Can you use the Surface as a second screen or draw pad for another PC?

[Darkhell]

Seems like it would be nice to be able to use the surface as a draw pad while using photoshop, or even an extended screen.

 

[J515OP]

Yes you can. Particularly the Surface Pro since it has a digitizer. However you will not get the performance of a dedicated drawing pad like a Bamboo. It is really an ultrabook that can be used this way as a secondary function but that is not its primary purpose.

 

[Darkhell]

Happen to know what I need to do so? Google keeps coming up with advertising crap and reviews or people speculating.

 

[bosamar]

Happen to know what I need to do so? Google keeps coming up with advertising crap and reviews or people speculating.

Connect monitor | Connect TV | Connect another display ? Microsoft Surface

 

[Darkhell]

Its simple to use a bigger screen for the Surface, that is just plug and play. I am looking to use the Surface as a second screen for a computer and or as a drawing pad for another computer.

 

[Afy]

It should be possible if you RDP into the non-surface machine. Personally I cant think of another way, though you could have issues with scaling.

 

[J515OP]

Its simple to use a bigger screen for the Surface, that is just plug and play. I am looking to use the Surface as a second screen for a computer and or as a drawing pad for another computer.

You can't do that. Well possibly with RDP but that will be kludgey and not really what you are asking about. The Surface doesn't take video input like a monitor so you can't use it as a second screen for another device. Same with drawing pad. It isn't a peripheral and has no support for acting as such for another device. I understand what you are getting at but it is a waste to buy a $1000 PC and then turn it into a monitor or drawing pad for another PC when devices dedicated to the purpose (monitors and drawing pads) can be had at much cheaper prices and will do a better job at those tasks. It would be wasted sitting next to another PC 90% of the time and simply using it as a make shift digitizer or 10" monitor.

At the end of the day it means more accessories and you can't simply unplug everything and have a usable PC to go but at the same time that isn't the Surface's intended purpose. You can't buy a Prius for the gas mileage and then expect it to perform as a work truck.

 

[PervySage]

Pervy Sage thinks the Surface Pro is pretty horrible for drawing.

Check this thread: http://www.surfaceforums.net/forum/...ace-pro-not-drawing-tablet-wacom-warning.html

The pen in general is not horrible, sure it might be good for simple doodles and notes but never tried. The touchpad is too much of a joy to use when i write my Make-Out series of books.

But for serious drawing, it's just horrible.

note: pic is not an example of drawing on the MS Surface

 

[machistmo]

Pervy Sage thinks the Surface Pro is pretty horrible for drawing.

Check this thread: http://www.surfaceforums.net/forum/...ace-pro-not-drawing-tablet-wacom-warning.html

The pen in general is not horrible, sure it might be good for simple doodles and notes but never tried. The touchpad is too much of a joy to use when i write my Make-Out series of books.

But for serious drawing, it's just horrible.

note: pic is not an example of drawing on the MS Surface

[video=youtube;puyMmARTqck]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puyMmARTqck[/video]

 

[PervySage]

That looks like it might be feasible based on my experience with Surface Pro and Adobe Photoshop...


THIS, would be a NO NO NO on Surface Pro with Photoshop:

fig. 5.6: Blade of the Immortal

 

[tonyz3]

Tonyz3 thinks pervysage might have his head.... well you know. :wink:

 

[texrat]

You can't do that. Well possibly with RDP but that will be kludgey and not really what you are asking about. The Surface doesn't take video input like a monitor so you can't use it as a second screen for another device. Same with drawing pad. It isn't a peripheral and has no support for acting as such for another device. I understand what you are getting at but it is a waste to buy a $1000 PC and then turn it into a monitor or drawing pad for another PC when devices dedicated to the purpose (monitors and drawing pads) can be had at much cheaper prices and will do a better job at those tasks. It would be wasted sitting next to another PC 90% of the time and simply using it as a make shift digitizer or 10" monitor.

At the end of the day it means more accessories and you can't simply unplug everything and have a usable PC to go but at the same time that isn't the Surface's intended purpose. You can't buy a Prius for the gas mileage and then expect it to perform as a work truck.

I could understand wanting to do this. Not on a regular basis, of course, but as-needed. I travel with both laptop and Surface Pro, using each where it makes the most sense, and it would be nice to be able to attach the Surface Pro as a second monitor *in a pinch*.