Surface Pro X Review From An Artist's Perspective

[@thequestionasker]

Brad's channel is the kind of review channel where you watch every review because it's entertaining

[@chroniccritic5874]

The Question Asker yes

[@craneology]

The pace is perfect, and comedic timing is on point.

[@akinoz]

Absolutely.

[@w4mkh]

I have no interest in a Surface or in Adobe products but I watch anyway for the same reason you do.

[@reanetsemoleleki8219]

Pretty much.

[@flinkbag6787]

I was not prepared for the Brad choir! 😂 You never fail to make me laugh. Amazing review, as always Brad!

[@uncaringbear]

It's 2019 and Microsoft pen technology is still hindered by jitters. They like to talk the talk, but it's always been painfully clear that artists are not an important market for Microsoft. Microsoft is letting Apple eat their lunch when it comes to the pen.

[@berekexer56]

Even if it weren't the user experience is very hit or miss on applications

[@kylewolfe_]

I can't tell who they're trying to market to. It's obviously not the professional designers and illustrators. Not even photographers and retouchers because otherwise, they would've worked more closely with Adobe to get Lightroom on the platform at launch. It just seems like the creative market as a whole is kind of an afterthought for them.

[@gsthomas7653]

Agree you literally can’t beat the pen latency with the iPad Pro.

[@buccob]

@@kylewolfe_ well as a mechanical engineer and industrial designer, I do love my Surface Book and Surface devices overall... The pen is good enough for me to make sketches of ideas, take annotations, etc... but my real work is done with a mouse and keyboard, 3D software and such... so, at least for me, it feels pretty tailored. But I do agree that they should improve their tech to entice illustrators and artists.

[@maxwellsdemon6599]

Well, for a student, who is just taking notes, I have to say, i really like the surface pencil. I do prefer the Apple pencil, but honestly both have their advantages. The surface pen has two buttons and an eraser, wich is super handy. I really miss them on my apple pencil and it does hinder my workflow. But from a technical point of view the apple pencil is just the better pencil, hands down. I just feel like the function has followed the form again and that really sucks (especially the first gen of the apple pencil).

[@EricMerced]

THIS is how you do reviews. And this coming from someone who has done numerous reviews on his own channel. Brad is a MAJOR inspiration.

[@thebradcolbow]

Thank you sir :)

[@jaykay98]

"It's just not there yet" has probably been the story of all Surface Pros. That pen test was disappointing, was really hoping it would be better than previous Surfaces. Guess I'll stick to my Ipad pro for my drawing purposes.

[@p3wx4]

The Surface Pro 7 is best 2 in 1 for everyone except hardcore artists.

[@jaykay98]

@@p3wx4 true. It is unfortunate that a $1000 device is just good for regular everyday tasks.

[@McobraR]

@@jaykay98 Or we can reword that. Unfortunate the iPad pro is just good for hardcore artists and not as good productivity wise as the surface pro or any laptop similar priced.

[@mellowmelly9258]

@@McobraR the thing is you can easily use it for other things that arent art plus, even if the only good thing it did was art, it does it EXTREMELY well

[@successshampoo]

Its the best windows device that can draw. iPads are great for drawing but the rest is kind of meh.

[@ChrisisWWC]

Damn I'm not even halfway to the video and I'm chuckling like crazy already. Love the animations!

[@___David__]

The version of Sketchbook you tried is the one from the Microsoft Store, correct? 'cause if I was already on the fence about this, Sketchbook not working is enough to completely cancel the deal (and the lack of microSD was already not helping it).

[@keithedwinsmith9416]

Watching this on my iPad Pro 12.9. Didn’t see anything that would make me want the Surface Pro X instead. Loved the Storyboard part of the video!

[@MaskedMammal]

No doubt, if you have $1000 to burn and you want a rectangle that you can draw on, iPad Pro is the better of the two. Surface products are hampered by bad pen technology and worse drivers, IMO. Windows has better software but that gap is closing. It seems like, if the iPad Pro supported something like the Wacom Expresskey remote, it could be in the running for the best mobile art device even in the face of the Mobilestudio Pro.

