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Microsoft Introduces Thinner Surface Pro 3 with 12" Display Starting at $799
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The Real Question - What is Apple Doing Next?
This thing looks neat. If they had LTE from the start I'd probably order one. Since it doesn't, I can wait to see what Apple has up thier sleave. Maybe we'll get an really updated MacBook Air with a touchscreen. Give me that and I'll pass on this thing.
FWIW
DLM
This thing looks neat. If they had LTE from the start I'd probably order one. Since it doesn't, I can wait to see what Apple has up thier sleave. Maybe we'll get an really updated MacBook Air with a touchscreen. Give me that and I'll pass on this thing.
FWIW
DLM
No it's fine. The biggest thing I have going on right now is that I'm an engineering student. I have never had a semester where I wasn't enrolled in some kind of math or science class where plain, good ol' fashioned text-based note taking will suffice. It's only going to continue in that way so I love the idea of digitally taking all my notes and having them with me at all times across all my devices.What do you do professionally (if you dont mind me asking)? Just wondering about the Use Case for the digitizer.
In between my schooling I write and design software (the engineering I'm studying is software engineering).
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Wow. This was a great comment. It was entirely unbiased and truthful. I never would've picked up on any of that.
Of course, they want to show a wider weight comparison. I'm not saying its fair, but I will say its typical marketing.
Rumored Apple 12" Form-Factor
I would not be surprised if Apple introduces an Intel-based tablet like the Surface Pro, but done correctly.
As I posted elsewhere, Intel is claiming that "Broadwell will improve battery life by 30 percent or more and will also allow notebooks to be fanless" (emphasis mine). Considering the release of the new 12" form factor is rumored for 2H 2014 which is in the same vicinity as the release of Broadwell, I would say the chances of an Intel-based tablet from Apple are increasing.
Hopefully if Apple does release an Intel-based tablet computer, they will also introduce a dock or a way to connect a dock using TB.
I would not be surprised if Apple introduces an Intel-based tablet like the Surface Pro, but done correctly.
As I posted elsewhere, Intel is claiming that "Broadwell will improve battery life by 30 percent or more and will also allow notebooks to be fanless" (emphasis mine). Considering the release of the new 12" form factor is rumored for 2H 2014 which is in the same vicinity as the release of Broadwell, I would say the chances of an Intel-based tablet from Apple are increasing.
Hopefully if Apple does release an Intel-based tablet computer, they will also introduce a dock or a way to connect a dock using TB.
Well, I would like to understand why the Surface Pro 3 was not done correctly. What is wrong with it? Wait, perhaps the fact that it was not done by Apple. Even worse, it was done by Microsoft.
Seriously, the Surface Pro 3 looks fine, and Microsoft seemed to have paid attention to every detail. I don't think there is anything wrong with it.
Or perhaps Apple launches a 12-inch MacBook Air with a retina display and a fanless design, which is what everybody is expecting Apple to do at this point. Apple could launch an Intel tablet, but (1) OS X (unlike Windows 8) is not optimized for tablets and it doesn't support touch gestures (if Apple were to launch an OS X tablet, we would probably have known on some traces of touch support in the beta versions of OS X 10.9); and (2) iOS, which is optimized for gestures, does not run on Intel processors (Apple could release iOS for Intel processors, but then what would be the point of the investments in the ARM platform to the point Apple created its custom chips?).
I don't know if you watched the presentation. I did. During the presentation, Panay added the Type Cover 3 to the Surface Pro 3 in the balance scale. The Surface Pro 3 was still lighter than the MacBook Air even when the Type Cover 3 was added. Note that they compared the Surface Pro 3 to the 13-inch MacBook Air and not the 11-inch model.
The Surface Pro 3 weighs 1.76 lbs, and the Type Cover 3 is said to be 0.65 lbs. Total weight would be 2.41 lbs. That is still lighter than the 13-inch MacBook Air, which weighs 2.96 lbs, as Panos showed yesterday. However, the 11-inch MacBook Air is 2.38 lbs, still slightly lighter than the Surface Pro 3. That is probably the reason why they did not use the 11-inch Air for comparison, opting for the 13-inch model instead.
