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.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
And this is my last post on this subject.

If you go into a store these days around 90% of the cheap laptops all seem to have around a 15 - 16 inch screen, a slow as molasses HDD - even if it is 1TB or at least 512GB, a lousy screen resolution of 768 X 1366, often still an ATOM processor and usually no native USB3 port.

Apart from the fact that this type of laptop is far too large to be conveniently portable these days is anybody really saying that the surface pro with even an i3 in it with 8GB RAM and an SSD isn't hugely superior to these old "clunker" laptops.

The Surface pro is just perfect IMO for portability -- the 12 inch screen - especially in the 3 X 2 format makes using EXCEL a breeze and with a docking station there is absolutely NOTHING this can't do that even a top end ultrabook can.

Add the price of a top end ultrabook PLUS an iPad together - compare that to the surface pro where ONE device will handle it all I don't think the price is too unreasonable -- and I can't wait to get my hands on one.

Maybe further down the line prices WILL come down -- first adopters usually pay a bit more but IMO this technology has matured enough for me to say "Bye Bye Lappy" -- good while it lasted but I like this new form factor a lot.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[ShadowMario3]

Been wanting a Surface Pro since it came out back in 2012. Ended up pre-ordering the i5/128 GB/4GB model. Definitely can't wait for it!

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

my previous post was going to be my last on this topic as everything I've seen and read about this device seems to me just right and as I've said I've already ordered one of these which will be arriving in about 6 weeks -- can't wait.

However this piece of info makes great news if you want to run other OS'es on the device or boot other OS'es from an attached USB disk.
The SECURE BOOT CAN be disabled --Hooray !!!!!

I've posted in the tablets section. Linux on it is therefore a possibility - probably hard though to get the pen driver but I'm sure that will appear. I certainly intend also to run a Windows to Go system on it (got Icelandic versions of Office etc on my Windows to Go system) and replace the installed W8 with either Linux or W8 enterprise so being able to disable protected boot is another nice bonus.

http://www.eightforums.com/tablet-touch/47948-surface-pro-3-secure-boot-can-disabled.html#post390676

Cheers
jimbo

 

[pparks1]

^ I read about the Secure Boot stuff. Not sure how exciting linux distros would be on these touch devices. Most of those interfaces haven't been developed with touch in mind.

 

[jimbo45]

^ I read about the Secure Boot stuff. Not sure how exciting linux distros would be on these touch devices. Most of those interfaces haven't been developed with touch in mind.

Hi there

I was thinking more of running Android as a VM and then trying also a few Android apps on the tablet - I have some very useful travel and Banking stuff on Android -- would be nice to have the same apps on the tablet. The Android VM's seem to have the touch drivers working in most cases. I'd run the Android VM from a Windows to Go external SSD - To get this to boot I'd need the protected boot to be disabled. UEFI isn't a problem.

(Running Android as a VM from a Linux host might be interesting too -- I'm going to play with that on an HP laptop which has a touch screen to see what it looks like and whether Touch will work).

Maybe something like this

How to install Android 4.4 KitKat in Windows using VirtualBox | fixedByVonnie

Cheers
jimbo

 

[EMINENT]

Just pre-ordered for June 20th pickup in store!

 

[EMINENT]

Just got mine today for $1016 with student discount!

 

[ShadowMario3]

Got my i5/128 GB yesterday at 12pm EDT from UPS. It was my first time delving into Windows 8, and I am having a blast so far. Had to turn off Bitlocker since it was pretty eh with Clonezilla's backup, so that isn't a big loss for me. I did have an issue with it having limited Wi-Fi connectivity after waking up from Sleep mode, but that seems to have disappeared.

