Surface 3 announced

[wasabiman123]

Be nice if it had a QXGA display though like the iPad and Galaxy Tab S. I know that's a bit nitpicky but it'd be nice to see the specs match up with the competition in its price bracket.

nope nope nope
1280p is just fine, more pixels means more power use, and worse performance
The PPI is damn fine how it is, don't want higher ppi until it actually makes sense.
it sucks because consumers like bigger numbers, but the ppi of 1080~p on a 10 inch device is perfect right now, in the future it should go up, when GPU perf catches up and more efficient panel tech/scaling show up.

 

[mmntech]

Comes out next week. Who's getting one?

I think I finally got sold on this when I was trying to find a TweetDeck alternative for my iPad. I've also noticed that some app devs are starting to force the use of iOS8 without providing an older alternative. Which means I'd be stuck with a slower OS and would lose all my jailbreak tweaks. Being able to freely run traditional desktop apps would make a big difference for me.

The only thing I don't like is the stylus and keyboard are an extra $210, which puts it firmly into Pro territory. How's the on-screen keyboard with these things?

 

[zerogear]

Comes out next week. Who's getting one?

I think I finally got sold on this when I was trying to find a TweetDeck alternative for my iPad. I've also noticed that some app devs are starting to force the use of iOS8 without providing an older alternative. Which means I'd be stuck with a slower OS and would lose all my jailbreak tweaks. Being able to freely run traditional desktop apps would make a big difference for me.

The only thing I don't like is the stylus and keyboard are an extra $210, which puts it firmly into Pro territory. How's the on-screen keyboard with these things?

on-screen keyboard is decent, the handwriting recognition is great.

 

[RossMAN]

Comes out next week. Who's getting one?

I think I finally got sold on this when I was trying to find a TweetDeck alternative for my iPad. I've also noticed that some app devs are starting to force the use of iOS8 without providing an older alternative. Which means I'd be stuck with a slower OS and would lose all my jailbreak tweaks. Being able to freely run traditional desktop apps would make a big difference for me.

The only thing I don't like is the stylus and keyboard are an extra $210, which puts it firmly into Pro territory. How's the on-screen keyboard with these things?

It's a compelling value especially with this bundle from CostCo (USA) but I need a solid laptop + tablet.

So I'm holding out for a refurb Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga.

 

[mmntech]

It's a compelling value especially with this bundle from CostCo (USA) but I need a solid laptop + tablet.

Costco here has the 128GB bundle for $929. Save about $50, so you basically get the pen for free. Pro 3 128GB with the i5 is $1050. No keyboard but it comes with the pen.

I probably wait until the Fall to see what Apple's cooking up with the iPad Pro. If it runs OS X and supports iOS apps, it's going to be a no brainer.

 

[ControlD]

Comes out next week. Who's getting one?

I am tempted. I have been using a Dell VP8 for some time now and for the most part it has been a solid device. I think I will wait until I hear some real world performance reports however. What I really want is the Surface Pro, I just can't justify paying that kind of money for a device I don't really need.

 

[Commodus]

Costco here has the 128GB bundle for $929. Save about $50, so you basically get the pen for free. Pro 3 128GB with the i5 is $1050. No keyboard but it comes with the pen.

I probably wait until the Fall to see what Apple's cooking up with the iPad Pro. If it runs OS X and supports iOS apps, it's going to be a no brainer.

Assuming it ships, the iPad Pro (or whatever it's called) won't run OS X. Otherwise, it wouldn't be an iPad. It may support running apps side-by-side or otherwise go beyond the capabilities you see today, but I can't see Apple even considering an OS X tablet without a complete touch-focused overhaul. Yosemite really isn't finger-friendly.

 

[bearxor]

I'm picking one up next week to replace my aging Surface Pro. I'll be recycling my touch cover even though it doesn't fit perfectly and I'll pick up a pen at the company store where I can get a little bit of a discount. I'm getting the 4GB/128GB version. Will use a 10% coupon at best buy to knock it down to $540.

 

[mmntech]

I am tempted. I have been using a Dell VP8 for some time now and for the most part it has been a solid device. I think I will wait until I hear some real world performance reports however. What I really want is the Surface Pro, I just can't justify paying that kind of money for a device I don't really need.

I like the concept of the pro but it's a bit bulkier and apparently gets quite warm. 10'' form factor is still my ideal tablet.

Assuming it ships, the iPad Pro (or whatever it's called) won't run OS X. Otherwise, it wouldn't be an iPad. It may support running apps side-by-side or otherwise go beyond the capabilities you see today, but I can't see Apple even considering an OS X tablet without a complete touch-focused overhaul. Yosemite really isn't finger-friendly.

Maybe wishful thinking on my part. A hybrid Mac would be awesome. Though rumours point to an ARM chip.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

I just put in my pre-order for the 128gb bundle at Costco.

