Jan 1, 2016, 11:04 am
Last edit by: tcook052
This new annual thread has been carved out of the previous thread in an effort to reduce the number of megathreads on the AC forum. For those interested previous versions are the
original 2004 - 2014 thread and the 2015 edition
The original thread started by accident but quickly became a popular place to come and discuss off topic things such as hockey, new movies, or almost anything that wouldn't fit into existing AC forum threads. More Air Canada or Aeroplan topics such as flight feedback, in-flight services issues or mileage earning/redemption are all topics that should go into existing AC forum threads so others can benefit from this information. Topics about hotels or airlines and/or their loyalty programs should be posted elsewhere on FT.
While the conversation is more relaxed as it would be in a lounge that doesn't mean however that the FT rules don't apply her as they definitely do so please refrain from controversial topics such as politics or religion, avoid profanities and treat other lounge patrons with the same respect you expect.
tcook052
Air Canada Forum Moderator
original 2004 - 2014 thread and the 2015 edition
The original thread started by accident but quickly became a popular place to come and discuss off topic things such as hockey, new movies, or almost anything that wouldn't fit into existing AC forum threads. More Air Canada or Aeroplan topics such as flight feedback, in-flight services issues or mileage earning/redemption are all topics that should go into existing AC forum threads so others can benefit from this information. Topics about hotels or airlines and/or their loyalty programs should be posted elsewhere on FT.
While the conversation is more relaxed as it would be in a lounge that doesn't mean however that the FT rules don't apply her as they definitely do so please refrain from controversial topics such as politics or religion, avoid profanities and treat other lounge patrons with the same respect you expect.
tcook052
Air Canada Forum Moderator
The Forum Lounge Thread (2016)
Aug 22, 2016, 7:09 pm
#4876
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: Only J via Peasant Points, 777HDPeasant or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance and Narcissism.
Posts: 5,953
I must be in the minority of Surface Pro 4 owners that don't like it! Mine has been sitting in the closet for 99% of my ownership (since launch week). It looks cool, but the tablet function is mostly useless. I love my touchscreen T series notebooks though, and carry an iPad Air for tablet/2nd monitor duty (duet is awesome).
I highly disagree with the tablet function being "useless"
Surface is the MOST productive machine ever built and allows me to get literally everything done on it. I can jog some quick notes down, do some quick UI/UX brainstorm work with the engineering peeps(who often demands extreme hand holding), watch a movie/catch up on netflix, finishing up the emails on the get go.
If only MS could beef up the specs more I can do away with my Lenovo Y500 spec beast and do everything on one machine.
When I am back in my dorm I can just hook it up to any monitor /keyboard and blast away.
Its light, durable, not some MBA crab that breaks on first drop.
Aug 22, 2016, 11:23 pm
#4877
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: YYJ
Programs: AC SE*MM, Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Gold, National EE, Sixt Plat, Hz 5*
Posts: 2,439
When I was in school, I used OneNote with a convertible tablet. I liked the pen because it was a heck of a lot easier to quickly jot down simple equations.
On the Surface Pro 4 (SP4), I find tablet mode without the pen to be totally unusable, so no improvement there. With the iPad, there are tons of tablet oriented apps, and the size is much more manageable (don't get me wrong, my iPad became 300% more useful when duet came out, so basically I never use it either). The SP4 is uncomfortable to hold with one hand; I wish my hands more closely resembled Lona Kane's.
AFAIK there is no LTE available on the SP4 (I love the LTE in my thinkpads, which I've had on the T420s, T440s, and T460s). I've also always had LTE in my iPads...
I've encountered lots of bugs in SP4 the firmware, they are slowly getting patched but mine still doesn't even keep the correct date when I pull it out after months of sitting around. I have to fix the clock before web browsers and updates will work. CMOS batteries worked fine for me back when I had an 8086...
The keyboard and mouse just suck compared to my thinkpad (T440s doesn't count there, Lenovo really f'd up the mouse on that one, I had to install a T450s trackpad in it to make it usable). After using the SP4 for a few minutes of serious work I have a strong temptation to toss it off the balcony/whatever drop is available to me.
The SP4 is uncomfortable to use on my lap because of the kickstand and flimsy little keyboard, same temptation to toss it off a tall building.
The SP4 doesn't have enough USB ports. I do need to plug in a keyboard and mouse to really use the thing. I guess I should carry a BT keyboard with it?
