Reddit mentions of Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (256 GB, 8 GB RAM, Intel Core i5)

The SSD in mine died right outside of the warranty window. Most other laptops it'd be no big deal - $50 replacement and you're back in business. But these are almost completely unrepairable. I was unlucky, but even if nothing went wrong they're designed to be disposable.

Second, the 8gb models (which you really want for Solidworks) are quite expensive. My 4gb SP4 crapped out all the time when working with large assemblies.

People act like the note taking functionality is a game changer but in my opinion, it's not really worth it. It's slower and less comfortable than writing on paper, and it's not like paper notes are that hard to store and organize.

You can hook a second screen up to almost anything.

Edit: maybe I wasn't so unlucky after all. Used, unreliable, and unrepairable? That's the trifecta of shit. Don't do it.

If you actually are going to be using the touchscreen for notetaking, I probably would not recommend anything other than the Surface Pro 4. Most touchscreens are not responsive and accurate enough for actual note taking, and it's really only the Surface Pro 4 that is consistently known for doing it well.

Unfortunately it's quite an expensive device, with a version with an i5, 8gb of ram and 256gb ssd costing $1030 just just the tablet portion. The keyboard and Pen are only sold separately and another $113 and $45 respectively.

Maybe this configuration of the Surface Pro 4. Remember to get the surface type cover and pen that go along with it. They are sold separately.

I'm a recently retired engineer in the same position looking for a new laptop to support my own photography while out traveling. I have been looking at the Dell Ultrabook XPS series and have come very close to ordering, when my son (also an engineer) ordered one for himself. He sent it back after 2 days with screen problems, and is now back to looking again.

One of the things I do, is to pull up the customer reviews on Amazon. For the Dell Ultrabook XPS, I'm finding that the reviews are bi-modal - which is to say a large cluster at 5 star and another cluster at 1 star. Either it arrives and you love it, or it has problems and you wind up sending it back - some folks get a replacement and start all over with problems. So, here is an example of what I am referring to .... The experience is going to vary with the model, but there seems to be a trend.

• https://www.amazon.com/Dell-XPS13-9343-13-3-inch-Ultrabook-Processor/product-reviews/B00RY4X8A4/ref=cm_cr_dp_qt_hist_one?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=one_star&reviewerType=avp_only_reviews&showViewpoints=0
  
  For the HP Spectre 13 or Envy 13 of the same class, there are not enough customer reviews to make a decision.
  
  So, if not Dell XPS, or HP - I looked at the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 - there are a number of models so I choose one at the i5, 8GB, 256 GB SSD, and it too was running at about 50% 5 star and 20% 1 star.
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Surface-Pro-Intel-Core/dp/B01606IDL0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1479036219&sr=8-3&keywords=microsoft+surface+pro+4
  
  Starting to run out of options here. Sony sold off their Vaio laptop line to a newly formed company called Vaio. Now they are running with fewer overall reviews (~90) but the reviews are not bi-modal - more along the lines of what I was expecting.
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/VAIO-Canvas-12-3-Laptop-Windows/dp/B015QDEZMO/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1479035058&sr=1-2&keywords=vaio+s
  
  What I am looking for is at least an i5, an I7 4 core would be better. High resolution screen, at least 8GB with a 256GB SSD, relatively thin and really not over about 3 pounds, with a good battery life. The Amazon reviews should be over 50% 5 star, and less than about 5% for the 1 star.
  
  Right at the moment, I am considering the Vaio... YMMV
  

Windows 10 S mode can be upgraded to the full version of Windows 10 for free.

You can buy a Microsoft Surface Pro 4 with a Core i5-6200u, 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD for $625.

https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Surface-Pro-Intel-Core/dp/B01606IDL0/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=Microsoft+Surface+Pro+4&qid=1571626524&sr=8-7

If you really want a stylus and tablet mode then the:

Surface Pro 4 + Type Cover $1299 + $129.99 = $1428.99

or

Surface Book $1,457 are the best for you with their great portability, decent processing power, excellent screens and useful touchscreens/styluses. The Surface Book is probably the best out of the two.

If you can forgo these things, the much more powerful:

ASUS Zenbook Pro UX501VW $1499 has a 4K screen, an extremely powerful processor, a 512GB SSD and a dedicated GPU if you ever change your mind about gaming. It seems this one of the computers with the display problems listed in the sidebar.

