AU now ONLY stock the black type cover and alcantara versions are discontinued, except for the 8 and X and future versions. However its mobile and you can achieve more with SP, and you don't get the software bloat from HP. I'm considering on upgrading to the SP9 1TB perhaps next year.

[@lucabastianello9830]

Still missing microSD is my main issue against pro8. Prices second issues anyway

[@nimahanna1709]

A pro to the lightweight keyboard is it doesn't burn your lap

[@literallyepicc]

ive honestly been waiting for a video like this thanks!

[@leetronix]

Good video 👍 I use a Surface Pro X and a Surface Studio Laptop and a Surface Duo 2 and all three work flawlessly together and individually of course. I agree 100% about using the pen more than the keyboard. Microsoft truly understand this more than any other mainstream maker.

[@janoraj4667]

I purely LOVE the Duo 2! I will never use a regular phone again!

[@leetronix]

@@janoraj4667 It is a great phone, perfect for multitasking and note taking.

[@AntonioSS22]

That first tip on flipping the keyboard upside down helps protect my thighs from the razor sharp kickstand. Thank you good sir!

[@reyadhm]

Such a great video and made me think today about how I am using my Surface across the "multi modal" in planning my day and make more time to ideate with the pen.

[@Lester_Andrade]

Just purchased my surface pro 8. Can’t wait! Will there be a surface pro 8 and surface pro x comparison video?

[@andyH_England]

I take notes differently. I always type, as I am faster and my handwriting is so-so. I then read over the notes and write down the salient information in a more structured way, with further notes on clarification points and research. I then scan the written notes and have them converted to text as an appendix to the original meeting typed notes. I find this works for me, as the meeting can be distracting so even when writing notes, it is sometimes, too often, likely through one ear and out the other! Maybe because I have never been a sub-conscious learner, I need to drum it in, until I understand? I suppose we all have our methods and it boils down to what works for you, rather than the “general” consensus.

[@biztabletpc]

We all choose the way we want to work. Does that mean that it is actually the 'best' way? The research compellingly tells us that people think differently with a pen. That doesn't mean you have to use one though...

[@andyH_England]

@@biztabletpc The science is far from 100%. You do what works for you, and trial and error will find that. Use your judgment rather than reading a paper that says that a certain percentage will benefit from writing rather than typing. Who is to say that our brain is not adapting and evolution taking us to a new "best" way?

[@biztabletpc]

@@andyH_England well, the research says so Andy... Have you watched our series on the science of the pen? People think differently with a pen. But hey, no one is forcing you to agree with it or change the way you work. Personally, in my own work journey, embracing digital pen, instead of pen and paper took more than 20 hour per week out of my workflow. For the people we help every day, embracing digital pen in addition to the keyboard has a tremendously positive effect on both their time and the quality of their outcomes.

[@andyH_England]

@@biztabletpc I do not argue with the current science. Still, we will probably respond better in 2022, as over the centuries, our brain has adapted to the pen, whereas typing is relatively new. It could be the case that in 30 years, our brain will have adapted to absorb the info typed just as well. Adding the benefits of grammar and spelling corrections when using a keyboard means we are constantly learning the intricacies of our language. For me, tech has provided us with a better value-added method for learning, and we should embrace it.

[@antoniosbisa8555]

Thank you. When folding the keyboard under the pro and using tablet mode, can you connect a bluetooth keyboard? I have a travel/pocket keyboard with touchpad that unfolds in 2 places (butterfly style) to use.

[@oztabletpc]

Yes you can!

[@guizot2010]

Your points are good but there are various cases you can get for the Surface Pros that address this, (on Amazon, $20-$45, and well worth it). They distribute the weight, and because the unit is so small to begin with, none of this is an issue. It IS kind of hard, though, to figure out which case is going to suit one's idiosyncratic preferences.

[@PavanKumar-le4qd]

Suggest one?

[@Professor_Silva]

Microsoft Surface is great… as long as you have a surface! (That’s where the name comes from! 😂) You need a good flat surface and at least 1/3 more space than you would need for a laptop the same size, which literally makes it more of a "desktop" than a "laptop". That defeats the purpose of being portable. It’s difficult to work anywhere else apart from a nice desk: it’s difficult on a train, plane, small table at a coffee shop, narrow desks in college rooms. When I'm just chilling in bed or couch, I prefer to use my good old Macbook... I can't balance the Surface on pillows and cushions... But I still think the Surface is the best choice if you want a 2-in-1 - convertible laptops are usually thicker, not as nice to use as a tablet, and users report too many problems with the hinges.

