Choosing a Surface Device

CritPlusPlus · March 9, 2020

Hello guys, I previously owned a Surface Pro 7 but did not end up liking it and returned it a few months ago. I am now torn between a few options. Here's my use case:

Very beginner, learning Android development (Android Studio eventually, but first beginning a book on Kotlin itself, using IntelliJ IDEA)
Typical web browsing, office use
Potentially light photo creation (drawing, extremely basic Inkscape use, but not required)

I am considering the following options:

Surface Book 2 (i7, 16GB, 512GB)
Surface Laptop 3 (i7, 16GB, 512GB)
Wait for Surface Book 3

I've been without a laptop for a month already (waiting for Dell to get their stuff together with a separate return...) and would really like to get something. I know there are rumors of a SB3 coming soon, but I'm wondering if I will notice a performance difference for my use case? I know one major thing is supposedly better GPUs but my understanding is that won't affect programming. Assuming they do 10th generation Intel chips, will I notice a SIGNIFICANT difference? I mean, the SB2 claims 15+ hours, which is ridiculous in and of itself, and I know 10th generation chips main claim is to be better at battery life than the ones in the SB2 - but if I get 10 hours of life, I'm happy so I don’t value that difference too much.

I really WANT a tablet, but I could live without it potentially, especially if I end up getting the Surface Duo (very likely).

Streetguru · March 9, 2020

7 minutes ago, CritPlusPlus said:

Hello guys, I previously owned a Surface Pro 7 but did not end up liking it and returned it a few months ago. I am now torn between a few options. Here's my use case:

Why not just get a bit older X1 carbon?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZI45X46/ref=psdc_13896615011_t2_B07MVL4896

Dunno if the RAM is upgradable.

EndoSkeletor · March 9, 2020

My 2 cents: I bought a surface laptop 3 about 2 weeks ago. I returned it 4 days after purchase because the whole bottom chassis had warped, and rocked when I typed. No knocks, no overheating, just normal use.

YMMV. I ditched it and bought a razer blade stealth which I absolutely love. it also costs £250 less than the Surface laptop 3 in your spec, and has a dGPU.