I used the Microsoft Surface tablet all day yesterday and today when teaching. Yesterday morning I could not get the projector to see the tablet. In the afternoon - in another classroom there was no problem. Had no problem today either. I used it because the software in the classrooms where I was teaching is out of date. The Surface has my thumbs up on performance. It is winning my confidence day by day. This evening I am using my Apple Bluetooth keyboard, external monitor, and external number keyboard to enter data. It is fantastic to see two windows at the same time. Cannot believe that I waited so long to get an external monitor - so inexpensive and was on sale, too.
Showing posts with label Microsoft Surface. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Microsoft Surface. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Using an External Monitor with the Microsoft Surface Tablet
It is challenging to write a new edition of the Informatics and Nursing textbook while also teaching full-time. To complicate things, I attempted to switch to Windows 8 using two tablets over the last 4 months. The Dell Venue Pro Enterprise was a disaster. However, the Microsoft Surface tablet is perfect. The only problem with the Surface is the very small window for "serious" writing. Now that I am almost finished with the book, I splurged and purchased a 24" external monitor last week.
There were a few adjustment problems. First, I wanted the high definition (HD) component that uses an HDMI cable. I did not realize that the tablet uses the mini-port, like the MacBook Pro. I found a mini-port to HDMI cable at Radio Shack, but the input shaft was a little short, so sometimes it would connect and other times not. I could see when searching the Internet that the connection cable I needed cost ranged from $4.99 to $39.99. Not wanting to purchase something that did not work and not having the easy access to other stores that are in Macon and Atlanta, I decided to use the 9-pin to mini-port cable I had for the Mac. I don't have HD, but it provides an interim solution until I find the right cable.
I was able to change the Device > Project settings on the tablet to Extend the view. So now I have two windows, one on the tablet and the other on the monitor. It allows me to view two different documents at the same time, which is exactly what I need when editing a chapter.
There were a few adjustment problems. First, I wanted the high definition (HD) component that uses an HDMI cable. I did not realize that the tablet uses the mini-port, like the MacBook Pro. I found a mini-port to HDMI cable at Radio Shack, but the input shaft was a little short, so sometimes it would connect and other times not. I could see when searching the Internet that the connection cable I needed cost ranged from $4.99 to $39.99. Not wanting to purchase something that did not work and not having the easy access to other stores that are in Macon and Atlanta, I decided to use the 9-pin to mini-port cable I had for the Mac. I don't have HD, but it provides an interim solution until I find the right cable.
I was able to change the Device > Project settings on the tablet to Extend the view. So now I have two windows, one on the tablet and the other on the monitor. It allows me to view two different documents at the same time, which is exactly what I need when editing a chapter.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Microsoft Surface
Well I gave up on the Dell Venue Pro. Apparently the model that I attempted to use was the problem. I exchanged it for a Microsoft Surface at the end of last week. Life is good! The small screen is good for portability, but it is small.
I finally learned how to use the pen today! I "knew" it had to have some added value. In OneNote, I can write just as I would with paper and pen. I can also "erase" using the end of the pen - as well as have the written info converted to text. I am concerned that it might be easy to lose the pen when only attached at the magnetic point on the side of the tablet. I'll have to be careful.
Like the Dell, the battery life is fairly short. It almost lasted the 4 hour meeting this afternoon. Of course, I have everything "turned on" that uses battery life.
I am using it as my only computer on the Sloan-C/MERLOT Emerging Technologies in Teaching Conference here in Dallas. The tablet fits easy in my purse. The next step is to finish building it and to transfer files from the old laptop.
I finally learned how to use the pen today! I "knew" it had to have some added value. In OneNote, I can write just as I would with paper and pen. I can also "erase" using the end of the pen - as well as have the written info converted to text. I am concerned that it might be easy to lose the pen when only attached at the magnetic point on the side of the tablet. I'll have to be careful.
Like the Dell, the battery life is fairly short. It almost lasted the 4 hour meeting this afternoon. Of course, I have everything "turned on" that uses battery life.
I am using it as my only computer on the Sloan-C/MERLOT Emerging Technologies in Teaching Conference here in Dallas. The tablet fits easy in my purse. The next step is to finish building it and to transfer files from the old laptop.
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