Has anyone got the surface 3 yet?

[maflynn]

My sentiments exactly. With deep sorrow (but not really), I shut it down, packaged it up, and slid it back into it's box for return. I'll be making the fateful trip to the Msft store this evening.

Did you get the Type Cover as well? Your earlier post seems to indicate that is not the case. Let me just say that does make all the difference in the world. I'd probably feel the same way with my SP3 had I not purchased the Type Cover along with the SP3.

I think its silly for MS to charge extra for this, as its so integral to the usage of the product.

I'm not trying to convince you to keep it, but just point out to give the Surface 3 a fair shake, it really does need that type cover

 

[modernaccord]

Did you get the Type Cover as well? Your earlier post seems to indicate that is not the case. Let me just say that does make all the difference in the world. I'd probably feel the same way with my SP3 had I not purchased the Type Cover along with the SP3.

I think its silly for MS to charge extra for this, as its so integral to the usage of the product.

I'm not trying to convince you to keep it, but just point out to give the Surface 3 a fair shake, it really does need that type cover

Funny you say that, because after I returned the Surface yesterday evening, I walked into a Best Buy today for a totally different purpose. I started playing with the S3 with a type cover and loved it. The trackpad makes all the difference in the world...and quite honestly the base model serves the purpose beautifully.

Needless to say, I'm typing this from my second Surface 3 this week...but this time with Type cover.

 

[idreamingreen]

Funny you say that, because after I returned the Surface yesterday evening, I walked into a Best Buy today for a totally different purpose. I started playing with the S3 with a type cover and loved it. The trackpad makes all the difference in the world...and quite honestly the base model serves the purpose beautifully.

Needless to say, I'm typing this from my second Surface 3 this week...but this time with Type cover.

Frankly, you should dive into OneNote plus the pen. I love my SP3, but without those two items I'm not sure I would be so happy with the device. OneNote and the pen have changed the way I work.

 

[Altis]

Frankly, you should dive into OneNote plus the pen. I love my SP3, but without those two items I'm not sure I would be so happy with the device. OneNote and the pen have changed the way I work.

OneNote is actually quite amazing -- much more so than I thought it would be. I really like that you can record audio (ie. lectures) as you're taking notes, and it keeps track of which notes/diagrams/attachments you're adding with the audio recording. You can then just listen to the parts that are related to that paragraph/diagram etc. It really is the ultimate for taking notes in class.

I'm also of the opinion that the Surface needs both the pen and the Typecover. I think of it more as a small laptop that can be used as a tablet rather than the other way around. The only thing is then the attractive base price gets bumped by 1/3 again, and it's tempting to get the 4GB RAM model -- leaving you not all that far off the base Pro 3.

 

[spinedoc77]

There is nothing that rivals OneNote IMO, even Evernote doesn't come close. Add OneNote functionality and the stylus and it's just incredible. I have a Note 4 which takes OneNote to a new level as well.

 

[joshwithachance]

Just picked up one of these (and a blue type cover) with a 10% student discount on both. This is a great little machine!

 

[americaroma]

Funny you say that, because after I returned the Surface yesterday evening, I walked into a Best Buy today for a totally different purpose. I started playing with the S3 with a type cover and loved it. The trackpad makes all the difference in the world...and quite honestly the base model serves the purpose beautifully.

Needless to say, I'm typing this from my second Surface 3 this week...but this time with Type cover.

Hehehe i too decided to return it and gave it to my brother for him to do it. I went to buy an Ipad Mini instead but this morning i was having second thoughts and turns out my brother hasn't returned the S3 yet so now i dont know if i shoudl tell him not to and keep it instead. Turns out i kind of got used to the screen size of the S3 in the 3 days i used it...

I have 24 hours to decide if im gonna keep the mini or the S3, first world problems!

 

[yjchua95]

My Surface 3 just came this morning (x7/4/128) and I've to say that the little thing is pretty fast (9-second boot time, fast app launching and installation and no lags in the UI).

Atom has come a long way, and the current Cherry Trail ones can really pack a punch. I'm hard-pressed to tell the difference between it and my friend's SP3 (i3 variant) when doing regular tasks (watching videos - even 4K, Office, etc.).

