Microsoft announces the Surface Pro 3

[alan-d]

With Microsoft - anything could happen. It's one of the mysteries of life, just like - How long does a Microsft minute really take?

[pcstru]

People want a corporate device that works on windows and is easy to carry around, its nearly there but not quite.

On that criteria, where does it fail?

[Simcfc73]

On that criteria, where does it fail?

 

Probably the lack of fruit based logo.

 

I see Watson uses one on Elementary too

[zag]

On that criteria, where does it fail?

 

Well I don't see why any corporate laptop needs a touch screen for starters. I'd prefer windows 7 for my own stuff stuff, the screen size seems to have got too big to carry around. The cost of the extras and upgrades seems expensive too as well as the cost of the base device with a 128GB disk. And lastly the keyboard on the old surface was pretty poor, not sure if its improved on this one. I also think the 802.11ac wireless is only 2x2 so it can't do the full gigabit speeds like the latest macbook airs.

 

I'll stick with my Macbook air I think. Runs windows 7 perfectly, has a great keyboard, is light and ridiculously quick.

[localzuk]

Well I don't see why any corporate laptop needs a touch screen for starters. I'd prefer windows 7 for my own stuff stuff, the screen size seems to have got too big to carry around. The cost of the extras and upgrades seems expensive too as well as the cost of the base device with a 128GB disk. And lastly the keyboard on the old surface was pretty poor, not sure if its improved on this one. I also think the 802.11ac wireless is only 2x2 so it can't do the full gigabit speeds like the latest macbook airs.

 

I'll stick with my Macbook air I think. Runs windows 7 perfectly, has a great keyboard, is light and ridiculously quick.

 

So, why are corporations buying iPads by the million if they have no need for touchscreen devices? They aren't suitable at all in a corporate environment, yet they're still buying them...

 

Your personal usecase doesn't include a touchscreen, but many people can do everything they want with one.

[Quackers]

I thought this picture was interesting, http://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/macbook-vs-surface-3.png?w=1408&h=776

 

They conveniently forgot to add the keyboard cover to make it a fair comparison to the Macbook Airs weight, after all the Air has a keyboard. Im sure the scales will tip the other way when they do.

 

I will keep my iPad and Macbook Air thanks. The Surface 3 weighs double that of an iPad Air, so not going to be as comfortable to hold with that weight. Too many trade offs. Im not a fan of these hybrid devices.

[JJonas]

I thought this picture was interesting, http://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/macbook-vs-surface-3.png?w=1408&h=776

 

They conveniently forgot to add the keyboard cover to make it a fair comparison to the Macbook Airs weight, after all the Air has a keyboard. Im sure the scales will tip the other way when they do.

 

I will keep my iPad and Macbook Air thanks. The Surface 3 weighs double that of an iPad Air, so not going to be as comfortable to hold with that weight. Too many trade offs. Im not a fan of these hybrid devices.

 

He added the keyboard cover later on, it was still lighter than the Macbook Air

 

 

see 43m:25s

 

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2014/may14/05-20webcast.aspx

Edited May 21, 2014 by JJonas

[gshaw]

The touch experience works well on 8.1 and has its merits, however pricing is the reason the Windows tablets haven't taken off (imo). The accessory prices are obscene, all the manufactures seem to be guilty of it which is a poor show.

 

On the lower cost end 8" devices too small and netbook clones like the ASUS T100 built a bit too cheaply to be real contenders. Still a bit miffed why no-one is selling a well built, mid-range device for under £500 with keyboard, surely touch screens aren't that much of a premium with the quantities they're being made in now?

[localzuk]

I thought this picture was interesting, http://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/macbook-vs-surface-3.png?w=1408&h=776

 

They conveniently forgot to add the keyboard cover to make it a fair comparison to the Macbook Airs weight, after all the Air has a keyboard. Im sure the scales will tip the other way when they do.

 

I will keep my iPad and Macbook Air thanks. The Surface 3 weighs double that of an iPad Air, so not going to be as comfortable to hold with that weight. Too many trade offs. Im not a fan of these hybrid devices.

