Getting a new machine

[Shaggy Hiker]

I missed out on this discussion, so I'll get in late.

I got a new surface pro 7 last fall/winter. I'd been debating that for a long time. I really liked the improvements of the 7 over the 2 (which I also still have, and which is acting as a database server, currently). The problem I had with the 2 was that the keyboard was too cramped. I could type on it, but not all that well. With the 4, MS increased the screen size, which allowed them to increase the keyboard size (since the keyboard has to be the same size as the screen such that it folds correctly). They used that extra size to increase the key spacing, and it was just enough. I can type very well on the 7, the battery is considerably better, the screen size is larger, and best of all: It's lighter!!

That last point may not matter so much to everybody, but it does to me. I bought the 2 so that I could code while on a 1000 mile bike ride. I'm not willing to carry the weight hiking, but it's insignificant when biking. Still, lighter is better, and I now have a bike trip coming up that could end up being about 1600 miles. That's what prompted me to finally buy. I think I ended up with the exact same specs that szlamany opted for.

Great computer, and my solar charging system will make use of the USB-C.

Also, when at home, I plug in a hub that allows me to hook a pair of 27" monitors into the SP, which gives me three screens. The one issue I've had with that is that when the SP sleeps, it usually 'forgets' about the third monitor. To get it back I either have to unplug then replug, the hub, or else reset the video driver (Ctrl+Shift+Windows+B) three or four times. I have no idea why it requires three or four times, and it isn't even consistent with the number. Sometimes three is enough, sometimes it takes four.