if they're positioning the Surface pro as something to replace your tablet *and* laptop, the type cover should really come with it, not be an expensive extra.
I firmly believe the surface is the best product MS has made so far, its a really impressive piece of tech. I personally love the tablet form factor to browse the web or watch stuff on but what makes up for the value to me is the pressure sensitive stylus. As a digital artist, the ability to run a full version of photoshop and draw directly on the screen whilst being so portable is pretty amazing to me. N-Trig concerned me but it appears it works just fine and i hope they gain enough attention to make Wacom pull their figure out, them not having competition means they charge out the wazoo an innovate at a snails pace. So for me it trumps a laptop or a macbook. I really hope these devises take off, be nice to have more choice.
Alright someone please answer me this question. maybe my brain is wired wrong or something. I have a macbook pro retina 13, great notebook, get 10-11hours of battery. now my question is serious guys. why the fuck would i buy a iPad or whatever. explain to me what a iPad (or any tablet) can do better than my laptop? furthermore, what can i do on my tablet that is so much worse on a smaller phone screen. Like what is this shit obsession with owning a tablet and laptop. maybe i am missing the craze, but i got a phone and a laptop. I wish someone would explain it. Also microsoft doesn't have a tablet ecosystem to chase after anyways, they have so few apps. they are too behind on the mobile shit. What they should have done is buckled down and done what they have done very well for the past decade, make great productivity software, and optimize the hell out of windows to make it a great laptop and desktop experience. Because I believe tablets are a iffy middle ground that can be killed of with a great laptop experience. At least thats what the macbook pro retina 13 did for me, and I will never buy a iPad, and no i have interest in using mac os x with tablet/touchscren, so i do not care about the iPad pro or what ever the fuck people are calling it.
I'd honestly type if I was using a laptop for notes. If I wanted to use pens I'd write on paper. Pen w/ screen, ehhh, makes my handwriting look even uglier.
Making notes with Onenote is awesome! Atleast I never lose my notes again, because I always did. Plus I just import the Powerpoint of the class I'm attending and make direct notes unto that.
Can i just say i am shocked right now. Almost didnt want to watch as i expected you guys to tear the living hell out of the device and try to maintain the "popular negative opinion". As a happy Pro 2 owner I am fully aware of the capability of this form factor/windows 8 and is now a bit more convinced that i should get the Pro 3. Just have a few concerns with the stylus. Really need an indepth look at how it works and the disadvantages. unlike you guys I do not have the opportunity to simply visit a store and test the device before buying. Is it possible for you to get this in the hands of individuals that uses the Pro 2 as there daily driver so as to get a more feature focused review? A real persons perspective. Well if not I am still grateful. LOVE THE REVIEW!!!
What I still can't understand is why they bundled the Pen with the device, BUT NOT THE FRIGGIN KEYBOARD that is actually what makes this device a compelling 2-in-1! Price would definitely be a factor for the surface's success. $999 + $130 for a usable variant, I think there's only a very few that can justify it for their use.
Initially I thought having a single USB and Display Port was okay but thinking again, the practically of it seems rather stupid but what would you really need to plug in it the Surface apart from a memory stick?
Moosa Mahsoom Just get a hub, It's USB 3 so you can connect a million things without it lagging down, and use a microsd card in your camera with a micro to full size adapter so it fits right in.
Re a hub has issues on its own when dealing with high traffic peripherals. it introduced latency which can affect performance. I tried this once running a hub off a usb3 port, into an ethernet adapter into a NAS. it severely degraded performance compared to a direct connection from the ethernet dongle to the laptop. for peripherals its fine, but for drives, and other higher traffic equipment, a direct line is better.
No matter what people say, I would really love to get my hands on this device.... It looks super cool... I'm sad that Surface has not been launched in India...
I have to say, That was quite a respectful review. You're getting less sloppy when it comes to claiming that things are just "better" or "worse" without stating why.
I don't know how everybody comparing the Surface Pro 3 to a MacBook Air can treat the whole touch screen thing as an afterthought. It's the most important way you interact with your computer! It is also the one thing that is behind all the complaints I'm seeing. Touch screens use more power, yet the SP3 still has great battery life. Windows 8 is truly fantastic on a touch enabled machine. Finally, it's perfectly OK for a device with a touch screen to cost more than a device without one. After using a touch enabled laptop for the past few months I would never go back to using a trackpad or a mouse. This is coming from someone that interacts with legacy apps for audio and video editing daily. Touch screens are not a toy, but they do make my work more enjoyable and even more efficient.
if you are a musician and use a tablet for sheet music, this one is a must. 3:2 aspect ratio makes it almost the same as A4 paper. I'm putting this thing on my "to waste money on" things.
No iVerge comments? It must be cold in Hell today. Anywho, it's good to see Microsoft is actually making improvements to the Surface, but I still don't see myself using one. It still looks really awkward to have that in "laptop mode" while having it on your lap. The price is also pretty ridiculous for the low-end model. I would be fine with it if MS gave you more storage space for that price.
I have the Surface Pro 3 i5, 256GB, 8GB of ram. The machine can and will replace your laptop.. If you really want apps, just install bluestacks and get the best of all worlds, full blown PC, Android apps, and some PC gaming. The price isn't bad considering what you get. It's thin, light and touch screen. I don't know why people try to compare it with the Mac Book Air, there is NO comparison! You cannot write on a Mac Book Air, you don't have touch screen support with the Mac Book Air, it's lighter the Mac Book air, it's faster than the Mac Book Air.. Do I need to keep going??? True people that understand and use technology know that forking up a little bit more money will give you a better device.
Also Adobe worked directly with Microsoft and made Photoshop perform the best with the Surface for artists. Do some home work before jumping on the typical band wagon of what you think is wrong with the device which usually is related with apps. This is a PC, you don't need apps........... I use Plex on IE11 instead of paying $5 for the stinkin app. I can sync it to my Xbox One from the device play to option, and let me tell you it's fricken brilliant! The device is truly labeled the best tablet in the world now, and I would agree with that statement. So again, do your home work and stop criticizing something you don't know about, open your eyes.
My boss got me one of these as a gift in 2019 and I’m just now realizing it’s the pro 3. It must have been used though it looks brand new, because the battery lasts maybe 2-3 hours tops and I do hear the fan and it does get hot. I don’t mind this so much I guess because it was a gift so I didn’t spend money, and it won’t replace my MacBook Air. Anyway I’m excited to get a nice case for it and a pen. It’ll be a fun toy
Excellent review. It felt unbiased and you showcased the products strengths so that I can decide for myself if I want it. The Audio was Clear, which is a must. I'm subbing.
