>>>>>>>Hi,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I am shopping for a Surface Pro 2. Amazon has some "Cirtified Refurbished". The Amazon page does not show the RAM memory but shows the storage memory, 256 GB. The Microsoft Surface Pro 2 specification page shows the Storage and Memory as follows:
>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>64/128 GB    256/512GB
>>>>>>>4 GB RAM    8 GB RAM
>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>The 8 GB RAM is right below the 256/512 GB. Does it mean that if the SP 2 has 256GB storage, it has 8 GB RAM?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_Pro_2 :
>>>>>>
>>>>>>"The Surface Pro 2 was available with 64, 128, 256, or 512 GB of internal storage; the 64 and 128 GB models includes 4 GB of RAM, while the latter options include 8 GB."
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Daughter has one and loves it (choked a bit on the extra cost for the keyboard/cover tho......)
>>>>>
>>>>>Thank you. I am going to a Staples store today to see what options and prices they have. I think after your daughter I will be the second user of MS Surface Pro 2 :)
>>>>
>>>>I have a client who's used one for a couple of years, it's a real workhorse for her. Some comments from her use and my supporting that unit:
>>>>
>>>>- at 10.6" the screen is small but very sharp (like a smartphone). To work on that all day you really need to be under 40 years old and have good eyes. Otherwise you should use one or more external monitors. It has a mini DisplayPort output which might require a special cable or adapter to work with an existing monitor
>>>>
>>>>- if you want to do serious work all day you'll need an external keyboard and mouse. The Type Cover for the Pro 2 is just too small for heavy duty use and the trackpad is not as good as those in good quality laptops
>>>>
>>>>- with only 1 USB port (albeit USB3) you need an external hub (preferably powered). You can also get some which have additional functions such as wired Ethernet, which turns them into mini docking stations
>>>>
>>>>- some software doesn't scale properly with high resolution/high DPI screens. One example I ran into was connecting to an old version of Terminal Server. Since the RDP client didn't scale properly, the remote desktop ended up being a very small window in the middle of the display - very sharp, but unusably small even on a 12" screen Surface Pro 3, and it would be even worse on a Pro 2. The workaround in that case is to reduce the screen resolution to something much smaller while using such apps. This problem is not specific to the Surface Pro 2, it's common to all devices with high DPI screens
>>>>
>>>>- the Type Cover attaches fairly securely with its magnetic connector so when it's attached you're tempted to move it around by the keyboard. Don't ever try to pick it up by that, though. One client did that and the tablet separated from the keyboard and dropped 4 feet on to concrete, landing on its corner, cracking the screen and causing its touch functionality to fail (but to its credit it was fully functional except for that).
>>>>
>>>>- make sure you have good backups. Internally all Surface Pros are basically unrepairable, it takes very specialized equipment and skills to reliably remove the screen to get at the internal components. If something fails it'll be out of action for days or weeks while being repaired. Be aware that any attempted repair that requires removing the screen voids the warranty. But that may not apply in your case if you're buying a refurb
>>>>
>>>>- be wary of refurbs in general. If you're lucky they're off-lease and never had a problem but in that case they may have had hard use, more dents/surface scratches etc. than usual and the battery may be worn if it hasn't been replaced. If you're unlucky it'll be a unit that was returned under warranty for some sort of hardware failure, repaired, and placed in the refurb channel. In any case, if you're getting a refurb be sure to have and maintain good backups
>>>>
>>>>- refurbished units could come with Windows 8.1 Pro rather than Windows 10, which might be a pain if you're used to Win10
>>>
>>>I was at Stapes today and they only have Surface Pro 4. Which to me looks like a computer and too big for what I need it. When I asked them about Surface Pro 2 (which is 10") they said that MS no longer makes them. I don't know if the sales person just wanted me to buy what they had but if SP 2 (smaller) is no longer available, I may have to look for another tablet. The nice thing about SP 2 is that since it runs Windows OS, I can develop in VFP 9. Other tablets are not compatible with VFP 9.
>>>Thank you for your input; all very helpful.
>>
>>Yes, Pro 2s haven't been made for quite a while, new ones are Pro 4 only. If you want a Pro 2 you're looking at refurbs from Amazon etc., or used.
>>
>>Up here staples.ca handles a lot of refurbished desktops but I don't see any refurbished laptops or tablets. I don't know if staples.com has any, you might ask.
>
>I think it is too bad that MS didn't stay with the SP 2 (as far as the size). I will ask the customer if they are willing to carry around this monstrosity. I am concerned about buying a refurbished; and you made some good points about it.

For the average person the 10.6" screen and Touch Cover keyboard is a little too small, that's why MS went for 12" on the Pro 3 and 4.

Some small form factor offerings are listed at http://www.ultrabookreview.com/2375-best-11-6-inch-ultrabooks/ .