Microsoft Surface Pro 3 announcement

So, who watched the event today and what do you think?

It will be available for sale tomorrow. The starting price is $799. Microsoft deems this device as the tablet that can replace your laptop.

It’s a 12.1-inch tablet, utilizing a 3:2 aspect ratio at 2160x1440 resolution screen, using 4[SUP]th[/SUP] Generation Intel Core CPU’s (i3, i5 and i7). Web browsing battery life is around 9 hours. It’s around 30% thinner than an 11-inch MacBook Air. The new kickstand is continuously adjustable. The device comes in at 1.7lbs. The stylus has been replaced now with a pen which provides a much improved drawing, writing and note-taking experience. If you have your device with you, and it’s off, a simple click on the end of the pen fires up the device into OneNote where you can jot down the thought that you just had.

The new type cover keyboard has a significantly larger and improved touchpad. The way the device clicks in and the new fold up edge hinge should alleviate a big problem I’ve always had with the Surface Pro and that’s the fact that it’s very hard to sit on your lap and work with. In the past, you really needed a flat table space area to use the device with.

The new pen and the extremely thin glass on the device should help greatly with writing. However, I’m still really bothered by the fact that the pen doesn’t seem to have a holder built into the surface pro itself…meaning it will be quite easy to set down somewhere and lose.

The device will have a microSD card reader and a USB 3.0 port.

A docking station will be available ($199) that includes the following
· 3 USB 3.0 ports
· 2 USB 2.0 ports
· Ethernet jack
· Audio outputs
· Mini Display port supporting 4k
· Charges the tablet.

Here is a link with a 5 minute video: Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 is designed to destroy the laptop | The Verge



So, pricing looks like the following;
Core i3, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage - $799
Core i5, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage - $999
Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage - $1,299
Core i7, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage - $1,549
Core i7, 8GB RAM, 512GB storage - $1,949

The pen is $49, the type cover keyboard is $130 and the docking station is $199. So a full loaded model is $2,128.

 

[robinb9]

It is aimed for business uses who can take it as a tax deduction, not the average user who cannot afford this type of unit. It is also aimed at those who have nothing better to domwith their money and want a nice toy.
lets face it, for the price it is you can get an ultrabook with a core i7 with a 500 gig to a tig HD with 8 gigs of memory
at least you are getting more for your money.
i am looking at the levano yogi 2 which has a 500 gig hd and 4 gigs ram that acts like a tablet and ultrabook, yes it only has a core processor but i am not looking for a mega gaming computer, i am looking for something that is light, runs office and a few more programs and this one is $500. Not $1000 for a 128 gig hd. That you actually only wind up with 100 gig isable. I want the value for my bucks. This yogi is fast enough for my usage, with 3x the hd space. Windows 8.1 is the same on every laptop or tablet, so you are basically buying the machine for its hardware
bring the price down for 128 gigs to $500 and then i would highly consider it. Even make ot a core i3 and i would consider it.

 

[ThrashZone]

Bingo Robin

 

[4wd]

...and easy to clean the fan, swap battery when needed, and upgrade the SSD

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Microsoft+Surface+Pro+3+Teardown/26595?utm

 

[ShadowMario3]

It is aimed for business uses who can take it as a tax deduction, not the average user who cannot afford this type of unit. It is also aimed at those who have nothing better to domwith their money and want a nice toy.
lets face it, for the price it is you can get an ultrabook with a core i7 with a 500 gig to a tig HD with 8 gigs of memory
at least you are getting more for your money.
i am looking at the levano yogi 2 which has a 500 gig hd and 4 gigs ram that acts like a tablet and ultrabook, yes it only has a core processor but i am not looking for a mega gaming computer, i am looking for something that is light, runs office and a few more programs and this one is $500. Not $1000 for a 128 gig hd. That you actually only wind up with 100 gig isable. I want the value for my bucks. This yogi is fast enough for my usage, with 3x the hd space. Windows 8.1 is the same on every laptop or tablet, so you are basically buying the machine for its hardware
bring the price down for 128 gigs to $500 and then i would highly consider it. Even make ot a core i3 and i would consider it.

Seems to me that you do not differentiate between normal HDDs and SDDs (or whatever the Surface Pro line uses) at all.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

...and easy to clean the fan, swap battery when needed, and upgrade the SSD

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Microsoft+Surface+Pro+3+Teardown/26595?utm

I don't think this is fair. Amateurs really. I'm not an expert in this field, but with miniaturization comes new manufacturing techniques. The display glass cracked due to uneven heating. They have adhesives that are infrared and/or laser activated or in this case, deactivated. Given a certain amount of evenly distributed energy the glue gives up its gluing properties. I remember a dentist removing a dental crown using an infrared light. A special glue was used.

