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While Microsoft has often been mocked for its product placement of its Surface line, whether it be showing up on the sidelines of the NFL or in seemingly contrived displays of functionality on TV shows, it’s the real-life niches’ the device fills that has it gaining consumer interest. Take, for instance, attorney Doug Passon who uses his Surface Pro 4 help power his many creative, productive outlets. Passon is not only a lawyer by day but also adds award writing filmmaker, writer, musician, teacher and father to his list of accolades.
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The folks over at Surface Product management are reaching out and highlighting real-life Surface users and came across Passon and his multi-faceted lifestyle being powered by a Surface. The marketing team found that not only does the Surface cover Passon’s many productive needs but it is also fostering a sense of community among users.
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Thanks to a little influence from his sister who works at Microsoft, Passon has been using a Surface to manage and power his business called D-Major Films. D-Major Films is a passion project of Passon’s the was birthed from his decade-long career as a defense attorney. The intent behind D-Major Films is to teach lawyers the added value of using photos and film in cases while also crafting time-tested storytelling technique that helps create empathy for their clients if necessary.
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Doug Passon presentation
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However, Passon’s Surface use isn’t limited to just aiding in the courtroom or at his film company; he also makes use creative music-specific apps the built-in Bluetooth to replace a traditional music stand and sheet music.
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Instead of a traditional music stand with sheet music, I mount my Surface on a tripod and use a wireless foot pedal to turn the pages during live performances.”
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Thanks in part to its appeal as a Windows 10 gaming platform, Passon also finds himself defending his Surface from his avid gaming sons who find the device more powerful than either of their current computers.
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Beyond the focus on productivity and versatility, the Surface is also resonating with individuals on sub-culture of distinction. While Microsoft would love to have iPad-like sales of its device, the seeming rarity of seeing a Surface in the wild engenders a level of wow and community from others.
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I remember when I was younger, and a friend got a Corvette. I learned that there is this thing between Corvette owners that when one passes another on the street, the driver’s nod at each other. The same kind of thing happens with the Surface. Then the talk inevitably turns to what cool gadgets we use with it, like the Arc Mouse, the wireless adapter, etc.”
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Another example Passion uses is the moment he explained to his son about Windows Hello’s facial recognition software built into his Surface Pro 4, “he thought that was about the coolest thing ever.”
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Whether intended by design or a pleasant happenstance involving a confluence of evolving mobile computing behaviors, Microsoft’s Surface line of devices (specifically the Pro series) continues to find purpose in the expanding niches of flexible productivity. Passon’s stories echo a similar list of anecdotal experiences the Surface line has engendered from its users and as time goes on, the list continues to grow.
\n\nFurther reading: Marketing, Microsoft, Surface, Surface Pro 4, Windows Hello