Great review! I'm just starting college with a computer science major and required to have a laptop. I have an i7-4770K/GTX 770 desktop for the heavy lifting but I'm getting the SP3 i5/256GB to fulfil my laptop requirement and replace my Surface RT(might still keep it though)
This is the best all in one machine that money can buy, people should stop complaining about the price,the surface pro is both a laptop and a tablet packaged just under 800 grams,you are getting the best of both worlds in a very small and powerful form factor,technology is expensive so people should be ready to pay higher prices for a well defined peace of technology like the surface pro 3,my advice for people who just want an all in one machine that can do it all for Half the price of an iPad should get the Dell venue 8 pro, and if you want to do more powerful stuff get the surface pro 3, for me the iPad with all its apps is still just an ordinary limited expensive tablet that allows you to run only apps with,instead of buying an iPad and a MacBook pro or any other Android products combined with a laptop, I rather have an all in one machine that runs both apps and complete programs, this is where the surface pro comes really handy,with the surface pro 3 I can be productive on the go,I can get real job done any where at any time with just one machine, this is the future of computing.
iamterence77 +iamterence77 a single usb port is all you need for a portable device in a tablet as small as the surface pro, adding more usb ports will add to the size and the price, if you want more outputs you can get an external usb hub,one question, does the iPad come with a usb port?
mclevit I don't see a problem with the expandability of an ipad because its an ipad. its limited in nature. But for something that is meant to replace my laptop, I expect more capability. I do a lot of programming on my laptop, and when I get home, I connect it to desk consisting of -a mechanical keyboard -a mouse -an ethernet solution (for quick access to a nas) -and 1 free usb port for flash drives. as for hubs, Its typically not a good idea if you need to run an ethernet dongle off of it (especially when you depend on your network) A surface isn't meant to be positioned as a portable additional device. its is meant to be THE device that is portable. Meaning its not accompanying other devices. Thats why Microsoft compared to a macbook air.
iamterence77 +iamterence77 there is no product out there that is perfect, this is why third party companies make products to complement these limitations ,in the surface pro having just one usb port is not a limitation, there's is no definition of what a portable computer should have and what it shouldn't have, I bet you If it was so easy for Apple to add a usb port on the iPad they would have done so, the only reason they didn't is because adding a usb port to the iPad would increase the size of the iPad,if I just want to surf the Web or just watch movies I won't spend 800 euros to buy a limited iPad, the surface pro 3 can do what both the iPad and a MacBook pro does, this is the objectivity of the surface pro,this machine gives me the opportunity carry an all purpose machine, there is a solution for all the list of things you mentioned,I want to the able to pick up my tablet and use it as muy productive power house, this is what the surface pro is going for, as an artist sometimes I love to set and just relax on my bed and work on my songs or edit a video professionally like working on a laptop, I want to have the power to do all this great stuff,it's a blessing to do things with ease,I hating switching from computer to computer, I ain't saying the surface pro is perfect,in today's tech world the surface pro is the closest thing to a portable perfect all in one machine.
mclevit its different for everyone. I understand what the surface is aiming for. It tries to be both an iPad and a macbook. it handles the iPad part fine, but for a "pro" tablet/laptop hybrid, I only see it complementing the laptop, NOT replacing it. It's a great device, but If I had a choice between the surface pro 3 and a conventional clamshell laptop for work (programming), I would take the laptop just for its expandability and keyboard.
I responded to someone in the comments about using the surface on your lap. I told him this: I am literally using my surface on my lap right now to write this, but I have the cover flipped under my surface 2 and using the surface touch screen to type. I just figure people would use it as a tablet on their lap. I never need serious type time on my lap. I would say that typing that needs a keyboard is just never done on my lap, and I never find people doing it either due to heat. I work at a café and never see people use their laptops this way even outside, that is why we have tables. A bunch of our customers bring in laptop wedges too for the angle and cooling. When I did have a laptop though, if I was browsing the internet, not for typing, I found that my lap was extremely uncomfortable, and that is why I own a lap desk. There is just not enough space on my lap and the heating up in just too hot for my lap; which, is probably the reason people who do use their lap top this way prop one leg up. Needless to say, I don't use my lap desk anymore.
***** I do think laptops are more lap friendly than tablets (in this case the Surface Pro) because of the weight distribution. The biggest weight of my or almost every laptop lies under the keyboard obviously. The weight of a Surface or an iPad is all crammed behind the screen, causing the center of gravity to change. I consider myself an Apple fanboy but I hate using an iPad (without a case) for the lack of grip and bad weight distribution. Also, I have small hands. Microsoft tried solving this with - by the looks of it - a very well engineered hinge and kick stand. I hope they further improve (and maybe simplify) Windows 8, might give it a chance then!
I am literally using my surface on my lap right now to write this, but I have the cover flipped under my surface 2 and using the surface touch screen to type. I just figure people would use it as a tablet on their lap. I never need serious type time on my lap. I would say that typing that needs a keyboard is just never done on my lap, and I never find people doing it either due to heat. I work at a café and never see people use their laptops this way even outside, that is why we have tables. A bunch of our customers bring in laptop wedges too for the angle and cooling. When I did have a laptop though, if I was browsing the internet, not for typing, I found that my lap was extremely uncomfortable, and that is why I own a lap desk. There is just not enough space on my lap and the heating up in just too hot for my lap; which, is probably the reason people who do use their lap top this way prop one leg up. Needless to say, I don't use my lap desk anymore.
Alright someone please answer me this question. maybe my brain is wired wrong or something. I have a macbook pro retina 13, great notebook, get 10-11hours of battery. now my question is serious guys. why the fuck would i buy a iPad or whatever. explain to me what a iPad (or any tablet) can do better than my laptop? furthermore, what can i do on my tablet that is so much worse on a smaller phone screen. Like what is this shit obsession with owning a tablet and laptop. maybe i am missing the craze, but i got a phone and a laptop. I wish someone would explain it. Also microsoft doesn't have a tablet ecosystem to chase after anyways, they have so few apps. they are too behind on the mobile shit. What they should have done is buckled down and done what they have done very well for the past decade, make great productivity software, and optimize the hell out of windows to make it a great laptop and desktop experience. Because I believe tablets are a iffy middle ground that can be killed of with a great laptop experience. At least thats what the macbook pro retina 13 did for me, and I will never buy a iPad, and no i have interest in using mac os x with tablet/touchscren, so i do not care about the iPad pro or what ever the fuck people are calling it.
Does it have touchscreen? no. Does it have pen? no. Does it run legacy windows apps (this is a big deal for some people) ? no. Is it lighter? no. Can you use it as a tablet? no. I can go on...
Lol! You "winbros" are a bunch of retards. It's Keybraker's choice to have a laptop instead of a Surface . Who are you guys to comment on anybody's choice?
Most of the people commenting here are comparing to a Macbook or a Tablet and ignoring one of the Surface's strongest asset which is the pen using NTrig (formerly Wacom) tech. This is a HUGE asset for creative professionals using photoshop or illustrator. Check out Penny Arcade's article on this. This alone would make a great buy as a portable alternative to a Cintiq. Until Apple offers a Macbook with a pressure screen that can run Photoshop/Illustrator, there is nothing to compare properly.
I bought this and I have to say it's the best computer I have ever had. I use it for work and play. Reading on the commuter train to work, I use it for drawing and painting - the accuracy and speed of the pen is amazing. Also use it for gaming and it works great. the One Note feature - wow.. the more I use it the more I wonder how I got along without it before - I take all my meeting notes with it and can organize them so easily to reference them later. I have found that I have stopped using my other tablets and my old laptop and use this all the time now for everything. The type cover is really comfortable to use and with Microsoft Office I can do anything I used to do on my laptop with all the same power. Also love the xbox apps and games as I can also use it for gaming, music and movies. All round the best go-to equipment for all my needs.
This is the kind of innovation I've been waiting for in a PC. Laptop's have been the same for quite some time now. While I do prefer OS X over windows, Apple hasn't really tried to innovate their products in a while now. Spec bumps, that's it. Kudos on MS on taking this step to further innovation of computer systems. SP3 is a very flexible machine compared to a very one dimensional MBP Air. I've only SP3 for a week now, but when I first used it, I thought it was surprisingly good. Forget the 13 hour battery life of a MBP Air for a second, nobody uses their laptop on the go for 13 hours. Even if you have to, you'll plug in any chance you get anyway.
I recently got the 512gb model and so far in 2019 it still runs pretty good I'd say, i use it primarly for editing photos in lightroom, some design stuff in photoshop and illustrator.
I'd like to see someone use this in a video as mant people will. Setting it up to go straight to desktop, putting a start menu back and then just forgetting there are "apps" and using just applications. I'd just like to see how fluid you can get using apps you know with the touch screen being used as a mouse, 1 point input. I'm hoping it's not a target practise game hunt of trying to grab elements that are too small. I'd also like to see this with some of the smaller crop of true multi-touch applications. Like some of the digital audio workstation software that lets you use both hands at once to control things like fading up and down multiple faders and so on and see how much latency there is there compared to the pretty bad lag I've seen when people are using separate touch screen monitors to control their DAW's.