[@lolunderstated533]

Real mouse support and floating window multitasking is huge for me. I thought this would be the device to make me give up my iPad Pro 2018, but this ain’t it I guess.

[@sweetasbloodredjam]

Same! XD Honestly I didn’t think the technology was there yet when I bought it and thought it would be strictly a companion, on the go device, but the iPad has become my daily driver.

[@tayw9602]

I will say, as a 1st time watcher of the show, this really does put in perspective an idea of what I already know the appearance of an arm chip means on inviting software devs to make apps to fit the Pro X (or not?). Mad thumbs on this video & its community! 😆👍

[@uncarlosperez]

Jjaja same

[@SuperDesignguy]

I have to admit. As a former Apple guy, converted to android, who doesn't care much for apples products these days, the iPad pro is such an awesome drawing device I'm not sure when a windows or android device is going to be competitive. I've had this Ipad pro for two weeks and love it. Took your affinity designer class on Udemy.. Almost done. ( great course fyi) and procreate is next. Love this product.. Haven't touched my two month old HP 2 in 1 since getting this. Anyone out there reading this.. If you're looking for something to draw on.. Just get the iPad.

[@Ex-Rated202]

Hey Brad, I'm loving the new music, b-roll and the video editing techniques. Keep up the great work.

[@SourianteOrange]

I have been watching you for years because of the good content and all these efforts behind the camera. Thank you, Brad, Brad, and Brad!

[@kapablekid]

Shame, I wanted this to be competitive to the Ipad... Thanks for the heads up

[@nuloom]

Same. Competition is always good for the consumer, change is only good for the consumer if everyone adapts - including developers. If it were competitive, Apple would be pressured to make better ipads, especially since they generate more and more of their revenue since 2018. I still want an ipad (for many unique features it offers) but would gladly see those get even better, and so other products others may want.

[@kapablekid]

@@nuloom My thoughts exactly

[@kapablekid]

@@aoterou I understand what you are saying, but Microsoft is still using the same tech for their pen. I was happy to hear that he mentioned that the palm rejection had improved but I think they could have pushed it further. It's one thing that the software has to catch up but it's another that the pen tech still hasn't reached at least a close to or similar quality.

[@randelcarpio]

Dude this is what I think your best video yet! Congratulations! Keep up the good work!!!

[@JustinAlexanderMayers]

I really like this computer but as someone who completely switched to Affinity apps for my workflow I can't make the switch

[@Argameus]

Affinity is available on windows though...

[@moatazzaitoun3074]

I hope when you review windows tablets in the future you consider reviewing its performance operating 3D softwares like Zbrush or Blender

[@LovelyPaper]

Actually he may have just sold me on it since 32 bit CSP is working (but under the assumption that there will be at least one good 3d app that gets ARM64 support, in addition to CSP itself). Jitter can be resolved with brush stabilization and Lazy Nezumi.

[@randelcarpio]

Your reviews are the most enjoyable to watch out there!!!

[@izanrivera7925]

App on te 7:45 plz?

[@FuzzyIndie]

This was extremely helpful. I'm a hardcore microsoft supporter, but I wasn't sure what tablet I wanted for drawing. The demonstration and review on the surface, and the programs that I know of on here, helped clarify that decision a ton

[@aminbajrektarevicab]

It’s crazy that the apple pencil is now almost 5 years old and there is still nothing like it on these tablets...

[@visionpersistance]

Apple’s technology in terms of the Apple Pencil stylus (which, like the Macs, iPads, iPhones, Watch and AirPods) is actually a novel form of computing device, simply has no rival other than Wacom tech

[@aliefr2984]

@@visionpersistance ironically microsoft abandon wacom technology

[@nathanvrvrt]

But Microsoft wasnt expecting to use thr pencil as an art tool. This pen is very usefull for the pro x, if you present stuff, if you do Microsoft things with it.

