I refuse to call the Surface Book 2 "VR Ready" or recommend it to anyone looking to do VR portable. It actively drains the battery **while connected to power** when running VR apps. So, you know, not great. Razer Blade is still my top recommendation here.
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Replying to @russellholly
Firstly, wasn't this issue found to be wholly inconsistent, game engine and display driver dependant, and fairly easy to work around? Secondly, wasn't the battery drain found to be only ~10%/hour... which would outlast many VR stints, anyway? What say you,
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Replying to @MyNameIsMurray
Not a justification/compromise I find acceptable, much less reasonable. Lots of things that computer is good at, VR isn't one IMO.
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Replying to @russellholly
Just playing devil's advocate. The drain issue is indeed disappointing, and Microsoft should fix this. However, by all accounts, those with SB2s don't appear to have huge issues with it, even for gaming and VR. I just wasn't aware we'd moved into the "actively discourage" phase.
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Replying to @MyNameIsMurray
I am. It would be totally unacceptable for me to be in VR with friends for a few hours and then only have 65-70% of my battery when I unplug to go somewhere (a scenario I act out almost weekly). I'm also a little more steeped in VR portability than most, because it's my focus
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Replying to @russellholly
What VR-ready laptop would you be able to immediately pick up and take with you? You mentioned the Blade: That's not super portable, and you'd need oven mitts to hold that thing after a few hours of gaming. Also, doesnt 65-70% on the SB2 still provide several hours of battery?
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Replying to @MyNameIsMurray
I'm not really sure how to respond to any of that, so I'm just gonna say I hope you enjoy your evening and move on.
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Replying to @russellholly
To be clear: I understand these are you opinions, based on your needs & experience, and I don't actually disagree with you. I'm just here to suggest that others, with a different focus, might not find the drain as big of an issue, and may still love the SB2. Have a good day, too
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Replying to @MyNameIsMurray @russellholly
Agree with Murray, don’t be picky about the SB2, use a real desktop for VR like a practical person. My VR developer friends don’t use laptops lol
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Couple of quick notes: A. My job is to recommend based on what people tell me they want B. Nobody cares what you think is "practical" C. I use the desktop I built for 90% of my VR work D. Devs use laptops for VR work all the time. VR Conferences are literally filled with 'em.
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Replying to @russellholly @MyNameIsMurray
Avg dev/“real” customers could easily make compromises for SB2 - a tight budget person would not complain if they had that or the Blade. Also the portability described with 70% left, seems more than sellable. I would easily bet on that. Design/convenience trumps 3 hr niche case
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But why make such a compromise? This is more straining on the battery and could cause battery degradation over time.
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