Guess I'll just get a budget friendly chromebook for school instead. Any recommendations? My top choice right now is the HP chromebook 14 because I want the bigger screen (11 inch is just too small for a laptop for me).
crasherball if consumers don't need the surface than why would microsoft bother with such complex product if it didn't expect to cell surface to enterprise either
Utopic Unicorn I don't think they do need it. it hasn't really sold well, up until now, has it? this is the 3rd iteration. and up until now, it was mostly considered a failure - maybe the surface 3 will change that.
I think people are missing the point, the surface is not trying to be a laptop... It's a laptop replacement because it can perform al tasks of a ultrabook but not in the same form. Really, other then bloggers how s typing more than a couple of lines while in a couch? I have a MacBook Air and an iPad mini and. Will definitely be getting an SP 3 to replace them. When on the couch I'm just browsing on the ipad, if I want to do typing I always go to a table and work on the MacBook. Is good that the type cover is separate because I don't need it, if I want to do actual work I'll just connect the wireless keyboard and mouse I already have. If I need to type something quick, I will use the onscreen keyboard r use the awesome handwriting recognition.
I don't see tablets every replacing laptops maybe in a few years but not anytime soon. My money would be on the Tablet/laptop hybrids they have going on and even then they are still in the "trying to figure out how to do it phase" so its hard to like the hybrids. If Microsoft focused on the Surface being a tablet i think it would be a lot better for them as the surface pro looks and performs like the best of them. Their multitasking, that pen just looks accurate from the times i have seen people use it running an actual full OS it could be a contender in the tablet market but for the price people can just buy a laptop and still have some $ left over. Laptops aren't that heavy to carry around as Macbook and other laptops have gotten thinner and lighter that its no longer a big deal to carry them around.
I don't mean that add fuel to the fire but for all those who are comparing the surface pro 3 chop to that of the MacBook Air...please have a closer look at the detail description as the i3 chip of the surface pro is greater than the lower spec intel i5/i7 on the MacBook Air. Even though Microsoft marketed this product against the air, it's clearly on the spectrum of Apple's retina model MacBook
I am thinking about getting one and I have a few questions- does it support adobe flash player? Can you take screenshots with it? Does it have both a rear and front facing camera? And does it have Bluetooth? And would I be able to play games like angry birds on it?
why do people hit on Microsoft so hard about win8.1 it's the best OS i have used to date never have a problem with drivers or a slow pc people are such moners just go back to win XP for a day and you with realiz that you are just being pathetic.
Personally, I'm right there with ya. I love Windows 8, and in my opinion it's hands down the best touchscreen OS available today. However, I can appreciate why some folks weren't so enamored. Unless you're a technophile and just love learning all the new ins and outs, it can be frustrating trying to learn how things have changed. In the end, it was just too much too fast for a lot of folks, especially the mouse and keyboard crowd. Microsoft's work with Windows 8.1 and the spring update they released have gone a long way towards undoing some of those concerns, but a lot of users were still left with a lingering bad taste in their mouth.
Parker Bach let the people use mac osx lol. They never changed anything and soon people will see the potential of win8. The surface pro is an innovative product and I see a future for this.
Guillaume Amorim Haha I think you're right. Time is the best friend for Windows 8. As more and more folks in the younger generation are buying devices, they won't be hung up on the Windows of yesteryear, and can embrace Windows 8 with an open mind. As for the Surface Pro specifically, I couldn't agree more. If Apple created the surface pro folks couldn't brag on it enough. But there's a lot of Microsoft hate out there right now for one reason or another. The surface IS an innovative product, and as far as being "seamless" goes (a buzz word these days), it doesn't get any more seamless for your laptop and tablet than having your laptop and tablet be the same device.
Me as a student I do like macs but time has gone and I can no longer bring my ipad and mac just thinking of having both in a same device makes more sense. I see a bright future for this and its not the last surface pro I'm gonna get.
Same here. Nothing against Macs. Great build quality, nice OS, just way overpriced. I used one for a while, but in the end I was drawn back to Windows 8. I just couldn't justify the price for such limitations. In the end an iPad and macbook combined can't provide the same level of functionality provided by the Surface Pro, and for hundreds less. It just makes sense.. I'm not sure I'll jump in on this generation or make due with a Surface Pro 1 and wait to see what innovation they provide for us next year.
Surface 3 really has added some nifty improvements in design, specially the support hinge and magnetic keyboard. But I simply hate hybrids. Its most certainly a compromise. One should use atleast 3 Devices for 3 Separate Purposes.
One thing I always loved on surface pro and pro 2 was that the speed of the system was so optimized it quicked ass from a rival mackbook with the same specs, and the portability is no mistake it really is better in taht department than a ultrabook! SO I guess that this surface pro 3 will be a powerbest also! And judging the dissipation of the new intel arq. on my hp Spectre (i7-8g ram) I can only say that you will def. ear the vent mi.seconds from time to time respecting the optime energy conf of course!.
I'm more of a Mac user for proprietary and college things, but don't get me wrong everyone, I still love Windows as well since I grew up using it and have Win7 in a virtual machine. This thing looks really well done. If they dropped the price of the keyboard, I'd be tempted to pick one of these up. :p
@Mhasteri the surface pro 3 will be significantly better. I had the galaxy note 10.1 and ended up getting the first surface pro because the Android OS is not sufficient for easily using it at school productively. My pro was and still is a significant upgrade in terms of productivity. The surface pro 3 will be much much better than than the first type that I have. If productivity it's a priority than get the surface pro. You will want the galaxy if a cheaper product is important or if you want more high quality apps.
Its an interesting device compare to it predecessors, but the price killed it for me and the $130 for the magnetic keyboard sounds too much than what it worth.
Nice review - can you talk any more about the pens accuracy corner to corner? I found sp1s pen accuracy a little lacking. Also do you need a battery for the pen to work or is the battery just for the one note features via Bluetooth? Thanks
I wouldn't take this outside of the house as a tablet, but just think about within your house. It's so much nicer not having a clamshell device, but a light tablet like thing you can carry around easier, use easier while walking, sit down with easier, put on your lap easier, move around easier... etc. But again, this would not replace an iPad like device. Then again, if you have a smartphone... a tablet isn't really needed for mobile in-hand travel.
I certainly do, I am kinda tired my tablet cant ocasionally run solidworks, autocad or ansys on the field, as I am engineer and use my tablet all the time for references, datasheets, taking information about machine logs, etc etc. If I can have this and run solid works on it, I have to bring li 4 kg less to the work.
For me it is. I download everything on my laptop and then put it on my tablet. It's so much work sometimes but with the Surface I can have it all at once.
I'm not a heavy user, but it's just so smooth for students. I used to have a macbook Pro 13" but I sold it to buy a surface. The macbook was just too bulky for me to bring it to class everyday. If you indeed are a heavy user, I would not recommend surface pro 3. Secondly it's all about preference! You can't just discuss the fact that surface or mac is a bad device... I like surface more cause it suits my needs but I wouldn't bash Apple for it :-)
As someone who types alot I can tell you I can't wait to get a surface! Even on my laptop its annoying to type on your lap! I prefer typing on a desk/table! Iverge
Great review Dieter, thanks. I guess no matter the price or how great the hardware is, it still boils down to Microsoft having a software marketing problem, not a hardware. Too many people still cringe at the thought of windows, not just Mac users.
My gripe with the first models or so of the Surface was certainly the keyboard. It didn't feel like I was using a keyboard. It just felt like typing on a flat surface, which is not my style. Does this Surface keyboard change that? I haven't checked their Surface line in a while but I heard the computer/tablet itself is great, and I've already watched this review.