Granted, the time of working on our own electronics may be getting more difficult, but as with a lot of professions, the proper equipment and knowledge is most of the job. I thought about this before purchasing my Lumia 1520. It would be difficult to work on. I just hope I never have to.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dL2olFpWvB8

 

[strollin]

It is aimed for business uses who can take it as a tax deduction, not the average user who cannot afford this type of unit. It is also aimed at those who have nothing better to domwith their money and want a nice toy.
lets face it, for the price it is you can get an ultrabook with a core i7 with a 500 gig to a tig HD with 8 gigs of memory
at least you are getting more for your money.
i am looking at the levano yogi 2 which has a 500 gig hd and 4 gigs ram that acts like a tablet and ultrabook, yes it only has a core processor but i am not looking for a mega gaming computer, i am looking for something that is light, runs office and a few more programs and this one is $500. Not $1000 for a 128 gig hd. That you actually only wind up with 100 gig isable. I want the value for my bucks. This yogi is fast enough for my usage, with 3x the hd space. Windows 8.1 is the same on every laptop or tablet, so you are basically buying the machine for its hardware
bring the price down for 128 gigs to $500 and then i would highly consider it. Even make ot a core i3 and i would consider it.

The Lenovo Yoga 2 devices I have seen start at $1200 Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro Multimode Ultrabook | Multimode Laptops & Ultrabooks | Lenovo (US) so seem to be priced accordingly. The Yoga 2 is both larger and heavier than the Surface but looks like a nice machine as well.

None of these "ultrabook" type machines are inexpensive from what I've seen.

 

[pparks1]

That sort of price one would expect at least 250 gig's
I'm not saying it's not a good machine or has usefulness it's just allot for the hdd size,
I believe 500 would be a better price range

You won't find anything on the market close to that price. There is a lot of performance difference between a standard 250GB hard drive and a 250GB SSD. The specs of the Surface Pro 3 dictate a much higher price tag. Find a 2lb Ultrabook, with a 9 hour battery, with a resolution better than 1920x1080, with a 256GB SSD, 8GB of RAM, a core i5 CPU and I bet its closer to $1200 than $500.

It is aimed for business uses who can take it as a tax deduction, not the average user who cannot afford this type of unit.

Lots of average users are running around with iPad's. A fraction of the functionality for $500-$700.

It is also aimed at those who have nothing better to domwith their money and want a nice toy.

Ever meet a business traveler? My company is based in Australia, with offices in the UK and the US. The chairman of the board came yesterday carrying nothing more than an iPad. They work from this because they need to carry the least amount with them possible. We wouldn't consider a Surface Pro 3 simply because we cannot find anything else to do with our money.

lets face it, for the price it is you can get an ultrabook with a core i7 with a 500 gig to a tig HD with 8 gigs of memory
at least you are getting more for your money.

That standard 500GB hard drive will feel a lot slower than an SSD...which would up your price. Again, you have to consider the right tool for the job. For business users, easiest to carry will cause you to accept a lot of compromises. Being able to take handwritten notes on the screen is a huge bonus. It's something that I wish my work UltraBook could do...but it cannot.

 

[EMINENT]

$500 for a 12" screen, Core processor, SSD, full USB, for less than 2 lbs.

Name any manufacturer of this unicorn device and I will buy it right away.

You can't even get a crippled os with 32gb like an iPad Air for less than that. Every time someone mentions this, I have less and less faith in humanity.

 

[pparks1]

People just compare apples to oranges. It's like when people say I way over paid for my Mac Book Pro. Have to take the hardware into account. All of our work ultrabooks with similar specs have been the same price. It may be more than they want to spend, but that doesn't mean it's over priced.

 

[robinb9]

Of course you have to take the hardware into account but if you do not need the fluff, why spend $1000 for it? I can find better things to spend my money on
and btw the one i am looking at is at best buy for $499 but the one i want is a bit more because it has an additional 16 gig ssd plus better caching processor. It is on the levano site for $599 but with my connections i can get it for $500 with office 2013 pre installed
i have a dell non touch 13 inch win 8.1 pro core i3 which does fine for my seminars and work but i wanted a touch tablet with a keyboard and the yogi 2 fits my needs because it is both. I have a client who loves it and at the computer fair i was at. Got to play with it after i gave my seminar at the microsoft booth i ran and really liked it.
it is small but runs really nice for a cheaper laptop

 

[ShadowMario3]

Of course you have to take the hardware into account but if you do not need the fluff, why spend $1000 for it? I can find better things to spend my money on
and btw the one i am looking at is at best buy for $499 but the one i want is a bit more because it has an additional 16 gig ssd plus better caching processor. It is on the levano site for $599 but with my connections i can get it for $500 with office 2013 pre installed
i have a dell non touch 13 inch win 8.1 pro core i3 which does fine for my seminars and work but i wanted a touch tablet with a keyboard and the yogi 2 fits my needs because it is both. I have a client who loves it and at the computer fair i was at. Got to play with it after i gave my seminar at the microsoft booth i ran and really liked it.
it is small but runs really nice for a cheaper laptop

The Yoga 2 for $599 you are looking at has a Pentium processor, Windows 8.1 regular, 1366x768 resolution, and Intel HD 4200. Comparing that to the current i5 Surface Pros that are currently out, I'd say it's adequately priced.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

I think a number of people have not realized a few home truths about this product.

