Surface Pro 3

[zhenya]

Yep, a worthy consideration.

My thoughts have been that this generation of device has been pretty solid, and I think we might not see a major change of form factor for the next model, especially if it is released sooner than later with Broadwell.

Given where things are at in the hardware and software release cycles, I think there is a decent possibility that they may try to delay for a release with Windows 10 and Skylake which will definitely be an appealing upgrade, but that won't be until late this year at best.

 

[maflynn]

I'm considering the Surface Pro - people whom I know who have used it love it, and I know it'd satisfy my travelling needs where I don't want to carry a rMBP with me.

Now, I'm trying to figure out if it's worth waiting for the next generation which is likely to be out within the next few months, or just go ahead and purchase it now. I've been putting it off since September, however.

The issue with waiting is that you don't get to use it now.
The SP3 addressed a lot of the flaws found in the SP2. People are expecting (or at least hoping) that the SP4 does the same. You'll have to wait for Broadwell, and that's not until 2nd Qtr 2015. Do you want to wait another 6 months?

I've done that for MBPs, but my needs weren't that critical then. I opted for getting it now for a bunch of different reasons. I think the biggest reason is that the SP3 is a great product, and while the SP4 may be even better, you never know. If it is, I could always sell the SP3 and then buy the newer model.

 

[MozMan68]

I am seeing weird wake from hibernate connectivity issues. But that could be due to hyper-v, will mess around and see if i can make it any better.

Based on every single post on every Windows forum, yes...hyper-v is the issue...

 

[ct2k7]

The issue with waiting is that you don't get to use it now.
The SP3 addressed a lot of the flaws found in the SP2. People are expecting (or at least hoping) that the SP4 does the same. You'll have to wait for Broadwell, and that's not until 2nd Qtr 2015. Do you want to wait another 6 months?

I've done that for MBPs, but my needs weren't that critical then. I opted for getting it now for a bunch of different reasons. I think the biggest reason is that the SP3 is a great product, and while the SP4 may be even better, you never know. If it is, I could always sell the SP3 and then buy the newer model.

Interesting: my needs aren't critical now, but they are growing and will climax towards the end of the year: I dislike carrying my macbook pro with me to hotels every month - it doesn't fit into the safe very easily!, but it's not that portable when I'm trying to use it to take notes. Unfortunately, I can't compile, run and edit code on the iPad, so that it out of the question.

I could certainly buy it now, then sell it off later on.

 

[maflynn]

I'm using my SP3 around the house today, and I see how much more I prefer using it on my lap then my MBP. I'm not knocking the rMPB, Its a great laptop, but I'm finding that I can use the SP3 on my lap for longer periods of time. The bottom of the laptop get just too warm for extended use.

with that said, the display on the SP3 is smaller then my 15" retina display. While windows does have scaling to help, its not the same thing.

I haven't tried Lightroom while away from the dock/external monitor. I'm currently getting that set up.

 

[diamond.g]

Based on every single post on every Windows forum, yes...hyper-v is the issue...

Yeah. I am probably going to disable the hypervisor. I am only running W10 tech preview so nothing too important

 

[gadgetgirl85]

I'm using my SP3 around the house today, and I see how much more I prefer using it on my lap then my MBP. I'm not knocking the rMPB, Its a great laptop, but I'm finding that I can use the SP3 on my lap for longer periods of time. The bottom of the laptop get just too warm for extended use.

Thank you for posting this. Helping me sway my decision! How does it go say you are lying on the couch with your legs up? Still usable?

 

[zhenya]

Thank you for posting this. Helping me sway my decision! How does it go say you are lying on the couch with your legs up? Still usable?

In my opinion, very. I use it heavily on the couch from sitting upright to legs stretched out in front of me. I have not really found a lap position it doesn't work reasonably well in. If anything it's better in most positions than my wife's MBA. The kickstand often catches over my knee to hold it nice and stable even when there is no flat surface that even a regular laptop could sit on. The MBA doesn't open wide enough to accommodate some of these positions, and others I can use it so long as I hold it there with my palms on the keyboard, but as soon as I let go it slides out of position. The Surface holds nicely in a lot of these positions because the kickstand prevents it from sliding.

