Surface Pro 3

[joshwithachance]

I find the SP3 overpriced. The $799 i3 model is too underpowered, so the base model is really the $999 version, which is still underpowered with only 4GB of RAM. And these high prices are WITHOUT the (required in all honesty) type cover. That's $1129 for a device that is too big as a tablet and not the greatest laptop replacement either. It's fun to play with though.

 

[maflynn]

That's the biggest gripe that I've seen. The price is for the tablet w/o the type cover and you really do need that to make it functional.

 

[diamond.g]

You can use the touch cover or the type cover 2 as well (those are much cheaper). Especially if all you are looking for is a keyboard and don't require the whole screen be covered when not in use.

 

[zhenya]

I don't think it's at all overpriced compared to everything else that is out there. There isn't really anything else that offers the same overall function for a better price (or for any price, when it comes down to it).

I would like to see Microsoft offer a model based on the Broadwell Core M that was thinner and lighter with better battery as for my personal use, I'd prefer if this device were a thin and light companion for taking notes and extreme mobility instead of trying to be a full laptop replacement.

 

[maflynn]

You can use the touch cover or the type cover 2 as well (those are much cheaper). Especially if all you are looking for is a keyboard and don't require the whole screen be covered when not in use.

But I think the argument is that its not a fully functional (realistically) computer without it. Even Paul Thurrott complained about this.

 

[diamond.g]

But I think the argument is that its not a fully functional (realistically) computer without it. Even Paul Thurrott complained about this.

Yeah desktop mode is pretty hard with no keyboard. Modern mode doesn't need it (as much).

If the on screen keyboard didn't suck so bad maybe typing would be doable in desktop mode. Hitting small targets with your finger on such a large rez display is an exercise in frustration a lot of the time.

 

[maflynn]

Yeah desktop mode is pretty hard with no keyboard. Modern mode doesn't need it (as much).

If the on screen keyboard didn't suck so bad maybe typing would be doable in desktop mode, but hitting targets with your finger on such a large rez display is an exercise in frustration a lot of the time.

Since Microsoft markets the SP3 as a MBA replacement and not just a pure tablet, it really does need to include the type cover as part of the initial cost. I don't know anyone who took the plunge and yet did not buy the type cover.

 

[diamond.g]

Since Microsoft markets the SP3 as a MBA replacement and not just a pure tablet, it really does need to include the type cover as part of the initial cost. I don't know anyone who took the plunge and yet did not buy the type cover.

I went a few months without it, but ended up needing to use desktop mode more. I originally got it because I needed a Windows machine for my VCDS. As time progressed I found myself using my Mac less and less, so I went out and got a keyboard.

Now my I key is mushy and apparently the extended warranty doesn't cover the type cover at all...

 

[JackieInCo]

I went a few months without it, but ended up needing to use desktop mode more. I originally got it because I needed a Windows machine for my VCDS. As time progressed I found myself using my Mac less and less, so I went out and got a keyboard.

Now my I key is mushy and apparently the extended warranty doesn't cover the type cover at all...

But that is also a huge plus. If you spill something on the keyboard or a key stops working, you can just buy a new keyboard instead of getting the computer fixed or needing to buy a new computer.

 

[diamond.g]

But that is also a huge plus. If you spill something on the keyboard or a key stops working, you can just buy a new keyboard instead of getting the computer fixed or needing to buy a new computer.

True, but I am unexcited about spending another $100+ on a keyboard. That is better then having to buy a whole new computer though...

 

[spinedoc77]

I find the SP3 overpriced. The $799 i3 model is too underpowered, so the base model is really the $999 version, which is still underpowered with only 4GB of RAM. And these high prices are WITHOUT the (required in all honesty) type cover. That's $1129 for a device that is too big as a tablet and not the greatest laptop replacement either. It's fun to play with though.

I don't see it that way, but just my opinion. The ipad, for example, is $699 for the 128gb version. You get so much more with a real/full computer in the surface for that extra $300 there really is no comparison, and of course we shouldn't really be comparing the 2. The better comparison is the MacBook Air, 13" 128gb model is $999 so the same price there. The keyboard on the MacBook Air can easily be offset IMO by the SP3 touchscreen and stylus.

Of course the way I look at it is ipad + MBA = $1698 versus SP3 with cover = 1128.

MS of course has to be competitive. IMO they should drop the SP3 maybe $50 just to get below the MBA and include the keyboard in the price of the sp3. Not including the keyboard was a bad move IMO.