 

[Ravynmagi]

http://anandtech.com/show/9219/the-surface-3-review

Anandtech's review is up (going to read it in just a minute)...

I'm waiting on my pre-order from Microsoft. There was a report that Microsoft would not ship their online pre-orders until 5/5, meaning customers wouldn't get it on release day. And if you did standard shipping it would take even longer. I just checked my pre-order at microsoftstore.com. It has a tracking number, but not picked up by UPS yet. I chose "standard" free shipping and it shows my order will be delivered Next Day Air. So I'm really hopeful that order is shipped tonight.

 

[TwiceOver]

http://anandtech.com/show/9219/the-surface-3-review

Anandtech's review is up (going to read it in just a minute)...

I'm waiting on my pre-order from Microsoft. There was a report that Microsoft would not ship their online pre-orders until 5/5, meaning customers wouldn't get it on release day. And if you did standard shipping it would take even longer. I just checked my pre-order at microsoftstore.com. It has a tracking number, but not picked up by UPS yet. I chose "standard" free shipping and it shows my order will be delivered Next Day Air. So I'm really hopeful that order is shipped tonight.

Mine too. Really hoping to see it tomorrow.

EDIT: My tracking updated, Scheduled delivery tomorrow by 3pm.

 

[Rottie]

I am waiting for Surface Pro 2 price go down then I can ditch my aging Windows desktop PC running AMD Althon 64 4800+ dual core with 2GB two HDD totaled 1TB 512MB Radeon 1950XT GPU card.

 

[mmntech]

Performance is pretty comparable to the iPad Air 2, but that batter life isn't so hot. 7.5 hours of light use isn't bad, but a lot of the ARM tablets are pushing 9-10hrs now.

 

[sm625]

The DOTA 2 performance is a disaster. Even I am surprised at the level of failure here. That game simply isnt that demanding.

 

[poofyhairguy]

The DOTA 2 performance is a disaster. Even I am surprised at the level of failure here. That game simply isnt that demanding.

Welcome to the reality of Intel GPUs.

 

[sm625]

But the base version of the surface 3 pro has a very similar GPU in terms of EUs. And yet it manages to deliver more than double the fps?

 

[Ravynmagi]

From what I've read, DOTA2 is a CPU heavy game.

 

[zokudu]

$150 trade in for my useless Surface 2. Doing it. Wish accessories didn't cost a fortune to purchase. With EDU discount it's still like $700 for everything.

 

[ControlD]

$700 for what is essentially an Atom based netbook / laptop. I love the looks of this thing but the asking price just seems way too high for what you get. I suppose if I really needed something with good pen support this might be a no brainer though.

 

[zokudu]

I mean you're comparing it to a laptop, I'm not sure that's a valid comparison. It's more akin to an iPad. Especially now that it's 4:3 and can actually be held as a tablet in portrait. At least according to the AT benchmarks it seems competitive in performance to an iPad Air 2. With full Win32 support it has a substantial amount of software, though a lot of that is lacking good touch support or can't run on something so underpowered.

I think the inking is the selling factor here. It's "good enough" for most things but so is a cheap android tablet. Giving it a quality active digitizer really sets it apart.

 

[ControlD]

I mean you're comparing it to a laptop, I'm not sure that's a valid comparison. It's more akin to an iPad. Especially now that it's 4:3 and can actually be held as a tablet in portrait. At least according to the AT benchmarks it seems competitive in performance to an iPad Air 2. With full Win32 support it has a substantial amount of software, though a lot of that is lacking good touch support or can't run on something so underpowered.

I think the inking is the selling factor here. It's "good enough" for most things but so is a cheap android tablet. Giving it a quality active digitizer really sets it apart.

I hear you. I would rather have this device than an iPad. It's just once I get around $700 it seems like I might as well go the distance and get the pro.

 

[zokudu]

I hear you. I would rather have this device than an iPad. It's just once I get around $700 it seems like I might as well go the distance and get the pro.

Except the Pro starts at $799 without keyboard. That's a $200 difference which isn't huge but it is substantial. Not to mention to Pro is larger, 12" as opposed to 10" which makes it more difficult to use as a tablet.

 

[mmntech]

Welcome to the reality of Intel GPUs.

That's long been Intel's Achilles heel when it comes to mobile chips. It's too bad they can't just partner with nVidia for a more powerful GPU core. Though I suppose it would compete directly with Tegra.

I wonder how AMD's Mullins chips compare to Cherry Trail.

 

[Ns1]

Except the Pro starts at $799 without keyboard. That's a $200 difference which isn't huge but it is substantial. Not to mention to Pro is larger, 12" as opposed to 10" which makes it more difficult to use as a tablet.

well it's Pro for a reason ^_^