Surface Pro 3 announcement and prices

[spinedoc77]

So, apparently Microsoft will be announcing the next generation of their surface pro tablets this Tuesday as well as their new surface mini. The prices have also been revealed for the surface pro 3 models
i3-4GB RAM-64GB - $799
i5-4GB RAM-128GB - $999
i5-8GB RAM-256GB - $1299
i7-8GB RAM-256GB - $1549
i7-8GB RAM-512GB - $1949

http://www.wpcentral.com/comment/918175

My thoughts on this are these are highly overpriced. $799 just for an I3 and 4gigs of ram to go alongside 64g of storage? I can find quality i5 and 17 with 8gigs of ram laptops on Amazon in the 600-800 dollar range. What your guys opinion on the matter.

Yeah I see your point. Those $600-800 laptops are overpriced though, I can find comparable desktop PC's for $400-500.

Meanwhile, in reality-land: iPad 64 gb $699. Seeing as how the surface Pro isn't really competing with the ipad, and IMO is miles above of it I can't see it as being overpriced in the least. In all reality it should not be compared to the ipad, but rather to ultrabook laptops (NOT regular brick laptops). In that case a Macbook Air is $899 for the 11" with 128hd but only 1366 by 768 resolution. I think taking the pluses and minuses into account that's pretty close, but one of those devices can detach and be used as a tablet and has a wacom digitizer on it. among other things.

edit: Should compare apples to apples, i5 64gb surface pro 3 $999 versus 11" macbook air i5 128gb mamory $899. Yes I think the surface Pro is quite reasonable priced for all the extra functionality it provides over an ultrabook.

 

[spinedoc77]

They are in one sense, but to the consumers they're not. They see a Microsoft tablet and then see an iPad for a lot less. They also are familiar with the volume of apps on iOS. MS is fighting from a position of weakness, they're making their job all the harder by pricing their tablets more then iPad and marketing the Surface as a tablet, not as a replacement for a laptop, in other words they're marketing it as a alternatives to the iPad and and being one, they're pricing themselves out of sales.

Microsofts marketing strategy is their biggest mistake by far. Not marketing the surface Pro as a high end alternative. Not making an atom powered surface tablet to directly compete with the ipad in all categories. Introducing utter garbage like Windows RT to confuse the consumer and devalue their own windows brand. They haven't just shot their own foot, they completely blew it off.

 

[MRU]

Windows hi-DPI support is surprisingly good. It's the application developers who suck, mainly because they never had to support hi-DPI before, so they used the hi-DPI as a hack for something else.

If you want to see the power of hi-DPI used right, look at MS Office or IE on a Surface.

Yeah its third party apps I'm referring to. Adobe blames microsoft

"Windows doesn't have Retina style scaling APIs yet, and has some problems in the existing attempt at scaling UIs.
We are continuing to work with Microsoft on the scaling problems, but don't have a solution for Windows yet.

Photoshop does have UI font scaling, but no way to scale the icons and other UI elements on Windows at this time."

End result for me on my Surface Pro 2 was frustration. Add the fact the stylus has a habit of travelling as it gets close to edges of screen, means even using the pen on these fiddly elements is more effort than it naturally should be.

It was those apps that I bought a Surface pro 2 for in the first instance, and even Sketchbook Pro (rather than the express version) suffers greatly from dpi scaling on the Surface pro.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Yeah its third party apps I'm referring to. Adobe blames microsoft



End result for me on my Surface Pro 2 was frustration. Add the fact the stylus has a habit of travelling as it gets close to edges of screen, means even using the pen on these fiddly elements is more effort than it naturally should be.

It was those apps that I bought a Surface pro 2 for in the first instance, and even Sketchbook Pro (rather than the express version) suffers greatly from dpi scaling on the Surface pro.

That's because they rolled their own UI to make the UI cross-platform. Now that they're using a custom UI instead of Microsoft's own widgets, of course they're going to have to implement their own DPI-scaling in their custom UI. Had Adobe chosen to use native UI widgets on each supported platform, this wouldn't be an issue.

 

[AppleScruff1]

I agree, but it seems the marketing I've seen, is that MS is pushing this as an iPad alternative which for the price point, size and weight, is a poor decision imo.

Given my increased MS Office use, need to run certain windows apps for work, the Surface Pro is a good option for me, but not at that price point. I'm hoping to see some steep price cuts on the 2 once the 3 his is announced. I can justify maybe 600 (maybe 800 but that's pushing it) of my own funds for a surface pro 2.

Outside of Mice and keyboards, MS is not known for hardware and its not been very successful in that sector as well (aside for the xbox), this seems to be inline with past missteps where on paper something looks look but their execution is lacking.