I think the Core i3 Surface Pro 3 has a pretty nice price considering the high resolution display and neat pen features, then it has Windows 8.1 Pro included. Higher than the i3, the prices inflate way too much. For instance, i3 to i5 to i7 only costs 100$ each level, and with the same capacity on i5 and i7, it costs 250$ more, with just 4GB RAM increase, which only costs 40$ for Microsoft, so instead 140$ increase, you get 250$ increase, and what kind of SSD is microsoft using? Today's SSD, you get reliable 256GB SSD for 150$ or less, and the maximum price/GB is 1GB/$ for the best worthy SSD, and I don't think they are using expensive Intel or OCZ SSD, since they consume way more power, and would be way faster than the one in the SP3. And the Type cover, is way too much. You could get mechanical keyboards with programmable backlit on it. MS should've made them no more than 50$, or even put it included in the 999$ setup and above. Anyways, the SP3 would be an awesome device for my sister who loves drawing, and big tablets is just right.
is this good for those who's into digital arts/design and the likes? can this handle heavy video/photo editing? i'm highly considering a macbook, but this looks appealing to me.
There's been several demo's of this device running the Adobe suite along with video editing. I'd recommend getting one with a higher amount of RAM though if you really want to work on projects. Get an i7 or i5 version, the i3 won't work properly since the clock speed is kind of low. Also, the display is comparable to a retina display for a macbook pro.
This would be a great upgrade from my 2012 HP envy ultrabook which is a core i3 which ran all my media and gaming smoothly. I'm wonder is it true that the screen when showing dark background it actually doesn't give that true gray and black scale? It gives off a purple hue to it?
I will be getting one, I have a Surface 2 and love it. I think Microsoft is showing some awesome inovation with the Surface line up. It may be a bit of a nich device but at least Microsoft is still pushing the envelope and developing new tech. Maybe Apple can take a cue and make an Ipad Pro? or update their smart cover to include a type cover or heck how about allow mouse support without jailbreaking. True multi tasking like the surface would be nice,All reasons I sold my Ipad.
Great review! The Surface Pro 3 seems like a step in the right direction for Microsoft. In my own opinion I believe that With this new iteration of the Surface, Microsoft did a great job addressing customer critiques from past Surface models. My only concern is that this "Hybrid" computer/Tablet will not get the proper respect and attention that it deserves, esspecially when comparing it to other laptops/Ultra-books in today's market. In all, I couldn't be happier that Microsoft did away with their RT models! I'm still not sure if RT was a joke all this time?! Anyways the Surface Pro 3 looks promising and I think I'm going to pick one up! thanks again for the detailed review!
I really want this for school, but it's just too expensive. The keyboard should have a much lower price especially since it feels cheap when I used it in the store. The concept is great and I don't mind it, but the price for it is ridiculous. They should've included in because what is the SP3 without the keyboard?
For this to be an affordable yet the best device ever in history is the price. I mean god damn 130 for the cover? Make that a 100 or 80 dollars. The tablet it self shouldn't have been over a thousand. Lets start with 650 dollars, i5 for 800 and i7 for 999 dollars and that's without the keyboard. If that were the prices I would have sold my Note 10.1, my iPod Touch 5g and my xbox 360.. real talk haha
People keep saying that it should be $650, but find me a laptop that has a touchscreen that has a high dpi, ssd drive, i5 processor, and is thin and light. Those are all over $1000. You then compare it to a Note 10.1. That tablet can't compare to the surface. It has a cheap mobile processor and run mobile apps. This has a full desktop processor and runs mobile and desktop apps all in a package that is thin and light enough to work as a tablet. At $650, Microsoft is going to lose money on it. Microsoft didn't make this device as a loss leader to gain market share. They made it to show the other oems how the next generation of portable device should function.
Do you know how big the loss would be if retailers had to sell this at 650?? Although the store in which I work does not have the Surface Pro 3 yet, I can confirm that the Pro 2 already has negative margin. If that would increase by let say 100 euros then no retailer would buy this device. It would be too expensive. Remember that MS is not making the surface line for revenue. It is making it to have a flagship for its software, just like the Nexus.
Bundles are a bit dangerous, due to the demand of certain colours. I think a price drop would be safest, although they have had the same price for the Type Cover for over 2 years, so I guess they sell well at that price
Honestly I think this is probably the best laptop for an average university student. Being able to write down notes on a device like this would replace at least 50% of the use of papers with a device like this. For anyone else, it would depend on how much you would need to use the pen for drawing. A keyboard and touchpad are pretty much better for anything else.
Am eagerly waiting to see what Microsoft does with the 4th gen. of this device ... running Windows 10. Also, please put a slot to store the pen please (much like the Note devices from Samsung!)
so is there a huge difference between core i5 and core i7? I really want to buy one but I'm not sure I'm willing to wait until august for the core i7 unless it's worth it..
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if they're positioning the Surface pro as something to replace your tablet *and* laptop, the type cover should really come with it, not be an expensive extra.
i dont know if this is true, but when they did come with a type cover, people complained it was not the color they wanted or they didn't want one
I firmly believe the surface is the best product MS has made so far, its a really impressive piece of tech. I personally love the tablet form factor to browse the web or watch stuff on but what makes up for the value to me is the pressure sensitive stylus. As a digital artist, the ability to run a full version of photoshop and draw directly on the screen whilst being so portable is pretty amazing to me. N-Trig concerned me but it appears it works just fine and i hope they gain enough attention to make Wacom pull their figure out, them not having competition means they charge out the wazoo an innovate at a snails pace. So for me it trumps a laptop or a macbook. I really hope these devises take off, be nice to have more choice.
Totally with you. Love the fact that it's pressure sensitive.
Alright someone please answer me this question. maybe my brain is wired wrong or something. I have a macbook pro retina 13, great notebook, get 10-11hours of battery. now my question is serious guys. why the fuck would i buy a iPad or whatever. explain to me what a iPad (or any tablet) can do better than my laptop? furthermore, what can i do on my tablet that is so much worse on a smaller phone screen.
Like what is this shit obsession with owning a tablet and laptop. maybe i am missing the craze, but i got a phone and a laptop. I wish someone would explain it.
Also microsoft doesn't have a tablet ecosystem to chase after anyways, they have so few apps. they are too behind on the mobile shit. What they should have done is buckled down and done what they have done very well for the past decade, make great productivity software, and optimize the hell out of windows to make it a great laptop and desktop experience. Because I believe tablets are a iffy middle ground that can be killed of with a great laptop experience. At least thats what the macbook pro retina 13 did for me, and I will never buy a iPad, and no i have interest in using mac os x with tablet/touchscren, so i do not care about the iPad pro or what ever the fuck people are calling it.
I'll stick to pen and paper to take notes...
I'd honestly type if I was using a laptop for notes. If I wanted to use pens I'd write on paper. Pen w/ screen, ehhh, makes my handwriting look even uglier.
Ashish Patel Owning a horse is more expensive than owning a car. Gas is cheap in comparison to how much a horse eats...
They finally got wi-fi on the the old people asylum.
Ashish Patel Yeah I was just talking about the notes part, typing is still faster than writing for me. For diagrams, I agree w/ you.
Making notes with Onenote is awesome! Atleast I never lose my notes again, because I always did. Plus I just import the Powerpoint of the class I'm attending and make direct notes unto that.
so far best hardware 2014!!! Simply amazing!!!
Can i just say i am shocked right now. Almost didnt want to watch as i expected you guys to tear the living hell out of the device and try to maintain the "popular negative opinion".
As a happy Pro 2 owner I am fully aware of the capability of this form factor/windows 8 and is now a bit more convinced that i should get the Pro 3.