[@aminbajrektarevicab]

@@nathanvrvrt what are you talking about? The surface pro (5) was all about the new pen how it's amazing for art, in the end it was just bad. Now with the pro x they literally had a nice chunk of the presentation devoted to Adobe Fresco. They are absolutely trying to push this to the artists.

[@kameya87]

S pen is great

[@dimdude1]

Is there any way you could temporarily get a Lenovo yoga c940 and give a review of that?

[@gialovesjesus8350]

I own every Apple, Wacom and Microsoft toy for artwork I’ll ever need but somehow every time I see you with a new review I hold my breath to see if I’ll be compelled to buy yet another device. you’re that good Of a reviewer. Keep up the good work!

[@trevor2830]

Ok let me ask you this question. Between the surface pro x and the iPad which one and why? Also what kind of laptop would you buy and drawing tablet if you could not afford to buy the surface or the laptop? Final question would u buy the previous surface with the Intel chip and skip this one? Thanks a million

[@gialovesjesus8350]

The Real hands-down I would pick the iPad Pro and not even the latest and the greatest. As far as the laptop I would get the MacBook Pro because I can always duoboot with windows getting two OS for the price of one. I still own a Cintiq 21 UX circa 2012 works like a charm. I would skip the surface pro altogether. The resolution is way too high making the icons too small and It’s not smooth and buttery like the iPad. The iPad pencil is even better than the Wacom stylus. Also Intel all the way.

[@trevor2830]

Thanks for the insight but apple is super expensive on a whole even more so where I'm from is there a windows alternative you would recommend?

[@gialovesjesus8350]

The Real it depends what you need. I’m not a professional artist. Everything I do digitally is prep, design and tweaking in preparation for finished “analog” artwork. So my workflow may not apply to you. I Would research KZbin videos that would match what you do. Sorry if that wasn’t the insight you were looking.

[@pellegew]

Hey Brad, it's not emulation, but a conversion from Intel binaries to ARM. That matters because performance can increase once the computer has finished converting everything, and then saves the converted files to be used later. That conversion and saving isn't instantaneous and can continue for a while after you've closed the program, and start again when you open it. So it's important to benchmark the performance of any app after it's been used for a while.

[@Evie0133]

I absolutely love your reviews based on the perspective of artists! Just GOLD :)

[@Allanrpsx]

Anything open source such as Krita can be compiled for ARM without problems

[@omicron1100]

Small correction: the "Intel" chip is better described as an x86 chip, as ARM describes the microarchitecture of the processor, as opposed to the company that develops it. Intel and AMD both make chips that use the x86 architecture, which is what most consumer operating systems (including Windows) run on.

[@marcins5584]

I want too see Zbrush support on ARM. Can you test it?

[@moonwind900]

Bump this!

[@SarathisCreativeStudio]

To get pressure sensitive in krita goto settings and change tablet setting from wintab to windows 8. Works fine.

[@randriod7771]

Brad ive been using the Pro X since release putting in around 4-5 hrs of drawing each day with it using clip studio and it has been great. It has replaced my surface 6 as my mobile drawing tablet. Haven't had no hiccups. It is what I have dreamed of in a drawing tablet. Jut waiting to see ho fresco is. Otherwise im sticking with clip studio.

[@Cardinal2Richelieu]

I love clip studio paint, and it's exactly the same on PC and on iPad :) Realy great !

[@coollobsterr]

Good vid man, UI and UX goes unnoticed by OEMs who are pushing so hard for top of line specs, happy to see more concerns on the user view on personal devices.

[@creativecatproductions]

Your reviews are awesome. Usually I hate tech review channels, but I love yours.

[@DoodleCraftie]

This is a great review! Its interesting to see the changes to this surface. Side note, the art you did in this video is absolutely gorgeous!

[@sumaiyanaser180]

Hi Brad, is there any update on the Surface pro X when it comes to compatible apps?