[@oztabletpc]

I get the feeling that you didn't watch the video. 😕

[@Professor_Silva]

@@oztabletpc I did. One of your suggestions is to fold the keyboard underneath the device... yes, that makes it lapable, but that doesn't solve any of the problems I mentioned.

[@setushah626]

Awesome content.........

[@historyhippo]

This was great, I've been a pro user for about 5 years now and never even considered this lol ... literally using it this way now in a hotel lobby. I work in the film, TV and gaming industry, as soon as Microsoft put a powerful GPU and some additional ports on the side, this device will take over the world.

[@fallinginthed33p]

A bigger battery too

[@vincentohanlon]

Would an external GPU connected via thunderbolt do the trick for you? If so you might be in luck very soon

[@historyhippo]

@@vincentohanlon yeah, I'm currently tossing up between the upcoming Pro 9, which will allow me to get an eGPU (the Pro 8 has this capability too) or get a Surface Laptop Studio which has a 3050Ti in it which will suffice for my needs. Its interesting, the ASUS ROG Flo Z13 is essentially a Surface Pro in form factor but with a dedicated GPU (3050Ti as well I think)... not a huge fan of the aesthetic design of that one though (which shouldn't be super important given its purpose is for work, but life's too short ya know?) It's also thicker, and I'm not sure whether the pen/screen/typing/hinge experience will match the Surface form function balance either. There were so many puns i could have included in my response. Consider it my gift to this thread that I abstained from... punishing us all with lame jokes.

[@vinitrinh]

Here's a question: I could well use a 12.9 inch Ipad and remote into my windows desktop. With the M1 Chip and readily available mobile sim card connection, I have longer battery and I'm truly mobile. I even get access to a larger array of touch optimized PDF annotation apps that windows don't support. What's the advantage of the SP8 over that configuraiton? I'm an SP8 user myself and I am certainly happy - I'm just raising the limitations I've faced.

[@oztabletpc]

In theory, it sounds like a plan... But in practice, there are many limitations to remote desktop. Lag (latency), lack of touch and pen optimisation, lack of consistent network coverage to name a few. Why rely on a remote connection when you don't have to? Then there is managing two devices and two sets of apps to do the job of one. Sure, the Surface does not have the polish of the iPad. But the polish is only on the Surface (pardon the pun) on the iPad. Every time I cave in and buy one I am disappointed by the lack of depth. For PDF, try Edge, Drawboard, Xodo, Journal or LiquidText. Depending on your needs, Bluebeam or Concepts may also be helpful with PDF.

[@richardmedina1881]

Always enjoying your reviews...

[@JustinSCampbell]

I've been using my Surface wrong! I've been holding it. It never occurred to me to use the keyboard as a stable table.

[@GameboyMufti]

You are spot on , I purchased it and problem is that I can’t work on it while keeping it on my lap.

[@LumumbaKShakur]

You can't use the keyboard in your lap. In your lap it is supposed to be used with your pen and as he mentions you can record audio and get a written transcript in OneNote. If you want a laptop they make those too. The whole point of the Surface Pro is to get out of the laptop mindset.

[@GameboyMufti]

@@LumumbaKShakur thanks Sakur but I mainly work with Excel :(

[@oztabletpc]

Have you tried pen input in excel? Not suggesting that it will replace the keyboard, but it works quite well and it's interesting.

[@GameboyMufti]

@@oztabletpc I tried but I have huge data which I can’t input using pen.

[@Saintathantwinpeaks]

You could source/create a thin square surface (pardon the pun) that can be unfolded to form a semi-solid surface to rest on top of your knees, the actual Surface Pro and keyboard resting on top of this. I'm thinking strips of plastic joined with hinges, wrapped in a fabric or maybe even heat wrap. The idea is that you pull it out of your rucksack whenever you need a stable surface whenever there are no desks available. Many people use the keyboard itself as the stable surface, folding it down, back and under the Surface Pro, but obviously this is only really viable if you are happy to input information with a pen or virtual keyboard, which you aren't.

[@johnsonjohnson3122]

Should i wait Surface pro 9 this year or Pro8 still good and relevant up to few years?

[@send2sen]

Good video, pro 7 is best for travel. I used to struggle with the keyboard on lap and when I found this video I was like why didn't I think about it before -- completely agree with you on the qwerty..

[@jeff2tc99]

Good video. 100% applicable to iPad. Dictation is a game changer. You need a keyboard for excel.

[@lonelywarrior2687]

No

[@reyhan963]

Very useful, thank you!

[@Border100]

Great video as per usual guys, love it.

