I just bought the MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO 128GB !

[Dan]

The surface Pro as just released in France.

I could not resist and wanted to look at vArranger running on it!

I have just ordered it and it should be delivered within a few days. I will review it for you !

My advice BEFORE purchase:

- Runs on Windows 8 Pro 64bit => perfect for vArranger
- Tablet format without keyboard => Very good to put it on a music stand in front of the musician. Quick installation.
- Touchscreen 10 points => All functions of vArranger directly accessible at your fingertips. (10 fingers strolling on the tablet .. It gives me a great idea ...)
- Very compact and lightweight format => great for air travel / train and distant gigs.
- Chassis supposed to be strong => enough for the conditions of a live gig, I hope.
- SSD => ideal for the stage, as they do not fear the vibration and shock
- Display of very good quality, with a very high resolution. => Important for the stage
- Intel Core i5 => powerful and fast computer. Allows the use of VST on stage.
- 4GB of RAM. => Virtual instruments ready.
- A real USB port to connect the MIDI keyboard.
- I took the removable keyboard with real keys (type cover) to turn it into a true laptop.

What is less well:

- SSD 128Gb maximum. We'll have to be careful to install only the bare necessities. VST with large sound banks are not welcome.
- The 10.6 "screen may be small for vArranger, especially for touch use on stage ... After a certain age old, we like it is written in large
- Format 16/9 not necessarily suitable for vArranger.
- The processor consumes energy and requires a small fan (very quiet). Fans get dirty over time, and the noise can be annoying in the studio...
I was not patient enough to wait for the next generation of tablets with Intel low-power processor (fanless?) Which will be released in a few weeks. The 4h autonomy is more than enough to use on stage where the power connection is more than recommended.
- A 2nd USB port would have been welcome!
- Price about 1100 € with the keyboard ... This is the price of a laptop. But.. it is!

I promise I'll let you know as soon as I receive it!

Dan

[xuanvuz]

I've used the Surface Pro briefly before changing to a Dell XPS 12. It's a solid unit, very fast and perfect for vArranger with smaller VSTi/Libraries. If I didn't get the XPS 12, I definitely is going to use the Surface Pro, I think you'll like it!

Kenny.

[pax_eterna]

Will this mean you should be able to sort the slow bootup of vA in W8?

[Dan]

Yes...  !

[angel1000]

 congratulations,So Dan let me understand, is what you bought the fastest tablet out right now. secondly, the next generation atom do you think it will be enought to power varranger with a sound module.

[Dan]

I don't need the fastest tablet.
Even many players are using vArranger with success on Atom computers, I prefer to get a Intel Core i5, so I can use it on many situations.
The next generation of Intel Core (Haswell) will be able to use less power. So they will be for sure in the future tablets.

[angel1000]

dan are all programs runing on windows 8 manouverable by touch screen. For example if varranger runs on windows 8 is it the operating system that makes it a touchscreen program.

[pax_eterna]

I can answer for Dan here. I am already using W8 on my desktop and laptop.

It is enabled from the Windows OS. However not a lot of mainstream windows programs are actually "touch friendly" with icons and such like still quite small for use with a mouse.

Dennis

[angel1000]

Hi dennis, lets say a playlist program i use on windows 7 with a mouse, if it works on windows 8, will it automatically be touch sensitive.

[pax_eterna]

yes..but the buttons may be a bit small for tapping on with your fingers. This is down to the formatting in the program, but anything you can click with a mouse you can tap with a finger.

More and more programs are being released with touch capability in mind (for ex next Sonar will be touch friendly) so in time all will be fine...

Dennis

PS: Sorry I should have mentioned my laptop is a touch screen laptop.

[angel1000]

thanks D