Dell XPS 13 Has a 3200x1800 touchscreen, ultrabook portability, and decent power.

Speaking from personal experience, I would go with this Microsoft Surface Pro 4.

I was in the market for a machine so my daughter could do her art without covering our house in the inane ramblings of an 8 year old, so I started digging into convertibles with pens. I finally settled on the SP4.

It's extremely lightweight, the magnet attachment for the keyboard and power are fantastic features, the pen is really great and accurate, and the display is absolutely beautiful. I really suggest the i5/8GB model, since you can't upgrade it, and I would suggest getting this UAG Case as well. I tested a number of cases first and landed on that one, as it allows the keyboard to snap to it without removing the case or having any other weird addition like the Otterbox one has.

Also keeping in mind that the Surface Pro Type Cover is separate, it is on the high end of your budget. But something that will last all day (in power saving mode), and be extremely easy to carry around with a good quality pen is well worth it.

There are two here for $899 still. Tech Lords is seller I got my Surface and keyboard from. Would not know if they were not off the shelf honestly. The device came with the charger and the pen.

Allegedly it comes with a 1-year warranty from Microsoft since it is certified refurbished from them. Not a bad deal since it is the same price as some Amazon Warehouse stuff

If you know you'll take advantage of using it for what it was designed for, you'll love it, and it'll be worth the investment. I had one for about a year when i was working under Intel and fell in love with the machine. The portability of it is ridiculous, id easily tell you how many compliments i would get or just curious people asking me how i was running windows on that thing LMAO. The note taking is really nice, i use the Office suite, and Onenote is amazing to use, being able to hand-write notes, then convert them to actual text is crazy, it even does math for you!Honestly you'll have fun and love the machine, although if you were maybe looking so spoil yourself with something else and save on the laptop then get something cheaper, but the Surface is an awesome device to use nonchalantly inserts link to Surface Pro 4..

I highly recommend you go with [Microsoft Surface Pro 4] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01606IDL0/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=dimz04-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01606IDL0&linkId=1dcc6bc4d6e5cae86eaac9f5f7bbe540) Highly recommended as the best for storing textbooks and such for college students. It comes with:
8GB ram, usb port, 10 hours of battery life which is considered long lasting, lightweight, comes with windows 10 pro which is up to date

imho if I'm throwing down on a MacBook Pro, I'm getting one with at least more than 3.0Ghz CPU. If the Surface Pro 4 that you're looking at is the one that has 8GB of RAM and a 3.0Ghz CPU rating for $1299, I would get that one over the MacBook.

But if the CPU of the Surface you're looking at is essentially identical to that 2.7Ghz, I personally would either get the 128GB version of the Surface for $799, or take a look for an entirely different computer deal altogether.

If it has to be a surface then I would suggest this configuration.

I'd go with a refurbished model direct from Microsoft

They come with the 1 year manufacturers warranty and are generally in new condition.

Otherwise, your only other option for new is retailers like Amazon

None of these include the keyboard which is another $100-$150.

Used machines can include the keyboard and other accessories for well under these prices but their condition is always questionable.

$1500 may have been the MSRP for a 8GB/256GB version, but I believe the price has come down quite a bit. Amazon is currently offering that SKU for ~$1000 (without keyboard).

For the features you are looking for , especially that pen input, the Surface Pro would be the best choice for you. In your budget, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 would be a nice pick which would certainly do the job for you. It has a nice i5 processor, a decent 256 GB SSD, great 8 GB RAM etc...It also has an excellent screen quality with an awesome pen feature that will allow your to take written notes brilliantly. It also is very portable, has a nice battery life and based on it's power, will be able to run Hearthstone and other similar games as well as those medical software you have.

Macbook

Surface

Twice the number of 1 star reviews, way more 2 and 3s.

I owned three. Experienced the random clicks mentioned in these reviews on all of them. Experienced random full shutdowns from OneNote. Pens disconencting and not reconnecting without a power cycle. I eventually bought a Lenovo and have had almost no issues since. More than my Macbook owning friends, but at least I could rely on my laptop to let me write notes on it every morning, unlike any of my Surfaces.

I've met one person who didn't hate theirs, but he didn't do anything with it besides use it as a regular laptop, and even he mentioned the keyboard disconnecting occasionally.