 

[modernaccord]

Hehehe i too decided to return it and gave it to my brother for him to do it. I went to buy an Ipad Mini instead but this morning i was having second thoughts and turns out my brother hasn't returned the S3 yet so now i dont know if i shoudl tell him not to and keep it instead. Turns out i kind of got used to the screen size of the S3 in the 3 days i used it...

I have 24 hours to decide if im gonna keep the mini or the S3, first world problems!

To be honest - the Mini will do a lot of things better than the Surface. I'd keep the surface if you aren't ALWAYS on the move. Use it as a notebook first, tablet second, and ink a lot in OneNote. For reading books, email, YouTube, shopping, etc..., I still much prefer my iPad Air 2.

 

[danny_w]

I got my 128 with pen on launch day but have been very frustrated with it. The build quality is very good, bootup is fast, and the pen works incredibly well, but Windows 8.1 is the frustrating part of it all. I got it mostly for OneNote but find the metro version limiting and the desktop version lacking fundamental touch features. My work uses OneDrive Business and I cannot connect without a corporate os image so I need to mail or somehow share the notebooks to my corporate machine, and OneNote is simply not built for this. I had previously tried a Windows 8.1 tablet and was frustrated then too. It can't make up its mind to be a tablet or a desktop. I am about to take it back and get a Note 4 or a Note tablet.

 

[spinedoc77]

To be honest - the Mini will do a lot of things better than the Surface. I'd keep the surface if you aren't ALWAYS on the move. Use it as a notebook first, tablet second, and ink a lot in OneNote. For reading books, email, YouTube, shopping, etc..., I still much prefer my iPad Air 2.

Just curious, what does the mini do better? Of course it's more portable, but that's not a fair comparison IMO. IMO the other stuff, reading books, email, youtube, etc are as good if not better on my SP3 by far than a regular size ipad.

I don't mean to sound like I'm pushing the SP3, but I'm always genuinely curious what people see in the ipad. Once the very first windows tablet came out I immediately switched over and never ever looked at my ipad again.

 

[modernaccord]

Just curious, what does the mini do better? Of course it's more portable, but that's not a fair comparison IMO. IMO the other stuff, reading books, email, youtube, etc are as good if not better on my SP3 by far than a regular size ipad.

I don't mean to sound like I'm pushing the SP3, but I'm always genuinely curious what people see in the ipad. Once the very first windows tablet came out I immediately switched over and never ever looked at my ipad again.

I see access to my most important content at a glance without having to deal with a full OS in my way. I also see massive portability improvements over any Surface, and see a wealth of mobile apps for iOS.

Looking at my signature, I'm sure you think I'm a huge Apple fanboy and won't explore much else. Truth be told, however, I do tend to use the Apple ecosystem a lot more than Windows, but that doesn't mean I dislike Microsoft/Windows products either. I use what I think is best for my specific use case.

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I got my 128 with pen on launch day but have been very frustrated with it. The build quality is very good, bootup is fast, and the pen works incredibly well, but Windows 8.1 is the frustrating part of it all. I got it mostly for OneNote but find the metro version limiting and the desktop version lacking fundamental touch features. My work uses OneDrive Business and I cannot connect without a corporate os image so I need to mail or somehow share the notebooks to my corporate machine, and OneNote is simply not built for this. I had previously tried a Windows 8.1 tablet and was frustrated then too. It can't make up its mind to be a tablet or a desktop. I am about to take it back and get a Note 4 or a Note tablet.

These were my sentiments when I got my 64+pen on launch - extremely frustrating. Download Chrome and buy a type cover - I really think you'll like the experience a lot more. Most stores offer 14 or 30 day return policies, so you're covered there.

 

[Billy95Tech]

Don't blame MS for Firefox issues, Mozilla stopped development of the Modern firefox browser and the desktop browser is atrocious with touch functions. You really should give IE11 a shot, especially the modern version, I absolutely love it and it works flawlessly with Win8. Although soon we will have Spartan which is supposed to work even better.