 

[joshwithachance]

I don't see it that way, but just my opinion. The ipad, for example, is $699 for the 128gb version. You get so much more with a real/full computer in the surface for that extra $300 there really is no comparison, and of course we shouldn't really be comparing the 2. The better comparison is the MacBook Air, 13" 128gb model is $999 so the same price there. The keyboard on the MacBook Air can easily be offset IMO by the SP3 touchscreen and stylus.

Of course the way I look at it is ipad + MBA = $1698 versus SP3 with cover = 1128.

MS of course has to be competitive. IMO they should drop the SP3 maybe $50 just to get below the MBA and include the keyboard in the price of the sp3. Not including the keyboard was a bad move IMO.

I agree with this 100%. It's still tempting at its current price, but not including the keyboard and not having 8GB of RAM standard are deal breakers imo. (The lack of 8GB of RAM on the base model Air is also a deal breaker.)

 

[handsome pete]

Not including the keyboard was a bad move IMO.

I don't think not including it was necessarily the bad move, especially if they wanted to hit a target price. It's that they marketed the hell out of the thing with the keyboard front and center. That was a bit deceiving to people.

 

[sracer]

I don't think not including it was necessarily the bad move, especially if they wanted to hit a target price. It's that they marketed the hell out of the thing with the keyboard front and center. That was a bit deceiving to people.

Definitely deceiving especially since Microsoft never produced a Surface ad that didn't include prominent placement of the keyboard cover.

I would've liked to have seen the entry model price include the keyboard cover as a loss-leader.

I'm looking forward to see what MS does with a potential SP4 device. Iron out the kinks with the keyboard cover drivers, maybe something with the price, and improvement on the quality of the touchpad on keyboard cover, and I'd give it serious consideration.

 

[spinedoc77]

Definitely deceiving especially since Microsoft never produced a Surface ad that didn't include prominent placement of the keyboard cover.

I would've liked to have seen the entry model price include the keyboard cover as a loss-leader.

I'm looking forward to see what MS does with a potential SP4 device. Iron out the kinks with the keyboard cover drivers, maybe something with the price, and improvement on the quality of the touchpad on keyboard cover, and I'd give it serious consideration.

I don't think it was deceiving, I think disappointing is a better word. When the consumer got to the store and was told they had to spend another $129 they were probably disappointed. I don't think it makes sense to not include the keyboard, even if they didn't market it so heavily. It makes people think they only got half a laptop when they set out to buy a laptop.

I suppose it was just MS price point. Has anyone broken down the cost to build versus profit margin on the SP3? I suppose you need to throw R & D and marketing into that as well. I'd be curious what kind of a margin they are making and how much room they have to move. What's interesting to me is all the cheap plastic windows tablets out there with similar internal specs seem to be priced about the same so MS must have a smaller margin than the other OEMs.

 

[diamond.g]

I don't think it was deceiving, I think disappointing is a better word. When the consumer got to the store and was told they had to spend another $129 they were probably disappointed. I don't think it makes sense to not include the keyboard, even if they didn't market it so heavily. It makes people think they only got half a laptop when they set out to buy a laptop.

I suppose it was just MS price point. Has anyone broken down the cost to build versus profit margin on the SP3? I suppose you need to throw R & D and marketing into that as well. I'd be curious what kind of a margin they are making and how much room they have to move. What's interesting to me is all the cheap plastic windows tablets out there with similar internal specs seem to be priced about the same so MS must have a smaller margin than the other OEMs.

The sad part is a lot of those tablet don't come with keyboards either...

 

[Liquorpuki]

I don't think it was deceiving, I think disappointing is a better word. When the consumer got to the store and was told they had to spend another $129 they were probably disappointed. I don't think it makes sense to not include the keyboard, even if they didn't market it so heavily. It makes people think they only got half a laptop when they set out to buy a laptop.

I suppose it was just MS price point. Has anyone broken down the cost to build versus profit margin on the SP3? I suppose you need to throw R & D and marketing into that as well. I'd be curious what kind of a margin they are making and how much room they have to move. What's interesting to me is all the cheap plastic windows tablets out there with similar internal specs seem to be priced about the same so MS must have a smaller margin than the other OEMs.

It wasn't a margin thing. With the first Surface they originally bundled touch or type covers and found some stores didn't wanna carry the bundles, some customers wanted a different color cover, some customers wanted to use their own BT keyboards instead, etc.

 

[sracer]

I don't think it was deceiving, I think disappointing is a better word. When the consumer got to the store and was told they had to spend another $129 they were probably disappointed. I don't think it makes sense to not include the keyboard, even if they didn't market it so heavily. It makes people think they only got half a laptop when they set out to buy a laptop.

...and what caused them to be "disappointed" if it weren't for unmet expectations set by the commercials they saw?

