I have used the surface pro 2.
I agree that windows 8 is the best windows they have made so far (i have used them all). Its still crap.
Its not all about specs. Use a mac/ipad, then use any MS product. ... Its pretty obvious.
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MacBook Air Vs Surface Pro 3
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I agree that windows 8 is the best windows they have made so far (i have used them all). Its still crap.
Its not all about specs. Use a mac/ipad, then use any MS product. ... Its pretty obvious.
I don't know anything about that, but I have used a Surface before, albeit for a short time. I just speak from a vantage point of reason and objectivity, as best I can.
SP3 is a game changer. Its the first real innovative product since the MBA was initially released. With that said its about $200 to expensive and will suffer for it. Marketing against the MBA but going over its price is a marketing mistake that is not going to work.
That's one thing I was curious about since it includes a pen. Supposedly the newer pen is much much better but I think a pen and paper is better. I tried using a stylus with an iPad to takes notes and that failed. If I were to use the SP3 to take notes, it would have to be with a keyboard.
I've read mixed results, where there's not much 3rd party apps that make good use for it. I was under the impression the window apps did, is just MMC? How's office?
I wish it had thunderbolt but I'm not surprised. That is turning out to be an Apple only interface and since it is from Apple (and intel), MS isn't going to rush to embrace it.
It is by far the best computer with Windows I've owned. I'm also quite fond of Windows 8.1 but it makes a lot more sense on these hybrid devices like my SP2 than on a desktop, laptop or ordinary tablet.
In terms of performance and stability I don't see a difference. The only thing on my Surface that isn't stable is the WiFi card and that's due to hardware, software (driver) or both. I just can do more with OS X because of the UNIX layer that it is build on. I need to add it to Windows and run into the problem that there simply aren't proper UNIX layers for Windows (cygwin...it's halfway there).
When it comes to the hardware the SP3 is no different than all those other ultrabooks. It is only the best thing in the hybrid market. Outside that there are way too many other devices with similar specs. It also remains to be seen if the new N-Trigg pen is as good or better than the Wacom technology used in the SP1 and SP2. It seems good when writing stuff but how about drawing stuff (where the Wacom really shined)? Same thing for the WiFi and bluetooth (those are a major headache with the SP1 and SP2).
Software-wise there still are some issues with Windows 8.x such as the Photos bug (thumbnails in the desktop environment but nothing in the ModernUI environment; was there in the very first version of Windows 8 and it is still there in the current version so not fixed for 2+ years). Apps like Mail and OneNote can occasionally lose your login but that's because they are mere front-ends to websites (the login times out). If you use a Microsoft Account this doesn't happen. For OS X you could name similar issues.
They are too different to compare on that level. If you need UNIX stuff you either go with OS X or something like Linux but no Windows. If you need Windows you go with Windows. That's it.
No it isn't. The SP1 was the game changer. The SP2 and 3 are mere iterations of the first version.
I don't use Office but I use LibreOffice. This one works when I disable the scaling option just for LibreOffice. What I found annoying is its lack of support for the touchscreen. I can't use my fingers to scroll in the document. You scroll the same way as with a wheel-less mouse (you drag the slider). VMware Player 6 was very very tiny, even on the external display so I disabled scaling for this one too which resolved all the problems. Vim is useless because it doesn't support scaling (tiny tiny tiny) which is why I'm using Notepad++ and SublimeText3 (2 doesn't support hires displays properly or at all).
As for built-in apps...Windows Explorer, Control Panel, Notepad, etc. are fine but anything that is loaded in the MMC like Computer Management is blurry. No way of disabling scaling there. Powershell however...major catastrophe. It starts out fine but in just a second it will shrink. It is like it is mapped 1:1 to pixels. I'm use ConEmu as an alternative to this because it does scale properly (it also enables you to use other shells, it saved me a few icons on the taskbar
). The RDP client is a big big problem too. It changed to scaling on the remote machine (it's my Win8.1 desktop at work) to the same scaling as my SP2 (which is fine) but it doesn't change it back when you disconnect or logoff (which is extremely annoying). The only way I've gotten the scaling back to normal was to reboot the machine.Metro/Modern apps are all aware of the hires and scaling options so they work without any problems. The problems are only there on the desktop (the classic apps as Microsoft is calling them iirc).