 

I highly doubt the cover will weigh 535g...

 

Also, the original iPad 3g + wifi weighed 730g, without its flappy lid. Add that on and you're nearly at the 800g, and no-one complained about that being too heavy... Its also only 2 inches longer and 0.5 inches wider than the original iPad too... So, not that much larger.

[sted]

why on earth is there no i3/128gb version the cost of even the slowest 128 is mad. Ive got a surface pro (not that im going to replace it its only a few months old) and slower cpu i could live with but 64gb storage is pants (my stuff wouldnt fit but then i do have it syncing all my photos/music etc from my server) I just dont get why they would even do a 64gb one surely the bulk cost of 128's isnt much more and makes it stand out from other tablets

[pcstru]

why on earth is there no i3/128gb version the cost of even the slowest 128 is mad. Ive got a surface pro (not that im going to replace it its only a few months old) and slower cpu i could live with but 64gb storage is pants (my stuff wouldnt fit but then i do have it syncing all my photos/music etc from my server) I just dont get why they would even do a 64gb one surely the bulk cost of 128's isnt much more and makes it stand out from other tablets

It is a bit strange. It does retain the ability to plug in a microSD card, so an additional 128GB available for £120.

[sted]

It is a bit strange. It does retain the ability to plug in a microSD card, so an additional 128GB available for £120.

 

you cant make my music etc run from a sd card it just says no

[pcstru]

you cant make my music etc run from a sd card it just says no

I'm probably not understanding what you mean. I can right click and add folders to the music library "Include in Library". Media player will then pick it up as part of the library. Not that I ever use Media Player...

[abillybob]

£639 is a lot of money for an entry level laptop spec! No doubt it will be of great build quality than any other tablets, although the price mark isn't right just yet. Sorry Microsoft!

[Mayki5]

I'm probably not understanding what you mean. I can right click and add folders to the music library "Include in Library". Media player will then pick it up as part of the library. Not that I ever use Media Player...

 

There were outstanding issues with library locations on external devices not being read from in the Music app from the Store. WM Player I think was fine, it just affected the Store app.

[SYNACK]

I'm probably not understanding what you mean. I can right click and add folders to the music library "Include in Library". Media player will then pick it up as part of the library. Not that I ever use Media Player...

 

It won't include removable media in the library, have the same issue with my ASUS tablet and a media card with Windows 8.

[Arthur]

It won't include removable media in the library.

Does the following workaround still work?

 

www.howtogeek.com/136503/how-to-access-files-from-sd-cards-and-usb-drives-in-modern-windows-8-apps/

[pcstru]

£639 is a lot of money for an entry level laptop spec! No doubt it will be of great build quality than any other tablets, although the price mark isn't right just yet. Sorry Microsoft!

Show me entry level laptops with a 2160x1440 touch screen, up to 9 hours battery life, 9mm thick and weighing in at under 1kg. I'd compare it with an untra-book but it has teh additional advantage of being a very useable tablet.

[sted]

Does the following workaround still work?

 

www.howtogeek.com/136503/how-to-access-files-from-sd-cards-and-usb-drives-in-modern-windows-8-apps/

 

sort of sometimes. It lets you do it but at least on my old asus it lost it fairly often

[pcstru]

It won't include removable media in the library, have the same issue with my ASUS tablet and a media card with Windows 8.

Ah, OK. It's not something I tend to use, I either run VLC or access content via Serviio web interface.

[Novalee]

Too much. I really want one actually but the cost is too high. Many people aren't comfortable with replacing laptops with tablets yet. I imagine this will do the job nicely, but few people are going to pay that amount of money to find out. Once people are convinced that this is the way to go, then Microsoft could raise the price if they must. But people won't have the opportunity to find out that the idea is a good, well executed idea, because they won't want to spend that kind of money.

