Surface 3 announced

[zerogear]

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...&ClickID=araaystk50np5o5wns5t9rzp9asassol9llr

Seems like this is what people were asking for, at least in terms of 10" Atom Tablets.

 

[zokudu]

If they offer a solid trade in program for Surface 2 I would jump on one.

 

[poofyhairguy]

The 128GB model with 4GB of RAM is a good deal at $600. If I was going to college this would be perfect.

I guess it means ARM Windows is dead.

 

[Cali3350]

This really seems like the perfect college notebook/tablet.

Good size and weight, decent power with new atom, real x86 windows and a good pen input?

College kids are so spoiled these days.

 

[Belegost]

Now I just have to figure out the right blackmail to convince "santa" (aka my wife) that this needs to be my christmas gift.

 

[paperwastage]

This really seems like the perfect college notebook/tablet.

Good size and weight, decent power with new atom, real x86 windows and a good pen input?

College kids are so spoiled these days.

it would be nicer if there was an actual keyboard dock (that clicks on).. try typing on a tablet+cover keyboard in a crammed lecture hall with a tiny tray


but yeah, this is almost an ideal device for a college student

 

[gorcorps]

Anybody else notice that the pen is NOT included with this one, even though it's always been included with the Pro version? Also only has a 3 position kickstand instead of the multi-pos one found on the Pro. Seems like a couple things they took out that IMO really didn't need to change.

 

[QuantumPion]

I'm very interested in selling my ipad Air for one of these. I would really like to have an ipad-sized and battery life device which can play real (older) PC games instead of app store crap, and which I can use firefox with adblock on.

 

[Kaido]

More info on Engadget:

http://www.engadget.com/2015/03/31/microsoft-surface-3/

Nice piece on the making of it:

http://www.engadget.com/2015/03/31/microsoft-surface-3-design/

Uses the new 14nm Cherrytrail Atom X7 CPU:

http://ark.intel.com/products/85475/Intel-Atom-x7-Z8700-Processor-2M-Cache-up-to-2_40-GHz

If you want a knockoff version, get the 11" Ares at Walmart for $200: (no pen)

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2426525

 

[Ravynmagi]

Very awesome. A bit slow in the coming, but glad Microsoft finally came around.

I just preordered the 4GB/128GB model. Can't wait for it.

I wish Microsoft could do better on the keyboard pricing. $130 is still painful for what really isn't that good of a keyboard cover. I have a Logitech K480, which I assume should fit the Surface 3, so I'll try that at first. But I imagine I'll break down and get that stupid keyboard cover for the convenience eventually.

We have to buy the pen separately too. I wish they had a bright blue pen that would match the bright blue keyboard I'll inevitably end up buying.

 

[Kaido]

Very awesome. A bit slow in the coming, but glad Microsoft finally came around.

I just preordered the 4GB/128GB model. Can't wait for it.

I wish Microsoft could do better on the keyboard pricing. $130 is still painful for what really isn't that good of a keyboard cover. I have a Logitech K480, which I assume should fit the Surface 3, so I'll try that at first. But I imagine I'll break down and get that stupid keyboard cover for the convenience eventually.

We have to buy the pen separately too. I wish they had a bright blue pen that would match the bright blue keyboard I'll inevitably end up buying.

Yeah seems like it could add up pretty quick...128gb + pen + keyboard + dock + LTE version if you want that.

 

[quikah]

This looks like a winner. I am almost surprised they didn't wait for Windows 10. Glad they didn't. Pricing looks decent, though the accessories can add up.

I didn't see any information on the OS bitness? Are they going with 32bit?

 

[Ravynmagi]

Hopefully at least the 4GB model has the 64 bit version.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I like that Microsoft is including 1 year of Office 365 for free this time. I think that's very smart.

 

[Kaido]

This looks like a winner. I am almost surprised they didn't wait for Windows 10. Glad they didn't. Pricing looks decent, though the accessories can add up.

I didn't see any information on the OS bitness? Are they going with 32bit?