[@DavidLopes99]

Brad for krita on the surface, you need to apply the Windows ink option to krita tablet input settings

[@Trazynn]

I'm a complete noob on hardware, I have a hard time understanding how Apple is able to integrate a graphics chip into their ipads and make it run whisper silent and at low energy use while the surface line has no graphics, still runs loud with air blowing out of it at high energy use. But none of that matters because as long as Surface keeps using n-trig pens I won't even consider them, I got the SP4 and that serves the non-Ipad stuff just fine.

[@successshampoo]

Its been sometime since the pro's are fanless.

[@shawnfanchette]

The real question: how can we get that awesome Pro X wallpaper you made? Excellent review as usual!

[@therandomdeath6388]

🔥👍

[@bradavon]

I read using Edge Chromium for ARM or Firefox for ARM makes all the difference, so it should for Adobe CC apps.

[@Pearinmouth]

Is there a vector drawing program made for this SPX, where the lines are easy to bend? - We like drawing with FLASH because you grab the line and bend it, so easy.

[@toxicshot4528]

you and aaron's channel are my go to videos when it comes to reviews, i love your contents, man

[@josephdegaetano8239]

Which one is the best between iPad Pro and Surface Pro x❓

[@Rebelnightwolfe]

Not in the market for a new tablet right now but I really don't like that in order to get the pen you have to get it bundled with the keyboard which not everyone will want. It seems like you need the keyboard in order to charge it and that particular pen alone cost almost $150. You're better off getting an older gen pen to save a bit of money. At least they didn't pull an apple and make the older gen incompatible and vice versa.

[@dalura6780]

in regards of the pen did the pen proved with some updates? did microsoft change something?

[@algordo1997]

What about Adobe illustrator or media bang?

[@cristophergomez2198]

How about a year later ? Do they have premier pro

[@violetsprite]

Does the new keyboard and pen work on the older Surface pros? I also think Microsoft switched the Surface Pro to an ARM chip so it doesn't compete much with the Surface Book, which has a removable screen that can be used as a tablet as well. So if you want more power, upgrade to the Surface Book.

[@TNZ89]

Hey, where to download that sick wallpaper @ 2:11?

[@cliveandmat]

Is this suitable for writing books? Does it have Microsoft word?

[@ronald7482]

Is the draw quality as the same as on the IPad pro?

[@trevor2830]

Hands down the iPad but pricey

[@ronald7482]

@@trevor2830 surface pro X is pricey too Thank you for your message

[@giovannimarchiaro2251]

hey brad , quick question , for the top five tablets of 2018 you put the iPad first because of its price to quality ratio, what do you think about the new iPad Air , is it a better tablet . although it cost a little more you get better features like a laminated display , a bigger screen , a faster processor. does the iPad Air beat the iPad for its quality to price ratio

[@sesosa365]

What about Adobe SketchBook? That works perfectly on my Surface Pro 6.

[@harveysanjuan3474]

what do you with the products after you're done reviewing them?

[@d.edwardsfreelanceeditorvi4212]

This isn't designed for premiere or after effects. I'm sure the ipad pro doesn't run those apps. I could be wrong.

[@wanyman]

You need to hire that choir more often. Love your in-depth info. Its a bit daunting for an old traditional cartoonist like me to transition to digital art, but you make the road much smoother. Thanks!

[@JuanSanchez-je6ni]

I’m planning in buying a iPad Pro but I’m just a casual artist I don’t want it for professional illustrating just for a hobbie I also want I for taking notes and using not completely a computer but as close as one I also don’t want to but a surface pro 5,6 etc because it doesn’t have such apps as procreate what should I do?

[@antonulybin389]

Those music inclusions are surprisingly sick! Way to go, Brad!

[@lunaenoctua5733]

SSSSoo....is the surface book still better then? what do you say? I was waiting for the surface X, but frankly I am not surprised at all (only the exterior design that is a real beauty), I think the surface book is more stable yet, I thought there would be a certain greater competitiveness ... what do you think? I'm going for that or for the surface book?

