Recent Discussions
Multi-cast Surface Hubs
My department has multiple Surface Hub devices around the meeting room floor. We have many instances where it would be helpful to be able to control the devices from a central device - a hub, a computer, or similar. The goal here would be to project a screen, a slide or a video across the devices. They are hung on the walls throughout the floor - one example is when we need to usher groups of people back into the main room, we would love to cast an alert on all screens. Is there a way to do this on the Hub devices? We have considered starting a Zoom or other video call across them all, but that seems like an overly complicated workaround. Let me know if anyone has any ideas or experience with this.Microsoft Surface 7 XIP Laptop continues to impress.
The Microsoft Surface 7 laptops with Arm Snapdragon chips are a real game changer. Impressive build quality and keyboard keys that do not go shiny like the MacBook Air M3. My typical usage - emails, internet, Word, PowerPoint, Excel. battery will last two days, no fan noise heard so far. Good design features - fully laminated screen, thin bezels, thin chin, non shiny keys, reasonably thin, not as thin as M3, but not noticeable, magnetic charge plug with side entry, better than 90 degree MacBook Air M3 plug, upgradeable M.2 2230 ssd, 16 GB ram. Question - Crucial P310 1TB PCie Gen 4 NVMe 2230 M.2 looks like a good upgrade if more storage needed. However will the Crucial P310 generate more heat ?
Surface Pro 6 running super slow
Haven't put anything new on it. Visit the same websites daily. Just outta nowhere this thing is super slow the past few days. No viruses or malware. Windows up to date. Ran "a program" ...everything is clean and up to date. Chromium was running in the background, stopped that. Nothing running at startup that shouldn't be. (only Logitech keyboard/mouse, Avast, RealTech audio, and SecurityHealthSysTray) Task manager says 3% CPU usage - 49% memory usage. Any ideas? Thanks!
Type Cover will not Connect
I’ve tried everything — up-to-date, restarting, turn off and on, troubleshooting, running device tests—and I can’t get in contact with Microsoft customer service. My type cover for my surface pro 8 is magnetically connected but it won’t work at all and the connection won’t register in the tests. Without the type cover my surface pro is essentially useless. I can’t type on the keyboard or use the type cover mouse. I’ve submitted a ticket for customer service and haven’t heard back yet. A service repair is like $180 for a type cover!? I bought your device like 2-3 years ago and it’s still in great condition. Haven’t even dropped it once & it randomly stops working. Wtf. There doesn’t seem to be a scratch or anything. What could I do to fix this?Surface User Update February 2025
This is a user update from the UK for Surface 10 core XIP6400 16Gb 512GB 13 inch Laptop. Almost identical in use to MacBook Air M3 (Apart from OS) but better battery life. Fully laminated screen with thin bezels. No fan noise heard so far. Services disabled - - Connected user exp and telemetry. - Dolby Dax - Windows Search - All Xbox apps - SSD indexing. It looks like the Arm Snapdragon has transformed the Surface Laptop. A question - My surface laptop has a 2230 M.2 512GB ssd which appears to be a SDDPTQD 1124 WD. Is there any benefit in changing to a Samsung 2230 990/991. Would this impact battery life or heat generation ? ie, The Samsung is better in theory but would I ever notice using MS Office/emails, etc.
