Microsoft Introduces Thinner Surface Pro 3 with 12" Display Starting at $799

[spinedoc77]

I agree, now in gen 3 its finally looking much better, kinda like the early iPod/iPad/iPhone. The first ones were good but now they are much better.

They might force Apple (and others) to lift their game and we'll get a much better next iPad... same we probably have months before that will happen.

God forbid users see something positive in competition, kudos. What has apple had to stimulate its ipad design, Android? That's not much of competition IMO.

The only issue I see is that Apple makes money if you believe their hype that you need a "consumption" device. If they make the ipad too functional it may eat into their laptop sales. It may be a conundrum they have to face though seeing how tablet/ipad sales are starting to cool off.

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So what. It's to be expected. You know what you're getting. If you don't like it, maybe a non Apple focused forum would suit your needs better.

So what. It's to be expected. You know what you're getting. If you don't like it, maybe a non Microsoft thread would suit your needs better.

 

[bbfc]

Very nice product. And Apples 12 inch Pro tablet is where exactly???

This though is designed to take on the MacBook Air, will be interesting to see if they have resolved the hi DPI issues having a bigger screen?

I really hope if a 12" iPad is released, it comes with OS X.

 

[AdonisSMU]

God forbid users see something positive in competition, kudos. What has apple had to stimulate its ipad design, Android? That's not much of competition IMO.

The only issue I see is that Apple makes money if you believe their hype that you need a "consumption" device. If they make the ipad too functional it may eat into their laptop sales. It may be a conundrum they have to face though seeing how tablet/ipad sales are starting to cool off.

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So what. It's to be expected. You know what you're getting. If you don't like it, maybe a non Microsoft thread would suit your needs better.

I'm not the one complaining that Apple fans don't like a MSFT product. I just use what I need to without having to insult other people for having their own opinion in the way you did.

 

[sracer]

Okay.

I assumed that you were putting things you thought might happen.

If they came out with one at WWDC, what would you think they'd really put in it that would make it competitive?

I don't think they will come out with one. Microsoft gave the reason why...
96% of people with iPads also own a notebook (specifically Macbook Air).

Apple has no incentive to reduce sales and profits by providing a device that eliminates the need to buy another (Apple) device.

 

[spinedoc77]

I'm not the one complaining that Apple fans don't like a MSFT product. I just use what I need to without having to insult other people for having their own opinion in the way you did.

I didn't insult you, where do you see an insult? You were the one complaining. If you don't like the direction of the thread then why keep commenting in it? Go out and find a more palatable thread.

 

[MrX8503]

1. MS finally ditched 16:9. They understand it doesn't work for such a small display. Apple got it right with their iPad 4years ago.
2. Thinner and lighter. Good
3. What's the battery life? if its not 12 hrs, its not a MBA replacement
4. Why still a touch cover type keyboard? Give me a real keyboard add-on.
5. Lighter than a MBA, but what's the weight of the S3 with a real keyboard?
6. Wouldn't people just get a rMBP, instead of a comparable S3 @ $1500?
7. Higher res than the MBA, but how does Win8 handle retina? Do the apps still look like crap?

 

[HenryDJP]

OS X and that's about it.

Don't show ignorance, seriously. You had no idea as well as anyone else here what Microsoft was going to offer today. Not that it was huge but it has some decent features.
So for you to say the next iPad is going to offer nothing more than OS X is just showing ignorance. You have no idea what Apple is going to wow us with in the next generation iPad.

 

[spinedoc77]

1. MS finally ditched 16:9. They understand it doesn't work for such a small display. Apple got it right with their iPad 4years ago.
2. Thinner and lighter. Good
3. What's the battery life? if its not 12 hrs, its not a MBA replacement
4. Why still a touch cover type keyboard? Give me a real keyboard add-on.
5. Lighter than a MBA, but what's the weight of the S3 with a real keyboard?
6. Wouldn't people just get a rMBP, instead of a comparable S3 @ $1500?
7. Higher res than the MBA, but how does Win8 handle retina? Do the apps still look like crap?

Great points. There definitely is a market for either device. It seems the MBA wins points 3 and 4. I'm not sure about 5. 6. good point. 7. for developers following MS spec the apps/programs look awesome, look at Office for an example, but lots of legacy stuff looks crappy, mixed bag until developers catch up.

I think at the end of the day there are 2 major differentiating factors. 1) do you need this to be a tablet sometimes? 2) Do you need a stylus/digitizer? Everything else seems to be about equal, with pluses and minuses either way.

 

[gnasher729]

I didn't say they said DON'T use your laptop on your lap. I said it's generally ill-advised these days.

Why would that be? How do you suggest should I use a laptop while sitting comfortably on my sofa?

 

[Eidorian]

Except Apple insulted convergence.

I am a little lost. Would you explain that to me? I mean, right now I am looking at the Surface Pro 3 to replace my MacBook. I need a new portable machine and I want to be able to use OS X. The aggravating thing is that Apple still has not a released a product that appeals to me. At this point I should just run OS X in a virtual machine since I will unlikely be happy with anything new they release. They are a very boring company to me at this point.