Just have a few concerns with the stylus. Really need an indepth look at how it works and the disadvantages. unlike you guys I do not have the opportunity to simply visit a store and test the device before buying.
Is it possible for you to get this in the hands of individuals that uses the Pro 2 as there daily driver so as to get a more feature focused review? A real persons perspective.
Well if not I am still grateful. LOVE THE REVIEW!!!
Thanks *****. Watching out for Lisa.
What I still can't understand is why they bundled the Pen with the device, BUT NOT THE FRIGGIN KEYBOARD that is actually what makes this device a compelling 2-in-1!
Price would definitely be a factor for the surface's success. $999 + $130 for a usable variant, I think there's only a very few that can justify it for their use.
Personally, I would still prefer a laptop because honestly, I need all the ports....
Initially I thought having a single USB and Display Port was okay but thinking again, the practically of it seems rather stupid but what would you really need to plug in it the Surface apart from a memory stick?
I usually have two to three USB devices connected at the same time. And I need a full size SD card slot as I've to transfer photos from my camera.
Codename AZURA well if your doing a lot of work, a mouse is quite comfortable.
Moosa Mahsoom Just get a hub, It's USB 3 so you can connect a million things without it lagging down, and use a microsd card in your camera with a micro to full size adapter so it fits right in.
Re a hub has issues on its own when dealing with high traffic peripherals. it introduced latency which can affect performance. I tried this once running a hub off a usb3 port, into an ethernet adapter into a NAS. it severely degraded performance compared to a direct connection from the ethernet dongle to the laptop.
for peripherals its fine, but for drives, and other higher traffic equipment, a direct line is better.
No matter what people say, I would really love to get my hands on this device.... It looks super cool... I'm sad that Surface has not been launched in India...
I have to say, That was quite a respectful review. You're getting less sloppy when it comes to claiming that things are just "better" or "worse" without stating why.
I'll never go back to Microsoft technologies, but they're making me root for them more and more
Decent starting price, beautiful design, lots of power (depending on which specs you choose), and a full OS, makes this the perfect tablet for me.
An absolutely beautiful device. iPad might sell more, but this is much better for University/College students.
I don't know how everybody comparing the Surface Pro 3 to a MacBook Air can treat the whole touch screen thing as an afterthought. It's the most important way you interact with your computer! It is also the one thing that is behind all the complaints I'm seeing. Touch screens use more power, yet the SP3 still has great battery life. Windows 8 is truly fantastic on a touch enabled machine. Finally, it's perfectly OK for a device with a touch screen to cost more than a device without one. After using a touch enabled laptop for the past few months I would never go back to using a trackpad or a mouse. This is coming from someone that interacts with legacy apps for audio and video editing daily. Touch screens are not a toy, but they do make my work more enjoyable and even more efficient.
this is the best review i've found about this gadget!
Please make Dieter do more reviews!
Would you guys buy it? I think it Looks amazing!
if you are a musician and use a tablet for sheet music, this one is a must. 3:2 aspect ratio makes it almost the same as A4 paper. I'm putting this thing on my "to waste money on" things.
I love the fast scripts and camera shoots !
No iVerge comments? It must be cold in Hell today. Anywho, it's good to see Microsoft is actually making improvements to the Surface, but I still don't see myself using one. It still looks really awkward to have that in "laptop mode" while having it on your lap. The price is also pretty ridiculous for the low-end model. I would be fine with it if MS gave you more storage space for that price.
The Verge knows how to review products. Direct and simple.
I have the Surface Pro 3 i5, 256GB, 8GB of ram. The machine can and will replace your laptop.. If you really want apps, just install bluestacks and get the best of all worlds, full blown PC, Android apps, and some PC gaming. The price isn't bad considering what you get. It's thin, light and touch screen.
I don't know why people try to compare it with the Mac Book Air, there is NO comparison! You cannot write on a Mac Book Air, you don't have touch screen support with the Mac Book Air, it's lighter the Mac Book air, it's faster than the Mac Book Air.. Do I need to keep going??? True people that understand and use technology know that forking up a little bit more money will give you a better device.
Also Adobe worked directly with Microsoft and made Photoshop perform the best with the Surface for artists. Do some home work before jumping on the typical band wagon of what you think is wrong with the device which usually is related with apps. This is a PC, you don't need apps........... I use Plex on IE11 instead of paying $5 for the stinkin app. I can sync it to my Xbox One from the device play to option, and let me tell you it's fricken brilliant! The device is truly labeled the best tablet in the world now, and I would agree with that statement. So again, do your home work and stop criticizing something you don't know about, open your eyes.
Can't deny that Microsoft have made a gorgeous and powerful and, crucially, a balanced device.
Your move, Apple.
My boss got me one of these as a gift in 2019 and I’m just now realizing it’s the pro 3. It must have been used though it looks brand new, because the battery lasts maybe 2-3 hours tops and I do hear the fan and it does get hot. I don’t mind this so much I guess because it was a gift so I didn’t spend money, and it won’t replace my MacBook Air. Anyway I’m excited to get a nice case for it and a pen. It’ll be a fun toy
As an owner of the original Surface RT, I am chomping at the bit for one of these.
Excellent review. It felt unbiased and you showcased the products strengths so that I can decide for myself if I want it. The Audio was Clear, which is a must. I'm subbing.
Great review! I'm just starting college with a computer science major and required to have a laptop. I have an i7-4770K/GTX 770 desktop for the heavy lifting but I'm getting the SP3 i5/256GB to fulfil my laptop requirement and replace my Surface RT(might still keep it though)
This is the best all in one machine that money can buy, people should stop complaining about the price,the surface pro is both a laptop and a tablet packaged just under 800 grams,you are getting the best of both worlds in a very small and powerful form factor,technology is expensive so people should be ready to pay higher prices for a well defined peace of technology like the surface pro 3,my advice for people who just want an all in one machine that can do it all for Half the price of an iPad should get the Dell venue 8 pro, and if you want to do more powerful stuff get the surface pro 3, for me the iPad with all its apps is still just an ordinary limited expensive tablet that allows you to run only apps with,instead of buying an iPad and a MacBook pro or any other Android products combined with a laptop, I rather have an all in one machine that runs both apps and complete programs, this is where the surface pro comes really handy,with the surface pro 3 I can be productive on the go,I can get real job done any where at any time with just one machine, this is the future of computing.
the future of computing really has a limited array of io. 1 usb + 1 displayport is quite barren for something that is supposed to replace your laptop.
iamterence77 +iamterence77 a single usb port is all you need for a portable device in a tablet as small as the surface pro, adding more usb ports will add to the size and the price, if you want more outputs you can get an external usb hub,one question, does the iPad come with a usb port?
mclevit I don't see a problem with the expandability of an ipad because its an ipad. its limited in nature. But for something that is meant to replace my laptop, I expect more capability.
I do a lot of programming on my laptop, and when I get home, I connect it to desk consisting of
-a mechanical keyboard
-a mouse
-an ethernet solution (for quick access to a nas)
-and 1 free usb port for flash drives.
as for hubs, Its typically not a good idea if you need to run an ethernet dongle off of it (especially when you depend on your network)
A surface isn't meant to be positioned as a portable additional device. its is meant to be THE device that is portable. Meaning its not accompanying other devices. Thats why Microsoft compared to a macbook air.
iamterence77 +iamterence77 there is no product out there that is perfect, this is why third party companies make products to complement these limitations ,in the surface pro having just one usb port is not a limitation, there's is no definition of what a portable computer should have and what it shouldn't have, I bet you If it was so easy for Apple to add a usb port on the iPad they would have done so, the only reason they didn't is because adding a usb port to the iPad would increase the size of the iPad,if I just want to surf the Web or just watch movies I won't spend 800 euros to buy a limited iPad, the surface pro 3 can do what both the iPad and a MacBook pro does, this is the objectivity of the surface pro,this machine gives me the opportunity carry an all purpose machine, there is a solution for all the list of things you mentioned,I want to the able to pick up my tablet and use it as muy productive power house, this is what the surface pro is going for, as an artist sometimes I love to set and just relax on my bed and work on my songs or edit a video professionally like working on a laptop, I want to have the power to do all this great stuff,it's a blessing to do things with ease,I hating switching from computer to computer, I ain't saying the surface pro is perfect,in today's tech world the surface pro is the closest thing to a portable perfect all in one machine.
mclevit its different for everyone.