If MS introduced the Surface without the keyboard cover in their ads and THEN revealed the Type Cover towards the end of the ad indicating that with that option it turns the tablet into a notebook, then I think any claim of deception would be unfounded.

I suppose it was just MS price point. Has anyone broken down the cost to build versus profit margin on the SP3? I suppose you need to throw R & D and marketing into that as well. I'd be curious what kind of a margin they are making and how much room they have to move. What's interesting to me is all the cheap plastic windows tablets out there with similar internal specs seem to be priced about the same so MS must have a smaller margin than the other OEMs.

Microsoft was late to this round of the party (they were the only ones the last time around nearly 14 years ago). IMO they needed to entice customers and offer a head-turning package. Even if they took a loss on the low-end package, they needed to make a push to get marketshare.

In some sense, if Apple produces a convertible tablet of sorts it will validate Microsoft's work in the eyes of those who dismissed the Surface... and with that, hopefully more developers and accessory manufacturers.

 

[spinedoc77]

It wasn't a margin thing. With the first Surface they originally bundled touch or type covers and found some stores didn't wanna carry the bundles, some customers wanted a different color cover, some customers wanted to use their own BT keyboards instead, etc.

It's interesting to look at the other side of it as well. You buy an ipad and have your choice of colored cover, but it's also an additional cost. I suppose MS is trying to emulate that. IMO they should have just said the SP is $x.00 and you get your choice of type or touch cover color, go over to the wall and pick one out. It's a tough situation though because people are used to Apple's paradigm with the ipads and for better or worse many consumers seem to want to compare the SP to an ipad and not a laptop.

 

[maflynn]

It's interesting to look at the other side of it as well. You buy an ipad and have your choice of colored cover, but it's also an additional cost.

But the difference here is the iPad does not really require a case to be used as marketed. MS markets the surface pro as a laptop replacement. You really cannot do that with the virtual keyboard. Its really not functional on your lap with pressing against the virtual keyboard, nor if you use it like a tablet - at least for long periods of time.

I like my SP3, its a great machine, and I spent a lot of money on it, including the dock, so getting the type cover was not a big deal. With that said, though it really does need to be bundled with the SP

 

[spinedoc77]

But the difference here is the iPad does not really require a case to be used as marketed. MS markets the surface pro as a laptop replacement. You really cannot do that with the virtual keyboard. Its really not functional on your lap with pressing against the virtual keyboard, nor if you use it like a tablet - at least for long periods of time.

I like my SP3, its a great machine, and I spent a lot of money on it, including the dock, so getting the type cover was not a big deal. With that said, though it really does need to be bundled with the SP

Yeah no disagreements here. They are different beasts.

 

[JHUFrank]

unfortunately I am going to have to jump into the Surface Pro market. We are starting to roll these out at work, and I need to get familiar with them.

 

[rowspaxe]

I agree with this 100%. It's still tempting at its current price, but not including the keyboard and not having 8GB of RAM standard are deal breakers imo. (The lack of 8GB of RAM on the base model Air is also a deal breaker.)

Not everyone needs 8gb ram, so its not surprising most base models ship 4gb. In reality--the extra $100-$200 is the deal breaker

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Here's how I've set mine up
http://s1368.photobucket.com/user/viccles85/media/IMG_0126_zps7e8b27e7.jpg.html

your mouse pad has a bigger footprint than the sp3!

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Congrats

1. I didn't get one, though I normally do for tablets/phones
2. It goes pretty far, there is resistance but don't force it
3. I'm happy with how both work, though my SP3 is on my external monitor. I took the plunge and purchased the dock which simplifies working on my desk a great deal
4. Yes, absolutely. I use Avast, kaspersky is another good one.
5. What monitor are you trying to hook up? My 23" ACD mini-displayport monitor works fine without any adapters.

I think the dock is really underated--I am surprised there is price resistance at $200. C'mon fellas. Best you could do with a tree is $100-$130.

 

[sracer]

I think the dock is really underated--I am surprised there is price resistance at $200. C'mon fellas. Best you could do with a tree is $100-$130.

It shouldn't be a surprise. For a device that is promoted as a hybrid device, having to spend an additional 30% (approx. - keyboard cover +dock) for it to fulfill that promise as a hybrid is a bit much.

Whether you agree with that sentiment or not, that is on the minds of people.

 

[rowspaxe]

It shouldn't be a surprise. For a device that is promoted as a hybrid device, having to spend an additional 30% (approx. - keyboard cover +dock) for it to fulfill that promise as a hybrid is a bit much.

Whether you agree with that sentiment or not, that is on the minds of people.

Your saying the keyboard AND dock should be included in the base price? That would be fine--just raise the base price 30%. Stuff costs money