The only reason I stick around is that I do not want to move my personal data back over to Windows and finding new software to replace iLife.

Don't show ignorance, seriously. You had no idea as well as anyone else here what Microsoft was going to offer today. Not that it was huge but it has some decent features.
So for you to say the next iPad is going to offer nothing more than OS X is just showing ignorance. You have no idea what Apple is going to wow us with in the next generation iPad.

x86 brings OS X. That brings the wonderful limitations of x86.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

It's a tradeoff. You gain that but lose the high quality stylus digitizer, retina quality screen, and the ability to be used as a one handed tablet.

Define "retina quality"

 

[apolloa]

I really hope if a 12" iPad is released, it comes with OS X.

But will it? It would be great if it did but then it will be placed smack bang between the 11" and 13" MacBook Air's. And if they made a tablet with OSX and 12" would they give it a pen for the interface too? I think we will see a 12" iPad but as to what specs and OS it will feature I'm not sure.

Oh God yes.. please fix the DPI issues. I have a retina screen with windows 8.1 and it's awful.

Which is daft isn't it? I mean this is Microsoft and this is Windows, a company with bucket loads of programming experience and a full on operating system. Once sorted they will be onto winner IMO. But as said will be interesting to see what the reviews say about this.

 

[gnasher729]

Seriously, saying that Windows 8 is "hated by millions" presupposes that people aren't buying a PC because of the OS that is on it. The PC market has matured, there's no need to update as frequently. It isn't the tablet market, where within 3 years you're going to want a new one.

Windows 8 isn't hated by people who felt they don't have to upgrade, it's hated by people who bought a new computer. You'll find plenty of people on MacRumors who don't like Windows, but Windows 8 is the first time that people have told me they _hate_ using it. People who think about returning their new laptop to the store.

It's mostly because the damned thing goes and _actively_ hides things from the user and puts them into places where they can't find it. There are things that people don't like - that happens - but they get the impression that the reason something doesn't work is not because someone did a bad job, but someone _intentionally_ is hiding stuff.

 

[Smartass]

The surface weight DOESNT INCLUDE KEYBOARD.

even with keyboard attached, it's still lighter than MBA.

 

[spinedoc77]

Windows 8 isn't hated by people who felt they don't have to upgrade, it's hated by people who bought a new computer. You'll find plenty of people on MacRumors who don't like Windows, but Windows 8 is the first time that people have told me they _hate_ using it. People who think about returning their new laptop to the store.

It's mostly because the damned thing goes and _actively_ hides things from the user and puts them into places where they can't find it. There are things that people don't like - that happens - but they get the impression that the reason something doesn't work is not because someone did a bad job, but someone _intentionally_ is hiding stuff.

Huh? I've never had windows 8 hide anything from me. Do you mean things like user settings, control panel or things like that? I can see windows being more invisible to the average user, but pretty much everything is there if you need it.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

even with keyboard attached, it's still lighter than MBA.

Because people care about, or would even notice a difference of 50g? I think not but thanks for your input.

 

[andiwm2003]

wow, this thing has everything I always wanted from my iPad: stylus, full OS, USB ports.

The only reason I'm not buying it right now is that I'm too attached to apples ecosystem. But if the new MBA isn't very convincing or if there isn't a similar "iPad Pro" then this might be the time to switch.

Only things that might be a letdown are battery life and how windows evolves.

Certainly shows more innovation than hip hop earphones .....

 

[SlCKB0Y]

It's lighter and thinner than a MBA, even if we used the dimensions of the old TypeCover (which we shouldn't, they made it thinner and lighter)

It may be thinner but it also has a significantly larger surface area which will probably cancel out the difference in weight you are trying to claim.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

One could say that Surface pro 3 is a logical evolution of a notebook.

Into a form factor that compromises both the tablet experience and the laptop experience?

 

[osofast240sx]

This Surface 3 brings nothing new or revolutionary to the table but it's nice to see MS in the Game.

 

[Prof.]

I actually kinda like it. If I had $2,000 to throw around I'd buy one in a heartbeat as a new toy.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

Ah, so it's really because you can't use W8.

There is a different between "can't" and not using windows8 because it is a half baked garbage product.

 

[Eidorian]

There is a different between "can't" and not using windows8 because it is a half baked garbage product.

After using Windows 8 since the Beta I have no idea how I would go back to 7. Or just vanilla 8 for that matter.

 

[MrX8503]

wow, this thing has everything I always wanted from my iPad: stylus, full OS, USB ports.

It sounds good on paper, but not in practice. What you want doesn't take UX into account, which is why laptop/tablet hybrids have failed thus far.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

About 2gb more.

Whatever will people do without that 2gb of space?!

Are you actually claiming that running windows 8 on a surface pro consumes only 2gb more than iOS uses on an ipad?