I understand what the surface is aiming for. It tries to be both an iPad and a macbook. it handles the iPad part fine, but for a "pro" tablet/laptop hybrid, I only see it complementing the laptop, NOT replacing it.
It's a great device, but If I had a choice between the surface pro 3 and a conventional clamshell laptop for work (programming), I would take the laptop just for its expandability and keyboard.
I responded to someone in the comments about using the surface on your lap. I told him this:
I am literally using my surface on my lap right now to write this, but I have the cover flipped under my surface 2 and using the surface touch screen to type. I just figure people would use it as a tablet on their lap. I never need serious type time on my lap. I would say that typing that needs a keyboard is just never done on my lap, and I never find people doing it either due to heat. I work at a café and never see people use their laptops this way even outside, that is why we have tables. A bunch of our customers bring in laptop wedges too for the angle and cooling. When I did have a laptop though, if I was browsing the internet, not for typing, I found that my lap was extremely uncomfortable, and that is why I own a lap desk. There is just not enough space on my lap and the heating up in just too hot for my lap; which, is probably the reason people who do use their lap top this way prop one leg up. Needless to say, I don't use my lap desk anymore.
It still looks like it isn't lap friendly.
It's still a flat surface.
***** I do think laptops are more lap friendly than tablets (in this case the Surface Pro) because of the weight distribution. The biggest weight of my or almost every laptop lies under the keyboard obviously. The weight of a Surface or an iPad is all crammed behind the screen, causing the center of gravity to change. I consider myself an Apple fanboy but I hate using an iPad (without a case) for the lack of grip and bad weight distribution. Also, I have small hands. Microsoft tried solving this with - by the looks of it - a very well engineered hinge and kick stand. I hope they further improve (and maybe simplify) Windows 8, might give it a chance then!
I am literally using my surface on my lap right now to write this, but I have the cover flipped under my surface 2 and using the surface touch screen to type. I just figure people would use it as a tablet on their lap. I never need serious type time on my lap. I would say that typing that needs a keyboard is just never done on my lap, and I never find people doing it either due to heat. I work at a café and never see people use their laptops this way even outside, that is why we have tables. A bunch of our customers bring in laptop wedges too for the angle and cooling. When I did have a laptop though, if I was browsing the internet, not for typing, I found that my lap was extremely uncomfortable, and that is why I own a lap desk. There is just not enough space on my lap and the heating up in just too hot for my lap; which, is probably the reason people who do use their lap top this way prop one leg up. Needless to say, I don't use my lap desk anymore.
That's the draw back especially when trying to balance the tablet with such small surface area
Alright someone please answer me this question. maybe my brain is wired wrong or something. I have a macbook pro retina 13, great notebook, get 10-11hours of battery. now my question is serious guys. why the fuck would i buy a iPad or whatever. explain to me what a iPad (or any tablet) can do better than my laptop? furthermore, what can i do on my tablet that is so much worse on a smaller phone screen.
Like what is this shit obsession with owning a tablet and laptop. maybe i am missing the craze, but i got a phone and a laptop. I wish someone would explain it.
Also microsoft doesn't have a tablet ecosystem to chase after anyways, they have so few apps. they are too behind on the mobile shit. What they should have done is buckled down and done what they have done very well for the past decade, make great productivity software, and optimize the hell out of windows to make it a great laptop and desktop experience. Because I believe tablets are a iffy middle ground that can be killed of with a great laptop experience. At least thats what the macbook pro retina 13 did for me, and I will never buy a iPad, and no i have interest in using mac os x with tablet/touchscren, so i do not care about the iPad pro or what ever the fuck people are calling it.
I bought Surface Pro at 2022, and it is the best laptop-tablet that i ever use! Especially for $150 for 8/256 i7 configuration)
It's really expensive and considering you can buy a macbook air with better specs and get 13 hours of battery life, its a no brainer for me !
cool story bro...
Does it have touchscreen? no. Does it have pen? no. Does it run legacy windows apps (this is a big deal for some people) ? no. Is it lighter? no. Can you use it as a tablet? no. I can go on...
Its a no brainer because you have no brain
Lol! You "winbros" are a bunch of retards. It's Keybraker's choice to have a laptop instead of a Surface . Who are you guys to comment on anybody's choice?
oh only the VAST majority of computer users in the world??? :P :P :P there's a reason for that bro! :P
Got the surface pro 3 as a replacement for my defect surface pro 1 from Microsoft!!! Excelent service :))))
Most of the people commenting here are comparing to a Macbook or a Tablet and ignoring one of the Surface's strongest asset which is the pen using NTrig (formerly Wacom) tech. This is a HUGE asset for creative professionals using photoshop or illustrator. Check out Penny Arcade's article on this. This alone would make a great buy as a portable alternative to a Cintiq. Until Apple offers a Macbook with a pressure screen that can run Photoshop/Illustrator, there is nothing to compare properly.
I bought this and I have to say it's the best computer I have ever had. I use it for work and play. Reading on the commuter train to work, I use it for drawing and painting - the accuracy and speed of the pen is amazing. Also use it for gaming and it works great. the One Note feature - wow.. the more I use it the more I wonder how I got along without it before - I take all my meeting notes with it and can organize them so easily to reference them later. I have found that I have stopped using my other tablets and my old laptop and use this all the time now for everything. The type cover is really comfortable to use and with Microsoft Office I can do anything I used to do on my laptop with all the same power. Also love the xbox apps and games as I can also use it for gaming, music and movies. All round the best go-to equipment for all my needs.
Can you give a review about the surface 9 years later, what was you overall impression of it?😊
Great video! I love your new (well, sort of. It's been here for about half a year) style! your videos are just amazing! :-)
This is the kind of innovation I've been waiting for in a PC. Laptop's have been the same for quite some time now. While I do prefer OS X over windows, Apple hasn't really tried to innovate their products in a while now. Spec bumps, that's it. Kudos on MS on taking this step to further innovation of computer systems. SP3 is a very flexible machine compared to a very one dimensional MBP Air. I've only SP3 for a week now, but when I first used it, I thought it was surprisingly good. Forget the 13 hour battery life of a MBP Air for a second, nobody uses their laptop on the go for 13 hours. Even if you have to, you'll plug in any chance you get anyway.
I recently got the 512gb model and so far in 2019 it still runs pretty good I'd say, i use it primarly for editing photos in lightroom, some design stuff in photoshop and illustrator.
I'm actually curious how good this will be as a cintiq replacement. Seems like a really good portable drawing device actually.
Fast, concise and most importantly I understood everything. Thanks.
the verge ? do u feel it as a laptop
i mean does it have expirence like a laptop?
I'd like to see someone use this in a video as mant people will. Setting it up to go straight to desktop, putting a start menu back and then just forgetting there are "apps" and using just applications. I'd just like to see how fluid you can get using apps you know with the touch screen being used as a mouse, 1 point input. I'm hoping it's not a target practise game hunt of trying to grab elements that are too small.
I'd also like to see this with some of the smaller crop of true multi-touch applications. Like some of the digital audio workstation software that lets you use both hands at once to control things like fading up and down multiple faders and so on and see how much latency there is there compared to the pretty bad lag I've seen when people are using separate touch screen monitors to control their DAW's.
