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. 

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.

Dell Venue Update

As it turned out, the first Dell Venue tablet I received at the beginning of February was defective.  Dell replaced the tablet and I picked it up on Tuesday.  So far it is working.  It is similar to the iPad, but a has all of the power, software capabilities, and storage of a desktop.  I still do not like the attached keyboard, but hopefully will get an upgrade.  When all of the files from the older model laptop are moved to the Dell Venue, I will turn the laptop back into IT.

I did pick up a rubber tipped stylus to use with it from Best Buy this week.  The screen size is so small, that they stylus helps when making selections.

While it was frustrating to attempt to get the first Dell Venue to work for 4 works, I have to commend DellCares on Twitter.  They constantly reached out to me to resolve the problems.  DellCares was an amazing experience.  Kudos to those who were so supportive as well as the University IT support person - Matt!!

I wanted the new tablet to use as I am finishing up the first round of edits for the 5th edition Informatics and Nursing textbook.  I wanted the ability to take high resolution screenshots.  The replacement came just in time. 

Growth in the Use of Mobile Devices - Pew Research

I monitor Pew Research and Harris Interactive resources to keep up with changes in the use of technology.  Pew Research has a site on the use of mobile devices at http://www.pewinternet.org/data-trend/mobile/device-ownership/

The data is current as of January 2014.  It shows that 90% of adults in America have a cell phone and 58% of those use a smartphone.  The growth in cell phones was higher than desktop or laptop computers.  The number of tablets and ereaders is steadily climbing.  The website has an innovative interactive chart worth reviewing.

Tablet Contender - Microsoft Surface

A couple of my colleagues are using the Microsoft Surface tablet.  There are two versions of the tablet, Surface RT and Surface Pro.  Today, the Surface RT costs $340 and the Pro costs $799.  A comparison of the two tablets is at http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/which-surface-is-right-for-you

Microsoft continues to have the majority of the operating system market.  The Surface tablet really can replace the, now old-fashioned, desktop computer.  The Microsoft Surface tablet is a giant step towards Bill Gates initial vision of putting a computer on every desktop, except it goes further.  The tablet is more like putting a computer on every laptop.

Microsoft acknowledges that the operating system (OS) takes a considerable amount of storage at http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/storage 

The size of the operating system is where the Google  OS is so different.  The Google OS is a component of the web browser.  When you turn on a Google Chromebook, it takes less than 5 seconds for the home screen to appear.

iPad

I picked up the iPad today!  Will be reporting updates as I learn them.  So far, there is much similarity with my iPhone.  All of the iPhone apps that I have synced with the iPad using iTunes.