False/Wrong! Mozilla are still making updates for Firefox browser and bringing new software/version updates every few week/months on Windows as i got the lastest update a few weeks ago.


And Firefox is way better than Google Chrome and Internet Explorer on Windows!

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Atom has come a long way, and the current Cherry Trail ones can really pack a punch. I'm hard-pressed to tell the difference between it and my friend's SP3 (i3 variant) when doing regular tasks (watching videos - even 4K, Office, etc.).

Thats good! Atoms in Netbooks couple years was horrible!!!!!


Just wondering are the current gen Atoms handle heavy taks like video editing well?

 

[spinedoc77]

I see access to my most important content at a glance without having to deal with a full OS in my way. I also see massive portability improvements over any Surface, and see a wealth of mobile apps for iOS.

Looking at my signature, I'm sure you think I'm a huge Apple fanboy and won't explore much else. Truth be told, however, I do tend to use the Apple ecosystem a lot more than Windows, but that doesn't mean I dislike Microsoft/Windows products either. I use what I think is best for my specific use case.

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The windows 10 notification pulldown is looking quite robust, I'm looking forward to it and think it will put the windows tablets on par with iOS for notifications and alerts. But yah I see your point in that regards with windows 8 where it's pretty much non existent. The portability superiority I just don't see, I carry my SP3 around everywhere and the surface 3 is significantly lighter. Specs you are lighter and thinner, but then again I don't have to carry a laptop to get my work done, and a laptop + ipad weighs much more than just a tablet, but that only proves that we use our devices differently.

I'm hoping this year they announce the surface mini, it will be fun to have a small little tablet that can transform into a full desktop PC.

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False/Wrong! Mozilla are still making updates for Firefox browser and bringing new software/version updates every few week/months on Windows as i got the lastest update a few weeks ago.


And Firefox is way better than Google Chrome and Internet Explorer on Windows!

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Thats good! Atoms in Netbooks couple years was horrible!!!!!


Just wondering are the current gen Atoms handle heavy taks like video editing well?

No it's true, Mozilla gave up on the modern version of Firefox. Of course they are still developing the desktop version. I don't blame them, Firefox was complete and absolute junk on modern windows 8.

http://newstopcomputer.blogspot.com/2014/03/mozilla-stops-development-of-firefox.html

 

[Billy95Tech]

The windows 10 notification pulldown is looking quite robust, I'm looking forward to it and think it will put the windows tablets on par with iOS for notifications and alerts. But yah I see your point in that regards with windows 8 where it's pretty much non existent. The portability superiority I just don't see, I carry my SP3 around everywhere and the surface 3 is significantly lighter. Specs you are lighter and thinner, but then again I don't have to carry a laptop to get my work done, and a laptop + ipad weighs much more than just a tablet, but that only proves that we use our devices differently.

I'm hoping this year they announce the surface mini, it will be fun to have a small little tablet that can transform into a full desktop PC.

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No it's true, Mozilla gave up on the modern version of Firefox. Of course they are still developing the desktop version. I don't blame them, Firefox was complete and absolute junk on modern windows 8.

http://newstopcomputer.blogspot.com/2014/03/mozilla-stops-development-of-firefox.html

A shame they stopped developing Firefox on the Metro side of Windows.

Hope Mozilla will reconsider developing Firefox for Windows metro in the future..

 

[americaroma]

Just curious, what does the mini do better? Of course it's more portable, but that's not a fair comparison IMO. IMO the other stuff, reading books, email, youtube, etc are as good if not better on my SP3 by far than a regular size ipad.

I don't mean to sound like I'm pushing the SP3, but I'm always genuinely curious what people see in the ipad. Once the very first windows tablet came out I immediately switched over and never ever looked at my ipad again.

I find the Mini better for youtube as it has an optimized app for tablet use, using youtube on desktop mode is better if used with a mouse and a keyboard and that losses the purpose of a tablet device in my opinion.

I also prefer reading books on a smaller tablet, I like the mini in this scenario as it is easier for one hand use than a S3.

