Someone offered to buy my SP3 - I wonder if I made the right choice

[maflynn]

In the course of some interactions on the net, I was offered 850 dollars for my SP3 yesterday. I have to say I was tempted. I'm not sure if it was a good deal (no research on the market value), especially since it would have included the docking station.

It made me think about what I expect in a laptop/tablet, i.e., would I put that money towards a MacBook? As I mulled it over I found that the SP3 offers some things that Macs (and more specifically the MacBook) doesn't.

A couple of examples that I came up with, though these are not the only reasons for my decision.

One of the frustrating things with OS X is Scanners and printers. Most makers now leave it to Apple to provide the software and drivers. For my scanning needs, OSX's Image Capture is woefully inadequate, but in windows I have the Epson software that gives me the level of control and features that I need.

Thanks the docking station I easily connect my SP3 to my external monitor and peripherals. I'd have a more difficult time doing that MacBook

Plus I really do like Windows and there are features that make life a little easier, especially when using MS Office or connecting to work.

Still, being a Mac person I kept going back and force on the offer.

Any opinions on the market value of the SP3? I think 850 for a i5/8GB/256GB SP3 with the type cover and docking station may have been too low. If that was the case I feel better about passing up on this deal.

 

[I7guy]

Best Buy is listing the model for $1,200, plus the type cover. They seem to hold their value, it's a tough call as to whether the price is low. Seems you may be able to go higher.

I'm not a Mac person and am looking at the sp4, but plan to hold on to it until it's no longer useable.

 

[tbayrgs]

I have no idea on current SP3 market values but reading your post, it seems immediately clear that your SP3 seems to better fit your needs. Other than 'being a Mac person,' you haven't laid out any specific reason why a Mac would serve you better so I guess I'm just confused why you're considering the move. What would moving to a Mac provide that you're not getting from the SP3?

Also, for what it's worth, there are docks available for Macs (Henge makes some nice ones).

 

[apolloa]

Basically Flynn you want a Pro 4 lol.

Offer seems good but I would ask for $900.

 

[sracer]

In the course of some interactions on the net, I was offered 850 dollars for my SP3 yesterday. I have to say I was tempted. I'm not sure if it was a good deal (no research on the market value), especially since it would have included the docking station.

It made me think about what I expect in a laptop/tablet, i.e., would I put that money towards a MacBook? As I mulled it over I found that the SP3 offers some things that Macs (and more specifically the MacBook) doesn't.

A couple of examples that I came up with, though these are not the only reasons for my decision.

One of the frustrating things with OS X is Scanners and printers. Most makers now leave it to Apple to provide the software and drivers. For my scanning needs, OSX's Image Capture is woefully inadequate, but in windows I have the Epson software that gives me the level of control and features that I need.

Thanks the docking station I easily connect my SP3 to my external monitor and peripherals. I'd have a more difficult time doing that MacBook

Plus I really do like Windows and there are features that make life a little easier, especially when using MS Office or connecting to work.

Still, being a Mac person I kept going back and force on the offer.

Any opinions on the market value of the SP3? I think 850 for a i5/8GB/256GB SP3 with the type cover and docking station may have been too low. If that was the case I feel better about passing up on this deal.

I don't think that you're a mac person anymore. No shame in that.

I have found the VueScan software for OSX works well for me for my Canon scanner, but the Epson software works great for my Epson scanner.

Seems like you have integrated the SP3 into your various workflows and use cases. In my experience, I haven't found that the Surface Pro's hold their value. Given your investment and usage of your configuration, I'd recommend holding onto it.

If you want to freshen it up a bit, you could buy the new TypeCover that is supposed to be an improvement over the previous gen and includes a fingerprint reader. The new pen with the eraser appears to be a more natural configuration for some though any of the benefits of increased pressure sensitivity won't be attained on the SP3.

 

[Breaking Good]

$850 for a computer with a processor that is now two generations old.

Personally, I would have sold it and purchased a Surface Pro 4.

 

[maflynn]

I wasn't looking to sell it, which is why I was in a quandary. I'm at peace with with the decision, though it seems the price may have been a tad under market, especially when considering the docking station.

I don't think that you're a mac person anymore. No shame in that.

To a point I agree, but I also think the Macs I do have are great, though I do spend more of my time on PC lately.

I have found the VueScan software for OSX works well for me for my Canon scanner, but the Epson software works great for my Epson scanner.

Ohh let me check that, might be just what the doctor ordered

 

[spinedoc77]

In the course of some interactions on the net, I was offered 850 dollars for my SP3 yesterday. I have to say I was tempted. I'm not sure if it was a good deal (no research on the market value), especially since it would have included the docking station.

It made me think about what I expect in a laptop/tablet, i.e., would I put that money towards a MacBook? As I mulled it over I found that the SP3 offers some things that Macs (and more specifically the MacBook) doesn't.

A couple of examples that I came up with, though these are not the only reasons for my decision.

One of the frustrating things with OS X is Scanners and printers. Most makers now leave it to Apple to provide the software and drivers. For my scanning needs, OSX's Image Capture is woefully inadequate, but in windows I have the Epson software that gives me the level of control and features that I need.