[@55beethoven]

Great video. Thank you. I recently bought a surface laptop studio with the pen 2 and love it. However, with work travel picking up again including international travel the SLS is very heavy to lug around particularly with two shoulder surgeries. Ugh! Have been considering a SP8 for travel to replace the SLS and an iPad. Wondering if SP9 is worth the wait or plunge into SP8 now??! Also need to watch some videos on how to use the pen more. Uncharted territory for me.

[@javojavo1969]

My opinios is that you can use your SP laptop in your home...when you need a sp to travel use SP 8.

[@DanielHarrisCodes]

ARM isn't for everybody but if it fits your work flow I'd be tempted to wait for the Pro 9 ARM SKU. Considering swapping my Pro 8 out for Pro 9 ARM as we use Windows 365 already so run x64 dev tools in there mostly anyway

[@javojavo1969]

It is true, the type cover is not comfortable to use on the lap (We need a solution, because turn the type cover 360º and use the screen keyboard is not comfortable too), but anyway love my surface pro 7 (When I bought my SP 7 leather Microsoft annuonce the sp 8). Maybe ine solution is designe a product whit the best of sp pro 8 and surface laptop. I known...there is the sSP Laptop studio, but is very heavy weight ( But I like this product too)....Excuse me for my english.

[@oztabletpc]

You reminded me that I forgot to show that the keyboard can be reversed in tablet and studio mode. Remove the keyboard and attach it backwards, then fold it under the Surface.

[@javojavo1969]

@@oztabletpc Yes, but is noy confortable to use o the las (For me, it is the only mistake of s7 and obviusly sp 8)

[@Paloview]

great vid

[@GeoffereyEakinsTech]

I think the old adage of hand written notes increasing retention of information is a bit subjective... I have been typing for over 20 years now since I was very young. For me I have never had issue retaining the information when it was typed vs. written. I think as long as there is a physical aspect involved it can help improve recall, especially when muscle memory comes into play. I know that's not what this whole video was about but I couldn't help but point it out. Sadly I am a lefty and find writing on a screen to be less comfortable than a paper notebook. I envy you right handers for that at times :P

[@oztabletpc]

Interesting thought, however it's not really an adage. There are many scientific studies that examine this issue. Here is what Professor Van der Meer - University of Norway said regarding a study called, "The Importance of Cursive Handwriting Over Typewriting for Learning in Classroom": “Writing by hand creates much more activity in the sensorimotor parts of the brain... These sense experiences create contact between different parts of the brain and open the brain up for learning. We both learn better and remember better.” This was published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology. Here is a playlist to get you started on some of the research here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4fNqGOKmL2fic0

[@oztabletpc]

Also, for lefties, we made this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bojPpmSYh7Slh5Y It's a little old, but the settings should be similar.

[@bp19870]

I love my surface pro, but that is a massive pain in the bum that it don’t fit on my lap.

[@raybeckon1235]

Surface Pro is becoming heavier and heavier...it is almost 2 lbs now (~1.9 lbs). This is not a comfortable tablet anymore. Hopefully, they can keep it 13 inches and still reduce the weight a bit in the future versions.

[@AgentZeroNine1]

The Brydge keyboard for the Surface Pro devices solves a lot of these problems.

[@oztabletpc]

Yeah, it solves for 'lapability', but sacrifices the flexibility and portability of the Surface Pro.

[@case3032]

I swear you can place the keyboard, could be wrong, Great video and help me to understand my surface pro 8 better ( I don't have a keyboard for it yet)

[@kahuna1247]

To be honest... Lapability is meaningless to me. My SB2 & SP7 are almost perfect. I just wish the the keyboard was Bluetooth connected when removed from the screen.

[@tonyb408]

How do you feel about laptops that fully fold such as Lenovo Yoga series?

[@biztabletpc]

We've found it much harder to get people to change the way they work with a permanently attached keyboard. They also tend to be heavier and bulkier and therefore less mobile. Removable keyboards give the greatest flexibility and opportunity.

[@KwesiNAdarkwa]

@@biztabletpc Why do people need to change the way they work though? It seems like a foldable laptop gives the best of both worlds. Detachables are best if a tablet-first experience is what is needed. Otherwise, I'm not sure they are better than something like the specter x360. More power, and better lapability there

[@biztabletpc]

@@KwesiNAdarkwa If they are getting what they need done, then they don't need to change. However, if people want to get more done in less time, then change is essential. In our experience, helping people move beyond the keyboard can save them the most time. Particularly in the case of using a digital pen, it even helps them be more creative and remember more. People think differently when using a pen than a keyboard.

