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

[TechZeke]

2gb of RAM running a full desktop OS. No thanks.

Also, you couldn't pay me to go back to an Atom Processor. I'm surprised these processors are still around, they were absolute rubbish in netbooks during the netbook craze.

Save up the dough and get the real Surface Pro 3. Surface Pro 4 is going to steal the show. Anyone with enough disposable income to spend $500 on a tablet can surely save up the money to get the Surface Pro 3.

 

[LordVic]

That's great... if all you want to run is Windows. What about other software? Have all software vendors also made the same commitment to run their software on slower hardware?

this argument though applies to any operating system. Including OSx though.

in the end, it is up to the consumer to know what their intended use for a device is and purchase it accordingly.

EG: if you're a photography buff who likes photoshop and lightroom, this is not the device for you. it's not intended for you, and you will not have a good time with it. In similar veign, the same could be said for for the new Macbook or perhaps air.

The difference is, by making windows that much better backwards compatible, it gives you the options of running on the older hardware still, instead of forced hardware upgrade just to maintain same basic functionality.

if you're just a windows user, use a web browser, and Office, and you have a 5 year old computer, why should you have to be forced to buy new hardware just to accommodate that, when the hardware in reality is perfectly capable of handling that task load?

 

[spinedoc77]

Windows 10 will run slow on this config...so
I think the main selling point will be the 599$ with 128 SSD and 4 Gb RAM
with 100$ you double the storage and ram
Anyone knows after windows 8.1 or windows 10 is install on the 64 Gb storage version, you are left with how much free space?

Really? Win10 is more streamlined than Win8 was, and Win8 ran on pretty much any spec including 1gb ram. Also Win10 uses WIMboot which significantly decreases the install size of the OS.

 

[ProVideo]

After buying the iPad 2 and iPad Air, I won't be buying another iPad again until dramatic changes are made to the hardware and iOS to make it more productive and efficient. I tried to use my iPad Air to replace simple tasks I would use a laptop or desktop for like internet browsing, emails, pay bills, text, and spreadsheets.

After trying to stick with it for a few months in order to become familiar and efficient with it, it became obvious it would never come close to the speed I can accomplish on a Mac, even with a keyboard. Tasks that are simple on a Mac are completely convoluted in iOS.

One example is that 1Password is basically useless since most apps I use other than Safari don't support it, and most sites are dumbed down in iOS Safari or redirect you to use their app instead, which doesn't support it. So you have to log into 1Password, enter your 1Password code, copy the username, go back to the app, paste the username, go back to 1Password, re-enter your 1Password password, copy the password, go back to the app and paste the password. This completely defeats the speed benefit of 1Password that is available in the Mac browser.

Also, the fact they haven't introduced a Wacom like stylus feature in the 5 years of it's existence is missing a huge opportunity to get professional backing for either drawing or simple note taking.

 

[sracer]

It's fun to see so many of the top replies on MacRumors be people who are really interested in this. I hope Apple is taking note. Many of us are the most fervent Apple followers and yet here we are, considering this Windows Surface. My favorite things are the thin keyboard case, and the drawing stylus, along with basic multitasking and ability to plugin a few accessories. Pretty much all I want in the iPad Pro. Yeah, I know the MacBook can do that, but it costs a lot more and isn't a tablet. I want something around 11" that I can easily draw on (not using some bluetooth pen hack—such as my Adobe Ink and Slide which has pretty much become useless since getting an iPad Air 2 since it's apparently not compatible), a thin keyboard case for when I occasionally need to update a website on the go, and something that will let me import RAW files, organize them and do basic edits. Lightroom Mobile is decent but you can't import RAW files. You have to sync from your computer first which makes it far less useful. To have full Lightroom and mobile illustration capabilities might be worth it—though I would definitely opt for the 4GB of RAM model.

I've been running for about month now with an Acer Aspire Switch 11... Core i3 tablet, 4GB/128GB, active digitizer, fullsized USB 3.0 on the tablet, 2.0 on the included keyboard, microSD, microHDMI, separate charging port. $449 at the Microsoft store.