Thanks the docking station I easily connect my SP3 to my external monitor and peripherals. I'd have a more difficult time doing that MacBook

Plus I really do like Windows and there are features that make life a little easier, especially when using MS Office or connecting to work.

Still, being a Mac person I kept going back and force on the offer.

Any opinions on the market value of the SP3? I think 850 for a i5/8GB/256GB SP3 with the type cover and docking station may have been too low. If that was the case I feel better about passing up on this deal.

Put it on swappa, you should get 900 to 1000, I recently sold mine for a bit under 900 and it sold in 2 hours, no haggliing. But there is no way in hell I'd sell my SP for a MacBook, Id just hate to go backwards so far in functionality. You could always trade up to a surface book.

 

[Renzatic]

Put it on swappa, you should get 900 to 1000, I recently sold mine for a bit under 900 and it sold in 2 hours, no haggliing.

You might've lucked out, and hooked someone who didn't bother to shop around before committing. The i5 8GB SP3 is currently going for $950-$1000 on Amazon brand new. With that considered, I'd recommend sell it for about $900 with the dock.

As for addressing the topic of the thread, and selling off the 3 to grab something later and greater with the cash, consider this...

Are the features of the SP4 worth spending an extra $400 for? Tentatively, I'd say yes. The new cooling setup is considerably less noisy, and keeps the CPU from throttling so extremely. Plus, the Skylake integrated GPUs are a good bit more powerful than the Haswells in the SP3.

And speaking of which, the next Win10 update is coming along with a few Skylake specific tweaks in tow. You might be able to gain a bonus 20 minutes battery life from them!

These are boons, certainly, but they don't make for a MASSIVE difference. You won't pick up the 4 and think "wow, this is an entirely new experience. WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO HOLD YOU IN MY EAGER HANDS, SURFACE PRO 4?", but they are overall more solid, better designed machines.

Or if you go with the Surface Book, you're getting a much more powerful machine overall, but you'll be trading some weight, portability, and even more cash to get it.

I'd say that there are a ton of good little reasons to sell off your 3, and go with the 4, but nothing huge. If you want to spend the extra money, you won't have any regrets.

 

[maflynn]

Put it on swappa, you should get 900 to 1000

That's a thought, but as I mentioned, I fell into an offer for the SP3 which made me think about it.

As I delved into it more and happened to visit the apple store yesterday, I was able to check out the retina MacBook here's my take aways for the rMB.

• It is down right beautiful and small.
• I love the track pad; It's expansive, responsive and much nicer to use.
• Keyboard good, since I'm coming from the type cover.
• Ports - horrible. No easy way for me to hook up my mini display port monitor.
• Display - scaling is better then Windows but I found the apps I use on the SP3 work better on the SP3 (For example GotomyPC's is overall better, and easier to read)
• Display part II - no touch screen

Basically it seems I'm selling something to spend more money on a MB that does less or meets my needs less. Yes it shiny and new and that sometimes traps me but over all I like the SP3 and it gets used everyday. Apple seems averse to creating a docking station and in this case the docking station with the SP3 works very well within my needs. I slap the bad boy into it and use my desktop components. I pull it out and I'm using it where ever I want too. I can't see that same level of ease/functionality occurring without a mass of dongles, cables and/or hubs.

 

[AppleRobert]

That's a thought, but as I mentioned, I fell into an offer for the SP3 which made me think about it.

As I delved into it more and happened to visit the apple store yesterday, I was able to check out the retina MacBook here's my take aways for the rMB.

• It is down right beautiful and small.
• I love the track pad; It's expansive, responsive and much nicer to use.
• Keyboard good, since I'm coming from the type cover.
• Ports - horrible. No easy way for me to hook up my mini display port monitor.
• Display - scaling is better then Windows but I found the apps I use on the SP3 work better on the SP3 (For example GotomyPC's is overall better, and easier to read)
• Display part II - no touch screen

Basically it seems I'm selling something to spend more money on a MB that does less or meets my needs less. Yes it shiny and new and that sometimes traps me but over all I like the SP3 and it gets used everyday. Apple seems averse to creating a docking station and in this case the docking station with the SP3 works very well within my needs. I slap the bad boy into it and use my desktop components. I pull it out and I'm using it where ever I want too. I can't see that same level of ease/functionality occurring without a mass of dongles, cables and/or hubs.

I thought the general consensus was if you already owned a SP3 then the SP4 was not worth upgrading especially if you add that keyboard to the SP3, unless of course you can sell the SP3 for a worthy amount which may tempt one towards the SP4. But I'd still advise to scratch that to tell the truth.

AS far as the rMB, that is a horse of a different color on another OS.

 

[maflynn]

I thought the general consensus was if you already owned a SP3 then the SP4 was not worth upgrading

Agreed, I was comparing the SP3 and the rMB. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[apolloa]

This is a pretty good thread, it asks what do I need.
It's not about the shiny new toy effect, its about what I need it for and will it fulfill my needs? Is it value for me?