The Surface Pro 3 is a nice device, but that price is too steep. Perhaps when it drop in price somewhat - I will consider buying one.
Sweet thanks I'm thinking of getting one now, u put it fast and simple, u saved like 25min of my life. keep it up man!
Very well done, nice overview on the appealing audience to the surface 3 I completely agree
Guess I'll just get a budget friendly chromebook for school instead. Any recommendations? My top choice right now is the HP chromebook 14 because I want the bigger screen (11 inch is just too small for a laptop for me).
at least enterprise will buy a tonne of this
not sure if many enterprises 'need' a hybrid device - why not just buy a laptop?
crasherball if consumers don't need the surface than why would microsoft bother with such complex product if it didn't expect to cell surface to enterprise either
crasherball Actually, Microsoft's enterprise customers were asking for a device just like this one.
HTHAMMACK1 says who? are you speaking on behalf on the entire enterprise user base?
Utopic Unicorn I don't think they do need it. it hasn't really sold well, up until now, has it? this is the 3rd iteration. and up until now, it was mostly considered a failure - maybe the surface 3 will change that.
I think people are missing the point, the surface is not trying to be a laptop... It's a laptop replacement because it can perform al tasks of a ultrabook but not in the same form. Really, other then bloggers how s typing more than a couple of lines while in a couch? I have a MacBook Air and an iPad mini and. Will definitely be getting an SP 3 to replace them. When on the couch I'm just browsing on the ipad, if I want to do typing I always go to a table and work on the MacBook. Is good that the type cover is separate because I don't need it, if I want to do actual work I'll just connect the wireless keyboard and mouse I already have. If I need to type something quick, I will use the onscreen keyboard r use the awesome handwriting recognition.
I don't get the app store being a con... Doesn't it have the whole Internet to download whatever you want?
I don't usually complement videos but this was pretty good!
I don't see tablets every replacing laptops maybe in a few years but not anytime soon. My money would be on the Tablet/laptop hybrids they have going on and even then they are still in the "trying to figure out how to do it phase" so its hard to like the hybrids.
If Microsoft focused on the Surface being a tablet i think it would be a lot better for them as the surface pro looks and performs like the best of them. Their multitasking, that pen just looks accurate from the times i have seen people use it running an actual full OS it could be a contender in the tablet market but for the price people can just buy a laptop and still have some $ left over. Laptops aren't that heavy to carry around as Macbook and other laptops have gotten thinner and lighter that its no longer a big deal to carry them around.
I don't mean that add fuel to the fire but for all those who are comparing the surface pro 3 chop to that of the MacBook Air...please have a closer look at the detail description as the i3 chip of the surface pro is greater than the lower spec intel i5/i7 on the MacBook Air.
Even though Microsoft marketed this product against the air, it's clearly on the spectrum of Apple's retina model MacBook
Still happy with my original rt
Jack of all trades, master of none. Well at least it's a cheaper and more compact alternative for Cintiq.
I want this tablet so bad! looks like the Perfect tool for a graphic designer.
a beautiful product, wipes floor with any of the contemporaries
I am thinking about getting one and I have a few questions- does it support adobe flash player? Can you take screenshots with it? Does it have both a rear and front facing camera? And does it have Bluetooth? And would I be able to play games like angry birds on it?
This really isn't meant to be rude, but did you even watch the video?
Yes to literally everything.
Yes Yes Yes Yes and Yes.
You have to understand that's it's a Windows 8 Computer. Not JUST a tablet.
Nice review Dieter!
why do people hit on Microsoft so hard about win8.1 it's the best OS i have used to date never have a problem with drivers or a slow pc people are such moners just go back to win XP for a day and you with realiz that you are just being pathetic.
Personally, I'm right there with ya. I love Windows 8, and in my opinion it's hands down the best touchscreen OS available today. However, I can appreciate why some folks weren't so enamored. Unless you're a technophile and just love learning all the new ins and outs, it can be frustrating trying to learn how things have changed. In the end, it was just too much too fast for a lot of folks, especially the mouse and keyboard crowd. Microsoft's work with Windows 8.1 and the spring update they released have gone a long way towards undoing some of those concerns, but a lot of users were still left with a lingering bad taste in their mouth.
Parker Bach let the people use mac osx lol.
They never changed anything and soon people will see the potential of win8.
The surface pro is an innovative product and I see a future for this.
Guillaume Amorim Haha I think you're right. Time is the best friend for Windows 8. As more and more folks in the younger generation are buying devices, they won't be hung up on the Windows of yesteryear, and can embrace Windows 8 with an open mind. As for the Surface Pro specifically, I couldn't agree more. If Apple created the surface pro folks couldn't brag on it enough. But there's a lot of Microsoft hate out there right now for one reason or another. The surface IS an innovative product, and as far as being "seamless" goes (a buzz word these days), it doesn't get any more seamless for your laptop and tablet than having your laptop and tablet be the same device.
Me as a student I do like macs but time has gone and I can no longer bring my ipad and mac just thinking of having both in a same device makes more sense. I see a bright future for this and its not the last surface pro I'm gonna get.
Same here. Nothing against Macs. Great build quality, nice OS, just way overpriced. I used one for a while, but in the end I was drawn back to Windows 8. I just couldn't justify the price for such limitations. In the end an iPad and macbook combined can't provide the same level of functionality provided by the Surface Pro, and for hundreds less. It just makes sense.. I'm not sure I'll jump in on this generation or make due with a Surface Pro 1 and wait to see what innovation they provide for us next year.
Surface 3 really has added some nifty improvements in design, specially the support hinge and magnetic keyboard.
But I simply hate hybrids. Its most certainly a compromise. One should use atleast 3 Devices for 3 Separate Purposes.
This is the best review.. I like its video.. Good job.. Your video make me love this machine..
Entertaining review, one of the best ones out there!
Not a perfect tablet. Not a perfect laptop. But still pretty impressing.
One thing I always loved on surface pro and pro 2 was that the speed of the system was so optimized it quicked ass from a rival mackbook with the same specs, and the portability is no mistake it really is better in taht department than a ultrabook! SO I guess that this surface pro 3 will be a powerbest also! And judging the dissipation of the new intel arq. on my hp Spectre (i7-8g ram) I can only say that you will def. ear the vent mi.seconds from time to time respecting the optime energy conf of course!.
Great review, covers a lot on this great tablet that I would try out
I'm more of a Mac user for proprietary and college things, but don't get me wrong everyone, I still love Windows as well since I grew up using it and have Win7 in a virtual machine. This thing looks really well done. If they dropped the price of the keyboard, I'd be tempted to pick one of these up. :p
@Mhasteri the surface pro 3 will be significantly better. I had the galaxy note 10.1 and ended up getting the first surface pro because the Android OS is not sufficient for easily using it at school productively. My pro was and still is a significant upgrade in terms of productivity. The surface pro 3 will be much much better than than the first type that I have. If productivity it's a priority than get the surface pro. You will want the galaxy if a cheaper product is important or if you want more high quality apps.
with a new osx yosemite and continuity feature it is a giant killer to all laptop, tablet etc..
Or just get a mechanical keyboard instead of the type cover - since they're around the same price or even cheaper.
Rhinofeed yeah my blue key keyboard was $90
+Rhinofeed You're telling me I should bring my K70 RGB with me?... It's about portability dude :o
Its an interesting device compare to it predecessors, but the price killed it for me and the $130 for the magnetic keyboard sounds too much than what it worth.
Mr. Some Gamer Dude there's cheap ones on ebay
Nice review - can you talk any more about the pens accuracy corner to corner? I found sp1s pen accuracy a little lacking. Also do you need a battery for the pen to work or is the battery just for the one note features via Bluetooth? Thanks
MicroSofties > AppleFanboys > Android-Googlers...
