Or how my Surface Pro became my only computer

Why I bought a Surface Pro 2.

I bought a Surface Pro 2 because I wanted a tablet that would run the full Word program. This was so I could do manuscript appraisals in a relaxed situation, on the couch instead of at my desk. My IPad Word app didn’t do track changes or allow me to add comments. I was very happy with my new purchase; it did exactly what I wanted it to do. The Surface Pro 2 really is a computer and a tablet in one. I never thought that it would become my one and only computer, though, but it did.

Only one thing bugged me.

The only thing that bugged when working on the Pro was that I didn’t have all the files I needed on it. No matter how carefully I planned ahead to make sure that the files I might need were where I might want them, there was always one still on the other computer. I tried to keep the files I used most on Microsoft’s Cloud so I could access them from both computers, but I couldn’t get that to work the way it’s meant to, in part due to our slow internet.

Why I thought I’d try the Surface as my main computer.

Apart from the above, which was a pretty major motivation, I had an Acer laptop which had pretty high specs when I bought it about three years ago, but my Surface Pro leaves it for dead. It boots in 6 seconds, and wakes from sleep in 2, and the programs open instantly. After using Word on the Surface, I found myself tapping my fingers on my desk while waiting for it to load on the Acer. It also switches from one program to another without a hitch. Clearly, my Surface Pro 2 was a superior computer. I found myself lusting after its attributes when at my desk.

What was stopping me?

I’d only bought the 64 gig model, so I didn’t have much disc space, and, of course, the screen isa great size for doubling as a tablet, but not so great for working on all day.

How I solved those problems.

I installed a 64 gig SD card and put all my media files on that. I also bought a 16 gig USB drive. I initially used this to transfer files between my two computers, but now it’s just extra storage should I need it.

I attached it to an external monitor and bought a mouse that works from Bluetooth so it doesn’t take up the one precious USB 3 port. I set it up as you see in the photo.

Does it work as a single device that fills all needs?

Absolutely. My surface Pro 2 is now my one and only computer. When I’ve finished at my desk, I unplug it and take it to the couch for the evening without losing access to all my files. I can take it anywhere and keep working if I find myself waiting around. When you have clients on the other side of the world who may want to talk to you when you’re no longer in the office, it’s perfect. (See my post on how to set up the external monitor properly.)

I’m a fan; so much so, that I’m upgrading to a Surface Pro 3. I’m getting more Ram and a bigger processor (i17). It’s not cheap, but it’s a top of the line computer that also doubles as a tablet and a netbook, so you don’t need two or three different devices. And when you spend as much time on a computer as me, you want a good product. This isn’t just good, it’s convenient as well.