Surface Pro 3

madmoe · 28-09-2014 10:24AM

And in terms of protective pouches\covers guys what would you recommend??

TBi · 28-09-2014 09:24PM

madmoe wrote: »

And in terms of protective pouches\covers guys what would you recommend??

I just use the type cover to protect screen and throw the surface in as normal to a laptop bag.

madmoe · 28-09-2014 09:50PM

TBi wrote: »

I just use the type cover to protect screen and throw the surface in as normal to a laptop bag.

Cheers, I was thinking about getting a nice pouch or similar to slip it into before putting it into my backpack naked :-)

TBi · 28-09-2014 10:09PM

I use a laptop bag so it has a separate compartment for it. My wife has a fantastic pouch for her Macbook 13". I'd say one for a 11" Macbook air could fit. There are lots of those around

delos · 29-09-2014 10:26AM

madmoe wrote: »

Cheers, I was thinking about getting a nice pouch or similar to slip it into before putting it into my backpack naked :-)

Have a serious think about the type cover. I've got one for my Surface 2 and when I need to do some work it really makes a difference. Expensive, but well worth it in the long run. With the Surface 3 Pro being more of a work machine, I'd imagine that it will make an even bigger difference.

TBi · 29-09-2014 01:56PM

delos wrote: »

Have a serious think about the type cover. I've got one for my Surface 2 and when I need to do some work it really makes a difference. Expensive, but well worth it in the long run. With the Surface 3 Pro being more of a work machine, I'd imagine that it will make an even bigger difference.

I agree definitely worth it. I got it initially without typecover (bought in US and didn't want US keyboard) and it was an excellent tablet. With the typecover it makes an excellent laptop replacement too. Works fine on my lap (although takes a little longer to setup than a laptop).

cintec · 10-10-2014 06:46PM

do any of you use a skin to protect the back from scratches if it's lying on a table and your writing on it would it scratch?

madmoe · 12-10-2014 03:39PM

cintec wrote: »

do any of you use a skin to protect the back from scratches if it's lying on a table and your writing on it would it scratch?

I don't have a skin on mine but then again I never put the silver part on a table etc. I always put the side with the Surface type cover on the table when I'm not using the Surface.....

Jimmy Iovine · 14-10-2014 11:37PM

I'm looking at the Surface Pro 3.

Is the 128GB/i5 worth the extra £210? Or can I get away with the 64GB/i3 one?

I mainly use my laptop with Office (PowerPoint, Excel and a ton of Word). I'm a primary teacher so I spend hours after work with my laptop, browsing for new lesson ideas or writing up lesson plans.

I won't be using Photoshop or any games, so would I need to pay the extra? I love the laptop I have at the moment but it's a beast and the battery lasts for one minute without a charger.

oceanclub · 15-10-2014 12:02AM

Jimmy Iovine wrote: »

I'm looking at the Surface Pro 3.

Is the 128GB/i5 worth the extra £210? Or can I get away with the 64GB/i3 one? .

The big thing to remember is Windows takes up roughly 30GB of your storage. So on a 64GB, you're left with 34GB; on a 128GB, 90-something. I opted for the latter personally; 34GB is cutting it too fine IMO.

P.

TBi · 15-10-2014 08:50AM

I got the 256 model. I definitely wouldn't settle with the 64GB. 128 is minimum really.

BUT you could get a cheap microSD card to store any extra files on.

madmoe · 15-10-2014 03:09PM

TBi wrote: »

I got the 256 model. I definitely wouldn't settle with the 64GB. 128 is minimum really.

BUT you could get a cheap microSD card to store any extra files on.

I went with 256GB as well and 8GB of RAM as you are definitely future proofing your investment! I went for this because I had money to spend thankfully and wanted to invest it well!

Cheers,
M

TBi · 15-10-2014 03:12PM

madmoe wrote: »

I went with 256GB as well and 8GB of RAM

Actually i forgot about that. The 256GB model has 8GB ram vs 4GB in the 64/128 models. Something else to think about. Another reason i went with the 256GB.

madmoe · 15-10-2014 06:36PM

TBi wrote: »

Actually i forgot about that. The 256GB model has 8GB ram vs 4GB in the 64/128 models. Something else to think about. Another reason i went with the 256GB.

It's definitely worth it in my opinion!!

Jimmy Iovine · 15-10-2014 10:20PM

I think I'll go for the 128GB/i5 option. I can't justify spending any more. I'll have to get the SD card.

Has anyone got the docking station? It looks very tempting. One USB port isn't enough.

TBi · 15-10-2014 10:31PM

I'd spend the money on more memory before I'd spend it on the docking station. You'll use the memory more...

You can always get a cheap USB hub for 20 quid if you really need extra ports and you could lug that around. Surface 3 has Bluetooth though so you can use that for mice/external speakers if you are worried about USB ports.

evolutionqy7 · 07-11-2014 03:10PM

So 6 months later how are people finding it? I've sold my 1st Gen Pro and probably gonna get the i5 version at some point before Xmas. Any issues or annoying issues? how's wifi

TBi · 07-11-2014 03:50PM

I'm using mine all the time. Biggest issue i find is that it isn't as comfortable on the lap as a laptop.

Otherwise loving the versatility of it and it works great as a giant tablet for surfing.

oceanclub · 07-11-2014 06:55PM

"Mine" is actually my wife's but I borrow it quite a bit and don't use my Nexus 7 much now. Speedwise, the Surface blows it out of the water(*) and reading PDFs and comics on it is a joy compared to the laggy Nexus. So far there's been just enough Metro apps to keep me happy and I've most things I want. And of course I can switch to Desktop mode anyway if I want. Even typing on the screen is great; I find I make far less errors than on any device. We haven't bought the add-on keyboard yet as we have a Logitech k480 bluetooth keyboard that works fine with it. Neither do I find it over-large when using it as a tablet.

