Surface Pro 3 thread - Info, thoughts, opinions

[Ravynmagi]

had my SP3 for a little while now, using it almost daily. I'm getting dents in the chassis, so just so everyone knows, protect your surface!!!

I bought a Snugg 13 inch universal sleeve, it was what the Microsoft Store seemed to be promoting when the SP3 first came out. But I see they now have some more form fitting sleeves as well.

At first I didn't like the 13 inch universal because it was made for a wider device. But once I put the pen loop on and had that sticking off to the side, the extra width allowed me to leave the pen attached and still slide it into the sleeve comfortably. So it worked out pretty nice. And I like the magnets that hold the sleeve flap closed. For $35 it's an expensive sleeve, but it's leather and feels like it provides lots of protection.

I'm a little surprised, but guess not shocked to hear of dents happening. The SP3 is super thin for a reason, the chassis does feel thinner, though still plenty sturdy.

I also grabbed a skin from Skinomi. The side pieces I ended up taking off after a couple days though because the seams on the skin rubbed uncomfortably when holding the tablet. But the back pieces feel nice and should provide some scratch protection on the back.

 

[finbarqs]

okay so I guess i'll just live with the dent. Anyways, after the July 16th update, I noticed my battery will drain when the system is asleep. I charged it to 100% the night before. Turn it on in the morning, and it's 60% battery life. without use! I did the sleep study, and it's just a solid grey line declining. is the system NOT going to sleep?

 

[baydude]

Just got the SP3 i7 yesterday! What's a good case for the SP3?

 

[gorcorps]

okay so I guess i'll just live with the dent. Anyways, after the July 16th update, I noticed my battery will drain when the system is asleep. I charged it to 100% the night before. Turn it on in the morning, and it's 60% battery life. without use! I did the sleep study, and it's just a solid grey line declining. is the system NOT going to sleep?

Check your power settings. Make sure you have sleep the selected action for when the lid closes, and whatever else you want. Something may have changed

 

[finbarqs]

no i know what it is. I figured it out. It's a bug in Windows 8. I have 3 backgrounds rotating on my desktop. That drains the battery. It still changes, while it's asleep. SP3 i7-- Wonder if I can trade in my i5 for an i7 and pay the difference, it's only been a little over a month.

Also, does anyone know how to make the touchpad on the type cover a left click only unless you do a 2 finger click or tap? it's so annoying at times...

 

[Imaginer]

no i know what it is. I figured it out. It's a bug in Windows 8. I have 3 backgrounds rotating on my desktop. That drains the battery.

When unplugged, one background should stick and should not transition at all (on a Surface Pro 2). It may need a change in power options for it to take.

 

[finbarqs]

where is the change of "don't rotate my background when in sleep". I feel people won't care if they see the same background when they wake it up.

 

[vbuggy]

Skins for SP3? Preferably full coverage (except screen)?

Anyone have a list of providers?

 

[vi edit]

FYI - Best Buy just released a $150 .edu discount on all Surface 3 Pro's.

That's a better deal than MS's 10% off if you are looking at the 128 gig i5 version.

 

[GarfieldtheCat]

FYI - Best Buy just released a $150 .edu discount on all Surface 3 Pro's.

That's a better deal than MS's 10% off if you are looking at the 128 gig i5 version.

Looks like Microsoft is doing it too. They have a 10% or $150 off, whichever is better for students now, until Labor day.

 

[bearxor]

I'm starting a new job at MS this week and am hoping I'll be able to score a deal to upgrade my SP1 to a 3 pretty soon. Still put off by the lack of a Touch Cover though.

 

[cronos]

Thinking really hard about this since yesterday when they came out with the $150 off.

One thing I'm a little worried about is pen replacement. Is the $50 replacement pen from Microsoft my only choice or are there third party options out there? The thing about Wacom digitizer is that you'll find a dozen of (cheap) alternative pens out there if you lost/broke your pen. Is this true for N-trig as well?

 

[Ravynmagi]

Thinking really hard about this since yesterday when they came out with the $150 off.

One thing I'm a little worried about is pen replacement. Is the $50 replacement pen from Microsoft my only choice or are there third party options out there? The thing about Wacom digitizer is that you'll find a dozen of (cheap) alternative pens out there if you lost/broke your pen. Is this true for N-trig as well?

