I was interested in what everybody thought about the Surface Pro 3.
A few of the features I found interesting
- The new higher resolution screen although I've never used a screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio before.
- The new pen. I liked that you can click the button on the top and automatically bring up one note so you can quickly jot down some notes or thoughts you don't want to forget then clicking it again automatically saves what ever you just wrote.
- The new kickstand allowing for more than just 2 positions.
A few of the concerns for me
- N-trig digitizer instead of Wacom. I haven't really heard of N-trig before, how do they stack up against Wacom? (I'm doing some research to find out some more about this)
- Battery life. Will the higher resolution screen kill the battery faster? Will it even have that much of an impact with the tablet already using ULP Haswell processors?
Overall the new Pro 3 has piqued my interest much more than the first 2 generations. I've been in the market for a new ultrabook class laptop and I think I'll end up getting the Pro 3.
"N-trig digitizer instead of Wacom. I haven't really heard of N-trig before, how do they stack up against Wacom? (I'm doing some research to find out some more about this)"
Not that great overall. They arent bad when they are supported by software... but i would wait to see. My guess is Microsoft is going to be working hard to make sure it is a refined experience as possible but that it wont be quite as good.
I'll probably buy one to review. And then use it. the big question on my mind is does it support DP hubs properly. I was bitten by that on the surface pro 2. Microsoft: We have really great ideas, do all this work, and make it really awesome, then fumble getting it out the door.
The SP3 -- size, weight, battery life (8-9 hrs initial reports -- a version of the type cover will add 4 hrs if you really want). Seems like a perfect 'programmers desktop' replacement. It needs to be able to drive two high res displays though. I suspect its DP1.2 and maybe can drive 1 4k monitor at 60hz. They do advertise 4k monitor support.. but they advertised DP1.2 on SP2 and it was a slighly iffy DP1.2 requiring a half dozen firmware updates to get right and I'm still not sure it's right.
I agree, this new surface looks to have improved many times over the past two generation. I really like the click pen features, higher res screen, trimmed down body and I think they also said the battery life has increased by about 15%... I could be wrong though.
Always liked the idea of the surface but I never could justify getting one because it was not a laptop replacement. With this new pro 3 that might change. Waiting with great anticipation for the reviews on this.
Another weird thing I've seen is that all the articles I read and what Panos Panay said at the surface event seems to suggest that you need the dock in order to output to a 4k monitor. Doesn't the surface already have a mini display port 1.2 output already?
A feature I think would be interesting is if they had put discrete graphics in the dock the way the Asus transformer books were rumored to have back in 2012.
You aren't looking at it the right way and I suspect many people are seeing this the same way you are and it won't sell.
Yes it is a tablet form factor but really this is a full powered and fairly full featured laptop alternative. Really 1500 isnt that bad for what you're getting but most people will look see the price and just go get an iPad instead not realizing how much more the Surface can do.
I think SP3 brought the surface to that point where you can really think about it becoming a tablet&laptop replacement like they claim. They really worked hard to fix some of the weight and size issues that a lot of people had with the surface 1&2.
It's slightly bigger than a tablet, has windows 8.1(which is a lot more refined), can run full windows applications and has a pen. This thing almost covers for getting a something like a Wacom Cintiq in the same package.
It may well be a perfect laptop replacement, but I have problems will all Microsoft Surface construction. It is crazy. The surface 2 had something on the order of 90 screws and caked in hot glue. Fine when it worked but if it broke anything it is instantly unrepareable. iFixit labeled it "Built for the landfill". At least with laptops I can fix things when they break but the surface construction is a huge turnoff.
I do get that, and as a technical piece it seems awesome. But I am still wondering, what kind of things does one need that power in tablet format? In my own opinion, I would prefer a regular keyboard when it comes to writing/coding (it is very awkward to get a Surface with dock keyboard in your lap).
From what I've read, these seem like a great unit. It has very little going against it imho. This kinda device is going to do well for the business person who needs something small & powerful that'll have the battery power to last the average flight trip. If I had the money and didnt already have an asus t100ta I'd buy/pre-order one.