As for screen size, note that the 12-inch with a 3:2 aspect ratio is actually much larger than the 11.6-inch with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Look at a a visual comparison here: http://www.displaywars.com/11,6-inch-16x9-vs-12-inch-3x2. In maths, if you keep the same diagonal measure and make it more square, the area will be larger and not the opposite.
While this is a huge improvement on the first two iterations, there is still a fundamental problem with the Surface Pro 3, and it's that the combination of the keyboard and kickstand is very finicky compared to a traditional clamshell notebook. It's finicky for placement and for stability on any surface other than a flat table, and even more so, the keyboard and touchpad still feel like an afterthought. In order for a device to be a killer in this category, they have to make a device that is truly the best of both worlds. As much as they've improved this, that's still far from the truth.
In order for Microsoft to make this succeed widely, I would suggest they need to do two things. 1) Make a keyboard that is not just acceptable when attached to a tablet, but as good as any quality laptop keyboard. Macbook Air users are accustomed to using one of the best keyboards and trackpads in the business. They aren't going to accept the type keyboard as it's clearly an afterthought. Keep it as an option for those who want something lightweight, but they need a more substantial option that is high quality and turns the whole device into a clamshell.
2) Revamp the Windows App store. Right now it's a barren wasteland of third and fourth tier apps. They need to identify the top 100 or so apps on other platforms, and throw money at those developers until they get to parity. The Surface can't even come close to replacing my iPad as a tablet because there is absolutely nothing available for the touch side of the platform.
Shouldn't they throw in a couple of 5MP HD cameras on the Apple side in order to REALLY make it fair? How would that affect the weight comparison? Or accessories that can make the Apple product into a touchscreen, to also make it fair?
The weight comparison used by Microsoft was totally fair. It's the weight of one product compared to the other, excluding accessories for both. The fact that each has its own built-in features that the other doesn't is meaningless.
Well that's YOU. And this is not about manufacturers or certain brands. I'm referring to what Apple has to offer such as their OS. There are many people that just don't want to deal with Windows anymore, period. So it doesn't matter what Microsoft is offering. You do YOU need to do but don't make it sound like Microsoft has solved everybody's computing needs with the Surface Pro 3 because they haven't.
Just wanted a good chuckle.
Yes, and I was pointing out that the A7 still isn't anywhere near good enough to take on a Core processor from this year.
Consider me educated.
Thank-you for the update on the TypeCover 3 weight.
I used a different screen aspect ratio calculator (which came out with different results), but if what you say is true then the 12.1" screen is indeed larger (though not "much larger"). Any maths experts here?
Going by skaertus' calculator the 13" MBA has a screen as much larger than the SP3's screen is larger than the 11" MBA.
No, it's what makes it simpler for them.
It's not what makes it more powerful.
Also, if you can't use a device these days without getting a virus, that's on you.
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My mistake.
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Microsoft, Google and Samsung bring out the worst in people here.
Well, it wasn't so bad until Microsoft started to actually compete with Apple. >_>
1) The problem that MS has with the Surface Pro and a keyboard is that the Pro is top heavy. Thus you're balancing a thin heavy device on it's edge (heavy being relative) without a heavy base / stand it's difficult. A stand makes laptop work awkward. It really begs to be used on a hard flat surface, or via touch.
2) The windows store is dead, MS has almost admitted that. They failed to gain much traction there. They are focused on desktop apps only.
2) The windows store is dead, MS has almost admitted that. They failed to gain much traction there. They are focused on desktop apps only.
While the Surface Pro 3 is still not the best of both worlds, it has clearly make some big improvements. It seems to be definitely better than lots of tablets and laptops out there.
