Monthly Archives: October 2018

Oct
21
2018

Microsoft Surface 4 Pro

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I’m always intrigued by various technologies, especially when it comes to Microsoft Windows.  Their introduction of hardware has been an interesting roller coaster ride for Microsoft and the Windows communities.  When they first introduced a tablet type device in 2012 along with Windows 8 it provided new opportunities to mobile computing.  I jumped on the Windows RT first device and then later the Surface 3; all interesting devices.  Since my basic needs are as a consumption device for surfing the Internet, developing simple office suite products (spread sheets, presentations, and documents), giving presentations, I have never commanded a lot of computing horse power.  More important for me in the portable/mobile environment was the functional use and form factor.

Then Microsoft introduced the Surface Pro series, first with the Pro 3 and then the improved Pro 4. There was a lot of talk about the Surface Pro 4 series, however costs did not warrant my personal investment, so I waited.  Eventually I saw the availability of Refurbished Surface Pro 4 from Microsoft and decided to give it a try.  And I was glad I did. (There were press reports after I bought my Pro 4 about device failures, and concerns about refurbished versions, none of which I experienced).  Subsequent to the Surface Pro 4, Microsoft has released other versions of the Surface tablet, but from a functional usage/need, I see no reason to “upgrade” devices.

Screen real estate is important for many purposes as is screen resolution.  A large screen with “low” resolution is no better/worse than a smaller screen with “higher” resolution…same real estate, perhaps just as easy to read (and not fatiguing).  I generally like the basic models which provide a functional capability at a sometimes reasonable price.  (Remember cost is not just the device, but also the carrying case, the mouse, any cables, adapters, etc.).

As with other tablet devices, a nice feature of today’s tablet technology is the ability to leverage a microSD card for extra storage.  To preserve the system disk space, I generally set up the microSD drive to contain USER folders such as Documents, Downloads, Pictures, etc.  I also setup all Windows machines with both an Admin account and a User account and work at the user level all the time.  By moving the key user files to the microSD, the system disk is available for updating the system as Microsoft does multiple times per month.

What I found is I was using the Pro 4 more like a laptop than a pure tablet.  Microsoft has a nice variety of keyboards, and the Alcantara keyboard is a nice addition both color-wise and typing-wise.  The Surface Pro 4 thus becomes a laptop.

However I did need to add some accessories.  While the keyboard has a very nice touch pad, somehow I’m used to using a mouse – I find the mouse to be more precise and faster to relocate the cursor.  Also, the Surface Pro 4 has a single USB port limiting multiple connectivity solutions.  I found a combination device that plugs into the USB port that expands to a USB 2 port, a USB 3 port, a microSD, and regular SD reader. (Alcey Microsoft Surface USB HUB 3.0 & 2-Slot Card Reader 4 in 1 Adapter) Furthermore, it does not interfere with the Surface power connector.  My mouse plugs into this expansion port, and enables me to leverage external hard drive / thumb flash drives at the same time. [For this device, I’m using a wired mouse…may shift to wireless very soon].

Lighter in weight that a 12” laptop, it is still a 12” device and packing it into a messenger type bag needed to contain the Pro 4, the power brick, any potential Ethernet connectivity needs, the pen, and possibly other devices makes it a typical laptop in every way.  Performance wise it is good, an office suite and browsers and other tools make it a very functional machine.  But its light weight makes it somewhat difficult to use on your lap vice a table or solid surface.  The lack of robust applications in the Microsoft Store (as compared with Android and Apple) makes its consumption device functionality limited.  Fortunately Firefox and Chrome browsers provide ways to compensate somewhat for the lack of applications.  (I personally do not like Internet Explorer or Edge…something about the layout and functionality that I just cannot get my hands around.  Firefox and Chrome do not present those limitations).

The Surface tablet line, like other tablet devices, can use a pen to “write” on the screen in a variety of applications.  In the early days of tablet technologies, I used a pen device to take notes on a big Motion Computing tablet which ran Windows XP.  The Windows Journal program provided some interesting effects, but instead of typing I was scribbling notes.  Nice features, but I never got the true hang of using a pen for artistic features – I even have trouble drawing a straight line with a ruler.  Keyboard and pen are extra cost items for the Surface Pro 4.

