Harvey Norman have surface pro 8's on special with additional gift cards for all specs except for the basis model.
The sale price looks like the same/similar as other retailers (e.g. JB Hi fi, Good Guys have this model for $1,721) but you get the gift card so depends on much you value the $150 gift card - perhaps use towards the keyboard which will cost you another $259-$429 (the $429 model comes with pen).
What type of load?
Heavy tasks, gaming, chrome with lots of tabs opened. Thanks
Probably, or it will ramp up the fan to obnoxious levels. It's a small form factor device with a relatively powerful CPU, there will be lots of heat to do something with.
All the Surface laptops I've used at work cook, and scream the fans, under any kind of real load. About on par or a bit worse than Dell units for their inability to deal with waste heat.
@schquid: This is incorrect. The Surface Pro 8 gets warm but it's surprisingly well cooled compared to previous models. I have the i7 model and when the fan spins up they're audible but not obnoxious. It also doesn't immediately thermal throttle like most devices in this class.
Lol yeah why are you using a surface pro for heavy tasks or gaming.
Even the thickest of dell/alienware gaming laptops gets "hot" under heavy tasks or gaming.
Does it come with keyboard?
Please read OP's ad
wow, a 1.6k tablet doesn't come with a keyboard dock
Laughs in tab s8 ultra.
Cries in iPad Pro
$1,565.60 @ jbhifi with the afterpay discount if you dont want to give that grub Gerry any money.
keyboard is $189.95 also with afterpay discount.
Do I have to use the afterpay option on the Jb-Hifi website to get the discount?
I didnt have to and others said the same.
New to AP - JB says the AP limit is a $1k purchase - couldn't get AP to appear in the payment screen, only latitude etc - are you using a gift card to bring the subtotal down first? Cheers for any feedback
*edit - it appears the keyboard at 429
@Sonnyjimbo: I just got them to refund the price difference for my purchase because of afterpay discount. Others who paid with giftcard got the same. Im sure you can go instore and pay the afterpay discounted price.
@Sonnyjimbo: I originally bought it without the afterpay discount. I claimed the price drop guarantee and the refunded me the price difference.
How do you get that price? I don't see the discount and AP payment method
I just added it to cart and discounted price already shown.
https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/microsoft-surface-pro-8-1…
Still the same price ($1648)! It's very strange…
Yes please don't buy from these F$%ks
This or the surface studio?
Studio - so you can show off how big your pe…display is
The studio laptops
Completely for a different purpose. So what do you want to use it for?
I just got the Surface Laptop Studio as I wanted plenty of power for editing videos and graphic designing with Adobe, along with a larger screen, and it does the job perfectly (much more expensive however).
For others the Surface Pro 8 might be more suitable (light, compact and easy to take with you on the go).
My son's 13 years birthday is coming up. He said he wanted Surface pro 7. But my wife said one salesman from one of the stores told that because my son is still young and doesn't need all the specs, so he recommended rather this
https://www.harveynorman.com.au/microsoft-surface-laptop-4-1…
Its $1,328.10 @ jbhifi with afterpay discount.
Remember HN gives you $150 bonus gift voucher.
Good option but it's not convertible as a tablet. Went to jb yest n the dell inspiron 7000 series are quite impressive in build quality. Starting $1600 ( can combine afterpay n gift card disc)
https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/dell-inspiron-7415-14-fhd…
I use one of these for work. Great laptop but not convertible to a tablet if that's what your son is after.
I'd rather get him this, he can do alot more stuffs conviniently and handling wise.
Sometimes young doesn't mean they know nothing about tech. But SP7 is an old and out of date to me.
Surface Laptop Go $798 with $100 HN's gift card (got it from last trade in deal)
https://www.harveynorman.com.au/microsoft-surface-laptop-go-…
Are they any good?
Only if you want small size, screen resolution not high like pro.
Yes - super capable for what you get. Best screens on the market for the form factor.
Edit: Actually, realised it was the laptop. They're pretty average, but good for the price.
but good for the price.
I bought it just because of the iPad trade in deal.
Can do USB-C charging, display and fingerprint login, no Hello login.
Surface Pro is good but I would go for Dell XPS 13 not much size difference but value for money.
You are paying for surface pro for the form factor, the sleeknees, the weight. Its a tablet with pen when you want it to be with full screen apps from ms store.
Pity none of them are any good :( Windows tablets still suck.
