Does Affinity for Surface Pro Tablets Work?

[erssie]

I know there's no Affinity Suite For Android tablets but I'd consider getting a Microsoft Surface Pro tablet as that's Windows. Does Affinity work on Surface tablets then? I use desktop PC  windows Affinity but would love it on a smaller tablets to sketch on the go and proof read without having to convert to another format to access it. Although some tablets are Windows run I don't know if it's a full desktop o/S or a fork or cut down. Microsoft couldn't help and just advised I ask the Apps provider if their software is compatible. 

[firstdefence]

As far as I am aware this post still stands...

Here is an explanation of why Affinity on Surface Pro isn't a thing yet.

...and for those that hate acronyms this is what 64bit WPF is...

Windows Presentation Foundation is a UI framework that creates desktop client applications. The WPF development platform supports a broad set of application development features, including an application model, resources, controls, graphics, layout, data binding, documents, and security.

WPF is part of .NET, so if you have previously built applications with .NET using ASP.NET or Windows Forms, the programming experience should be familiar. WPF uses the Extensible Application Markup Language (XAML) to provide a declarative model for application programming.

 https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/designers/getting-started-with-wpf?view=vs-2022

[lacerto]

Unless you are specifically referring to Surface Pro X (which are ARM-based devices but running full Windows desktop OS), all Surface Pro tablets are Intel-based and should not have any problems running Affinity apps. As for Surface Pro X, I have no knowledge whether what is mentioned in the referred post above still applies, or if what is mentioned e.g. in the referred post below is what covers also Affinity apps (I'd imagine so):

https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/microsoft-surface-pro-x-finally-run-windows-apps/

UPDATE: According to this, 64-bit app emulation currently requires Windows 11:

https://www.tomsguide.com/news/windows-11-just-got-a-killer-feature-at-the-expense-of-windows-10

...but whether the emulation also makes Affinity apps fully compatible, I cannot tell.

[walt.farrell]

8 hours ago, erssie said:

Does Affinity work on Surface tablets then?

As others have said, if the Surface uses an Intel processor, rather than ARM, the Affinity applications should work. Note, though, that you would have the exact same interface as on a normal desktop Windows system. While the touch aspects of the Surface would work, many functions of the desktop Affinity applications need a keyboard, and that remains true when using a Surface. So you'd need to have the keyboard accessible, or use the Windows On-Screen Keyboard to access modifier keys, etc. 

[erssie]

4 hours ago, walt.farrell said:

As others have said, if the Surface uses an Intel processor, rather than ARM, the Affinity applications should work. Note, though, that you would have the exact same interface as on a normal desktop Windows system. While the touch aspects of the Surface would work, many functions of the desktop Affinity applications need a keyboard, and that remains true when using a Surface. So you'd need to have the keyboard accessible, or use the Windows On-Screen Keyboard to access modifier keys, etc. 

Thanks for your prompt reply. I would be mainly working on a Surface Laptop Studio PC with physical keyboard, but occasionally might just do quick sketches or doodles on a portable tablet to manipulate later so sounds like it would work ok. My Laptop studio very conveniently folds down to a very big tablet and a lot of Affinity still works using the onscreen keyboard. Its just a little fiddly as it obscures your view sometimes. But its ok for drawing and then I fold out to PC to manipulate a drawing. At the moment I have no mouse and am scared to get one as with my hand disabilities they caused so much damage I had to stop designing for almost 10 yrs. So I do a lot of pen and trackpad stuff. I miss a mouse but even vertical or ergonomic caused me to get hardened tissues and scarring like cement causing me to not be able to grip. Im waiting for the Microsoft Accessibility kit but its not due in UK until Autumn/Fall