Microsoft Announces Intel Atom-Based Surface 3 With Windows 8.1 for $499

[bkkcanuck]

Well the score you posted was for the free version of GeekBench which only does 32-bit not 64-bit tests.

That and Atom uses a different microarch from Core, so there is that as well...

32/64 Windows benchmark is usually a difference of less than 2%.

The performance of the Atom x7 will be equivalent to my 2009 mac mini per core (I believe a core 2 duo) but have a couple more cores (4 in total). So the application speed will be the same, but allow for more processes. If you add in 4GB to prevent OS paging to SSD etc, it would be better. And of course if there is a full speed SSD (not confident they will do that - maybe a slightly slower one) the performance will probably be ok for basic stuff.... I am concerned about skimping on memory though.

 

[diamond.g]

32/64 Windows benchmark is usually a difference of less than 2%.

The performance of the Atom x7 will be equivalent to my 2009 mac mini per core (I believe a core 2 duo) but have a couple more cores (4 in total). So the application speed will be the same, but allow for more processes. If you add in 4GB to prevent OS paging to SSD etc, it would be better. And of course if there is a full speed SSD (not confident they will do that - maybe a slightly slower one) the performance will probably be ok for basic stuff.... I am concerned about skimping on memory though.

Yeah according to Anandtech Intel still has a few places it can go to increase performance for Silvermont/Airmont (and future versions).

 

[Pilgrim1099]

wait for the you tube pen reviews--then go for it!

Thanks! I tried out the pen at the store and thought it was well built. In fact, I've seriously considered the Surface 3 or SP3 because three apps I own on my iMac are 'hybrid' and can be installed in the Windows environment. This is perfect because the Manga Studio software I create exclusively on will be cross-compatible with files and I can draw on the screen much more accurately than I would on the iPad with professional results.

 

[rowspaxe]

Thanks! I tried out the pen at the store and thought it was well built. In fact, I've seriously considered the Surface 3 or SP3 because three apps I own on my iMac are 'hybrid' and can be installed in the Windows environment. This is perfect because the Manga Studio software I create exclusively on will be cross-compatible with files and I can draw on the screen much more accurately than I would on the iPad with professional results.

5 years ago I thought I never have a digital art device because the cintique was huge and expensive, Now there are so many good options--an imo--pc pens will improve over the next 3-5 years. So sometimes you get the tech you want!

 

[Pilgrim1099]

5 years ago I thought I never have a digital art device because the cintique was huge and expensive, Now there are so many good options--an imo--pc pens will improve over the next 3-5 years. So sometimes you get the tech you want!

Exactly. Don't get me wrong but I love my Wacom Intuos which does the job beautifully for my desktop. I think Wacom is the best in the industry when it comes to digital art input devices with accurate pressure sensitivity.

There is no way Apple can compete with Surface Pro because to do that, iPad Pro would have to have OS X built in. They would have to grow a pair of balls to do it now than later. But they won't and that hurts their ability when iPad stays the same as is. Force Touch, IMO, is not the same as pressure sensitivity that Wacom has.

The Surface Pro has the Wacom driver built in and now has N-trig. The SP pricing is very reasonable to me including the kickstand. People thought the kickstand was stupid but to me,'it's brilliant because for artists and designers, it's far easier to draw with the tablet with the stand than holding it or on the lap. Not so different than the artist using a drafting table. Same idea. It works.

 

[coolspot18]

I think 2GB is a little too constrained for Windows. Even running basic apps, I think 4GB is better and if you're running photoshop or other things, 8GB will be what you want. Of course I don't expect too many people to be running PS on the Surface 3. Their are other more powerful better solutions.

Windows 8 runs quite fine with 2GB of RAM; I have a Windows 8 tablet and it hums along fine for basic apps.