 

[aquajet]

I'm using my SP3 around the house today, and I see how much more I prefer using it on my lap then my MBP. I'm not knocking the rMPB, Its a great laptop, but I'm finding that I can use the SP3 on my lap for longer periods of time. The bottom of the laptop get just too warm for extended use.

I finally got my SP3 a few days ago, and that's something I hadn't considered until using it. Despite the "tablet first" design, it works well as a laptop (a lot better than I imagined). And since the heat-producing components are mounted behind the screen, you never feel any heat on your lap!

 

[gadgetgirl85]

In my opinion, very.

Great! I'm still undecided which model I'm going to get (128 or 256). I have until Feb to decide anyway. Would it go ok powering a 21" screen?

 

[Renzatic]

Would it go ok powering a 21" screen?

I've read the i5 and i7 models are capable of driving a couple of 2560x1440 displays through the dock, and might even be able to do 4k at 30Hz. I'd do some double checking to make sure, but I'd say you're good.

 

[maflynn]

Thank you for posting this. Helping me sway my decision! How does it go say you are lying on the couch with your legs up? Still usable?

Not at all, some folks consider the fact that the weight is on the back of the device as opposed to the bottom, i.e., components are on the bottom of a laptop as opposed to the display as is the case with the SP3. Well one unintended benefit is that my legs don't get warm. The kickstand is great for this, I'm happy to keep using this all day and not feel any heat.

I've tried using my laptop on my lap as I have the TV on, buy after 40 minutes, my legs get rather uncomfortable.

----------

Great! I'm still undecided which model I'm going to get (128 or 256). I have until Feb to decide anyway. Would it go ok powering a 21" screen?

I have the 256gb/8gb i5 model, and its driving my 24" ACD monitor. I'm not playing games and I'm not pushing it hard to see how well its driving it. For my needs, office, apps, surfing, remote connections to servers are all that I need. I've finished moving my 2014 images onto the tablet, and so I'll be using Lightroom on it, I can report back how that is on the monitor as well, but at this stage, I'm not worried.

 

[ct2k7]

SP + Thunderbolt display mhmm

 

[JackieInCo]

Great! I'm still undecided which model I'm going to get (128 or 256). I have until Feb to decide anyway. Would it go ok powering a 21" screen?

I've connected mine to my Samsung 24" monitor with no problems. The great thing about the SP3 is that you can connect an external monitor while on battery power. I haven't used a MBP in a few years but the last one I used didn't allow that.

 

[booksbooks]

So I've had my new SP3 for some days now (just got it recently), and I'm liking it.

Mini Review

-Love the fit and finish of the device. Man the quality of this thing!
-The weight isn't bothering me too much. Lighter is better, but not really an issue.
-Love the kickstand. I place the surface all over the place with the kickstand. I think of my iPad and how annoying it is to hold all the time. Like watching a movie.
-The screen is great. Bright, clear and sharp.
-Just getting into the stylus. Sketched out architecture plans for a dream home. I found out how to add lined paper to OneNote. That's better now for writing.
-Battery life is decent.
-Love the AC adapter! Pretty light and small. Not as small as an iPad, but still pretty good.
-The TypeCover is awesome! The keys are nice and big, and the backlighting perfect. It's cool how you can just rip off the device from the TypeCover and use the Surface as a tablet. The robustness and flexibility here is great. The trackpad is a little small and I barely us it. Just use the screen.
-App gap really? Every App I use on my iPhone/iPad is on this thing. I'm not an App junky. I've got Kindle, Netflix, Bamboo Paper, Mint... etc.
-App performance. Man, the Apps are BETTER than iOS. They look stunning and they perform well. The Surface is so much more powerful than the iPad/iPhone this is obvious. Having Apps with no fixed card views where you can infinite scroll left or right, up or down, is cool. See the Weather App.
-Web browsing pretty good, and Microsoft has the "Reading View" also so you can tap that and get a special, clean version of the Webpage you're on. Nice.

The Surface Pro 3 is not without its drawbacks, but it's so far pretty damn nice. I'm impressed.

I lucked out and picked up a brand new, sealed i5/8GB RAM/256 GB version with the TypeCover for $700 USD. Found it on Craigs.

 

[jamezr]

So I've had my new SP3 for some days now (just got it recently),

I lucked out and picked up a brand new, sealed i5/8GB RAM/256 GB version with the TypeCover for $700 USD. Found it on Craigs.

