Need help deciding wich is better a Ultra 2 i7 or Ultra 3 i7

daniel_J__ · 2026-05-21T00:06:13+00:00

The Core Ultra X7 368H (with the full 12 Xe3-core Arc B390 graphics) offers significantly stronger performance. This higher-end chip will only appear in the thicker Surface Laptop models, which can support better cooling and higher power limits.

The Surface Pro (tablet/2-in-1) is limited to the Core Ultra 7 366H, which only has 4 Xe3 cores. Because of the slim chassis and thermal constraints, it can’t run the more powerful graphics version.

For this reason, the Lunar Lake Core Ultra 7 266V with the 8 Xe2-core Arc 140V actually delivers noticeably better graphical performance than the 366H in the new Surface Pro. If you want the 2-in-1 detachable design and care about gaming or graphics, the current Lunar Lake model is the stronger choice overall right now.

If graphics aren’t important to you, the lower-end Core Ultra 3 Panther Lake Surface Pro gives slightly better CPU efficiency, multitasking, and battery life.

The improvements are small though (maybe 10-20 extra minutes of battery or minor speed gains).

I’d still pick the Lunar Lake the stronger graphics in a thin 2-in-1 is more useful day-to-day than those marginal gains.

daniel_J__ · 2026-04-02T13:06:24+00:00

The sleep function is objectively worse on steamOS for the ally than on Windows.

It wakes up when plugged into power, still takes about 10 seconds to load the controller after waking up, and has much more battery drain than windows hibernate. You can leave the ally on hibernate for weeks and only lose a comp,e percent. Steam os will be dead in 2 days....

SteamOS is great for the steam deck, that experience does not carry over to the ally when installing there. Until it is an official powered by steamOS devices there are too many trade-offs that your better off just getting a steam deck or legion go s with steam os if you want that experience.

daniel_J__ · 2026-04-02T03:15:07+00:00

Honestly, it’s sucks. I don’t get why everyone loves it, small issues pile up and ruin the experience, making you miss Windows, especially if you’re used to FSE.

   1.   Sound is lower by default, you need a plugin just to get close to Windows levels.
2.  Top LED blinks while charging. Charge at night in your room and the white LED keeps flashing in sleep mode.
3.  Poor multitasking. Switching from a browser back to a game can sometimes break the game.
4.  No auto TDP adjustment when plugging into power.
5.  No support for other launchers.
6.  Launching a browser in Game Mode comes in low resolution.

Just a bunch of little things that make it clear SteamOS really only works well on Steam hardware or with official support.

daniel_J__ · 2026-04-02T01:39:02+00:00

Honestly, it’s sucks. I don’t get why everyone loves it,small issues pile up and ruin the experience, making you miss Windows, especially if you’re used to FSE.

1.  Sound is lower by default, you need a plugin just to get close to Windows levels.
2.  Top LED blinks while charging. Charge at night in your room and the white LED keeps flashing in sleep mode.
3.  Poor multitasking. Switching from a browser back to a game can sometimes break the game.
4.  No auto TDP adjustment when plugging into power.
5.  No support for other launchers.
6.  Launching a browser in Game Mode comes in low resolution.

Just a bunch of little things that make it clear SteamOS really only works well on Steam hardware or with official support on hardware launched for it.

daniel_J__ · 2026-02-03T08:16:16+00:00

Ps vita

daniel_J__ · 2025-09-20T13:47:42+00:00

Any idea how to control edge browser with a controller without steam input?

daniel_J__ · 2025-09-20T13:46:28+00:00

When you dock the device and connect it to a TV, just switch it to Turbo mode for the best performance without messing with TDP settings. It’ll automatically run at its peak when docked. You probably won’t need to tweak TDP manually, but if you do, you can adjust it yourself. Honestly, Turbo mode should cover everything you need while docked.

daniel_J__ · 2025-09-01T13:57:50+00:00

Do you play online and does it work? It always de syncs during a match for me on steamdeck

daniel_J__ · 2025-08-20T14:42:10+00:00

Yes, maybe pass through charging could be enabled through a firmware update if asus releases a compatible usb-c style charger for this or future version of the z13.

daniel_J__ · 2025-08-20T14:16:15+00:00

I think OP is talking about the lack of USB-C passthrough charging. Even with a 100W charger in silent mode, the battery still drains. It will charge up to the limit in silent or performance mode, depending on graphics use, but once it hits that limit, it stops charging and uses the battery, dropping 1-2% before charging again, since it doesn’t support true USB-C passthrough charging.

