Hey everyone,
Just signed up here after following the videos on YouTube for a long time.
Anyway, after watching Wendell’s review of the Surface Pro I thought I’d take the plunge as it has sparked my interest lately. I purchased it to hopefully replace two products, my MacBook Pro (late 2013 w/i7 & 750m) and iPad Air 2.
Now as I wanted to replace the laptop I figured the i7 was worth the extra and the better iGPU wouldn’t hurt for my usage.
When I first got it, I charged the battery fully and then began the process of installing about 70 odd updates - that’s where the fun began.
After installing a few, the fan ramped up, after 20 it shut itself down. Left it for 5 mins and retried, done about 5 more then same thing - the top right of the rear was pretty hot to the touch. To complete the installation I actually had to run the Surface in the freezer - seemed drastic but done the trick!!
I hoped the firmware update would make a difference but even now the fan comes on and ramps up when doing very little after around 30 mins of use (internet / iTunes etc)…
My uses for the machine will be light AutoCAD and Photoshop / InDesign whilst on the road alongside typical internet and iTunes usage. Should be more than adequate for this.
I’m staying away on business and need to get a few things done over the next few days so will be trying it out but will be taking my MBP as a backup.
I understand this is a very thin device so I’m wondering if this normal or do if this maybe faulty.
Sorry this was such a large post!
Its probably defective or you have something running in the background. I would call Microsoft about it or go to their store and try to exchange it for a non defective one.
Yes to throttling due to heat, though I haven't heard of it being quite that severe.
The i7 models suffer from throttling due to excessive heat but purportedly a USB fan will cool it down enough to stop it from throttling. I opted for the i5 because of that. An i5 is more than enough for pretty much anything that I have previously done on the Surface anyway, though it sounds like you would need more. I'd be inclined to look at alternative options for your use, to be honest.
The problem with mine however, is it doesn't appear to throttle.
When the fan is running at what I believe is full and the rear of the unit is hot to the touch, the CPU is still showing 2.9 - 3.3GHz in Task Manager meaning it is still at or near full turbo.
I guess I should have bought the i5 like most everyone else. Using my MBP in the bar of a hotel tonight as I know it will remain silent and wont annoy anyone when just browsing the internet.
EDIT: to add, Windows still appears to be using 30-40% CPU when idle due to indexing so I will let this finish and see how it goes before going back to the shop I bought it from - PC World in the UK.
I haven't seen a thermal shutdown on proper i7s that were not defective. What's the lot # behind the kickstand? Some had issues.
In one case on an overheating i5 it was due to a partially blocked vent and USB video card drivers being installed.. Even though the USB video card was not plugged in. The surface would overheat watching Netflix for no reason and it was the dMn USB display link driver.
Hi Wendell,
Sorry for the delay on getting back on the topic, working away at the moment.
Not sure if it is the lot number, but I do have 024017744453 - model number is 1631.
I have literally just installed Windows updates, Adobe Creative Cloud, AutoCAD LT2016 and Office. No drivers or anything for 3rd party hardware. Funny you should mention the vent though, I can't ever feel much air coming from the vents on the top and sides of the device?