[@greyareaRK1]

Do you know if lazy nezumi works with it? Would that be a viable strategy to deal with the wiggle?

[@meramevo]

is this tablet good for digital art

[@thatsagoodone8283]

I already bought a Wacom Cintique Pro, after researching a lot and finding your channel doing so. So .... Im well equipped. Still watch your videos. Stay funny, stay honest and critical. I will be watching you....

[@heerahdelara6807]

so clip studio paint, will i be able to use my clip studio pc license in this Microsoft pro x?

[@luthien2531]

Your reviews are both super informative and massively entertaining. I'm not right now in the market for a new laptop, but since the bulk of my work is animation or heavy weight design (I use a lot of Clip Studio, TvPaint, and AFTER EFFECTS), looks like the Surface Pro X won't be in the running for me unless After Effects can run well on ARM chips in the future. Which i doubt, because After Effects is pretty darn bloaty.

[@Cardinal2Richelieu]

I love clip studio paint, and it's exactly the same on PC and on iPad :) Realy great !

[@joeysandoval2511]

So there is no light room app on the windows store for the surface x pro . But it works perfectly well on the web ? I thought it didn't work?!? I'm a rookie don't crucify me . I'm just curious I thought Adobe didn't work on this tablet

[@the.heartmarksman]

does it run blender as well?

[@markdinsdale4869]

Honest question, how did iPad pro crack the parallax and no wobble on its first try and Microsoft are like 8 iterations in and yet they still can't do this? Honestly baffling why people still drop over a grand on something so bad.

[@dibujemaestro]

We are 20 years inside the 21 century and they still can't fix the waves of the pencil line...

[@zaymm10]

right. its soooooo annoying. It's almost like they are doing it on purpose. There a tons of machines out there that get this right.

[@emronhenry]

@@zaymm10 It's amazing that they know the problem exists and yet they won't fix it.

[@nmrm7838]

even Samsung Tablet has no such problem.

[@McobraR]

And Apple still can't make the iPad as user friendly as OSX and W10 in regards to productivity. Oh my, what first world problems we have here!

[@Soldiershak]

@@McobraR don't complain when your toilet gets clogged then

[@FTGTapGod]

Have you tried or heard of the Lenovo Flex 14? I'm really interested in your take on the Pen. I'm looking to pick up a tablet or laptop for client meetings. The thing that usually holds me back is performance and the AMD version of the Flex looks to change that. At

[@cathalhughes5996]

Any updates on this is the software uptodate now and is photoshop less choppy?

[@bradavon]

How many hours battery are you averaging? Thanks.

[@EliSantana]

Why go with ARM if you're going to overclock it to the point where battery life is just barely better than Intel, with worse performance and compatibility? A pretty shell is worthless without the computing power and great user experience to go along with it.

[@robinrai4973]

YO! The pen on krita is because you need to tick the "let me use my pen as a mouse in some desktop apps" in the windows pen settings! Got that with me thinkpad's pen.

[@moonwind900]

Anyone have info on Zbrush working with this?

[@quinnwall5771]

Can you use adobe illustrator yet on it?

[@trevormastro4953]

does anyone know if adobe has updated it to where they work well with arm chips???

[@socks7590]

Does Adobe Animate work on it?

[@okaybutwhythough7456]

It would be interesting if Google and Microsoft made a sort of mixed OS for products like the Surface Pro X. If they could make a sort of a mix of Windows ARM and Chrome OS. If they could run all of Android apps like Chrome OS and run even just a few Windows Programs like Windows ARM, it would be pretty awesome. It wouldn't be a complete Desktop Windows 10 replacement, but it would get closer and would be much more versatile. Just an idea I had.

[@okaybutwhythough7456]

I mean, if there will be support for emulators on Windows ARM, maybe it's not that bad. Some mid range android phones can run Nintendo GameCube games with no problem.