Overall I like the Microsoft Surface 4 Pro.  My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

Pros:

  • It runs the current version of Windows 10, Home or Pro, and follows the Windows Update.
  • It can run my favorite Firefox! Also Chrome.
  • Expandable micro SD storage to make up for the small “disk” space typical in these devices.
  • There is a single micro USB port which can connect to devices such as a flash drives.
  • No detectable speed/performance problems for my use.
  • WiFi seems to be adequate and readily connects to the networks I use.
  • Price, OK, but some laptops may be of better value – even in the 12” display class.
  • It has a separate mini display port for external display connection. (I recently leveraged this port to project a presentation on a screen…and the pre-view feature of PowerPoint let me see the next slide before the audience did).

Cons:

  • There is only a single full sized USB 3 port. Would be nice to have two ports, but an expansion port is sufficient and less than $10; other expansion hubs/ports are also available at reasonable cost but will need to be part of your accessory kit.
  • It would be nice to have more internal storage, but external microSD storage is a good alternative.

Note: Opinions expressed herein are those of the author. Any names/trademarks used are NOT an endorsement of those items…but are provided for reference only and are owned by their owner(s).

 

Oct
21
2018

Microsoft Surface GO

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Microsoft continues to evolve the Surface line with newer devices.  In the summer of 2018, they introduced the Surface GO – a smaller form factor, 10”, from its larger brothers the Surface 3 and Surface 4.  Intriguing is the lower selling price on the GO line which has two generally-available models and one Costco hybrid.   I just had to try one, and this blog entry is being written mostly on the Surface GO.

In some respects, the Surface GO is approximately 2/3rds of its bigger brethren in physical size; and slightly smaller in terms of storage and performance.  Screen area is smaller, the optional keyboard is smaller, the CPU is slightly slower (but of a later generation), and storage is basic and somewhat limited.  The base model has only 64GB of “disk” storage while the high end has 128GB, and the base model has 4GB of memory and the high end has 8GB.  There is a hybrid available from Costco which has 4GB of memory and 128GB of “disk” storage; Microsoft should probably make this version available to the general public too. (Update: They did a few months later – at the Microsoft Store) (the Costco version comes as a complete kit including the basic black type keyboard).  I elected to go with the 4GB/64GB base model given my tendency to leverage browsers and office suites on my Windows platforms and usually only have a limited number of windows/tabs open at any one time – so performance is not usually an issue for me.  Many reviewers tend to recommend the 8GB/128GB versions.  [The Costco version is a nice trade-off, but you cannot select the color of the keyboard…as long as you like black].

Basically the GO is a nice tablet and compact package.  While the Surface Pro 4 and similar Surface family devices requires a fairly large carry case to accommodate the larger size, power brick, ancillary devices, the GO can be similarly packed into a small (and light weight) messenger bag.  The screen functionality is good and although smaller I’m not detecting any challenges – especially with the application in full screen mode.  The keyboard is smaller and takes a little getting used to, but touch typing on this smaller version doesn’t seem to be a problem nor a challenge (I make the same mistakes on either size).

Microsoft uses Windows 10 S as the initial load of the operating system on the GO.  The S variant of Windows does not permit loading applications except via the Microsoft Store.  This means that Firefox and Chrome are not available.  After going through several update cycles from Windows Update, you can go to the Store and change 10 S to Windows 10 Home at no cost…or for extra cost to Windows 10 Pro.  The switch took all of a very few minutes…now I can use Firefox and Chrome.  I can also use copies of Microsoft Office that I happen to have not necessarily the latest version but more than sufficient for my needs.  Other office suites are also possible.  (From my perspective, Microsoft also loads a bunch of game applications which I have to uninstall in order to preserve space, has to be done every time I add a new USER account).

Like other models, it has a microSD slot and like my standard setup, I move the key USER folders to the microSD to conserve “disk” space to allow for system updates that occur frequently.

Like the other Surface devices, it uses a Surface power brick and connector.  However unlike other Surface tablets, the GO uses a single USB-C port (and doesn’t have a mini display port).  You can get a USB-C to USB 3 adapter from multiple sources, and also a USB-C hub that has USB 3, HDMI, USB C, and other extensions.  The USB-C port can also be used to power the GO.