I'm very impressed with the package. It confirmed to me that what I want in an iPad Pro is going to be very helpful. I prefer OSX/iOS over Windows but software for the modern UI Windows 8.x has come a long way and the experience is only going to get better with Win10.

The Surface 3 for $499 is a decent price that will draw some attention.

 

[spinedoc77]

The Atom is not a powerful enough processor for desktop Windows and desktop applications. One again, Microsoft is missing the memo on the mobile device revolution, which will end up being good news for Apple, et al.

That's not accurate.. I ran photoshop and even modern PC games nicely on Baytrail which is the last generation of Atom. Cherrytrail should bring significant speed boosts.

 

[WinMacLinux]

That's great... if all you want to run is Windows. What about other software? Have all software vendors also made the same commitment to run their software on slower hardware?

Who said the hardware is slower? The newest generation Atoms are much faster than previous generations? We said
Faster Hardware + Lighter OS = Even faster performance for user.

 

[balamw]

Fixes two of my remaining pet peeves with the Surface Pro 3.

Size. I wanted something smaller than the SP3. This seems to be about the right size for me between my Dell DVP8 and my (work issues) SP3. It's still a bit heavy for me. The iPad Air/Air2 is just around a pound, and that makes it easier and easier to handle.

LTE. The iPad is great at being "always connected". That was always one of the things that made the SP3 less of an "iPad killer" for me.

I will probably end up with one of $599 models and forego LTE this time around.

B

 

[iSee]

You could at least do us the courtesy of "in my opinion". You have paragraphs written so definitively one could be forgiven for thinking you were speaking based on actual experience. Which you aren't. Use case for each individual will determine if this is a replacement for an iPad, Macbook, or in the case of someone who had no interest in either, just a first choice for someone who wants one regardless.

I personally think it looks like a decent piece of kit. I am not a fan of $130 type covers (I think they should include it or drop the price significantly), but that's MS' decision.

Hey, I acknowledged where I'm speculating.

The statements about user experience are based on using two models of the surface pro and cover and an earlier Samsung Windows tablet.

Running desktop software using a smallish touch screen stinks. I don't see anything here that's going to change that.

While the cover keyboard/trackpad of the Surface Pro 3 is pretty good for ones built into a tablet cover, they stink compared to the ones on most cheap windows laptops, much less Apple's laptops. Again, there's no reason to think this one will be better than the very similar ones I have used. In fact, it looks more cramped so it might be a step backwards.

Of course this will be a good fit for for some individuals. I pointed out the use case I could see. If you have any others, let us know.

People have specific reasons when they drop $500+ on something, and I don't think it's so inscrutable that we shouldn't bother trying to deconstruct it.

 

[WinMacLinux]

thats a fair point. if its too heavy, it fails as a real tabet.

I think Apple picked a better path with the new MacBook.

It's easy to look up. It weighs 1.37lbs, or 0.63lbs lighter than the new MacBook.

 

[Leonard1818]

The problem with Microsoft is the fact they keep clinging to old technology and wants everyone to use computers the same old way. Basically, they won't give up on Windows and alter in ways it needs to be. Perfect example is the fact that this model will come with 64 GB or so but the fact that over time Windows updates will hog up all the space. The WinSXS folder will keep piling up with monthly patches until someone with technical experience cleans it up for the end user.

Microsoft still doesn't get it and never will.

Right. Let's forget about Azure, the Dynamics line of business products that are CONSTANTLY evolving to meet business needs (with cloud/hosted infrastructure options, web apps, etc.), the fact that the Surface -- while being an expected evolution of the "tablet", began as one of a kind (similar copies exist)...

You can't even formulate a valid argument... "...they won't give up on windows and alter it in ways it needs to be."

...so which is it? Should they "give up" on it (in your opinion)? ...or does it need "altered"? You may not like it, but that doesn't mean it's bad or needs fixing.

Finally, the one point you DO seem to get across about 64 gig and windows updates sounds a LOT like Apple's issue of needing to have gigs free in order to upgrade iOS on iPhone (iOS continues to get larger and Apple keeps the 16GB entry-model). Call it "planned obsolescence" if you'd like but every piece of technology has a caveat of some kind...