Miniaturization and portability comes at a PREMIUM cost -- the price is no worse than other quality top of the range ultra books (with an SSD and an i5 / i7) and is a lot more flexible - especially with the docking station.

Yes there ARE cheaper alternatives - and if these suit you --OK but if you want maximum portability with a high quality spec then you have to pay for it. You CAN make do with a cheap 16 inch non HD TV but people WILL pay more for a higher spec model.

Screen resolution is FAR superior to the standard laptop 1366 X 768 resolution -- even on a 12 inch screen the difference is STUNNING -- Even on a small phone screen resolution IS important -- I can tell at a stroke the difference in resolution between a Samsung S4 and S5 !!.

These devices are aimed at professionals rather than hobbyists - and they probably can get some tax relief or support from their businesses.

Those who say CEO's are quite happy with an iPad are missing the entire point -- how many CEO's actually NEED a full system on their devices anyway -- they aren't usually the developers etc and just need to SEE the results of business projections / forecasts etc. They won't be doing a lot of serious computer work - other than perhaps need to create a spreadsheet once in a while.

Ms has got a WINNER with this one -- already businesses are saying we can use ONE device instead of two (tablet + laptop) and we can maintain the existing IT infrastructure as the surface Pro 3 will run on it just as a laptop.

I can't wait to get hold of mine -- middle to end of july for me.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[adamf]

Hmmm. My laptop cost €2800 (about 3800 USD). Upgrading to Ultimate was another €400. Then I had to buy MS Office. In retrospect I'd have been better off getting a cheaper one. I do like Thinkpads though.

EDIT: And the Surface PRO

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

Good News -- Early availability so I am getting mine on MONDAY -- will report back on my experience -- can't wait.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[ShadowMario3]

Hi there

Good News -- Early availability so I am getting mine on MONDAY -- will report back on my experience -- can't wait.

Cheers
jimbo

Didn't you pre-order the i7 version? I thought it wasn't coming out until August 1.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

Good News -- Early availability so I am getting mine on MONDAY -- will report back on my experience -- can't wait.

Cheers
jimbo

Didn't you pre-order the i7 version? I thought it wasn't coming out until August 1.

That's right -- but there's some early shipments !!!!

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Coke Robot]

Hi there

I think a number of people have not realized a few home truths about this product.

Miniaturization and portability comes at a PREMIUM cost -- the price is no worse than other quality top of the range ultra books (with an SSD and an i5 / i7) and is a lot more flexible - especially with the docking station.

Yes there ARE cheaper alternatives - and if these suit you --OK but if you want maximum portability with a high quality spec then you have to pay for it. You CAN make do with a cheap 16 inch non HD TV but people WILL pay more for a higher spec model.

Screen resolution is FAR superior to the standard laptop 1366 X 768 resolution -- even on a 12 inch screen the difference is STUNNING -- Even on a small phone screen resolution IS important -- I can tell at a stroke the difference in resolution between a Samsung S4 and S5 !!.

These devices are aimed at professionals rather than hobbyists - and they probably can get some tax relief or support from their businesses.

Those who say CEO's are quite happy with an iPad are missing the entire point -- how many CEO's actually NEED a full system on their devices anyway -- they aren't usually the developers etc and just need to SEE the results of business projections / forecasts etc. They won't be doing a lot of serious computer work - other than perhaps need to create a spreadsheet once in a while.

Ms has got a WINNER with this one -- already businesses are saying we can use ONE device instead of two (tablet + laptop) and we can maintain the existing IT infrastructure as the surface Pro 3 will run on it just as a laptop.

I can't wait to get hold of mine -- middle to end of july for me.

Cheers
jimbo

Let alone the fact the Surface tablets probably still have their 200+ custom designed parts, meaning there isn't an Intel reference design to build around, meaning higher production costs. Then there is the custom display they have, a 3:2 ratio that isn't used on any other tablet PC, that has a different inking technology than previous generations.

Speaking of CEOs and tablets, I know a store manager that has a Lenovo Windows tablet that has been deployed company wide and she loves the fact that ALL the store systems and apps that they use are right there on the tablet, right there on hand whereas an ipad wouldn't even be able to run any of them or even access the back end store systems. It's advantageous because that means she could be in whatever department, run that department's specific app, and then run the POS app for checkout. That's just the common thing Windows already does, but just in a nice sweet package.

 

[rourkem]

Hi there

Good News -- Early availability so I am getting mine on MONDAY -- will report back on my experience -- can't wait.

Cheers
jimbo

Didn't you pre-order the i7 version? I thought it wasn't coming out until August 1.

That's right -- but there's some early shipments !!!!

Cheers
jimbo

This early already? You mean early shipments are available today? Where can I check this?