Arthur Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) Prices starts at £419.99 inc. VAT for the 64GB / 2GB RAM model. Website / Blog / Accessories: Type Cover (£109.99) / Docking Station (£164.99) / Surface Pen (£44.99) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPto6XpRq-U http://a.pomf.se/ifnonx.png Size 267mm x 187mm x 8.7mm (10.52" x 7.36" x 0.34") Weight 622 g (1.37 lbs) Display 10.8” ClearType Full HD Plus Display Resolution: 1920 x 1280 Aspect ratio: 3:2 Touch: 10 point multi-touch Surface Pen support Battery Life Up to 10 hours of video playback* RAM/Storage 2GB RAM with 64GB storage (formatted capacity less) 4GB RAM with 128 GB storage (formatted capacity less) Processor Quad Core Intel Atom x7-Z8700 processor (2MB Cache, 1.6GHz with Intel Burst technology up to 2.4GHz) Network (Wireless) Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) Bluetooth 4.0 Ports Full-size USB 3.0 Mini DisplayPort microSD™ card reader Micro USB charging port Headset jack Cover port Software Windows 8.1 Cameras, video and audio 3.5 megapixel front-facing camera 8.0 megapixel rear-facing camera with auto-focus Microphone Stereo speakers with Dolby audio Sensors Ambient light sensor Proximity sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Magnetometer What's in the box Surface 3 Micro USB Power Supply Quick Start Guide Safety and warranty documents Warranty 1-year limited hardware warranty Edited March 31, 2015 by Arthur 1
flyinghaggis Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) That's actually quite tempting now as an iPad alternative. I especially like the 11" screen size, the fact they've still managed to include all the outputs you'd except plus it's still sub £500 even in 4Gb RAM/128GB SSD spec which is the more sensible option. You'd have to be really pinching the pennies no to stump up an extra £80 to upgrade from the basic poverty spec model. Only real question is over whether an Atom based CPU will be up to the job? Also, I really wish they could get the price of the add-on keyboard down slightly. £110 for the typecover is somewhat ridiculous! Edited March 31, 2015 by flyinghaggis
Arthur Posted April 1, 2015 Author Posted April 1, 2015 Only real question is over whether an Atom based CPU will be up to the job? Performance doesn't look too bad in the video below. I suppose if you need something faster, it's worth waiting for the Surface Pro 4. the fact they've still managed to include all the outputs you'd expect No USB 3.1 Type-C though. I wish Microsoft used that instead of Micro USB 2.0 for charging. You'd have to be really pinching the pennies no to stump up an extra £80 to upgrade from the basic poverty spec model. 64GB won't be too bad once it has been upgraded to Windows 10, although I agree that most people would be better off with the 128GB model since it also has 4GB RAM. I guess the entry level Surface 3 is mainly for people who just want to run Office apps like OneNote and PowerPoint? £110 for the typecover is somewhat ridiculous! Yeah. It is a bit pricey.
gshaw Posted April 1, 2015 Posted April 1, 2015 Now that Microsoft have finally provided an affordable Surface option they do need to get the price of that keyboard cover down. It's silly money for what it is and so integral to the experience of the device that it feels like MS are ripping the customer off with the pricing.
flyinghaggis Posted April 1, 2015 Posted April 1, 2015 (edited) I'm still keen on one as my current laptop is over 5 years old and the Surface 3 would be a nice replacement as my goto mobile device. I tend to grab my ipad when I'm out and about these days but it's still pretty limited when you want to do any real work on it. Edited April 1, 2015 by flyinghaggis
Arthur Posted April 22, 2015 Author Posted April 22, 2015 http://blog.surface.com/2015/04/announcing-early-adopters-and-a-10-discount-on-surface-3-for-education 10% Discount for Education on Surface 3, Type Cover and Surface Pen Surface 3 brings all the benefits of the Surface Pro 3 – best-in-class digital inking, touch-screen tablet, and fully productive laptop running full Windows 8.1 – at a more affordable price point. We have already been offering a 10% discount to educational institutions purchasing Surface Pro 3. Now, to make Surface even more affordable for schools as a 1:1 device, we are extending a 10% discount to educational institutions purchasing Surface 3, Type Cover and Surface Pen. This discount is available from our commercial resellers and Microsoft Store. In addition, we are offering a unique Surface 3 configuration exclusively for educational institutions with 32GB storage capacity and 2GB memory.
flyinghaggis Posted April 22, 2015 Posted April 22, 2015 (edited) A 32Gb windows device in 2015...seriously! 64Gb is bad enough but 32Gb would be lucky to survive a couple of windows updates and service packs nevermind installing any apps on it! It's a stupid move on Microsoft's part for what must surely be a minuscule saving given you can buy a 128Gb SSD these days for £50. They'd be better offering a deal like bundling the typecover/pen for free to education rather than trying to pare down the price by cutting the spec. I know they want to get the headline 'from' price down to iPad levels and are facing stiff competition from Chromebooks and Android tablets, but selling substandard hardware isn't the way to tempt people away from their iDevices. You'd be daft to buy anything less than the 4Gb RAM /128Gb SSD Surface (or any windows device) IMO. Edited April 22, 2015 by flyinghaggis
Zoom7000 Posted April 22, 2015 Posted April 22, 2015 I'm just wondering why anyone would get one of these compared to the much cheaper, similarly spec'd Linx 10?