[@jeanbaptistelabelle]

@Kwesi Adarkwa it is a much more pleasant experience to edit photo in tablet mode with the pen to move slider precisely, draw mask, pan and zoom than on a laptop. IPad does not support Capture One Pro and obviously the Surface allows you to do that but also in a multiple screen setup if docked (with Surface screen used for drawing masks). People have been constrained with laptop eay of working. Surface frees us up to be able to use the best form factor and best input method for the task we want to achieve.

[@Attikuzz]

It is a tablet, why would you use it on your lap?

[@jeanbaptistelabelle]

No, it is also my laptop. And it is also my desktop. It is all this.

[@NKBobcat]

Aside from teenagers, I don't know many people who work with their laptop on their lap.

[@oztabletpc]

No matter what you use, it is very poor ergonomically to type on your lap. Too many bends!

[@raziariff2345]

It's time for Microsoft to re design Surface Pro to optimise its practicality.

[@LumumbaKShakur]

It is extremely practical. It just isn't meant to sit in your lap with the keyboard. The assumption is that you are going to use it in tablet mode without the keyboard.

[@jeanbaptistelabelle]

On the contrary, I prefer by far this setup and would not want for the world Microsoft to change that. There are tons of "standard" laptop, including own Microsoft Surface Laptop for people that can go with it.

[@Saintathantwinpeaks]

I'm interested to read your detailed re-design. Hopefully Microsoft is also interested.

[@raziariff2345]

Yes agreed current design is practical and it's because Microsoft put their effort to push the boundaries, initiative to produce such design and hinges. They outdid others. I'm no designer nor engineer that can provide details how to re design.

[@_Digitalguy]

Lack of lappability is the main reason why I stopped buying surface pros. I hate writing on glass, in any device (even on my phone). I don't care how inefficient querty (in my case quertz) is in theory. In practice it's the only way I can write at a productive speed. I I manage to use my thinkpad nano in the economy class, either on my lap on on the tray table. And it's so light I can bring an iPad for anything else without compromising too much on the weight.

[@jeanbaptistelabelle]

Very interesting. Opinions fo vary because I find the lapability on the other hand great, much better than a laptop because it works even in very constrained space where the kickstand can be put over your knee as the tablet would fall but the keyboard keeps it of falling. Also, the kickstand offers grip when carrying the tablet around. And of course, the iPad lacks Office features and OneNote functions and plenty of other limitations that makes it a no go as a single device and if you have to switch back and forth between devices...plus an iPad Pro + MK is 1.3kg more to carry so that is really a big downside.

[@briceking669]

One major downside I see is the 1tb maximum storage

[@oztabletpc]

Fortunately very easy to upgrade.

[@Kencan254]

In 2019, I suggested that Microsoft should launch a 14" tablet. Samsung beat MS to the game. I hear Apple is coming up 14" IPad Pro. MS it's not too late, a 14" Surface Pro will be a game changer.

[@Saintathantwinpeaks]

This reminds me of the '7 minute abs' scene in 'There's something about Mary'. 😂

[@Tsukinotaku]

Tbh I never put my laptop on my lap anyway lol

[@michaelzouzoukov6936]

People are just complaining for nothin'....

[@oztabletpc]

Well... they're really not complaining about nothing. It is important to acknowledge real issues that people have, and to help them to discover new skills that can help them to overcome them. Everyone has a different level of experience, knowledge and experience. What's simple and obvious to you and me, is probably not simple and obvious for other people. Hence, the video.

[@michaelzouzoukov6936]

@@oztabletpcOkay... you right.Didnot see things this way 👍🏾

[@guizot2010]

​@@oztabletpc Your points are good but there are various cases you can get for the Surface Pros that address this, (on Amazon, $20-$45, and well worth it). They distribute the weight, and because the unit is so small to begin with, none of this is an issue.

[@lostgleammedia]

So basically all laptops should be 360

[@oztabletpc]

360 is better than a laptop for sure and it does somewhat solve this issue. But no camera on the back and less portable (thicker and heavier) at this stage. A lot of people don't like having the keys exposed at the back, so not being able to remove the keyboard is a limitation. When Lenovo, HP and Dell start making them a lot thinner, and when they start to innovate more around input then I think we will see some great 360 designs. It is good that they have finally started to adopt the 3:2 display now (Surface introduced this in 2014). The 16:9 display 360 designs were pretty poor in the tablet for factor. Because of this and the average pen experience my HP X360 gathers dust.

[@josher14]

Just get leg lengthening surgery eazy peazy problem solved!

[@nimasadi7916]

mm