[@ianrasmussen5380]

Brad have you gone back and tried any of the x86 apps again after having them installed for a while? Read somewhere (sorry, can't remember where) that x86 apps might get better performance after an initial run just because some stuff needs to set up in the background once. Not sure why, but has to do with the fact that technically it's translating directly from x86 to ARM system calls in real time, not quite emulating (even though Microsoft's marketing department keeps calling it emulation). Not sure how much of a performance change this would result in though.

[@abhishekmaurya3453]

Skechable is native ARM64 that's why it is so smooth.

[@antonulybin389]

Just can't wrap my head around why would Microsoft release a new pen if it still can't draw :'( Another headphone-jackless jack of all trades and master of none... Gotta stick to laptop + xp-pen artist pro

[@cassidyasmr797]

But does FireAlpaca run?

[@Dashman98]

What's weird is that there are arm version of a lot of those apps including sketchbook pro, even on they're on Android they still run on arm

[@AndyBaedal]

How's the pen jitter at clip studio paint?

[@JohnnyKawaii31]

Is there an update?

[@JamezGrimm]

I’m curious if ToonBoom Harmony would run on this. 🤔

[@joanosorio7349]

Homie do you know if that stand can also hold your surface pro up on portrait mode?

[@anmac6910]

is adobe fresco running natively on the newest surface pro 2-in-1 and surface laptop 13.8" ??

[@AWeekLastTuesday]

can you help me, I us the samsung s6 lite to draw on and use Clip Studio paint.... the Surface loojs great, but for the price, would using the 7 be ok, since is likely cheaper then the X? im in Canada so the cost of the X likely be crazy. I draw ad doodle, and ink those doodles as well as my comic strip I make as well as Christmas Card I design each year , I also use Adobe Ilustrator and Animate and sometimes Photoshop, so be nice to use them.

[@mmcc2852]

does it run blender 2.8, if so, instant buy

[@chincity9065]

What about paint tool sai?

[@mmoarchives2542]

my advice if you're getting away from a ipad, is to get a wacom drawing tablet or get a surface pro 7

[@maxoct7331]

how about a series of" if you got this device (samsung tab a, ipad 4 , surface pro 6etc) i recommend these apps for this use ( drawing, painting, scatching, comics etc)."

[@R-SXX]

After 3 years, you think the X is worth it?

[@fxarts9755]

For me the lines isn’t the big problem but that lag while drawing or while zooming/rotating hurts... And I mean Ps Pr Ai and Af are the only reason why I ever would want to go for a Surface instead of an iPad The tablet looks sick and I love the kick stand but Microsoft can’t seem to get it right (for artist at least)

[@yossief20]

long live that choir ! made me smile again and again..

[@PopcornSticker]

what is all the fuss about photoshop not runnig on this device????

[@YeikyRivera]

Any update on that recompiled photoshop and does photoshop run well on the Surface Pro X now?

[@laisssz.a8104]

Q: Can u compare it with ipad pro like note taking app (notability) or pro create? I have the 15" size with a pen and logitech keyboard. Q: Can you play games like Sims4 or Steam? I rarely play any games in laptop/ ipad/phone cause I have a Switch Q: Do I need like a USB hub thingy? I have a usb portable tb storage I used on my touchscreen Samsung laptop and I don't know if I can use it on surface 7/X. Also for a usb wireless mouse.

[@Moniczqa36]

So...is it basically over 1k$ machine only for writing documents and browsing internet?

[@yskuzi]

Yeah it a work machine so it needs to run what ever a company (suit and tie kind)

[@01_zenyobi]

At least it has pen support 😆

[@magscorner]

Do you think that the surface Pro x can be used as an extra screen in Windows native mirror fuction since it running an arm chip?

[@Supain]

Hi Brad, you mentioned Sketchbook from the Store, but did you try the desktop version ? What about Affinity Photo ? You mentioned about Affinity Designer but not this one, do you ? Anyway thanks for you review, I'm waiting for it to be available here. It will replace my iPad Pro and Surface Go, and I'll use it with Shadow for gaming/video,...