Pretty good for everything else except gaming, both XPS and SP. Never had any preformence issues. They not just a typical tablet PC, that's what I use for work + extra monitor.
@Zorlin: I couldn't agree more but I bought for size factor / performance. I'm not a fan of tablets either. I use for WFH while I'm not so home. Lol
Not much sleekness difference, both almost same size and weight, I got both from two different generations.
For the discounted prices, XPS value for money;
XPS comes with keyboard, pen, 512Gb, i7, noicy fan.
SP You need to buy the pen and keyboard , not much space after 256Gb.
Any link for good xps deal? Thanks
In my opinion the Surface makes the XPS look cheaply built/crafted.
It just doesn't have the same design aesthetics as Surface, but it depends if that's something you notice or not. I certainly do but each to their own, no right or wrong :)
This is a last gen processor, and the generational difference is big in this case. The new ones are much faster.
It's hidden in the description and this is of course on purpose, they don't want to inform you that it's much slower than the new version available. Have a look at how many clicks you have to do on their website to find what model the processor really is not just 'some i5'. I gave up and searched other sites.
The processor is i5-1135g7. This article sums it up .. new gen up to 70% faster.
https://www.pocket-lint.com/laptops/news/intel/160136-intel-…
another 6+ mths from Microsoft Announcement and Stock Availability i guess!
There's also Ryzen available now, though not for this tablet. The ryzens can have 8 cores instead of just 4 as 11th gen low (U) series intel is limited to.
This is the bit that's making me umm and ahh about jumping. Have been waiting ages to upgrade the surface, and the 8 has good hardware and pen refinement shifts, but 12th gen is an archi shift for Intel. I doubt the mobile processors would be the 70 percent increase, also 6 months is wishful thinking
I think it's actually realistic up to 70%. I know this is very different to previous Intel gen jumps in the last decade, and that's why I'm pointing it out so you can make informed choices :)
The reason it can be such a huge jump is due to a big change, the 11th gen U series which this is is limited to 4 cores, while the 12th gen U series has up to 10 cores. The huge increase in core numbers is why the performance can actually be significantly different.
This article has a table with the models- make sure you look at U series for tablets, the first table is 45W which can have up to 14 cores, that's a different power class. https://www.xda-developers.com/intel-12th-gen-p-vs-u-series/
And here's another article on the performance, the title of which is '12th series are damned fast'!
https://cybershack.com.au/announcements/intel-12th-gen-core-…
I don't think there's anything nefarious going on. Yes the new gen cpus are coming but this product is current. The 12th gen p/u series laptops/ tablets aren't available yet.
So frustrating that these come with Windows 11 Home rather than Windows 11 Pro..considering its called a Microsoft Surface Pro, and older models come.with Pro installed. Had an argument with online chat regarding this and trying to get an upgrade as it's misleading information on the Microsoft site.
Had an argument with online chat regarding this and trying to get an upgrade as it's misleading information on the Microsoft site.
Which part is misleading? The specs page does say Windows 11 Home.
The product name is Surface Pro, that itsel iinplies it would come with pro features, also In the configuration selection page it doesn't mention the Windows edition. In addition, previous models of Surface Pro had Windows Pro pre loaded. I would consider that to be misleading.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/store/configure/Surface-Pro-…
I'm not saying you couldn't find it if you tried, but the issue itself is that it's misleading the consumer by way of marketing. I assumed by name and as I've owned a Surface Pro before that it would again be bundled with Pro OS.
The product name is Surface Pro, that itsel iinplies it would come with pro features
I get why you made the assumption, but it's just the name of the product. The Surface Studio doesn't come with a studio. ;)
In the configuration selection page it doesn't mention the Windows edition
The main product page - which you clicked through to get to the page that you linked - says it comes with Windows 11. It doesn't say Windows 11 Pro. So I wouldn't assume it comes with Pro.
in addition previous models of Surface Pro had Windows Pro pre loaded. I would consider that to be misleading.
I would consider that a mistaken assumption. It doesn't say Windows 11 Pro anywhere so I wouldn't assume it comes with it, since it would be a selling point.
You were on the consumer Surface page. Windows 11 Pro is aimed at businesses.
If you went to the business Microsoft Surface page you'll see that it states Windows 11 Pro.
What Windows 11 Pro features do you need?