I look at my current Sony tablet even now and think should I have got the Nexus 9 instead? But that's the shiny new toy effect in full force, for my Sony tablet was cheaper at the time and a present. I wanted a small tablet so its easy to carry around as I did with me Nexus 7, plus I use it when I have a bath as its waterproof and its fast and has great battery life.

I want a Surface though too for my needs, this is because I need a new computer, well my MacBook Pro is coming up to 6 years now and the battery only lasts about an hour and a half. But I use it for browsing a lot when lounging around and have multiple YouTube pages open etc. This is something I can't do on my Sony tablet with ease or an iPad.
But a Surface Pro would chew through it with ease, Plus I could get an i5 and run my old PC games on it that don't run on OSX. In fact that's why I said to myself not to get a Surface 3, because the Pro runs games much better.

It would fulfill my needs and offer value. I would also get an iMac too though. I get the best of both then.

I would see the iPad Pro, which I think is a great price of shiny new tech, but it won't do what I would actually want at all.

 

[Renzatic]

Agreed, I was comparing the SP3 and the rMB. Sorry for the confusion.

That's kind of my fault. I focused too much on what I'd do if I were selling an SP3.

The 12" MB does have some advantages. A bigger trackpad, a more solid base for lap typing, and likely better battery life while in OSX being the big three. Though it is expensive for what you're getting, you lose the pen/touch screen, and you're limited to the first generation Core M.

I've always said that the appeal of a Surface over a laptop ultimately hinges on how much you intend on using the pen and touchscreen. If you do more typing than writing/drawing, then a traditional laptop would be the better option. Even with the new type cover, which evens out that playing field by a surprising amount, I'd still have to give the nod to the good old clamshell design, since its smaller footprint makes for a better lap experience.

If you're in Office more than anything else, I'd get the MacBook. If you mix and match a lot, like doing photo work, office, etc. etc., well...I'd say flip a coin. Both have some nice advantages the other lacks.

 

[spinedoc77]

You might've lucked out, and hooked someone who didn't bother to shop around before committing. The i5 8GB SP3 is currently going for $950-$1000 on Amazon brand new. With that considered, I'd recommend sell it for about $900 with the dock.

As for addressing the topic of the thread, and selling off the 3 to grab something later and greater with the cash, consider this...

Are the features of the SP4 worth spending an extra $400 for? Tentatively, I'd say yes. The new cooling setup is considerably less noisy, and keeps the CPU from throttling so extremely. Plus, the Skylake integrated GPUs are a good bit more powerful than the Haswells in the SP3.

And speaking of which, the next Win10 update is coming along with a few Skylake specific tweaks in tow. You might be able to gain a bonus 20 minutes battery life from them!

These are boons, certainly, but they don't make for a MASSIVE difference. You won't pick up the 4 and think "wow, this is an entirely new experience. WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO HOLD YOU IN MY EAGER HANDS, SURFACE PRO 4?", but they are overall more solid, better designed machines.

Or if you go with the Surface Book, you're getting a much more powerful machine overall, but you'll be trading some weight, portability, and even more cash to get it.

I'd say that there are a ton of good little reasons to sell off your 3, and go with the 4, but nothing huge. If you want to spend the extra money, you won't have any regrets.

I undersold it, I didn't care much as I just wanted to move it. They may have dropped down in price with more people considering the SP4, and with more SP3 sales lately.

I also agree the SP4 is worth the extra money, but it's NOT necessary by any means, it's just a luxury buy. If you are strapped then the SP3 with the new keyboard will be great and cheap.

 

[maflynn]

The 12" MB does have some advantages. A bigger trackpad, a more solid base for lap typing, and likely better battery life while in OSX being the big three. Though it is expensive for what you're getting, you lose the pen/touch screen, and you're limited to the first generation Core M.

The keyboard and trackpad were what was drawing me in, plus the form factor is very much like the SP3. As I try to avoid beating a dead horse, the lack of ports was probably the major issue that sunk the idea of getting that.

If you're in Office more than anything else, I'd get the MacBook. If you mix and match a lot, like doing photo work, office, etc. etc., well...I'd say flip a coin. Both have some nice advantages the other lacks.

I do use Office quite a bit, but I actually prefer by a large margin Windows version of Office. I don't like the Mac version at all. I typically have to set the zoom factor to 150 or higher, and that's using my 24" monitor. I don't understand that portion of the scaling in OS X but I find both Word and Excel too small to use on the Mac with setting the zoom so high.

 

[David58117]

I'm in the same situation...

While my SP3 has been amazing (same config as yours), I've missed OS x and bought a new 15" recently with the intention of selling my SP3.

I record music, so the quad core and screen size are great, as well as having 2 USB ports.

But I'm also a returning student, and taking notes with the SP3 and annotating textbooks has changed how I studied, and has made the experience so much easier compared to typing (which would miss the diagrams and anatomical structures anyway).

I've listed the SP3 and dock (plus 24" monitor, extra pen, case, warranty, folding keyboard and mouse) for $1300 on Craigslist. No takers yet, but I'm extremely tempted to keep it for classes.

Since I bought the 15", I have moved the dock to an extra TV and use the SP3 as a part time HTPC.