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Surface Pro 3
- Thread starter yogeewan
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To point yes - the price is great if it included a type cover, which it doesn't. The single port criticism is fair and not too different those complaining about the single port in the rMB as well. The difference though is that the power plug is separate and the power brick actually has a USB port built in, so you do have two ports. Throw in the docking station and you have a bunch of ports
The USB port on the power brick is for charging only.To point yes - the price is great if it included a type cover, which it doesn't. The single port criticism is fair and not too different those complaining about the single port in the rMB as well. The difference though is that the power plug is separate and the power brick actually has a USB port built in, so you do have two ports. Throw in the docking station and you have a bunch of ports
There are two ports though. The mDisplay port and USB port.
No worries, though from a technical standpoint they probably could have the usb port work with the device, as there are probably pins for it in the power adapter.
And:
- audio jack (which is always being mentioned, when someone counts the ports on a new rMB..
).- docking station port, which gives you a lot more ports without sacrificing a single one already available.
They could also do more with the keyboard port (I know is supports at least power in).And:
- audio jack (which is always being mentioned, when someone counts the ports on a new rMB..
- docking station port, which gives you a lot more ports without sacrificing a single one already available.
Almost bought a SP3 last night. It was very close. Love all the features and options. I wish there was the option to have 4G cell service on it. I know the SP3 is a multi cross over type device. I have a iPad air on Verizon. I think the SP3 offers more features than my ipad but I need that cell service without having to turn on hotspot or tethering on my mobile phone.
I know, how you feel, - being a long time Mac user, I was kind of torn by a similar decision myself.
Finally settled down with a SP3+Docking station being my daily driver with an extended Desktop on a 4K Monitor (Eizo EV3237). Nevertheless, I still use that thing a lot in tablet mode as well. Taking notes, drawing and just plain browsing are a lot better than on current iPads: comparable to browsing the web on a magazine sized page, instead of a pocket book one.
In your case, though, I would wait for the SP4 to be announced. If MS doesn't fail (and they can't afford to), it is going to be huge.
You're welcome! I am very curious about the date myself and according to my knowledge:
1. MS won't release it before Windows 10, that's clear. Because SP4 surely will be THAT showcase device running it. So, not before July 29
.2. Should Microsoft still possess a bit of strategic thinking, - they would not release it with Broadwell, but wait for Skylake processor architecture. This would imply a release date somewhere this fall (which would also come handy for them in the holiday season).
Just my 2 cents...
Agreed, like the premium windows phones, which won't be released until windows 10 mobile is out the door, the SP4 won't see the light of day until after 7/291. MS won't release it before Windows 10, that's clear. Because SP4 surely will be THAT showcase device running it. So, not before July 29
I'll not disagree with your logic, but given the success of the SP3 on Haswell and Surface 3 on the Core M platform, I don't think they're going to hold off for skylake.
No worries, It would have been more expensive if they had (likely). It uses the new Atom CPU, which I read isn't horrible. But then again it isn't great either, lol.
I'm really wondering what the new Surface is going to look like. There has been a wide expectation driven by at least one comment from Microsoft that the SP4 would retain accessory compatibility with the SP3. Business users, especially, made purchase decisions based on this information, and it would be a difficult position for Microsoft to break with that comment as they've done nothing to dispel it if it's not true.
However, I feel like they've already missed the window to build an incremental but worthwhile update to the SP4 while sticking with the same form factor. The Haswell chip is a drop-in replacement. That, tied with other incremental improvements - less reflective screen, better cameras, slightly improved battery as available, perhaps an improvement to the too-sensitive capacitive home button, etc. would have kept momentum for the SP3 which has been lagging a bit over the last 6 months as people expected an update, and fulfilled that goal of keeping two generations of compatibility all in one go.
Now, I think they are in a bit of a bind. There is expectation from the business world to maintain compatibility, and a competing expectation from everyone that the pace of innovation remains high. I think at this point, people will be a bit disappointed if the SP4 is the same design with merely a chipset update - even if that update is Skylake.
However, I feel like they've already missed the window to build an incremental but worthwhile update to the SP4 while sticking with the same form factor. The Haswell chip is a drop-in replacement. That, tied with other incremental improvements - less reflective screen, better cameras, slightly improved battery as available, perhaps an improvement to the too-sensitive capacitive home button, etc. would have kept momentum for the SP3 which has been lagging a bit over the last 6 months as people expected an update, and fulfilled that goal of keeping two generations of compatibility all in one go.
Now, I think they are in a bit of a bind. There is expectation from the business world to maintain compatibility, and a competing expectation from everyone that the pace of innovation remains high. I think at this point, people will be a bit disappointed if the SP4 is the same design with merely a chipset update - even if that update is Skylake.
I, in my turn, hope they do. Skylake promises to have a much better TDP and therefore less heat and longer battery life.
First manufacturers have already shown Skylake prototypes at Computex in Taiwan. Intel itself promises shipment in 1-2 months. Dell's new XPS 15 will ship earliest in August, - all of that speaks for Skylake. So, finger crossed...
You surely meant Broadwell with drop-in replacement, not Haswell...
Besides of that, I would definitely welcome internal improvements (like longer battery and less glossy screen) over the new form factor, because we can continue to use our accessories, like pens, docking stations and chargers.
I was would say considering the Surface 3 has an LTE option, then I would be very surprised if the Surface Pro 4 doesn't include the option too, I also predict you won't have long to wait and find out.
I still like the Surface 3, one day perhaps. Need a new phone first though.
The exclusion of a LTE option on the surface pro's always baffled me. For the corporate/enterprise market it is targeting you would think LTE would be a very important feature, it is for me. It's probably a cost issue though as a LTE option seems to be $100-150 more on devices, which I've also never understood but maybe licensing issues.
I picked up a used SP3 fairly cheap, can't wait to report back after a week or so with feelings. I have a 13" rMBP so I am curious if it will get a lot of use.
If you're like me, you'll end up switching and selling your MBP.
But I mainly just read pdfs and take notes with the pen.
I ended up buying the high end 15" MBP after using the SP3 since November.
Not selling the SP3 as I will still use it for things like jailbreaking my iOS devices like I just did last week. I am so happy to have a MBP again.
Not selling the SP3 as I will still use it for things like jailbreaking my iOS devices like I just did last week. I am so happy to have a MBP again.
What did you use your SP3 for?
The only huge plus it has for itself is the pen / split screen with PDFs, in my view.
If I didn't need to annotate and take notes I would of stuck with my 15 inch Macbook pro and iPad.
Although staffpad has no alternative on anything apple... so maybe that by itself would of been a huge pull.
I would really love apple to make a better version of the SP3..