I can MS marketing the Surface 2 as an iPad competitor, but pushing the Pro as competition for the iPad is a bit crazy. Two different animals there. IMO, they need to include a keyboard cover if they are going to keep the same price points. And for the Pro 3, they need to get all day battery life. Have you checked out the dock for the Pro? I think it is a nice accessory.

 

[sracer]

Microsofts marketing strategy is their biggest mistake by far. Not marketing the surface Pro as a high end alternative. Not making an atom powered surface tablet to directly compete with the ipad in all categories. Introducing utter garbage like Windows RT to confuse the consumer and devalue their own windows brand. They haven't just shot their own foot, they completely blew it off.

Having owned a Surface RT and now a Surface 2, I don't think the issue is Windows RT vs x86 Windows, but a lack of apps that take advantage of the Modern UI.

I've had the opportunity to kick the tires on an Asus T100. Using legacy/desktop apps on a 10" screen with a touch interface is a painfully frustrating experience. It sounds better in theory than in reality to be able to use apps like Photoshop on a tablet.

 

[Internaut]

Having owned a Surface RT and now a Surface 2, I don't think the issue is Windows RT vs x86 Windows, but a lack of apps that take advantage of the Modern UI.

I've had the opportunity to kick the tires on an Asus T100. Using legacy/desktop apps on a 10" screen with a touch interface is a painfully frustrating experience. It sounds better in theory than in reality to be able to use apps like Photoshop on a tablet.

I find the T100 fine for Office but, once you leave the Modern UI, a decent touch enabled mouse is a must. The built in trackpad is crapolla. I use Wedge Mouse for travel, and I'm looking for something a bit bigger for home use.

Based on my experience, would I have bought differently? Well, I think I would have gone for one of the Dell tablets, plus Wedge Keyboard and Mouse. That said, for the money I can't complain.

 

[sracer]

I find the T100 fine for Office but, once you leave the Modern UI, a decent touch enabled mouse is a must. The built in trackpad is crapolla. I use Wedge Mouse for travel, and I'm looking for something a bit bigger for home use.

Based on my experience, would I have bought differently? Well, I think I would have gone for one of the Dell tablets, plus Wedge Keyboard and Mouse. That said, for the money I can't complain.

I apologize if I worded my post poorly. The T100 when using the included keyboard is terrific. Even in desktop mode. I was referring to using the T100 as a tablet (no keyboard). Using Office on the T100 or Surface 2 without a physical keyboard/mouse is frustrating.

 

[Internaut]

I apologize if I worded my post poorly. The T100 when using the included keyboard is terrific. Even in desktop mode. I was referring to using the T100 as a tablet (no keyboard). Using Office on the T100 or Surface 2 without a physical keyboard/mouse is frustrating.

It is. I wouldn't even use touch enabled Office on the iPad, without a proper keyboard, unless in an emergency.

 

[Technarchy]

I hope they do an 8" Surface Mini running Windows Phone 8.1.

I really wish MSFT would consolidate their mobile strategy. RT is largely unneeded, but as we see with the 1520, Windows Phone 8 is pretty awesome on a large screen device.

8.1 is even better. I would jump all over it in tablet form.

 

[sracer]

I hope they do an 8" Surface Mini running Windows Phone 8.1.

I really wish MSFT would consolidate their mobile strategy. RT is largely unneeded, but as we see with the 1520, Windows Phone 8 is pretty awesome on a large screen device.

8.1 is even better. I would jump all over it in tablet form.

That is the conventional thought.

I prefer Windows RT over WP8.1. on a tablet because I like having the flexibility and support that RT offers over WP. There are so many Surface-exclusives like dual display, usb support, printer support, etc. that make the Surface stand out from other tablets. I have no use for an 8" phone (that can't make phone calls).

 

[spinedoc77]

Having owned a Surface RT and now a Surface 2, I don't think the issue is Windows RT vs x86 Windows, but a lack of apps that take advantage of the Modern UI.

I've had the opportunity to kick the tires on an Asus T100. Using legacy/desktop apps on a 10" screen with a touch interface is a painfully frustrating experience. It sounds better in theory than in reality to be able to use apps like Photoshop on a tablet.

"lack of apps" is definitely a RT versus x86 issue IMO, but I understand your point. Still, even if overnight Metro got millions of apps I would still enjoy the very same benefit on my non-RT tablet.

I agree about the desktop on 10" at times, other times I don't agree and can efficiently use the desktop, it depends on the program and my goals. Photoshop is particularly onerous because of the scaling, or lack of it.

