Windows Surface 7" - 8.1

[Dark Knight]

I'm thinking of passing off my mini iPad and getting one of these when they are released, the main reason is to have better integration with outlook and office.

The size is important as it fits in a coat pocket and my camera bags nicely, I currently use my mini iPad very regularly while out and about catching up on work emails, of course the is the other stuff like TP, various social networking, word feud and all the other silly apps, but outlook is my main use and I hope to be able to do more on my spreadsheets and the like,

Anybody else thinking of making the change??

Am I nuts??

Is there a TP app??

 

[neil_g]

i don't think there are any windows/win mobile TP apps.

personally i wouldn't like to do anything other than basic spreadsheets on such a small screen.

 

[Dark Knight]

No TP app... Blimey

Yeah spreadsheets would be simple updates of labour planners, project progression etc nothing complicated, outlook would be my main use if it is the full package

 

[neil_g]

to be fair the ios app is flakey anyway.

 

[Dark Knight]

to be fair the ios app is flakey anyway.

Shhhhhh

I guess I can live without the app, if TP can't be arsed to make one I'll have to use a browser

 

[neil_g]

Shhhhhh

I guess I can live without the app, if TP can't be arsed to make one I'll have to use a browser

its nothing to do with TP, its the company behind the forum software.

 

[Dark Knight]

its nothing to do with TP, its the company behind the forum software.

ahhhhhhhh I see

I wonder if the upcoming 'changes' will fix that issue then

 

[neil_g]

ahhhhhhhh I see

I wonder if the upcoming 'changes' will fix that issue then

i asked, apparently not

 

[Dark Knight]

i asked, apparently not

Aahhh what a bummer... One day then maybe, you seem very able Neil, fancy a little side project

 

[Steep]

If you're using a Tablet or large phone even you don't really need the app any more. It was designed for small phones with low res screens back in the day when that was all you could get.

 

[Dale_tem]

Windows 8 is good, on a tablet it is different. I found it harder to get to some of the bits I wanted to get to, but this was just a case of getting used to where to touch on screen to get x etc.

For using it mobile, it is much better now Skydrive allow you to store files offline, before it only let you browse the files and access them when you were online.

 

[Dark Knight]

If you're using a Tablet or large phone even you don't really need the app any more. It was designed for small phones with low res screens back in the day when that was all you could get.

now there's a point, I have a <don't laugh> Symbian phone so was excited to get an iPad and to be able to finally use the app. I suppose via browser should be fine as you say

 

[Chappers]

Might be worth waiting a few weeks. Apple are rumoured to be bringing out a large iPad along with some updates to the existing range. Date is for announcement is claimed to be Oct 10.

Also iWork is now supplied free on new devices. OK you don't have Outlook but Numbers will handle Excel spreadsheets, plus I have seen people using Outlook on iPhones via a web app. Don't know details as it's not a problem I have.

Also there is the new Tesco tablet Hudle. Jury still out on that.

 

[Dark Knight]

Windows 8 is good, on a tablet it is different. I found it harder to get to some of the bits I wanted to get to, but this was just a case of getting used to where to touch on screen to get x etc. For using it mobile, it is much better now Skydrive allow you to store files offline, before it only let you browse the files and access them when you were online.

from what I have seen it looks fine, as you say just something to get used to, wondering what 8.1 will be like, will it fix any of the niggles you have with it ??

 

[Dale_tem]

My niggles with Windows 8 are.....

Settings - some old, some new and it doesn't always flow between new and old
Printing - In Metro/NewUI there is no print option unless you hit Ctrl+P, so using the new PDF reader it isn't easy to print without a keyboard.
Metro/New UI - let me use it on multiple monitors!!!!!!!!!!!

Office 2013 is good, I was expecting better touch support, but it basically just spaces things out for fat fingers I'm still hoping for a new office type app in Metro, i currently use OneNote for taking notes, but would prefer a simple Word type app, but not found a good one yet

 

[Dark Knight]

My niggles with Windows 8 are..... Settings - some old, some new and it doesn't always flow between new and old Printing - In Metro/NewUI there is no print option unless you hit Ctrl+P, so using the new PDF reader it isn't easy to print without a keyboard. Metro/New UI - let me use it on multiple monitors!!!!!!!!!!! Office 2013 is good, I was expecting better touch support, but it basically just spaces things out for fat fingers I'm still hoping for a new office type app in Metro, i currently use OneNote for taking notes, but would prefer a simple Word type app, but not found a good one yet