@eug: It still is misleading in my opinion, ultimately an incorrect assumption on my part based on information presented at the forefront of the UI that led me to believe it was Pro, confirmation that it is Wondows 11 Home edition is not presented in how it is marketed, only in the specs, but Pro is in the title.
I want to joiny DC at home, RDP, BitLocker etc.
@eggaz: You bought a computer without looking at the specs? Enough said.
Thank god you didn't buy a Microsoft Surface Duo, because it doesn't come with any Microsoft OS, but it comes with Android. Mind-blowing, huh?
@SimAus007: No I bought a computer without confirming the OS, assuming it was Pro given the name and my previous purchase of a Surface Pro. I was aware of the hardware specs as the CPU RAM HDD are on the config page, no mention of Home Edition OS though. Don’t call a product Pro and exclude the pro software features, or at least make it obvious whilst configuring the device..enough said.
@eggaz: I think you're own your own here, you made a silly assumption, it's your error.
Nothing implies it comes with Windows 11 Pro.
Oh wait, because it's called "Microsoft Surface Pro 8" you think there is some sort of link? Clutching at straws much?
Microsoft Surface Duo
Thats only one device. Taking microsoft to court. Duo and you only receive one item. ACCC will hear of this. 😂
The Surface Studio doesn't come with a studio. ;)
You mean garageband app doesnt come with a garage? Im suing.
You do know there is next to no difference between 'home' and 'pro' (for the average user there is no difference)? I work in IT and video/audio editing, we all use 'home'.
Windows 11 Pro only includes a small handful of features for (some) IT professionals, generally in large offices, and much of the time those features still aren't needed.
Hardly misleading because it's completely unrelated.
The branding name of a computer has nothing to do with what software version it's running (which also changes over time with OS updates) and it clearly states on the box and MS website what version it comes with out of the box.
Yes I do know the difference, thanks. Many people work in IT, each having different needs.
Hardly misleading because it's completely unrelated..c'mon you can't draw a connection between the product being called a Surface Pro and the same company having an operating system named Windows Pro?
Zero connection, the last thing I've ever thought.
Neither Microsoft, Apple and Android have EVER used the model naming convention of a hardware product in reference to the OS version, Not once.
If you wanted Windows 11 Pro so badly, you would have looked for it when looking in the specs.
If it was such an issue, why didn't you take it back within 30 days for a full refund? Then buy one through the business channel of Microsoft.
Problem solved.
@SimAus007: We're different and entitled to have our opinion, I respect that, I'm not disputing that I made an assumption and mistake by not checking the OS version, based on Pro name and that my previous Surface Pro came with Windows Pro pre loaded (was also purchased via the normal consumer site).
I'll purchase a Pro licence activation key, rather than refund and re purchase through business channel, but still believe it should be bundled with Windows Pro and offer all Pro features.
@SimAus007: At this point can't figure out if trolling. Would hate to be on the support line with this guy. Bought a Samsung galaxy and didn't come with galaxy!
Thanks OP. Bought one. It's cheaper through HN with keyboard. I'll get the keyboard when I receive the gift card.
i nkow its sad but my kid has left me a fortnite addict and after apple had a fight with epic you can no longer play it on an ipad.
i now play on a galaxy s6 and its really bad.
has anyone played fortnite on the pro and is it good?
thx
thank you!
Thanks OP! You have saved me one hundred fifty bucks. I went to JB Hi-Fi this morning, and they had no stock.
I went home. Browsed Ozbargain and found you post.
I went to Harvey Norman. Bought the i5 16Gb/256Gb , and used the Harvey Norman gift card to get $150 off the keyboard and pen set.
Is the gift card a HN gift card or can be used anywhere? If it can be used anywhere you could get the keyboard and pen from JB cheaper…
I remember HN used to give gift cards which you could use everywhere, like grocery shops and etc….
I haven't even seen the Harvey Norman gift card. A girl at a register scanned the gift card straight away to get $150 off the keyboard and pen set.
I have no idea if Harvey Norman gift card can be used anywhere else. By the way, Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi have the same RRP price of $429.95 for the keyboard and pen set.
officeworks?
can these output 4k 144hz to a 34 inch monitor?
Really tempted. Would use the gift card for the pen slim 2 but that is not enough… Discovered you cannot charge it unless investing in a keyboard ($270) or charging base (&40) on the top
Is it worth the extra $250 getting the i7 over the i5?
I have the same question
No, performance difference is like 10%
Are these things getting uncomfortably warm under load? Thanks