The 32-bit was a UEFI glitch in Windows...the current crop of 22nm Baytrail-T quad-core Atom chips (Z3735 SoC's) all shipped with a 32-bit UEFI & manufacturers just never bothered to update anything, even though Microsoft fixed the bug. This new Surface is based on the next-gen 14nm Cherrytrail Atom X7 chips, which is shipping as 64-bit:

http://venturebeat.com/2015/03/31/m...reorder-today-in-26-countries-ships-on-may-5/

The biggest hassle with installing anything was the 32-bit UEFI...no Windows 7, limited Linux support, etc. The Cherrytrail line not only fixes that, but also supports 64-bit Android, ChromeOS, etc., so we're going to see a truckload of devices with this chipset, especially the neat 2-in-1 segment of tablet-laptops.

 

[Face2Face]

I'm very interested in selling my ipad Air for one of these. I would really like to have an ipad-sized and battery life device which can play real (older) PC games instead of app store crap, and which I can use firefox with adblock on.

Should have no issue. Even the current crop of Baytrail SOC's do pretty good with older games. I can play Portal 2 @ 720P with no issues, and that's on a 7th GEN (Ivy Bridge) GPU with 4 EUs.

Just some games - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TvIEVoykEo


As Kaido posted in the other thread-

http://ark.intel.com/products/85475/...up-to-2_40-GHz

* 1.6ghz base
* 2.4ghz Turbo
* 16 EU's

16 EU's on the GEN 8 series (Broadwell GPU) should be a solid performer, much faster than Baytrail on the GPU side.

 

[Ns1]

need surface pro 4 nao.

 

[burninatortech4]

Might have to get one..

 

[tsupersonic]

Am I missing something? It seems to offer a terrible value. $599 for 128GB SSD/4GB RAM, and an Atom CPU, without keyboard ($129) or pen ($49)? All said and done ($778), you're better off getting a (used) SP2 which has better specs, and a pen at least.

 

[bearxor]

Am I missing something? It seems to offer a terrible value. $599 for 128GB SSD/4GB RAM, and an Atom CPU, without keyboard ($129) or pen ($49)? All said and done ($778), you're better off getting a (used) SP2 which has better specs, and a pen at least.

And is thicker and heavier with worse battery life. It's a trade off, sure, but how many people really need an i5 or even an i3 processor.

I'm still using a Surface Pro 1 and I have been chomping at the bit for this thing. Definite purchase for me. The one thing I won't be "upgrading" is my keyboard. I'm totally keeping my Touch Cover 2. It may not fully cover the Surface 3, but it will be good enough. I <3 my Touch Cover.

 

[tsupersonic]

And is thicker and heavier with worse battery life. It's a trade off, sure, but how many people really need an i5 or even an i3 processor.

I'm still using a Surface Pro 1 and I have been chomping at the bit for this thing. Definite purchase for me. The one thing I won't be "upgrading" is my keyboard. I'm totally keeping my Touch Cover 2. It may not fully cover the Surface 3, but it will be good enough. I <3 my Touch Cover.

Yes, the SP2 is thicker and heavier, but none of the Surface devices (pro or non-pro) are tablets. That is a bold faced lie from Microsoft imo. You absolutely need to use a keyboard with this device, for productivity. I don't know how you survive with the touch cover...I dread using my type cover for extended periods of time. Since these devices are non-upgradable, I'd rather have the CPU/RAM combo I want up-front, rather than making a regretful decision. For power users like me, the Atom is not an option.

 

[Obsy]

I had an ASUS X205 which has a 1.33 GHz quad-core Atom. It was a lag fest, and all I tried to do was MS Office work while playing YouTube in the background.

Not very optimistic about the Surface 3's 1.6 GHz Atom, and I hope you guys know what you're getting into.

 

[Sunrise089]

none of the Surface devices (pro or non-pro) are tablets. That is a bold faced lie from Microsoft imo. You absolutely need to use a keyboard with this device, for productivity.

Or you could forgo the cover and just consume content. Kind of like every other tablet in the world...

 

[the DRIZZLE]

I'm interested. I've been looking for a larger tablet for note taking and I really want the full version of OneNote. The Pro 3 is overkill and too big since I'll still have to carry my work laptop. I do agree with others that the price is a bit high for the specs but I expect there will be some discounting.

 

[kaerflog]

I bought a S3 pro for my wife for Bd present.
I have to say the worst part of using that is the keyboard by far.
The thing is atrocious to use.