(*) Sure it's much more expensive than the 7 but not that much more compared to the 9 - I was thinking of buying the latter but don't see the point now.

I think it's a really great device; I just wish MS had better store displays. I think if people got a chance to try it out they would opt for them.

P.

evolutionqy7 · 08-11-2014 10:06AM

Gonna pick mine up Sunday now. Found a guy on adverts selling the i5 128GB version with a type keyboard for 780. So going all in

Just gotta get to Waterford to pick it up lol.

evolutionqy7 · 10-11-2014 01:31PM

Got mine. Some move from the original. Love the new aspect ratio and screen size, makes reading websites a treat. Screen colours and contrast is great too for movies.

ablelocks · 10-11-2014 05:11PM

using mine all the time - it has replaced a beast of a laptop. all my client docs on onedrive, slowly getting used to using onenote instead of pen and paper.

i've the i3 64gb with a 64gb card. storage not really an issue anymore now that onedrive is unlimited.

it works very well with chromecast - streamed the all-blacks game to the tv on saturday.

using drawboard to annotate pdf's

onenote to take notes at meetings and training courses has worked v well. the writing recognition is beyond magic - my handwriting is terrible and it still gets 90% of what i write.

really need to find and do some online training to get the most out of it, but so far really happy with it.

no issues with it technically - everything just works. battery life is good too.

evolutionqy7 · 10-11-2014 11:12PM

I had 64gb last time and found it to be lacking with storage after installing a couple of games. Managed to get around but this is the reason why I went with 128 this time.

Plus using the 64gb memory card from the old surface

madmoe · 10-11-2014 11:46PM

ablelocks wrote: »

using mine all the time - it has replaced a beast of a laptop. all my client docs on onedrive, slowly getting used to using onenote instead of pen and paper.

i've the i3 64gb with a 64gb card. storage not really an issue anymore now that onedrive is unlimited.

it works very well with chromecast - streamed the all-blacks game to the tv on saturday.

using drawboard to annotate pdf's

onenote to take notes at meetings and training courses has worked v well. the writing recognition is beyond magic - my handwriting is terrible and it still gets 90% of what i write.

really need to find and do some online training to get the most out of it, but so far really happy with it.

no issues with it technically - everything just works. battery life is good too.

I have a Chromecast and a SP3 but I have no idea how to stream from the SP3 other than using Chrome to stream a tab! Is there a native app in the Windows Store??

Thanks,
M

ablelocks · 11-11-2014 10:59AM

madmoe wrote: »

I have a Chromecast and a SP3 but I have no idea how to stream from the SP3 other than using Chrome to stream a tab! Is there a native app in the Windows Store??

Thanks,
M

I don't think so - I'm just streaming from Chrome too. Although I did try popcorntime and that didn't work properly but I didn't try any trouble shooting or anything...

on another note, boom boom, I just discovered that onenote can search and find words in my handwriting. I haven't tried it yet, but apparently it can search audio and video recordings for words too.

madmoe · 11-11-2014 12:34PM

ablelocks wrote: »

I don't think so - I'm just streaming from Chrome too. Although I did try popcorntime and that didn't work properly but I didn't try any trouble shooting or anything...

on another note, boom boom, I just discovered that onenote can search and find words in my handwriting. I haven't tried it yet, but apparently it can search audio and video recordings for words too.

Happy days! I'm thrilled with my SP3 since getting it! I moved to France to teach English in September and it has truly been invaluable in helping me prepare and deliver my classes! When I want to kick back and watch a movie or some French TV it's my go to device as well ;-)

Cheers,
M

Jimmy Iovine · 29-12-2014 02:41PM

When do people think the Surface Pro 4 will come out? All I'm reading are rumours at the moment.

If it comes out in the first quarter of 2015, then I think I'd prefer to wait for it than get the Pro 3.

AlmightyCushion · 29-12-2014 02:46PM

Jimmy Iovine wrote: »

When do people think the Surface Pro 4 will come out? All I'm reading are rumours at the moment.

If it comes out in the first quarter of 2015, then I think I'd prefer to wait for it than get the Pro 3.

Once broadwell U series chips are out, I'd say it won't be long after that.

mark_m360 · 29-12-2014 03:17PM

Jimmy Iovine wrote: »

When do people think the Surface Pro 4 will come out? All I'm reading are rumours at the moment.

If it comes out in the first quarter of 2015, then I think I'd prefer to wait for it than get the Pro 3.

I would imagine it will be released closer to Windows 10 release, maybe summer release.

MJohnston · 30-12-2014 05:02AM

The Surface Pro 3 was announced in May 20, 2014, and released June 20, 2014 - I wouldn't expect a Surface Pro 4 announcement until at least May this year, probably timed for release at the same time as Windows 10 (July, August 2015). It's true that the gap between Pro 1, 2 and 3 generations were shorter than 12 months, but MS were in a very rapid iteration cycle then in order to try and properly nail the device. Now that the Pro 3 has struck a chord and been extremely popular, I think they'll let it live for a while longer. Windows 10's release makes a perfect target for a new generation and puts them on a nice (and generally consumer friendly) 12 month refresh cycle.

I suspect also that the Surface RT will not see a 3rd generation, or if it will, it will be in that previously rumoured Mini form factor, as 10+ inch devices on Windows RT seems to have been a failed experiment, but with the merging of Windows Phone and Windows in Windows 10, there's still potential for "metro only" smaller form factor tablets.

Surface Pro 3

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