It has some features that are very interesting. The 3:2 aspect ratio looks great and could be used in laptops as well (the Chromebook Pixel uses it, but no other laptop as far as I am concerned). It looks so much better than the 16:9 aspect ratio used in all other Windows laptops! And the pen seems to be a great companion device for tablets.
There are areas that need improvements. I don't know how much Microsoft improved the trackpad, but it will hardly be of the same quality as the one in the Macs. And the keyboard, although not really bad, is far from ideal (at least in the current Surfaces). You are also right when you say that the Surface Pro 3 kickstand cannot compare to the clamshell format of a laptop. Yes, these are shortcomings. One can probably live with them, but they need improvements. I am happy to see, though, that Microsoft is thinking the Surface over and over again and has presented a much improved product less than two years after its introduction.
You may have wanted to check your numbers for the logical test. The same diagonal size screen at 16:9 is always going to be smaller area-wise than at 3:2 (which is 15:10). Therefore it would be impossible for a 16:9 screen with a smaller diagonal to have a larger area than a larger diagonal 3:2 screen. (Maybe that's why you put your numbers in a tiny little font size? - Would prefer to give you the benefit of the doubt, however)
The actual numbers are:
11.6" 16:9 - 57.5 square inches
12.1" 3:2 - 67.57 square inches
Source
On a related note - I absolutely think that 3:2 is a GREAT aspect ratio for all computing devices, from phones (like the original iPhone) to tablets to laptops and the best compromise between productivity, gaming and media consumption. This Surface Pro 3 actually looks like a very compelling option for those that only want one device.
IMHO 16:9 is not ideal at all for computing. Too short for a laptop and too tall/narrow for a tablet or phone (in portrait). 16:9 is perfect for TV and film though.
One can debate the OS quality forever, but I would love to get one and put a touch-friendly Linux distro on it...just don't have the time for the potentially many, many hours I would have to spend to get all the hardware working properly on it
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What percentage of Surface Pro 3 users will use it strictly as a tablet?
When comparing to a MBA, the fair comparison remains the Surface Pro 3 in it's "ultrabook mode".
Actually if you're interested in a specific product from a manufacturer, namely the Surface Pro 3 since you've done nothing but talk down Apple and promote the Surface since yesterday...
....then you should care if Microsoft's tablet is selling. Microsoft is not going to continue to put forth financial resources towards the Surface if they can't get it off the ground. Just think ZUNE. After 3 generations of lackluster success it got put to it's grave. Microsoft has already lost millions from the first Surface. So if you want continued support for a product that you spent your money on, you better damn well care if it's selling well. You're not Microsoft's only customer that they cater to. They were fighting very hard yesterday against Apple. They were pissed that most of the room of bloggers and news media were using the Macbook and nothing else. They have a serious hill to climb regardless of what the Surface Pro 3 had to offer yesterday.
And with all of that, STILL not LTE.
The guy on stage showed it being used on a lap. A lap isn't a perfectly flat surface nor is it a "hard surface" by any stretch.
This kind of sums up my feelings lately, hence my new MacBook Pro. I'm interested in app development too which requires a mac but even that aside, I am tired of windows.
This surface to me is still trying to be a laptop and a tablet. I don't care what they do, it's NOT a good tablet. We use them at work for testing and I hate the damned things. They are fine when tethered, plugged in, and being used a as a laptop but as a tablet they are obnoxious. Period.
Then is the man lying when he says that the Surface Pro 3 shows more content than a 13" MBA?
You say that you can't compare it to an iPad or a MBA but yet MS is clearly going for the MBA market.
And it being superior is a matter of opinion. Yes, it's cool it has a touchscreen but it's not apperently ment to be competing with the iPad. It suppose to compete with the MacBook and as such is missing a few things out of the box that a MacBook has. Namely a keyboard and trackpad. It's that available, yes for $130. So now the SP3 is $30 more then a MBA for half the storage space. Add another $100 for 128GB of hard drive storage and you have a SP3 for $1030.
And has anyone tried to balance a SUrface in their lap? Not easy like a laptop is.