And IIRC the ram/ssd are not upgradeable, when I got my T460s I threw in a 500gb SSD and upgraded the ram to 20gb. More USB ports could be a bandaid to this issue...
Those are my only real complaints so far. lol.
On the Surface Pro 4 (SP4), I find tablet mode without the pen to be totally unusable, so no improvement there. With the iPad, there are tons of tablet oriented apps, and the size is much more manageable (don't get me wrong, my iPad became 300% more useful when duet came out, so basically I never use it either). The SP4 is uncomfortable to hold with one hand; I wish my hands more closely resembled Lona Kane's.
AFAIK there is no LTE available on the SP4 (I love the LTE in my thinkpads, which I've had on the T420s, T440s, and T460s). I've also always had LTE in my iPads...
I've encountered lots of bugs in SP4 the firmware, they are slowly getting patched but mine still doesn't even keep the correct date when I pull it out after months of sitting around. I have to fix the clock before web browsers and updates will work. CMOS batteries worked fine for me back when I had an 8086...
The keyboard and mouse just suck compared to my thinkpad (T440s doesn't count there, Lenovo really f'd up the mouse on that one, I had to install a T450s trackpad in it to make it usable). After using the SP4 for a few minutes of serious work I have a strong temptation to toss it off the balcony/whatever drop is available to me.
The SP4 is uncomfortable to use on my lap because of the kickstand and flimsy little keyboard, same temptation to toss it off a tall building.
The SP4 doesn't have enough USB ports. I do need to plug in a keyboard and mouse to really use the thing. I guess I should carry a BT keyboard with it?
And IIRC the ram/ssd are not upgradeable, when I got my T460s I threw in a 500gb SSD and upgraded the ram to 20gb. More USB ports could be a bandaid to this issue...
Those are my only real complaints so far. lol.
Last edited by Nitehawk; Aug 22, 2016 at 11:38 pm
Aug 22, 2016, 11:43 pm
#4878
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: YYJ
Programs: AC SE*MM, Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Gold, National EE, Sixt Plat, Hz 5*
Posts: 2,439
I highly disagree with the tablet function being "useless"
Surface is the MOST productive machine ever built and allows me to get literally everything done on it. I can jog some quick notes down, do some quick UI/UX brainstorm work with the engineering peeps(who often demands extreme hand holding)
Surface is the MOST productive machine ever built and allows me to get literally everything done on it. I can jog some quick notes down, do some quick UI/UX brainstorm work with the engineering peeps(who often demands extreme hand holding)
Aug 23, 2016, 8:49 am
#4879
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*SE-MM, BA Bronze, Marriott Titanium & lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,820
I think the SP4 keyboard is amazing. There's always a tradeoff between size, thickness and quality, but the SP4 has pretty much nailed it on all three.
Aug 23, 2016, 4:58 pm
#4880
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
I heard there's this great place called "The Thread" Chat where one learns really good stuff about AC, even more than here. Have you guys (unisex "guys") heard of it?
Aug 23, 2016, 6:57 pm
#4881
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: SE100K - Air Canada, WestJet Gold
Posts: 144
Aug 23, 2016, 7:29 pm
#4882
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: Only J via Peasant Points, 777HDPeasant or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance and Narcissism.
Posts: 5,953
Aug 23, 2016, 7:48 pm
#4883
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: SE100K - Air Canada, WestJet Gold
Posts: 144
Aug 23, 2016, 8:04 pm
#4884
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: Only J via Peasant Points, 777HDPeasant or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance and Narcissism.
Posts: 5,953
Ffsim is most def a very, very nice guy, had a great time chatting with him in Shanghai.
Can't wait for Friday also! :P
Aug 23, 2016, 9:48 pm
#4885
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
What's on Friday?
Time for me to crash a party?
Time for me to crash a party?
Aug 23, 2016, 11:11 pm
#4887
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,449
Crackling intensity on AMC's season 3 premiere of Halt and Catch Fire. The Tangerine Dream sort of background music is perfect for the mid-80's timeframe too.
Aug 23, 2016, 11:29 pm
#4888
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
I really like the music at the end.
And..... "Are You Safe?"
And..... "Are You Safe?"
Aug 24, 2016, 3:02 am
#4889
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,099
I just left Shanghai. Also what's going on at PVG T1, they parked 3 747s at remote stands. Must be fun to ferry 400 ppl by bus.
Aug 24, 2016, 10:58 am
#4890
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
The "The Thread" Chat is awesome! Learning so much about AC from AC insiders!