The Atom CPU, though much better than they were, are still underpowered. It also has half the amount of RAM it should. I might want the power to do at least organize the shots I've taken, so being able to run Lightroom without lag might be important.
Indeed I agree for someone wanting to run processor-intense software, it would make a difference. But if you didn't want or need to run those things, it wouldn't make much of a difference, right? And the OP didn't seem to indicate they wanted to do heavy editing, just mostly storing and e-mailing. There's no question a full core processor is faster, the same as stating a Ferrari 512 is faster than a Hyundai Elantra. But both can do 55mph on a regular commute, so if that's all you need it for, the extra power isn't doing anything for you. That's my point on considering the lesser powered devices - some folks simply don't need more. And the Atom processor is definitely less power hungry, which can be an advantage to some.
USB 2.0 vs. the Surface Pro's USB 3.0, if I'm offloading 32 GB cards, I will buy a good USB 3.0 SD Card reader, and it'll take half the time.
USB3.0 is nice to have. If the extra 5-7 minutes to load 400 RAW files matters, then that's an advantage. Honestly, that part didn't weigh in my decision...but to each their own as to how important upload time is.
Vivo Tab is only 64 GB, Surface Pro has a 64 GB & 128 GB variant if needed.
If needed. Key words. It didn't sound like it was needed from the OP. But if it is, that's good to have. Of course, I use a 64GB microSD card in the built-in SD slot on my Tab so that I too have 128GB of storage room...it was a pretty cheap solution. You can do that on the Surface too - I couldn't see paying for the 128GB version when you can get the 64GB version and stick in a micro SD card for more storage. Again, that's just me - others may differ in their priorities.
Bulky keyboard attachment. If I really am planning on travelling with this device I don't want to have to remember the 2nd half of my PC. I don't intend on doing any hardcore typing, or computing while on the road, so I can bring a long the Typecover (which is comfortable enough if I need to write anything lengthy unexpectedly), which is tiny, acts as cover, and held on with extremely strong magnets, my keyboard is always with me.
That explains your reason. Mine differs - I prefer the more solid keyboard base - it balances the tablet nicely, and makes it a completely reasonable replacement for a laptop - works, balances, and functions just like one. But can still snap off and become a tablet if wanted. I like the real keys myself - I couldn't get comfortable with the typecover when I tried it - I also don't like typing on the on-screen keyboards. it's all a personal thing - I do much more typing on mine, so a good keyboard was important, and good laptop like balance was very important. My keyboard is always with me too...when attached to the keyboard it's thinner than my old netbook was which works beautifully for me. Nothing wrong with either solution, but yours works better for your needs, mine for my needs.
It would seem to me, the way you describe it, the Vivo tab drains the battery wrong. Best case for the user would be it drains the bases battery first, not the tablet's. That way, when I pick it up to go, it's still got a full charge, but may have depleted the base.
It's all in how you use it - works perfectly for me. When I'm using it as tablet, it's got plenty of charge - but I also always return it to the keyboard base when I'm done, so the keyboard base transfers its charge back to tablet. This allows me to use the tablet for 4-5 hours at a time, return it to the base, and by repeating the process I can go about 15 hours on tablet alone without recharging. When I'm traveling, it stays mostly in 'laptop' form such as sitting in a ship cabin, hotel room, or DVC villa - so while there, it functions very much like a laptop, but one with nearly 20 hour battery life...which means I can use it for a 5-day Disney trip and never have to charge or plug in. It works well for me. I wanted maximum overall battery life in a netbook replacement, and this type of device is perfect. The full core processor machines kill the battery life too quickly for me - so those machines just din't fit my needs.
The price points are so close together, why would I get the slower machine for just a little less?
You should get the machine that best fits your needs, regardless of price. If the Surface met your needs best, then you got the right one. If the Asus met my needs the best, then I got the right one. It's that simple. 'Slower' machine meant nothing to me - the extra speed of the faster processor would be completely wasted for me, as I'd never need or use it. On the other hand, the things I paid for were the more laptop-like build and the longer battery life. Those were two things I considered more important - for someone intending to work off the tablet portion more often, the keyboard base wouldn't have much merit - but for a person intending to use it in laptop mode much of the time, the proper keyboard base's full travel chiclet keys and feedback as well as the much nicer balance of the base (it doesn't tip over backwards no matter what angle and doesn't need the kickstand to support it upright), are big selling points.
I'm going to leave it at that - get the device that works best for you...I'm starting to feel like I'm advertising for Asus now, and I don't mean to or want to (since they're not paying me, I've got no motivation to shill for them! - I just don't agree with blanket statements that one type or brand 'beats the pants off' another without taking into consideration what the user wants or needs) - Acer, Lenovo, Toshiba, etc - there are plenty of nice tablet designs out there that come with some form of hybrid laptop ability via attachable keyboards, keyboard covers, flip over designs, etc. All are different takes on the same thing. You can get them with faster processors, or better battery life, better as tablets, better as laptops, real keyboard bases or lighter touchpad type keyboard covers, and all kinds of different selling points. They're all fine - just pick the one that works best for your own priorities.
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