Also in my Surface collection, I’m trying the Surface Mobile Mouse that leverages a Bluetooth connection.  Works OK but its low profile takes some getting used too.  (The keyboards have a very nice track pad, very smooth, very responsive…however I still prefer the mouse as a pointing device.  Haven’t leveraged the pen yet…I cannot draw a straight line even with a ruler.  My sketching is less than good.)

In trying to move files from the GO to my network I did notice that the WiFi requires a stronger signal to get reasonable performance, but I need to test this further.  I haven’t seen any problems with my current location, but signal strength is really good.

The GO is a 10” device…and has a wide border sufficient for holding.  Yet compared to my 8” Tab4, it seems awkward for a device for consumption…basically even 10” is too big.  While it has all the tools I’ll need even for a consumption device (but lacks many of the applications that the Android/IOS platforms seem to have…although browsers can make up for some of that deficiency), the 10” GO is still basically a laptop that is VERY easy to carry and transport.  The Tab4 will still be my nighttime reading device allowing me to easily order from Amazon, respond to e-mails, even compose a short e-mail, and read my news feeds.

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, I used a Motion Computing tablet and pen which leveraged Windows Journal as a note taking mechanism.  We’ve come a long way with the GO and I was able to install Windows Journal on the GO and can leverage the 10” display with the pen to take notes.  Other pen based applications are available to leverage the 10” and pen capabilities of the Surface GO.

My Surface GO kit includes:

  • Surface GO – 4GB memory, 64GB SSD, 128GB microSD
  • Surface GO Alcantara Keyboard
  • Surface Mobile Mouse
  • G-Ting port expander with two USB 3 ports, one USB-C port, one HDMI port
  • USB-C to USB 3 gender changer
  • USB-C to micro USB gender changer
  • USB-C to Ethernet (I got caught short in trying to update firmware in a router and it required a wired connection)
  • USB-C to VGA (I may use the GO to give presentations…not all projectors provide for HDMI so VGA is needed)
  • Transcend SD/microSD reader to USB 3
  • CoolBELL Messenger Bag /Carrying Case Cloth Shoulder Bag Fits 10.6 inches Tablet/iPad

Overall I like the Microsoft Surface GO.  While still being tested, my rating today is 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Pros:

  • It runs the current version of Windows 10, S, Home or Pro, and follows the Windows Update.
  • It can run my favorite Firefox! Also Chrome when not in S mode.
  • Expandable micro SD storage to make up for the small “disk” space typical in these devices.
  • There is a single USB-C port which can connect to devices such as a flash drives using appropriate adapters/port replicators.
  • No detectable speed/performance problems for my use.
  • WiFi seems to be adequate and readily connects to the networks I use; may require higher signal strength.
  • Price, OK, but some laptops may be of better value – even in the 12” display class.
  • Very easy to transport…even with all the items in my messenger bag kit.
  • (Costco model seems to be a very good combination of device and keyboard…but alas only in the basic black keyboard).

Cons:

  • There is single USB-C port – perhaps two would be better. A USB-C to USB 3 converter is not supplied but readily available.
  • It would be nice to have more internal storage, but external microSD storage is a good alternative. The Costco model seems to be a good tradeoff.
  • Wireless appears to require a stronger signal in order to leverage throughput speed…a weak signal may greatly impede data transfer.

Note: Opinions expressed herein are those of the author. Any names/trademarks used are NOT an endorsement of those items…but are provided for reference only and are owned by their owner(s).

Oct
21
2018

Lenovo Tab 4 – 8

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For a number of years, I’ve been using an iPad Mini as a basic consumption device to catch up on the news and monitor my e-mail accounts.  Having used a “regular” early iPad, I wanted to be capable of updating the operating system but also having a lighter, smaller device that can easily be hand held.  However, using the Apple IOS operating system was very frustrating since there was no visible access to the IOS file system something I find very powerful with Windows, Linux, Raspian, and Android.  I never found it possible to move files from my home network to the iPad, nor save a (text) file to the network.  Yes it was possible via e-mail to and fro, but no clear cut (to me at least) way to exchange files.