Nice find! Enjoy! Do post back and let us know how it goes as you use it more.

 

[JackieInCo]

I am seeing weird wake from hibernate connectivity issues. But that could be due to hyper-v, will mess around and see if i can make it any better.

I just turn mine off when I am done while on battery power. The boot time on this is literally seconds so I do not mind at all.

 

[spinedoc77]

So I've had my new SP3 for some days now (just got it recently), and I'm liking it.

Mini Review

-Love the fit and finish of the device. Man the quality of this thing!
-The weight isn't bothering me too much. Lighter is better, but not really an issue.
-Love the kickstand. I place the surface all over the place with the kickstand. I think of my iPad and how annoying it is to hold all the time. Like watching a movie.
-The screen is great. Bright, clear and sharp.
-Just getting into the stylus. Sketched out architecture plans for a dream home. I found out how to add lined paper to OneNote. That's better now for writing.
-Battery life is decent.
-Love the AC adapter! Pretty light and small. Not as small as an iPad, but still pretty good.
-The TypeCover is awesome! The keys are nice and big, and the backlighting perfect. It's cool how you can just rip off the device from the TypeCover and use the Surface as a tablet. The robustness and flexibility here is great. The trackpad is a little small and I barely us it. Just use the screen.
-App gap really? Every App I use on my iPhone/iPad is on this thing. I'm not an App junky. I've got Kindle, Netflix, Bamboo Paper, Mint... etc.
-App performance. Man, the Apps are BETTER than iOS. They look stunning and they perform well. The Surface is so much more powerful than the iPad/iPhone this is obvious. Having Apps with no fixed card views where you can infinite scroll left or right, up or down, is cool. See the Weather App.
-Web browsing pretty good, and Microsoft has the "Reading View" also so you can tap that and get a special, clean version of the Webpage you're on. Nice.

The Surface Pro 3 is not without its drawbacks, but it's so far pretty damn nice. I'm impressed.

I lucked out and picked up a brand new, sealed i5/8GB RAM/256 GB version with the TypeCover for $700 USD. Found it on Craigs.

Agree with everything except the power brick, it's still huge. Granted it's smaller than a laptop brick, but I've been spoiled by the iPads tiny brick. The SP3 brick just isn't something I throw into my bag to travel without a 2nd thought like the ipad brick is.

 

[gadgetgirl85]

Big sale on the 128gb/4gb model here. I hope it will be enough for me.

 

[JackieInCo]

Big sale on the 128gb/4gb model here. I hope it will be enough for me.

You know there is an SD card slot behind the kickstand. Cards are pretty cheap these days.

 

[nospleen]

Big sale on the 128gb/4gb model here. I hope it will be enough for me.

Did the price just change today? I believe the other special in the US ended today. Curious if we will see price drops here tomorrow.

 

[gadgetgirl85]

Did the price just change today? I believe the other special in the US ended today. Curious if we will see price drops here tomorrow.

Harvey Norman (In Australia) are having a sale on the 128gb model. I was more concerned about having enough ram. Not that I know a lot about that stuff. But mainly for my use (e.g., occasional spss/photoshop, word processing, surfing net). But also want to plug in my 21" LG screen. It's 1920 x 1080.

 

[maflynn]

Agree with everything except the power brick, it's still huge. Granted it's smaller than a laptop brick, but I've been spoiled by the iPads tiny brick. The SP3 brick just isn't something I throw into my bag to travel without a 2nd thought like the ipad brick is.

The only complaint about the power brick for me is the short cable on one side of the brick. The A/C side has a tiny cord. I'd prefer a longer power cord.

 

[diamond.g]

The only complaint about the power brick for me is the short cable on one side of the brick. The A/C side has a tiny cord. I'd prefer a longer power cord.

Monoprice had a pretty good deal on longer cable (like 3m), if I run across the link again I'll post it.

 

[maflynn]

So I've had my new SP3 for some days now (just got it recently), and I'm liking it.

Mini Review
...

I have to agree with most of your mini review, though I haven't played with the stylus quite yet. I guess if I'm going to complain, I wished they found a place to store the pen inside the SP3 as opposed to having it on the smart keyboard like it is.

Monoprice had a pretty good deal on longer cable (like 3m), if I run across the link again I'll post it.

Thanks, if you come across it in your travels.