Not quite since many other manufacturers such as Gigabyte and Asus are putting it on their products (motherboards and such; they use Thunderbolt 2 btw). Apple is just 1 step ahead of them. We may get better Thunderbolt support in Windows 8 with some updates.
Btw, the Type Cover is great (except for the trackpad) and the onscreen keyboard is nice to use as well. The onscreen keyboard has the option to write something which then gets converted to text (like with the Palm devices). This works great, even in Dutch! I did enable to fullsize keyboard because it gives me all the modifier keys and the arrow keys. Also don't underestimate the convenience of a built-in kickstand! This and the pen are about the greatest features of the Surface Pros.
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Just gonna say one more thing: So it comes with a stylus... I thought bell bottoms were out for good.
I remember stylus from the 90's, you lose them all the time, and it can't be just ANY stylus, one buys a pack but to no avail. When u need it, it's nowhere to be found. There is a funny episode of The Big Bang with Sheldon hitting is stylus PDA.
I remember stylus from the 90's, you lose them all the time, and it can't be just ANY stylus, one buys a pack but to no avail. When u need it, it's nowhere to be found. There is a funny episode of The Big Bang with Sheldon hitting is stylus PDA.
Which iPad uses N-Trig or Wacom technology and has a decent stylus?
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How do you guys lose a stylus? I have yet to lose any and I've been using tablet hybrid PCs for over 6 years now.
I always have extra Wacom styli that work for many different tablets (and even some phones) anyway.
N-Trig styli are more rare to come by so I see what you mean though.
Edit: You used one of these before?
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I remember Steve making his stylus joke when he first introduced the iphone.
I have fingers...
I assume that you have special shaped fingers that are able to mimic the precision of a pen?
You do know that professional artists still use a stylus to do their drawings on a tablet/computer , right?
Good point! For those artists a surface device might be a good idea.
I have used the surface pro 2 and it doesnt look bad at all. For MS thats actually a good product.
Nevertheless its not a competition to an ipad for me. To large, to heavy, Windows...
It goes down to preference. I've used Macs (new and old) for a while, and can easily say that I still prefer Windows, but I still like my Macs. They don't have the same versatility that I'm used to in Windows.
You actually need to use Windows 8 to make a proper judgement. It sounds like you haven't.
ohh I have. Was burnt by windows for 25years. Still bought Win8 because it looked good.
Took me forever to install. (Long story, but MSs fault!!)
Crashed at the third bootup. Called MS. Their solution: reinstall.
This, my prior and ongoing experiences make me condem it.
Windows? No thank,you!
ohh I have. Was burnt by windows for 25years. Still bought Win8 because it looked good.
Took me forever to install. (Long story, but MSs fault!!)
Crashed at the third bootup. Called MS. Their solution: reinstall.
This, my prior and ongoing experiences make me condem it.
Windows? No thank,you!
Some people have their experiences. Fortunately for me, I didn't need to install it. My laptop came preloaded with it and it works great. I don't have issues.
People kept going on about how it was incompatible with all kinds of software. I don't know the extent of how true that is, but I was able to install and use older games such as Need for Speed Underground 1 & 2 just fine. I use both Mac and Windows on a regular basis. And frankly, now that I have, I think I need both.
Just curious, what did you try installing Windows 8 on?
*I'm not saying you should like it. Frankly, you don't have to. Your experience turned you off.
Crippled stand - you're so right!
I know that you're absolutely right about the stand being crippled, or very inconvenient to use.
This is not a good design for laptop use. It's NOT very or enough "lapable", in spite of what Microsoft says about it.
The clamshell design, without the need for a stand, is a MUST for a laptop that is good to use on the lap.
I know that you're absolutely right about the stand being crippled, or very inconvenient to use.