Looks good but does anyone actually benefit from switching from laptop to tablet regularly?
I wouldn't take this outside of the house as a tablet, but just think about within your house. It's so much nicer not having a clamshell device, but a light tablet like thing you can carry around easier, use easier while walking, sit down with easier, put on your lap easier, move around easier... etc. But again, this would not replace an iPad like device. Then again, if you have a smartphone... a tablet isn't really needed for mobile in-hand travel.
Got a Surface for school and it is awesome for that. It is all about being productive everywhere, and surface gives you that
I certainly do, I am kinda tired my tablet cant ocasionally run solidworks, autocad or ansys on the field, as I am engineer and use my tablet all the time for references, datasheets, taking information about machine logs, etc etc. If I can have this and run solid works on it, I have to bring li 4 kg less to the work.
For me it is. I download everything on my laptop and then put it on my tablet. It's so much work sometimes but with the Surface I can have it all at once.
I so can't wait to get mine!
I'm not a heavy user, but it's just so smooth for students. I used to have a macbook Pro 13" but I sold it to buy a surface. The macbook was just too bulky for me to bring it to class everyday. If you indeed are a heavy user, I would not recommend surface pro 3. Secondly it's all about preference! You can't just discuss the fact that surface or mac is a bad device... I like surface more cause it suits my needs but I wouldn't bash Apple for it :-)
As someone who types alot I can tell you I can't wait to get a surface! Even on my laptop its annoying to type on your lap! I prefer typing on a desk/table! Iverge
Great review Dieter, thanks. I guess no matter the price or how great the hardware is, it still boils down to Microsoft having a software marketing problem, not a hardware. Too many people still cringe at the thought of windows, not just Mac users.
Love the Video Review The Verge!
Nice one, unfortunately it isn't released in my country
I lol'd at 4:08.
I think its too expensive considering separate price for the keyboard.
My gripe with the first models or so of the Surface was certainly the keyboard. It didn't feel like I was using a keyboard. It just felt like typing on a flat surface, which is not my style. Does this Surface keyboard change that? I haven't checked their Surface line in a while but I heard the computer/tablet itself is great, and I've already watched this review.
***** Yes, I was testing out the touch cover. Is the type cover a lot better?
I think the Core i3 Surface Pro 3 has a pretty nice price considering the high resolution display and neat pen features, then it has Windows 8.1 Pro included. Higher than the i3, the prices inflate way too much. For instance, i3 to i5 to i7 only costs 100$ each level, and with the same capacity on i5 and i7, it costs 250$ more, with just 4GB RAM increase, which only costs 40$ for Microsoft, so instead 140$ increase, you get 250$ increase, and what kind of SSD is microsoft using? Today's SSD, you get reliable 256GB SSD for 150$ or less, and the maximum price/GB is 1GB/$ for the best worthy SSD, and I don't think they are using expensive Intel or OCZ SSD, since they consume way more power, and would be way faster than the one in the SP3.
And the Type cover, is way too much. You could get mechanical keyboards with programmable backlit on it. MS should've made them no more than 50$, or even put it included in the 999$ setup and above. Anyways, the SP3 would be an awesome device for my sister who loves drawing, and big tablets is just right.
is this good for those who's into digital arts/design and the likes? can this handle heavy video/photo editing?
i'm highly considering a macbook, but this looks appealing to me.
There's been several demo's of this device running the Adobe suite along with video editing. I'd recommend getting one with a higher amount of RAM though if you really want to work on projects. Get an i7 or i5 version, the i3 won't work properly since the clock speed is kind of low. Also, the display is comparable to a retina display for a macbook pro.
yeah. i've just seen that vid yesterday on microsoft event for sp3. looks awesome. i'm sold! that's it, fck macbook.
I use both Mac and PC. I like them both equally for work purposes.
Was that guy writing with the pen or trying to carve a hole in the screen??
please do a video comparing the SP3 to the macbooks!
Really nice review :) subbed
This would be a great upgrade from my 2012 HP envy ultrabook which is a core i3 which ran all my media and gaming smoothly. I'm wonder is it true that the screen when showing dark background it actually doesn't give that true gray and black scale? It gives off a purple hue to it?
I will be getting one, I have a Surface 2 and love it. I think Microsoft is showing some awesome inovation with the Surface line up. It may be a bit of a nich device but at least Microsoft is still pushing the envelope and developing new tech. Maybe Apple can take a cue and make an Ipad Pro? or update their smart cover to include a type cover or heck how about allow mouse support without jailbreaking. True multi tasking like the surface would be nice,All reasons I sold my Ipad.
Great review! The Surface Pro 3 seems like a step in the right direction for Microsoft. In my own opinion I believe that With this new iteration of the Surface, Microsoft did a great job addressing customer critiques from past Surface models. My only concern is that this "Hybrid" computer/Tablet will not get the proper respect and attention that it deserves, esspecially when comparing it to other laptops/Ultra-books in today's market. In all, I couldn't be happier that Microsoft did away with their RT models! I'm still not sure if RT was a joke all this time?! Anyways the Surface Pro 3 looks promising and I think I'm going to pick one up! thanks again for the detailed review!
I really want this for school, but it's just too expensive. The keyboard should have a much lower price especially since it feels cheap when I used it in the store. The concept is great and I don't mind it, but the price for it is ridiculous. They should've included in because what is the SP3 without the keyboard?
I cannot decide, the 256GB i5 or 256 i7.
I will be using this with Adobe Lightroom. Suggestions please.
It would be my next pc after the current one, if surface pro 4 haven't come out then
For this to be an affordable yet the best device ever in history is the price. I mean god damn 130 for the cover? Make that a 100 or 80 dollars. The tablet it self shouldn't have been over a thousand. Lets start with 650 dollars, i5 for 800 and i7 for 999 dollars and that's without the keyboard. If that were the prices I would have sold my Note 10.1, my iPod Touch 5g and my xbox 360.. real talk haha
You're not just paying for specs, you're paying for engineering. Yeah you can get an i7 laptop for
People keep saying that it should be $650, but find me a laptop that has a touchscreen that has a high dpi, ssd drive, i5 processor, and is thin and light. Those are all over $1000. You then compare it to a Note 10.1. That tablet can't compare to the surface. It has a cheap mobile processor and run mobile apps. This has a full desktop processor and runs mobile and desktop apps all in a package that is thin and light enough to work as a tablet. At $650, Microsoft is going to lose money on it. Microsoft didn't make this device as a loss leader to gain market share. They made it to show the other oems how the next generation of portable device should function.
Do you know how big the loss would be if retailers had to sell this at 650?? Although the store in which I work does not have the Surface Pro 3 yet, I can confirm that the Pro 2 already has negative margin. If that would increase by let say 100 euros then no retailer would buy this device. It would be too expensive.
Remember that MS is not making the surface line for revenue. It is making it to have a flagship for its software, just like the Nexus.
Bundles are a bit dangerous, due to the demand of certain colours. I think a price drop would be safest, although they have had the same price for the Type Cover for over 2 years, so I guess they sell well at that price
Great review!
Nicely said...
Honestly I think this is probably the best laptop for an average university student. Being able to write down notes on a device like this would replace at least 50% of the use of papers with a device like this. For anyone else, it would depend on how much you would need to use the pen for drawing. A keyboard and touchpad are pretty much better for anything else.
Am eagerly waiting to see what Microsoft does with the 4th gen. of this device ... running Windows 10.
Also, please put a slot to store the pen please (much like the Note devices from Samsung!)
Would this be a good buy for college?
so is there a huge difference between core i5 and core i7? I really want to buy one but I'm not sure I'm willing to wait until august for the core i7 unless it's worth it..