But the nice advantage IMO is being able to dock my tablet into a larger monitor, mouse and keyboard both at home and at work, providing me a FULL windows solution and also allowing me to eliminate my work and home computer, including photoshop.

----------

I apologize if I worded my post poorly. The T100 when using the included keyboard is terrific. Even in desktop mode. I was referring to using the T100 as a tablet (no keyboard). Using Office on the T100 or Surface 2 without a physical keyboard/mouse is frustrating.

I like using Office as a tablet, but that's with a stylus and not an onscreen keyboard. It scales well since it's from MS and I have no issues using it with my fingers. It's not perfect, but the Metro version is due soon so that should help quite a bit. I'm not sure I will use it so much though, for example the destkop OneNote has some functionality that the Metro version doesn't, although they are both great programs. One is better for a quiet seated environment or docked use, the other better for use on a subway situation.

 

[maflynn]

That is the conventional thought.

I prefer Windows RT over WP8.1. on a tablet because I like having the flexibility and support that RT offers over WP. There are so many Surface-exclusives like dual display, usb support, printer support, etc. that make the Surface stand out from other tablets. I have no use for an 8" phone (that can't make phone calls).

That's probably the most compelling reason to keep the RT flavor, but for me, if I were to get a windows tablet, such as the surface I'd want it to run my apps. Its uses will be to replace some of the stuff I do on my laptop, something the RT flavor cannot do.

 

[diamond.g]

No price announcement yet, but the SP3 is real...
http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/20/microsoft-surface-pro-3/

 

[maflynn]

I've been following the live blog on engadget and I'm impressed. Not impressed enough to spend 1,000 dollars but impressed nonetheless.

 

[diamond.g]

I've been following the live blog on engadget and I'm impressed. Not impressed enough to spend 1,000 dollars but impressed nonetheless.

Yeah, typically by now Apple would have talked about prices, so I am not hopeful. With my MBP in for repair this Atom Tablet I am using really isn't fast enough... So yeah I want a Surface Pro...

 

[tbayrgs]

I've been following the live blog on engadget and I'm impressed. Not impressed enough to spend 1,000 dollars but impressed nonetheless.

Same here. Improved display ratio, larger display than older Pro models yet lighter, thinner, and fanless. Looks like it's only 0.1 lbs heavier and 1 mm thicker than the Note Pro 12.2. Wasn't watching during that part of the presentation but I believe I read that Adobe have optimized Photoshop for the SP3 as well.

Looks like MRU might be reconsidering his Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 purchase...

 

[Eidorian]

That is a very impressive piece of hardware. I have not felt this excited in some time. Though buying it is another story.

 

[m98custom1212]

Way overpriced!

Not even close to over priced..

----------

So, apparently Microsoft will be announcing the next generation of their surface pro tablets this Tuesday as well as their new surface mini. The prices have also been revealed for the surface pro 3 models
i3-4GB RAM-64GB - $799
i5-4GB RAM-128GB - $999
i5-8GB RAM-256GB - $1299
i7-8GB RAM-256GB - $1549
i7-8GB RAM-512GB - $1949

http://www.wpcentral.com/comment/918175

My thoughts on this are these are highly overpriced. $799 just for an I3 and 4gigs of ram to go alongside 64g of storage? I can find quality i5 and 17 with 8gigs of ram laptops on Amazon in the 600-800 dollar range. What your guys opinion on the matter.

Does this 600-800 laptop Have a IPS 1440p Screen? active digitizer? SSD based storage? Mirco SD (ADD 128gb in a snap if needed)

 

[Lloydbm41]

Nice commercial of the 3.

 

[zbarvian]

Stunning product. I want.

 

[Eidorian]

Nice commercial of the 3.

I love it. I thought the 2 was an improvement but 3 is just...stunning.

 

[Tsepz]

Super impressed!

I'm liking it a lot!
I think the best combo in terms of price and spec is the i5 with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage variant, but I would love to go all out and get the i7 8GB RAM with 512GB, but that price is extremely high for me.

Think this may replace my iPad 4 if not the Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE successor.
Let's see what Apple have cooking to, that iPad Air 2 better be good, I know it won't be competing directly with the SP3, but would be great to see a bit of effort from Apple.

 

[spinedoc77]

SICK, absolutely sick. I am going to be first in line for this puppy, I was hoping they would go bigger. This blows away anything else on the market.

I found it interesting that they had a statistic that 96% of ipad users also owned a laptop, so much for Jobs Post PC-era. Although maybe he should have named it "I'm going to make you buy a MacBook and an ipad"-era.

Man, MS is making some really good moves. All they need is a pen enabled windows phablet and I'll totally make the move.

 

[MRU]

Apple, it's time to step up to the plate.......