Is there a keyboard dock for Surface Pro 2?

M

mknlb50

Limp Gawd
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Feb 2, 2006
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Something like what ASUS offers for their transformer line-up:
http://www.amazon.com/Asus-Transformer-TF101-Mobile-Docking/dp/B004U78628

Something that allows me to easily use it on my lap. I currently use a Samsung Windows Laptop AND Samsung Note 10.1. I would like to replace both of those with 1 device soon and this is the only thing that's holding me back from getting a Surface Pro.

If there isn't, will MS come up with one for Pro 3?
 
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The Surface keyboards are docks. As Supraman stated there are the type cover 2 and the power cover. It all depends on what type of typing surface you want which the Type 2 has the best feel, Power has additional battery but thinner keyboard and the touch cover which is the thinnest. My father has the Pro 2 with Power cover and goes all day without charging the battery and finds the keys work for him though I find them to be a little mushy, but I also type on mechanical keyboards all day.
 
Supraman321 said:
Yeah, there is the Type Cover 2: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...ID.286867100?WT.mc_id=surface_RTM_TypehCover2

and the Power Cover that has a built in battery as well:
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Surface-Power-Cover/productID.298465700

Both really awesome attachments and keyboards.
Click to expand...

Seen that but it's not like the ASUS one because this is more of a cover that doesn't hold the tablet in place. I need something that I could use on my lap comfortably like a real laptop.
 
If you don't mind using the touch screen, flipping the keyboard underneath the open kickstand creates a great way to hold it on your lap. Of course you loose the typing ability.
 
Yeah, I guess I assumed you would use the kickstand but yeah you are right it doesn't hold the screen up with the keyboard base. In that case then nope, there really isn't anything like that unfortunately. The design was intended to use the kickstand which does have multiple positions.

The docking station could be useful with an "on-lap" scenario possibly but I haven't tried that. I get by with using the kick stand although admittedly it isn't as comfortable as not having to use one.
 
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Yeah, the "on lap" situation is the one major complaint, otherwise a great product overall, imo.
 
Supraman321 said:
Yeah, the "on lap" situation is the one major complaint, otherwise a great product overall, imo.
Click to expand...

Well, that and the fact it's too heavy to comfortably hold in your hand and use for any length of time, and there's no place to store the pen, and the kickstand sucks on any soft or uneven surface, and going with 16:9 aspect ratio on a tablet was a really poor design choice.

Besides all that, it's great. The CPU and SSD and RAM and Wacom digitizer are great for a tablet. But as a tablet itself, the surface is a big fat slab of failure.

Signed,
Surface Pro 1 owner

Have you checked out the Helix?
(BTW what ever happened to the Miix 2 11.6"?)
 
"Failure" is a bit strong. It's not an iPad Air, but for obvious reasons, it cannot be an iPad Air. I agree that 16:9 was a mistake, but I don't think it kills it in the crib.

In terms of trade-offs, I'd argue that it makes approximately the right sets of them. I'd like to see a slimmer, svelter (and potentially cheaper) Bay Trail Surface Pro at some point — or, you know, just have that be the fuckin' low-end Surface and discontinue the purposeless ARM models — but that would just be Microsoft making different sets of trade-offs.
 
Kueller said:
Well, that and the fact it's too heavy to comfortably hold in your hand and use for any length of time, and there's no place to store the pen, and the kickstand sucks on any soft or uneven surface, and going with 16:9 aspect ratio on a tablet was a really poor design choice.

Besides all that, it's great. The CPU and SSD and RAM and Wacom digitizer are great for a tablet. But as a tablet itself, the surface is a big fat slab of failure.

Signed,
Surface Pro 1 owner

Have you checked out the Helix?
(BTW what ever happened to the Miix 2 11.6"?)
Click to expand...

Spec is really bad for the amount of $$ Lenovo is asking for. Thanks for the suggestion either way. I think I'm gonna have to wait for broadwell W8 tablet+laptop hybrids.
 
mtrupi said:
Please click on the link I posted to find what you asked for.
Click to expand...

Yeah I've seen that but it still isn't like the Asus one that I was talking about. Plus, I need something that I can carry around like a laptop and use it on my lap, like a laptop. Thanks for your input nonetheless.

The closest one so far is Lenovo's overpriced Helix.
 
Fujitsu makes some hybrids under the "Stylistic" model name, but like the Helix they are a professional-priced product.
 
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There is a kickstarter called Freedomcase that may make it a bit easier to use the keyboard on your lap.
 
Are you considering other options aside from the Surface 2 Pro? Or is it the only device that fits your needs otherwise?
 
limitedaccess said:
Are you considering other options aside from the Surface 2 Pro? Or is it the only device that fits your needs otherwise?
Click to expand...

As long as it has comparable battery life, wacom support and keyboard dock, I'll be set. Right now I'm leaning towards waiting for Broadwell tablet+laptop hybrids.
 
If you're willing to go bigger the Thinkpad Yoga Pro also has Wacom support. You get basically a full laptop type keyboard experience.

Fujitsu has options as well albeit rather pricey.

There is the Fujitsu q704, it's larger but actually roughly the same weight I believe without keyboards. With keyboards it's heavier as it has the "fuller" keyboard you are looking for.

There is also the q584 is a BayTrail but it is smaller and lighter. Also has a higher 2560x1600 screen.
 
Have you considered something that is foldable? Like the Thinkpad Yoga?

You can get a 1920x1080 screen. Has Wacom support. It will be a little heavier and larger than the SP2 or units with removable keyboards; however, you can easily use it in your lap, and you would not have to worry about remembering to bring the keyboard with you, pack it in your bag, etc.

Edit:Looks like limitedaccess had the same idea as I was typing this :)
 
The ThinkPad Yoga has a horrible, widely reported screen retention problem.
 
This seems like a quality control issue with a large segment of LG IPS laptop panels. You'll find reports of this of other more commonly owned laptops using LG IPS panels (eg. the Dell XPS 12, Macbooks).
 
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