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

Richdmoore said:
Good for them I guess......

Does this mean that they have abandoned Windows RT?
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It's the Surface Pro 3, not just the good ol' Surface. Microsoft has two lines of Surface always selling simultaneously to target two different demographics: those who just need a nice, productive piece of hardware that, in some categories, does better than the iPad should just get a Surface. However, those looking to be EXTREMELY productive on-the-go and need laptop power in tablet form, should go with a Pro.

This announcement really is special to someone like me who needs a nice sized tablet/laptop, digitizer support, and great battery. MS looks like they finally hit all the marks this go-around. The little fanboys don't like to think so because they feel threatened, but that's just the icing on the cake for me. :rolleyes:
 
iSee said:
Pretty cool, but I think this is a confused product.
MS can't really decide if it's trying to make a tablet or a laptop.

So they made a convertable... yeah, that tried and failed idea from the past.

It's all compromises:

You can add the keyboard to use it like a laptop... But compared to the Macbook Air...
  • Must fiddle around with the snap on cover and fold out kickstand
  • More expensive (and no longer lighter)
Or forego the cover and use it like a tablet. But compared to the iPad Air
  • Bigger, heavier, more expensive
  • very little software designed for touch

If you need Windows and want a tablet this isn't bad, especially if you really want a stylus for some reason. Otherwise, I don't see why anyone would get this.
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My initial reaction to this is that you would find any competing product to a MBA or iPad Air to have "compromises".

"Fiddle around with snap on cover"? Really? It just snaps in place. I could say the same about a MBA: "must fiddle with using tip of finger to open laptop"... :rolleyes:
 
JarScott said:
Wow, that is kinda nice. That's the future of the laptop right there...well, someone's idea of the future of the laptop.
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Future of laptop with a Mighty pen which I thought it was in the 90 called Stylus. BTW, how can it be categorized as "laptop" if you can't comfortably set it on you lap? Surface is a failure again doesn't matter what's inside.
 
iSee said:
Pretty cool, but I think this is a confused product.
MS can't really decide if it's trying to make a tablet or a laptop.

So they made a convertable... yeah, that tried and failed idea from the past.

It's all compromises:

You can add the keyboard to use it like a laptop... But compared to the Macbook Air...
  • Must fiddle around with the snap on cover and fold out kickstand
  • More expensive (and no longer lighter)
Or forego the cover and use it like a tablet. But compared to the iPad Air
  • Bigger, heavier, more expensive
  • very little software designed for touch

If you need Windows and want a tablet this isn't bad, especially if you really want a stylus for some reason. Otherwise, I don't see why anyone would get this.
Click to expand...

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)

----------
RebornProphet said:
Surface 3?

Didn't Surface 2 come out less than a year ago?
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October of last year, yes.
 
wrightc23 said:
Just a shame it's so expensive particularly for the high end models, you could have a Macbook Air and iPad mini for the same price and not have to compromise at all.
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you dont get the point of this whole device - its ment so you dont need to buy a laptop AND a tablet. It's all in one. Finally a slick and thin tablet that is also a notebook. Thinner and lighter than macbook air. Surface 1 and 2 were too thick and too clumsy for something like that, but this one... oh did they get it right this time.
 
Originally Posted by smakdown61 View Post
If they can get the ipad thin/light enough and counter balance with a nice aluminum macbook pro style keyboard attachment, they'd kill the market.

bawbac said:
How?
The iPad doesn't even have a simple to use file/folder system to save files of any type. :confused:
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I should have clarified when the ipad is attached to the keyboard it would auto switch to full OS X and to iOS when not attached. Or maybe give the option to run full OS X even in tablet form.
 
nfl46 said:
Before people say the iPad Air starts at $499, the S3 is not meant to compete with it. The S3 is basically a full fledged laptop in tablet form. It targets more of the MacBook Air. So, that's why its $799 and not a lot cheaper.
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I wonder how it will compete with Macbook Air if the Retina version comes out? Tim Cooks was right: you can float and fly but can't do well at both. Who wants a tablet that big?
 
looks good! i commend microsoft for not giving up. it is a decent looking piece of technology.

i would actually considering buying one if I had an iMac (desktop) and wanted something portable.
 
I like how everyone in the crowd has a macbook.

I do like the idea of this Pro 3 and lots of the features. Its just the price that they should have worked on. If it were an i5 with 128gb and the keyboard included for around $700, I would be tempted to buy.
 
louden said:
Cons:
- too heavy to use one-handed with a stylus

- size2: Do you need a huge screen on a tablet? Maybe doctors looking at Xrays, Graphic Artists... But web surfers, book readers and emailers? No
Click to expand...

Certainly isn't too heavy, it weighs the same as my ipad 2 with a case.

And regarding the size, the "Pro" moniker (and the fact that it runs full Windows, not RT) should tell you that couch-slouchers are not the primary target group here.
 
Great product from Microsoft - glad to see one company innovating the way we use devices and thinking outside the box...

Apple - your turn to innovate with something new ......
 
Rogifan said:
Do we get a Surface Pro 4 this Christmas when the new Intel processors are available? So basically the device is on a 6 month upgrade cycle?
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My best guess is no.

Windows was moved to the major update being in the beginning of the year. It wouldn't surprise me if they moved the release of all of the Surface line to that as well.
 
S.m.a.r.t

They aren't competing with the iPad because they know they can't, they're trying to find a (one digit)% global market share with a niche product, it may work for them.

Their new CEO is so smart IMO, he's cleaning the mess of Balmer.

Oh, and this will kill so many Android Pro Tablets if there is any already ;)
 
LordVic said:
well, they probably didn't put LTE connectivity in because why add that to the base cost of the device?

it features a full USB3 port. You could just get a USB LTE dongle for those times on the road (if it's a must). Someting you can't easily add to standard tablets. You either buy them with LTE built int, or not at all.
Click to expand...

This is very true. But dongles are cumbersome and more expensive. AT&T, for instance, charges only $10/mo for tablets but $20/mo for dongles to my MobileShare plan. Holding a tablet with a big device hanging out of the side is also awkward.

Then there is always tethering your phone. But that means having to carry around a charger everywhere because of the heavy battery drain.

There are clear advantages to having a dedicated cellular antenna. Microsoft offers it on the non-Pro models. But for some unknown reason ignore their power user's needs.

I'm happy with my current iPad though. It does everything I need; especially now with the addition of Lightroom Mobile.
 
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