This is not a good design for laptop use. It's NOT very or enough "lapable", in spite of what Microsoft says about it.
The clamshell design, without the need for a stand, is a MUST for a laptop that is good to use on the lap.
Complete junk
The surface is neither a good tablet nor a good laptop. Total junk. Give your head a shake.
The surface is neither a good tablet nor a good laptop. Total junk. Give your head a shake.
Long time forum member, and I actually have the original surface RT. If you install all the updates, including windows spring update, the device has gotten better with time. The windows store for apps isn't as good as mac apps, but they have come a long way. I think too many people want a windows tablet, and run full on windows 8. You really can't, and honestly you wouldn't want to.
It doesn't have iTunes, I miss that, but there are a few good alternatives such as Nokia music, which is like Pandora, but a lot cheaper per month, and downloadable offline music playlists. What I like about the RT is the fact you have the ability to plugin a usb drive,and I've used a passport drive as well. Most of the apps on it are ok, with the exception of the audible app, but that's on Amazon, not really the fault of the operating system.
It was never meant to replace my mac book air, which I still use, but to be honest, it's not a bad little device.
With refurbs on these for as low as 189.00, it's not bad at all. Oh, also the fact that its takes a micro SD for additional storage is nice.
It doesn't have iTunes, I miss that, but there are a few good alternatives such as Nokia music, which is like Pandora, but a lot cheaper per month, and downloadable offline music playlists. What I like about the RT is the fact you have the ability to plugin a usb drive,and I've used a passport drive as well. Most of the apps on it are ok, with the exception of the audible app, but that's on Amazon, not really the fault of the operating system.
It was never meant to replace my mac book air, which I still use, but to be honest, it's not a bad little device.
With refurbs on these for as low as 189.00, it's not bad at all. Oh, also the fact that its takes a micro SD for additional storage is nice.
I'm torn ... Hate windows ... Love Mac ... Have 2 Airs and an iMac in the house along with 3 iPads and 1 iphone. However ... For work, many times I need my "Dell". This computer sucks and I deal with a lot of Excel files and mostly with intense Macros .... My main computer .. Air 11" can handle some but not all and sometimes requires me to go to my heavy dell .... So the Surface Pro 3 intrigues me ... I am an extremist so I pre-ordered the I-7 512 so won't get till August ... If this thing lives up to its specs ... It just might be the go to tab/laptop ... Sans games ... Don't ever think I'll give up my iPad for this tho ...
I ditched my iPad for a 8" Dell V8P and will probably never look back. I use the device for browsing, doing email, and also working with applications for my real job. It's just a more powerful device with no browser limitations, I can run real apps on it, etc. With the pen/digitizer I can take very legible notes on it, draw diagrams during meetings which don't require I take a picture of a whiteboard, etc.
However I can't really get behind the SP3. I don't want to carry around a 12" tablet, don't really need the power of what's in the SP3, and as a laptop it seems to be a poor replacement. Like the ArsTechnica guy, I use laptops on my lap all the time to get real work done where I don't have a stable surface. I think the SP3 just doesn't work in those scenarios. It is also priced $200-300 too high.
However I can't really get behind the SP3. I don't want to carry around a 12" tablet, don't really need the power of what's in the SP3, and as a laptop it seems to be a poor replacement. Like the ArsTechnica guy, I use laptops on my lap all the time to get real work done where I don't have a stable surface. I think the SP3 just doesn't work in those scenarios. It is also priced $200-300 too high.
Here's the link to the review: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/05/surface-pro-3-review-is-the-third-time-the-charm/
Countless experiences turned me off. I gave MS countless chances and Ive had enough!
I have used the surfaces a bit and they do look very nice at first glance, but they are by MS.
Everything MS does is half baked. I am very satified with
.I agree that the pressure sensitive stylus is probably essential for certain artists.
has nothing that can compare to that.
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The more review I read and the more I think about it, the more I realize that its similar to all season tires. Good at nothing and bad at nothing. I would rather have a tablet that is good at being a tablet and a laptop/mac thats good at being that.