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My Microsoft Surface Pro 2 Experience

I was in the process of preparing something to post about my Microsoft Surface Pro 2 experience. I will say that I am quite happy with the device and the entire experience overall. I had one of the original Surface Pro devices as well. I upgraded to get the latest and a little more storage space. As I feel I can possibly transition to this device exclusively.

DISCLAIMER: These are just my experiences and opinions. The steps outlined below worked for me but may be different in your configurations and environments. This information is presented as is.

What Surface Pro 2 did I purchase?

  • Product Name: Surface Pro 2 - 512 GB SSD and 8 GB RAM
    Product SKU: 7SX-00001
  • Accessories
    • Product Name: Wireless Adapter Product SKU: Q6W-00001
    • ASUS MB168B+ 15.6" LED Backlight Full HD USB-powered Widescreen LCD Monitor

NOTE: I am still trying to work out some issues with the ASUS MB168B+ and my Surface Pro 2. I believe it is a driver issue as it works with my laptop and my Surface Pro.

The bundle I purchased came with the Touch Cover 2 keyboard, stylus and carrying sleeve.

The first time I turned the unit on it walked be through the entire configuration process. It was very quick, painless and intuitive. Once I had it connected to the internet via WiFi I quickly went to the internet and check for updates. It needed to install 75 updates including the Windows 8.1 version. This can take a while and will require a restart. Once this was complete I configured SkyDrive.

Learning how to operate the Surface Pro 2

One of the best resources that allowed me to get up to speed quickly is the Surface Pro User Guide. I must also mention my good friend Kevin Martin who told me to read 10 pages at a time and master those before moving on in order to fully grasp the device.

Once I was comfortable and confident that things were working as I wished I decided to join my Surface Pro 2 to our Domain.

  • Log into your device using an account that is already setup
  • Press WINKEY + X combination and select Control Panel
  • Go to Category "Network and Internet"
  • Got to "Network and Sharing Center"
  • Set up a new connection or network
  • Select Manually connect to a wireless network (this is required if you have a hidden WiFi)
  • Enter the Network name
    • Select Security type (WPA2-Enterprise)
    • Select Encryption type
  • Press Next, then select Change Connection Settings
  • Go to the Security tab
    • Change Network Authentication to "Microsoft: Protected EAP" (PEAP)
    • Select Advanced settings
      • Check Specify Authentication Mode - change drop down list to "User or Computer Authentication"
  • Click on Save credentials and enter your domainusername and password used to authenticate
  • Click OK through the remaining screens to complete the process


You should now be able to select and connect to your wireless network from the network list. Now join your domain and reboot by logging into your domain.

Now you will want to "Forget" this wireless network and re-add it to use the logged on users credentials.

  • Go to the network list
    • swipe from right of screen
    • select Settings
    • select Wireless
    • right-click on your Network and select "Forget" (do not drop or delete)
    • Recreate the wireless network using the above procedure except skip the Specify Authentication Mode
      • Instead - Authentication method should still be "Microsoft: Protected EAP" (PEAP), then go in to Settings
      • Select Authentication Method – "Secured Password (EAP-MSCHAP v2)"
  • Go into Configure
  • Make sure this is checked - "Automatically use my Windows log-on name and password (and domain if any)"

Configuring and Installing Additional Applications

So what else did I install on my device for work purposes you might ask?

To be productive

  • Microsoft Office Pro 2013
  • SQL Server 2012 Enterprise Edition

    For testing purposes (as well as to see if I really can live without a laptop)

  • Sage 500 ERP 2015 (v7.6)
  • Sage ERP X3 (v6.5)

My next step was a stroll around the 'Store' so to speak. This is the Microsoft equal to the Apple world App Store. There are a lot Apps in the Store including a host of free Apps. I currently do not have any of purchased Apps from the Store but may consider a few in the future.

I have a few sites that I did need to set IE to Compatibility Mode for in order to be able to use them.

The Surprise - Surface Pro 2.0 i5 4200U 1.6 GHz 2.3 GHz

Then I discovered that the unit I ordered on December 11, 2013 is old technology. I missed it by a week. You can see this information by using the magical key combination of Windows Key + X then selecting System.

This is a screen shot from my computer. This is what the Surface Pro 2 would have if the Lot No was less than 1350, plus some of the Lot No 1350 based on some other comments on the internet.

Surface Pro 2

This is a screen shot of the newer processor. This is what some are referring to as Surface Pro 2.5 or Surface Pro 2.1. I am assuming the 2.5 reference is because of the 2.5 GHz or the 2.1 as just a newer release. Read more about that it Paul Thurrot's post referenced later in this post.

Surface Pro 2.5

Lot No which appears to be the Year and the week of the year is the key to getting the newer processor. You can find the Lot No on the sticker on the side of the box. This comes in handy if you are purchasing them at retail. If you purchase online like I did you would have to call and ask for this specifically and hope they honor your request.

It appears that around Lot No 1350 is when they started to ship the new processor. Although based on some of the links below you may want to make sure you have at least Lot No 1351 to be safe.

Other posts about the processor change:

Additional reference points discussing the processor upgrade:

Summary

If you are getting ready to make this purchase, be sure to check and/or request a unit with a Lot No greater than 1351. I know some people are looking around to get left over stock, etc. They will most likely get the older model and this may deter some folks from purchasing from those sources.

I hope you find this useful. I just wanted to share my reason for obtaining a Surface Pro, my experience with the Surface Pro and my shock when I found out it was already the old model.

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Joe Noll

Written by Joe Noll

Joe is the President of the RKL eSolutions brand with a background in MCITP, MCTS Sage 500 ERP Certified Consultant Sage 500 ERP Certified Developer Sage ERP X3 Certified Developer Sage ERP X3 Technical Consultant Specialties: SQL Server Optimization assistance, Virtualization, Business Continuity Planning.