Well if you want the OneNote button, I think you'll only have one choice. But it seems other Ntrig pens will work, like a cheap $10 pen for the HTC Scribe.
http://ultramobilepc-tips.blogspot.com/2014/07/cheap-backup-pen-for-your-surface-pro-3.html

 

[cronos]

Well if you want the OneNote button, I think you'll only have one choice. But it seems other Ntrig pens will work, like a cheap $10 pen for the HTC Scribe.
http://ultramobilepc-tips.blogspot.com/2014/07/cheap-backup-pen-for-your-surface-pro-3.html

Thanks. This would be perfect for a spare/backup

 

[vbuggy]

If it's still in the channel you can also go for the Sony Duo 13 pens.

 

[baydude]

Anyone else here have the i7?

 

[InfiniteLurker]

Anyone else here have the i7?

I picked up the i7 256GB this weekend. So far, the only issue I've encountered has to do with the headphone jack. As long as sound is playing, all is well. However, if the sound stops, say for example I pause the music, after about 10 seconds there is a click, as if the audio output is being turned off, and then a repeating thump/popping noise every half second. The thumping will stop as soon as another sound is generated from the Surface, but if it stops again, the thumping will resume. Looks like I'm not the only one either: http://www.surfaceforums.net/threads/audio-popping-via-headphone-jack.9381/

 

[vi edit]

Hmmm...

.edu discount plus movers coupon and I can get the i3 version out the door for under $600.

I am tempted. Greatly tempted. Especially since I'm sitting on another $100 in reward zone points. That's under $500 out of pocket.

Don't need. But want.

 

[cronos]

Hmmm...

.edu discount plus movers coupon and I can get the i3 version out the door for under $600.

I am tempted. Greatly tempted. Especially since I'm sitting on another $100 in reward zone points. That's under $500 out of pocket.

Don't need. But want.

I was at BestBuy a few hours ago. Playing around with several different SP3 units spread across the store (that stylus feels really soft, is that how N-trig normally is? I've only ever used Samsung S-pen).

The .edu coupon and movers coupon are in my pocket. Amex card with $25 cashback for $250+ purchase is ready. The temptation is unbelievably great but somehow I was able to leave without buying :'(

 

[vi edit]

Yeah I need another electronic device in my house like I need another hole in my head.

I've got 4 smart phones, a kindle, an Ipad3, Dell Venue8 Pro, 2011 MacBook Air, and a Surface Pro 1 that my wife takes to work.

Plus I have my work laptop. I *totally* don't need it. But I want it because I work away from my desk so much at work and still constantly lug around a paper and pen notebook because I'm a note taking kinda guy instead of a typer for stuff. I'd love to condense all of that down to well managed OneNote books. The surface is perfect for what I want.

Plus I don't have to undock my laptop every time I walk out of the office.

 

[zerogear]

Yeah I need another electronic device in my house like I need another hole in my head.

I've got 4 smart phones, a kindle, an Ipad3, Dell Venue8 Pro, 2011 MacBook Air, and a Surface Pro 1 that my wife takes to work.

Plus I have my work laptop. I *totally* don't need it. But I want it because I work away from my desk so much at work and still constantly lug around a paper and pen notebook because I'm a note taking kinda guy instead of a typer for stuff. I'd love to condense all of that down to well managed OneNote books. The surface is perfect for what I want.

Plus I don't have to undock my laptop every time I walk out of the office.

I think the entire point of a Surface Pro line is so you don't have to keep so many devices and are able to downsize. I've sold my laptop and tablets (Vaio Z, iPad 4, Nexus 7) in favor of a Surface Pro, which also doubles as my notebook, and I carry it everywhere I go, and never have to use pen/paper.

 

[zerogear]

Skins for SP3? Preferably full coverage (except screen)?

Anyone have a list of providers?

Give Stickerboy a try. They were awesomely cut on my Surface Pro 2

 

[kaerflog]

Hmmm...

.edu discount plus movers coupon and I can get the i3 version out the door for under $600.

I am tempted. Greatly tempted. Especially since I'm sitting on another $100 in reward zone points. That's under $500 out of pocket.

Don't need. But want.

Please point me to the movers coupon.....
Nevermind, found it.
Seems like from slick deals, less than <50% were able to use both coupons.

 

[cronos]

Please point me to the movers coupon.....

It's in the coupon package you get from USPS when you apply for an address change. You can ask a physical package at the post office (and get a BestBuy 10% off coupon that will work online and in the store), or you go through the process online at https://moversguide.usps.com all the way until almost the end, authorize your card for ~$1, and get a 10% off coupon code that will only work in the store.

 

[vi edit]

So caved in and stopped in at Best Buy on my lunch break, movers coupon and .edu discount in hand. I was planning to get the i3 model since it works for me and I've already got a 64gb microSD card I can drop in there for added space.

Went to have the guy go back to the storage and get. They were gone. An 18 year old teenage girl and her Mom snagged the last one right in front of me. Doh.