This is a very seemingly good product from a company that everyone around here loves to hate. It just blows my mind how negative and hateful some people can actually get about something so trivial. But then again, not everyone "gets it".

 

[sseaton1971]

All future Windows, including Window 10, are free and include rolling updates to the latest OS for the life of the machine.

"Free" as in free for people running any version of Windows 7+, including pirated versions.

It is "free" for certain users:

Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update required. Some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1. Active Software Assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to Windows 10 enterprise offerings outside of this offer.

Source: windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/about

New OS X versions are absolutely free, no matter where and how you are deploying it. Apple also includes apps like Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iPhoto/Photos, iMovie, and GarageBand for free.

While I think it is great that Microsoft is offering Windows 10 for certain users, enterprise deployment and those who require Software Assurance seem to be left out. Perhaps the licensing terms will change, though.

 

[Undecided]

One example is that 1Password is basically useless since most apps I use other than Safari don't support it, and most sites are dumbed down in iOS Safari or redirect you to use their app instead, which doesn't support it. So you have to log into 1Password, enter your 1Password code, copy the username, go back to the app, paste the username, go back to 1Password, re-enter your 1Password password, copy the password, go back to the app and paste the password. This completely defeats the speed benefit of 1Password that is available in the Mac browser.

Or skip all that and just use the browser built into 1Password.

Or skip all that and just use the Safari extension.

 

[crsh1976]

Also, you couldn't pay me to go back to an Atom Processor. I'm surprised these processors are still around, they were absolute rubbish in netbooks during the netbook craze.

Save up the dough and get the real Surface Pro 3. Surface Pro 4 is going to steal the show. Anyone with enough disposable income to spend $500 on a tablet can surely save up the money to get the Surface Pro 3.

Except current and newer Atoms have practically nothing in common with the original 2008-ish Atoms; pick up one of those dirt-cheap $200 laptops like the HP Stream 11, the chip in there is commercially sold as a Celeron N2840, but it's effectively what the current Atoms are capable of in terms of cheap, light SoC processors and they're well-suite for basic computing (ie. everything but gaming and pro usage).

My main issue with these new non-Pro Surface 3 devices is the price point, they're too expensive for what they are, even if the screen and general build quality is a big improvement over those lowly $200 laptops.

 

[Tycho24]

How much is that N-Trig digitizer worth?

Meanwhile people are paying $500 for an iPad with 16GB storage that runs off a $20 ARM CPU

Or $1100 for an iMac retrofitted with a ULV chip made for notebooks

Lol, AWESOME arguement!
Sooooooo.... there are some products that you feel are overpriced. Ummmm, how would that possibly relate to the product I mentioned being overpriced?

Lol, this is SO desperately disparate from the topic, it is akin to you telling me my car is overpriced & me responding: "oh yeah, well... caviar is expensive!"
True or not.... it has NOTHING to do with what we are talking about.

 

[sseaton1971]

Who said the hardware is slower? The newest generation Atoms are much faster than previous generations? We said
Faster Hardware + Lighter OS = Even faster performance for user.

The fastest Intel Atoms are faster than the fastest Intel Core i5s? I didn't realize that.

 

[Undecided]

1.37 lbs.

With the Type Cover @ 0.58 lbs, the total comes out to 1.95 lbs.

Just a hair lighter than the new MacBook, though the Surface 3 has a 10.8" screen vs the MacBook's 12" screen.

Thanks! Yeah, about the wight of the iPad 4 (which was 650 grams).

 

[Euge]

The fact that it is a very light and thin laptop foremost that can also be used reasonably well for quite a number of 'tablet tasks'. I would guess that most buyers use it a lot of the time with the keyboard when performing 'active' tasks and 'only' use it as a tablet for more passive tasks like video watching, displaying photos but also casual web browsing.

In other words, the tablet usage is a kind of a bonus on top of it being a very light laptop.

EDIT: I should note that the above was written with the Surface Pro in mind, how well this non-pro Surface will work as a laptop remains to be seen. There is a good reason the ARM-based non-pro Surface sold much less than the Pro version, being ARM it simply wasn't very good as a laptop because so few of the common Windows desktop apps ran on it, which supports my view that Surface buyers judged it first by its laptop qualities.