MDT Replacement Mode
I'm trying to replace the screen on a Surface Pro 8, and the manual straight from Microsoft says I need to run some pre-repair software. There does not appear to be any documentation showing how to actually do that. Here's the section in the manual: • Prep Device – Device must be set in TDM Replacement Mode prior to removing a faulty TDM. a. Connect software tools USB drive with SDT to USB connector on device under repair. b. Connect power supply to device. c. Power on device – Depress the power button on the side of the device. d. Run software tool – At the device OS, use Windows Explorer, navigate to USB drive and run: SDT – Select Repair setup and validation. Run the Touch Display Setup. At the end of the tool process device will power down. IMPORTANT: This step must be carried out on the device successfully before removal of a faulty TDM. Ensure light levels in the work area remain consistent during the touch display setup process. I've been able to determine that the correct version of the SDT software is the "for Business version". The options to put it in setup and validation mode are not present when running from the machine. There are no directions for making a portable install on a USB. I started here: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/all/tdm-replacement-mode-on-usb-drive/9b02132e-6fee-46fe-9d90-1934303b8255 and after that and a bunch more reading I found some guidance that got me to creating a custom package, which I placed on my USB. It doesn't run. I've got to be missing something here. I just need to get this screen replaced. I have the hardware part handled, this software is really throwing me for a loop. Could I get some direction on how to actually make it work, or a detailed description of what would happen if I ignore it and just replace the screen?Surface Laptop 5 abysmally horrible battery life
I bought this laptop 2 years ago for $1.4k. I expect it to have a battery life that lasts more than 3.75 hours. The charger it came with is also incredibly finnicky and this webcam makes everything look like it was recorded on a D-list smart fridge. The only think this crapshoot is good for is the aesthetic. Functionally it's useless. I really expected better from a reputed company like Microsoft.Jerky video with USB-C to HDMI Adapter
I have a Surface Laptop 4. When I try to use it to stream football (soccer) to a TV via the official Microsoft Surface USB-C to HDMI Adapter the motion is slowed down for a few secs then it skips forward to catch up. It’s pretty unwatchable. I have tried with the TV extending or duplicating the laptop screen. I have tried various lower resolutions and all the lower frame rates. When duplicating, the laptop screen also shows the jerkiness. If I remove the USB-C adapter, the video returns to normal. I have tried this with 2 different Sony TVs. I have also tried an unbranded USB-C to HDMI adapter. Any ideas on how I can get this working? For years I used an old laptop (Windows 10, i5 gen 2) with its own HDMI port but sadly it died. Thanks in advanceBattery Test - Surface 7 13.8 vs MacBook Air M3 13.6 screen.
On 22nd November 2024 I conducted a battery test on my Microsoft Surface 7 Snapdragon X Plus 13.8 inch screen and My MacBook Air M3 13.6 inch screen. The Microsoft 7 snapdragon X Plus was set at 59% screen brightness and the power mode was recommended. The MacBook Air M3 was set at 55% screen brightness and the power mode was low power mode on battery. The same media player was used on both machines and a pop music video was run continuously for 4.5 hours. The remaining battery life on the Microsoft Surface 7 Snapdragon X plus was 77%. The remaining battery life on the MacBook Air M3 was 68%.Feedback on the Surface 7 Snapdragon X Plus
Wow, what a major leap forward Microsoft have made with the Surface 7 Snapdragon X plus. Putting it alongside my MacBook Air M3 13 inch there is hardly any difference. Major points - Qualcomm snapdragon X plus provides power and long battery life without the heat and power drain of an Intel chip. Fully laminated screen, thin bezels. Aluminium body, feels just like the MacBook Air M3. Thin inline magnetic charging attachment. Keyboard does not show marks like the MacBook Air which looks old and worn within months. Good trackpad, although I mainly use a Logi Pebble mouse. Nice and small charger. I own a MacBook Air M3 and now a Microsoft Surface 7 Snapdragon X Plus (Both 13 inch) but I like the Surface more. I cant wait to see what the next generation of QUALCOMM processors will look like. My usage - Chrome, G mail, MS Office apps, internet, no gaming. Bob UK November 2024.
Recent Blogs
- Surface Hub 3 will support Miracast wireless projection by the end of 2025, enabling more flexible content sharing in hybrid meeting spacesMay 07, 2025
- 13 MIN READSurface is where Windows innovation hits the fast lane. With Copilot+ PCs [1] designed and built by Microsoft, we’re leading the delivery of cutting-edge AI experiences through deep partnerships wit...May 06, 2025