My original iPad experience was at a conference several years ago.  I was using an iPad to take notes at the conference but at the end of the day…an inadvertent key stroke wiped out the entire day’s notes…and no way to recover them. (Lesson learned, in the days following,  I e-mailed about every hour, and I did manage to spend another day recreating the original “lost” notes).

So I evolved the big iPad to an iPad Mini to serve as a nice small consumption device.  But tired I grew of the lack of file exchange possibilities.  While searching Amazon, one of my favorite technology sites, I found a 10” Android-based device at a reasonably low cost – perhaps an opportunity to explore Android operating system.  Unfortunately the 10″ was really larger than I wanted for the functions intended, was an older, non-upgradeable version of Android, and would occasionally/frequently crash.  Fortunately, my financial investment in this 10” device was not significant.

Recognizing that Windows portable devices did not have the robust applications available to Android or IOS, a common complaint by many technology followers, I continued my search for a nice small device for consumption services (note: not a production machine).  And I found one on Amazon in the Lenovo Tab4-8…a device, approximately the size of the iPad Mini, but also with a more up-to-date OS version (which has been updated several times as new security patches were released).  The Tab4 is a 4th generation Lenovo tablet with an 8” form factor.

And of course the good news is Android has a visible file system, and there are applications that provide for the movement of files to/from external networks. In one experiment, I moved a big Excel spread sheet of my coin collection from my network to the Tab4-8 and was able to use it at a coin show to see my coin inventory; mission accomplished!

Using the nice hand-held 8” tablet and light weight was a turning point for this technology since it enabled me to put away those 11”x17” spread sheets and use a small 8” electronic device.  By putting it into airplane mode, the battery lasts a very long time yet still allows me to make functional use at the coin shows.

I recently took the Tab4-8 on an international trip…to preserve weight it was my only computing device.  It worked out just fine, I was able to track my e-mails, I learned how to move a few pictures from my camera to the Tab4 so I could do a small amount of edits/crops and send them to friends.  While the edits were limited, it served its purpose.  Also I could use the tablet on the airplanes since there are no cellular features (only WiFi and Bluetooth), but I tried to watch a movie I previously put on the tablet but I had limited success due to the size and table-top setting.  Another benefit –  the tablet fit nicely in my carry-on case.

Overall I like the Lenovo Tab4-8; my rating is 4 stars out of 5.

Pros:

  • It runs a fairly current version of Android, and is periodically updated with security patches.
  • It can run my favorite Firefox! Also Chrome browsers.
  • Expandable micro SD storage to make up for the small “disk” space typical in low cost devices.
  • There is a single micro USB port. Mostly used for power, it can also connect to devices such as a flash drives.  Leveraging a flash drive needs to change a setting to permit file access via the USB port (a good security practice).  Connector may be subject to breakage (e.g. plugged in for power, moving the tablet while reading content) although it does stand up well even after several accidental “pulls”.
  • No detectable speed/performance problems for my use, connectivity to WiFi seems good.
  • The Google Play Store has a lot of applications – often same/similar to IOS to cover a wide range of functional usage. Access to Word, Excel, and Powerpoint is available as are other office suite software.
  • Very nice sound system, surprisingly nice.
  • Nicely fits into a small carry on messenger bag.
  • Price, very reasonable.

Cons:

  • There is a single micro USB port. While used mostly for power, one cannot power the device and connect to external flash drives…one or the other.  Would be nice to have two ports.
  • The camera pictures leave a lot to be desired, especially in low light. Bright outside seems to work OK, but overall a poor camera.  (Not a big problem for me since I use a camera for pictures!).
  • Unlike the iPad Mini, the Lenovo Tab4-8 doesn’t have a magnetic closure sleep mode. Several of the cases that can safely house the Tab4 use magnetic closure, and the iPad for one senses the magnet and puts the device in sleep mode.
  • It would be nice to have more internal storage, but external microSD storage is a good alternative for “documents” but applications have to be on the internal storage.
  • The screen washes out in sunlight.

Note: Opinions expressed herein are those of the author. Any names/trademarks used are NOT an endorsement of those items…but are provided for reference only and are owned by their owner(s).