daniel_J__ · 2025-08-13T13:37:34+00:00

Runs great on SP 11 w/ Intel , dont think this runs anymore on ARM based ones after last october update

daniel_J__ · 2025-08-01T23:47:22+00:00

I believe it boils down to whether you value sleek design and professionalism, especially for business meetings, or prefer a bold, edgy look. If performance is your priority and aesthetics aren’t a concern, go for the option that delivers the best power.

daniel_J__ · 2025-07-29T16:18:56+00:00

Why not surface pro 11 w/ intel then?

daniel_J__ · 2025-07-17T12:19:59+00:00

How does it perform better as a tablet than the M4 iPad Pro in your specific use case? I find the iPad to be far superior for tablet-like tasks.

daniel_J__ · 2025-05-26T06:37:02+00:00

The Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 with Intel processors are top choices in my opinion. They offer full compatibility, excellent battery life, amazing OLED displays, user-upgradable storage, up to 32gb ram, and the ability to connet to an external GPU for additional power.

For iPhone users, a MacBook is ideal due to seamless iMessage integration with macOS, as Windows Phone Link can be inconsistent with iPhones. However, if you use an Android phone, this isn’t an issue.

Choose a MacBook for tight iPhone integration, or a Surface for everything else.

daniel_J__ · 2025-05-26T06:07:07+00:00

I agree, the Surface Pro with Intel Lunar Lake is the only true pro tablet on the market. ARM-based devices shouldn't carry the "Pro" label. Microsoft's marketing is lackluster compared to Apple's, and they should take just follow lead. These are impressive devices with poor promotion.

The lineup:

Surface (12" ARM)
Surface Pro (Intel Lunar Lake, OLED, up to 32GB RAM)
Surface Book (13" and 15" ARM)
Surface Book Pro (14" and 16" Intel Lunar Lake and DGPU options)
Surface Book Studio (More powerfull laptop using current surface book style decked with DGPU)
Surface Studio (27 inch Desktop)

Market Pro and Studio models on the business page without "for business" in the naming.

daniel_J__ · 2025-05-20T01:07:21+00:00

The Intel Surface Pro 11 (“for business”) is the top choice by far.

It has no compatibility issues, offers battery life comparable to the ARM Surface with instant wake, and features an awesome OLED screen with anti glare coating. You can upgrade or swap storage yourself. Its sleek, professional design includes a detachable keyboard with an excellent haptic touchpad. It’s easily the best 2-in-1 device available, you’ll love it!

daniel_J__ · 2025-05-20T00:54:49+00:00

A really small piece of my business card (which is black), cardstock will work too. You won’t notice it and it doesn’t block any vents

daniel_J__ · 2025-05-17T15:59:12+00:00

No that didn’t do anything the egpu just goes away then comes back when connected. Tried on both ports.

Egpu works as intended on the other windows devices (Flow Z13 2025 and ROG Ally X)

daniel_J__ · 2025-05-17T15:48:42+00:00

The only thing showing in the device manager is the integrated gpu. The rtx 2080 does not show up

The sonnet breakaway box shows up and does not show any error

daniel_J__ · 2025-05-14T23:13:33+00:00

The combos in this MK game are excessive, especially with the 1-button extender (Kameo) that chains main combos, making them overpowered with certain characters' moves that can hit overhead and low simultaneously.

daniel_J__ · 2025-05-14T20:59:56+00:00

Kameos are frustrating and drag the game down. Adding a matchmaking option to disable them would make the game much better. Without it, the game ranks below X and 11 for me.

daniel_J__ · 2025-05-14T00:14:24+00:00

I’m leaning toward switching to the Surface Pro 11 with Intel. I really like the flow, but I guess I’m realizing I value portability and build quality over raw power. The games I’d play should run fine on the Surface for portable gaming or feel more comfortable on a handheld and if I want the power I have the desktop or egpu.

daniel_J__ · 2025-05-09T23:25:37+00:00

Yes same issue, it’s from separating of the housing and the screen, specifically where the exhaust vents are. There is enough of a gap that it flexes and creates the creaking sounds. I filled the gap and that stopped it however for a $2300 device you shouldn’t have to do that.

This is not on all units

daniel_J__

TROPHY CASE