 

[strollin]

I've always thought highly of the Surface line of machines (at least the Pro models) but was turned away by the price. A few days ago my sister bought a Pro 2 for my niece and brought it to me to install some software and set it up for her. I liked my niece's Pro 2 so much that I went to Best Buy yesterday and bought an i5/128GB model Pro 3 with the type cover. Really nice machine.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Congratulations, guys! :thumb:

 

[ThrashZone]

I just can't see the attraction here with the slates 700-1000+ u.s. is just too much for what it is type of machine IMHO,
The size doesn't sound anymore portable than my 1280-800 resolution lappy
Both would need a backpack or a briefcase ?
So what's the real point just to keep up with the latest sells pitches = commercials via Microsoft,
No juice for the squeeze,
Cheers.

But yes if you want the ultimate data package hog apps are the way to go

 

[EMINENT]

I don't see the appeal with a small tablet. If I want something tiny to watch media and browse, I have my phone. For just double the price, I have the power and amazing screen of an ultrabook and the versatility of a laptop or tablet at my disposal anytime.

 

[RBS]

I don't see the appeal with a small tablet. If I want something tiny to watch media and browse, I have my phone. For just double the price, I have the power and amazing screen of an ultrabook and the versatility of a laptop or tablet at my disposal anytime.

I had an iPad that I used for a month, and I absolutely loved it. I have played with the Nexus 7 and really like it. I have a couple of Windows tablets (Acer) with 11 inch screen, almost got a Surface Pro, but they just feel clumsy toting around (for me), and I just don't like carrying them. I won't even carry a laptop anywhere and my phone really is to small for web use.

So, the appeal of a small tablet is right up my alley. Love them. The Pro 3 is simply to large for my style and has no appeal as a tablet.

 

[Berndruppert]

surface pro is super










samsung s5 handyhülle

 

[strollin]

I just can't see the attraction here with the slates 700-1000+ u.s. is just too much for what it is type of machine IMHO, ...
But yes if you want the ultimate data package hog apps are the way to go

This was exactly my sentiment when the Surface was first introduced, way too expensive. However, after I actually used one for a couple of days, I loved the overall package. The power of an Intel i5 in such a portable package is very compelling to me. Would I like it more if it was less expensive? Yup!

As far as using apps, that is what is really appealing to the Pro vs the RT models. The Pro models have full Win 8.x and are capable of running the same Windows software you run on your other Win machines while the RT models are relegated to running apps downloaded from the Windows app store.

 

[robinb9]

I just wish it was less expensive

 

[strollin]

So does my bank account.

 

[ThrashZone]

I just can't see the attraction here with the slates 700-1000+ u.s. is just too much for what it is type of machine IMHO, ...
But yes if you want the ultimate data package hog apps are the way to go

This was exactly my sentiment when the Surface was first introduced, way too expensive. However, after I actually used one for a couple of days, I loved the overall package. The power of an Intel i5 in such a portable package is very compelling to me. Would I like it more if it was less expensive? Yup!

As far as using apps, that is what is really appealing to the Pro vs the RT models. The Pro models have full Win 8.x and are capable of running the same Windows software you run on your other Win machines while the RT models are relegated to running apps downloaded from the Windows app store.

The ones that are being advertised I've seen only have a 64 gig hard drive for 700 that allot for that size hdd,

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
Possibly by Christmas Microsoft will come down if sells are not banging away
Cheers.

 

[Superfly]

The specs are impressive (unlike the price LOL) for such a small machine... it's obviously aimed at a niche market, those enthusiasts who don't mind paying for expensive "toys" or corporates who require a high-end business tool,,,, I fall in neither camp thus, meh..

 

[adamf]

I just can't see the attraction here with the slates 700-1000+ u.s. is just too much for what it is type of machine IMHO,
The size doesn't sound anymore portable than my 1280-800 resolution lappy
Both would need a backpack or a briefcase ?
So what's the real point just to keep up with the latest sells pitches = commercials via Microsoft,
No juice for the squeeze,
Cheers.

But yes if you want the ultimate data package hog apps are the way to go

Clearly you are not their target audience. I am. Will I buy one? Probably.