Dont get me wrong, there are many things that a S3 does better than an ipad, in my case i could be more productive at college with a S3, that is why i wanted it on the first place. But it's the ipad mini portability and ease of use that made me decide to keep it instead.

For now, i needed a tablet first a pc second. I see myself buying a S3-SP4 in the future but it will be to replace my laptop, not my ipad.

 

[Internaut]

Took delivery of mine on Tuesday. In the UK, PC World had an offer on the 128GB model, where the Type Cover was discounted down to £20. First thoughts:

- Far more of a laptop that can do some tablet functions, rather than a tablet
- Good for a bit of light Photoshopping (and perhaps Lightroom too)
- Tablet apps are still mostly pretty awful
- Compared to my iPad Air 2, it's big and heavy.

Then there's the Type cover. What can I say about the Type Cover? It feels cheap; it feels nasty, but good grief it's superb for touch typing. And the keys light up as it goes dark.

 

[sracer]

Took delivery of mine on Tuesday. In the UK, PC World had an offer on the 128GB model, where the Type Cover was discounted down to £20. First thoughts:

- Far more of a laptop that can do some tablet functions, rather than a tablet
- Good for a bit of light Photoshopping (and perhaps Lightroom too)
- Tablet apps are still mostly pretty awful
- Compared to my iPad Air 2, it's big and heavy.

Then there's the Type cover. What can I say about the Type Cover? It feels cheap; it feels nasty, but good grief it's superb for touch typing. And the keys light up as it goes dark.

LOL Your assessment is spot on.

 

[Even Longer]

- Far more of a laptop that can do some tablet functions, rather than a tablet
- Tablet apps are still mostly pretty awful

Indeed.

On the other hand, I realized, that after ditching my MBP+iPad Air2 Combo for a SP3 I don't tend to care for the tablet apps that awful much anymore.
Maybe only for a mobile browser and some convenient YouTube app.

For anything else I always switch to Desktop and do it there with the pen and finger, even without the touch cover attached. Same goes to the OneNote: desktop version is set to be default.

 

[nia820]

I brought a sp3 6 months ago and haven't looked back. It has replaced my macbook pro but not my ipad. Sp3 is a good laptop -tablet hybrid. However when i just want to kick back and browse the Internet ipad is easier for this.

My sp3 is for more serious task. It definitely easier to carry around than my mbp.

I would recommend anyone getting a sp3 to buy a type cover. It is what really transforms the tablet into a serious laptop.

 

[Cnasty]

I am considering selling my MBA and my IPair2 and upgrading to an all in one answer like the SP3.

Problem is I absolutely love my MBA but not my Ipad.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[maflynn]

I am considering selling my MBA and my IPair2 and upgrading to an all in one answer like the SP3.

Problem is I absolutely love my MBA but not my Ipad.

Decisions, decisions.

Wait to see what MS does with the SP4 at this point, though I don't expect them to alter the form factor. You may want an SP4, and if not that, then perhaps pick up a SP3 at a reduced price.

 

[sracer]

I am considering selling my MBA and my IPair2 and upgrading to an all in one answer like the SP3.

Problem is I absolutely love my MBA but not my Ipad.

Decisions, decisions.

What is it about your iPad that you don't like/love that would cause you to consider ditching both in favor of a Windows hybrid?

I'm in the same boat (wanting a converged device) but nothing really knocks-it-out-of-the-park for me yet.

 

[Cnasty]

What is it about your iPad that you don't like/love that would cause you to consider ditching both in favor of a Windows hybrid?

I'm in the same boat (wanting a converged device) but nothing really knocks-it-out-of-the-park for me yet.

I am not impressed with the Air 2 battery as I have been in the past with iPads. The screen is amazing, its very snappy but I also dont see the need to have a MBA and an iPad after this failed experiment.

The MBA is super light, great battery, and I can actually get work done on it but the screen is pretty mediocre and I have heard the SP3 screen is fantastic. I can combine my current 2 device set up into one is my thought.

 

[Badrottie]

If my 2012 rMBP dies or stolen and I don't have $2000 cash then I probably will get a Surface 3 and get new Windows Phone 10 and cancel MacRumors account. Go back to AnandTech forum.