Cheers Dale... I guess it's hard to keep both crowds happy, PC and the ever increasing Tablet/touch users

I won't need use any print function, will just update some stuff and print when back o the office terminal or Remote Desktop from home

Word really like a word app if it doesn't come with a full version.. Either that or putting docs on Microsofts cloud thing when I'm possibly wanting to work on something out of the office - Starting to think this may get a bit complicated

 

[Dark Knight]

Might be worth waiting a few weeks. Apple are rumoured to be bringing out a large iPad along with some updates to the existing range. Date is for announcement is claimed to be Oct 10. Also iWork is now supplied free on new devices. OK you don't have Outlook but Numbers will handle Excel spreadsheets, plus I have seen people using Outlook on iPhones via a web app. Don't know details as it's not a problem I have. Also there is the new Tesco tablet Hudle. Jury still out on that.

i


Cheers Chappers... I can't find an app that works well enough with exchange server, I am a tad OCD with outlook, I always clear my inbox and flag stuff to different priorities then work from 'follow up' folder... I have so many outlook folders and sub folders I need to expand and close as you can in outlook... I know a bit nutty but that's how I use it

I also need the handy size of the mini, I have an old full size and it's not mobile enough for me

 

[Dale_tem]

If you get surface, you get office with it I believe.
If you are into folders, rules etc. then Windows mail won't be good enough and you will need the full office.

Touchdown is the best exchange app for android, not tried it on iOS yet. The new update to Mail has some very good features.

 

[Dark Knight]

If you get surface, you get office with it I believe. If you are into folders, rules etc. then Windows mail won't be good enough and you will need the full office. Touchdown is the best exchange app for android, not tried it on iOS yet. The new update to Mail has some very good features.

ah haaaaa

I have looked at Touchdown, I'll have a search, cheers

It will be a Surface if I do move away from the iPad mini, I currently use a combination of 3 things... One for mail, a separate calendar and a separate tasks manager

 

[Dale_tem]

Touchdown does tasks and email, but I use Google Calendar (synced with exchange) so I can see multiple calendars in Windows 8/ipad.

I use lots of rules which move mail automatically and I use the Unread mail in Outlook to view new mail. Touchdown has All folders and shows all mail and the widget shows all unread mail from any folder.

 

[Dark Knight]

Touchdown does tasks and email, but I use Google Calendar (synced with exchange) so I can see multiple calendars in Windows 8/ipad. I use lots of rules which move mail automatically and I use the Unread mail in Outlook to view new mail. Touchdown has All folders and shows all mail and the widget shows all unread mail from any folder.

nice one dale, I think I will give that a try over the weekend

 

[acetone]

It's going to be a long wait, Microsoft launched surface 2 yesterday and there is no 7" so your choice is ipad mini or an android device.


Also iWorks is not supplied on iDevices for free, you have to buy it. It not built into ios7 and certainly not on the latest iMacs which were refreshed this week.


I think there maybe too many rumour watchers or wish list believers on the forum

 

[neil_g]

It's going to be a long wait, Microsoft launched surface 2 yesterday and there is no 7" so your choice is ipad mini or an android device.


Also iWorks is not supplied on iDevices for free, you have to buy it. It not built into ios7 and certainly not on the latest iMacs which were refreshed this week.


I think there maybe too many rumour watchers or wish list believers on the forum

http://www.zdnet.com/apples-iwork-free-on-all-new-ios-devices-7000020501/

?

 

[Dale_tem]

So the free Pages, Numbers and Keynotes etc. I downloaded for free on my iPad mini yesterday didn't exist?

 

[Mikesphotaes]

So the free Pages, Numbers and Keynotes etc. I downloaded for free on my iPad mini yesterday didn't exist?

Maybe aye, maybe no!

They are all £6.99 each now..........

.......unless of course you registered a new iphone/ipad device after the 1st of September?

So all in all, I think the ketone fella was absolutely right :shrug:

 

[acetone]

Screen shot take 30 seconds ago.

 

[Dale_tem]

Yep registered new device

 

[Dark Knight]

It's going to be a long wait, Microsoft launched surface 2 yesterday and there is no 7" so your choice is ipad mini or an android device. Also iWorks is not supplied on iDevices for free, you have to buy it. It not built into ios7 and certainly not on the latest iMacs which were refreshed this week. I think there maybe too many rumour watchers or wish list believers on the forum

wish list believer... That's me