[zag]

Microsoft reportedly axed a smaller Surface

 

We'd surmise that a few folks were disappointed then Microsoft's Surface event concluded earlier today. Rumors swirled that the "small gathering" tease meant a more compact version of Redmond's tablet was imminent, but instead the festivities focused on a larger 12-inch pro model. Now, Bloomberg reports that a more compact model was on tap before being nixed ahead of its official debut. The report states that CEO Satya Nadella and EVP Stephen Elop concluded that the device didn't offer enough pizazz to differentiate it from the options that are currently on the market -- smaller Windows-powered slates from the likes of Dell and others. MS engineers had reportedly been working on the so-called Surface mini alongside Qualcomm for the better part of a year before the plug was pulled ahead of final approval.

[seawolf]

Umm, seriously? What's wrong with the software developer building a template device? Are we forgetting about the Google Nexus range? It's no different then a new hardware manufacturer appearing, just means you need to release a better (in some way) device.

 

Your comparison of the The Nexus line of Android devices misses the mark because none of them were manufactured by Google. In fact, Motorola Mobility was sold by Google to Lenovo because if Google started directly manufacturing Android mobile phones on a large scale - it would drive the other manufacturers to move to another mobile OS. The Surface is not a "template" device. Google is trying to become the new Microsoft, and doing a pretty good job. Microsoft is trying to become the new Apple, and struggling.

 

I've worked in the electronics contract manufacturing business in years past, and dealt with many of the big PC companies, component makers, etc. They won't be liking Microsoft's encroach into their already shrinking piece of the pie. Game consoles and accessories are one thing, but Microsoft is rolling the dice with their growing line of Surface products. Only time will tell how that goes, but there is danger there. That's what I'm saying...seriously.

 

As for "iPad killer" quotes, what, have you never seen a sales pitch? Apparently if I buy this sports car I'll be beating women off with a stick because it'll turn me into fit underwear super model, got it take it all with a pitch of salt.

 

I have a 64GB Surface sitting on my desk. I've had it for 7 months. I've been trying to sell it for the past three months. It is a far cry from being as useful as an iPad for most people. The Surface 3 is too big to function as a good tablet (try reading an eBook for a good while with one and let me know how that goes) and it won't sit on the lap as well as a normal laptop and the keyboard isn't as good either. It's still very much a compromise device. Perhaps a better compromise, but still a definite compromise.

 

Go ahead and buy one, use it for a few months and let us all know how it stacks up. In the meantime, if anyone wants to buy a lightly used Surface let me know...

[matt40k]

Gen 1 products are always going to be... problematic. Out of interest, what's the cost of p&p to the UK?

[localzuk]

Your comparison of the The Nexus line of Android devices misses the mark because none of them were manufactured by Google. In fact, Motorola Mobility was sold by Google to Lenovo because if Google started directly manufacturing Android mobile phones on a large scale - it would drive the other manufacturers to move to another mobile OS. The Surface is not a "template" device. Google is trying to become the new Microsoft, and doing a pretty good job. Microsoft is trying to become the new Apple, and struggling.

 

I've worked in the electronics contract manufacturing business in years past, and dealt with many of the big PC companies, component makers, etc. They won't be liking Microsoft's encroach into their already shrinking piece of the pie. Game consoles and accessories are one thing, but Microsoft is rolling the dice with their growing line of Surface products. Only time will tell how that goes, but there is danger there. That's what I'm saying...seriously.

 

Thing is, if those devices made by Microsoft are high quality with good support, will customers care? What does it matter to a customer if they want a Windows PC of some form, whether it is made by Microsoft or Acer etc...?

 

Its a risky bet to be making, but Microsoft could be thinking long term "who cares about other manufacturers making our stuff?", fully mimicking Apple.

 

I have a 64GB Surface sitting on my desk. I've had it for 7 months. I've been trying to sell it for the past three months. It is a far cry from being as useful as an iPad for most people. The Surface 3 is too big to function as a good tablet (try reading an eBook for a good while with one and let me know how that goes) and it won't sit on the lap as well as a normal laptop and the keyboard isn't as good either. It's still very much a compromise device. Perhaps a better compromise, but still a definite compromise.

 

How do you know that about the Surface Pro 3? It hasn't been released yet!