This goes back to what I was originally saying. Sure the Surface has more features and is a more modern OS, but when you look at the product at a high level, it's a desktop in tablet form. That didn't work before, and that is why I don't believe the Surface will ever be a big hit and mainstream. Microsoft is essentially still doing what they did over a decade ago. They haven't changed their approach. They've changed the hardware, software and peripherals but I don't believe that is enough.

For example, take your summary, "the tablet usage is a kind of a bonus on top of it being a very light laptop." By removing the words "very light", I can say the same thing about Microsoft tablets from the early 2000s: "the tablet usage is a kind of a bonus on top of it being a laptop."

I don't believe it now being "very light" will change the industry -- or having a cool keyboard, or having a stylus.

 

[ckeck]

For $499, this looks delicious.

Actually, if it weren't for Mac's superb build quality, I would be happy to migrate to Windows again.

The Surface build quality is extremely impressive IMO. No less than Apple quality.

 

[sseaton1971]

this argument though applies to any operating system. Including OSx though.

Absolutely! I didn't say anything to the contrary, and I completely agree with you. My point was not meant to discredit Windows.

 

[Renzatic]

I'm surprised by this because now microsoft controls hardware development, I've never seen windows 8.1 run well on 2gb of ram, even 4 gb has been almost unusable.

There's no way. I've run Windows 8 on 4GB ram with nary a hiccup with all kinds of stuff open. Unless you're torturing it by rendering something in the background with 20 instances of your favorite web browser opened up in their own windows alongside a 50 megapixel image project in Photoshop with multiple adjustment layers, all while playing a resource heavy game, you shouldn't have a single problem.

8GB is preferable for what I do, but it'd take a lot for the average person to choke out Win8 on a 4GB machine.

 

[Popeye206]

I'm going to give your wife a little more credit. I doubt she would be confused. If all she wanted to do is consumption, why would she hate the Surface? Doesn't it do all those things? If she didn't need the cover she wouldn't have to buy it; same with the pen. If she did want to do something other than consumption, she would have that ability as well.

The iPad has more apps but according to your description of her habits, that's not exactly an advantage for her. So what exactly would she not like?

You have to understand our family... I'm a 30 year computer guy... been on computers since 1985 and been in product management for software for 25 years of that. She is your average middle aged woman who does not care about anything that's in a computer or know how it works. In fact, computers confuse her easily. The iPad is nice because of iOS... iOS is almost dummy-proof. Not much can go wrong. Whereas full OS's have lots that can go wrong. Not to hard for her to have her top 10 apps right there and all she has to do is touch one to get going.

Sure... in the ideal world, you should be able to use the Surface like that. But it is a full OS and along with that comes complexity that she does not need or want.

I really think Apple got it right with the iPad 1.0... remember? Before then all tablets used full OS's and they we're all flops? I think a light weight, easy OS is important for some users and some users... as well, I think full blown OS is good for other things.

The Surface wants to play in the middle and price point is not the only feature that matters.

 

[jclardy]

I think the biggest issue with this is the ad video. Microsoft completely failed to sell this thing - it essentially just lists all the features.

Then the show the pen...highlighting some text. Really? Show someone in class, taking notes with charts and graphs. I can highlight things on an iPad with my finger.

Then they show off the USB3 port and Mini-Display Port. The average consumer looking at buying an iPad doesn't care about those things...but they would care about being able to plug their camera in directly, or charge their cell phone. Or plug in to their TV. They highlight the 8MP camera...show someone making a Skype call. This is too simple.

And finally the kickstand, which is actually a really nice feature, and they just show the hinge...show someone actually using it!

It is like they created this product, but don't know who to market it to.

 

[puckhead193]

would buy this in a heartbeat if apple released this with OSX

 

[Carlanga]

Very nice and smart that they decided to have it come w the pen on the cheap model now.
Wish at least the basic keyboard came standard w this.

Will wait and see how it runs win 10 and how it can handle everyday use and tests.

These surfaces keep improving and filling more areas of need than the iPads. If it wasn't for the huge app availability of the iOS eocsystem I could see this taking a bigger piece of the pie. It would depend on how many normal win programs will start having pen recognition on their apps.