Arthur Posted April 22, 2015 Author Posted April 22, 2015 why anyone would get one of these compared to the much cheaper, similarly spec'd Linx 10? I would hardly describe the Linx 10 as similarly specced. They couldn't be more different (a bit like comparing apples to orangutans)!!! The Surface 3 has a faster processor, dual channel RAM with over twice as much memory bandwidth (good news for the IGP and graphics apps!), a higher resolution display with digitizer and pen, more internal storage available, faster Wi-Fi, higher resolution front and rear cameras (the rear also has autofocus), USB 3.0 and Mini-DisplayPort (which supports 4K UHD displays), longer battery life, integrated kickstand, better build quality, a wider range of accessories, a keyboard that doesn't suck and if it's anything like the Surface Pro 3, regular and easy to deploy UEFI/firmware updates and almost certainly less issues with Windows 10. Processor: Atom x7-Z8700 vs Atom Z3735F RAM: 2GB to 4GB vs 2GB Storage: 32GB to 128GB vs 32GB Display: 1920x1280 vs 1280x800 Wi-Fi: 802.11ac vs 802.11n Ports: Full-size USB 3.0 + Micro USB 2.0 + Mini-DisplayPort (supports 4k UHD displays) vs Micro USB 2.0 + Mini HDMI (1920x1200 max) Weight: 622 grams vs 601 grams After reading this thread about the Linx tablets I know which tablet I would choose. 1
Arthur Posted April 22, 2015 Author Posted April 22, 2015 A 32GB windows device in 2015...seriously! 64GB is bad enough but 32GB would be lucky to survive a couple of windows updates and service packs nevermind installing any apps on it! Once it's been upgraded to Windows 10 it would be interesting to see how much disk space it has free (especially with the system file compression). 32GB wouldn't be too bad for very light users who also make use of the microSD card slot, networked and/or cloud storage. People who primarily want to run PowerPoint, OneNote, browse the Internet and that's it. It's a stupid move on Microsoft's part for what must surely be a minuscule saving given you can buy a 128GB SSD these days for £50. Nice profit margins for them I imagine. Apple also still gets away with selling exorbitantly priced 16GB iPads which often have issues installing the latest iOS updates due to the limited internal storage.
Zoom7000 Posted April 23, 2015 Posted April 23, 2015 I would hardly describe the Linx 10 as similarly specced. They couldn't be more different (a bit like comparing apples to orangutans)!!! The Surface 3 has a faster processor, dual channel RAM with over twice as much memory bandwidth (good news for the IGP and graphics apps!), a higher resolution display with digitizer and pen, more internal storage available, faster Wi-Fi, higher resolution front and rear cameras (the rear also has autofocus), USB 3.0 and Mini-DisplayPort (which supports 4K UHD displays), longer battery life, integrated kickstand, better build quality, a wider range of accessories, a keyboard that doesn't suck and if it's anything like the Surface Pro 3, regular and easy to deploy UEFI/firmware updates and almost certainly less issues with Windows 10. Processor: Atom x7-Z8700 vs Atom Z3735F RAM: 2GB to 4GB vs 2GB Storage: 32GB to 128GB vs 32GB Display: 1920x1280 vs 1280x800 Wi-Fi: 802.11ac vs 802.11n Ports: Full-size USB 3.0 + Micro USB 2.0 + Mini-DisplayPort (supports 4k UHD displays) vs Micro USB 2.0 + Mini HDMI (1920x1200 max) Weight: 622 grams vs 601 grams After reading this thread about the Linx tablets I know which tablet I would choose. Fair enough. Point taken and quite convincingly so! [emoji12] However, I picked up several Linx 8 and 10s for £49 and £79 respectively back in December in a Staples offer. So when you consider the price vs spec, it is a seriously decent tablet. I've been using them for quite some time now and they are very use able robust devices. The Linx forums are also good for how to get Windows 10 TPs running. I'm sure there will be an update once it is officially released.
localzuk Posted April 23, 2015 Posted April 23, 2015 What is the 8.1 app store like for educational apps now? It used to be pretty sparse, which is why it was impossible for me to counter my boss' love of iPads in classrooms. If the app store has a good selection of interactive apps then this device might actually change her mind!
Arthur Posted April 23, 2015 Author Posted April 23, 2015 which is why it was impossible for me to counter my boss' love of iPads in classrooms. Show your boss the StaffPad app. It's very impressive. Hopefully we'll see more apps like this in the future. There are also desktop apps that are starting to take advantage of touchscreens like Lightroom CC. www.thurrott.com/mobile/microsoft-surface/3056/new-adobe-lightroom-cc-offers-unique-functionality-on-surface-pro-3
localzuk Posted April 23, 2015 Posted April 23, 2015 We've got younger kids (year 5-8) - so we're more interested in younger apps. If its still "in the future", it'll never fly here sadly.
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