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Surface Pro 3 announcement and prices
- Thread starter miketheappleguy
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200 dollar batteries are a bit high, but at least they promise 4 years out of. I don't understand the plugged in 5 day comment. Wouldn't be plugged in everyday? I'm going to use this as a laptop replacement and its going to be on my desk during the day and then used like a tablet at night. I'll have it unplugged at night or when I'm traveling but it will be getting plugged in most days - I wonder what type of battery life I'll see.
They're assuming that most users will not use the device on weekends. It's like lightbulbs, lifetime is specified assuming 8 hours per day.
If it needs a charge daily, you'll probably only get ~3 years to 80%.
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The macbook pros are $199 for battery replacement, so I see MS right in line with the market. The Macbook Air is $129, but the SP3 has a much higher resolution closer to the Pros so I think that is a more valid comparison.
I don't think you can actually get an Apple manufactured battery for that price. You can do a lot of things, even though the SP3 is sealed I'm sure someone can open it up and replace the battery cheaply as well.
Personally I don't think replacing the battery yourself with a cheap chinese battery is comparable to having an officially sanctioned one installed professionally. We should stick to apples to apples comparisons.
I guess that makes sense though many of use work weekends (too many for my liking).
They are all made in China. If i can buy 3 or 4 for the price of one im fine with that.
Here is one below from the USA for just under $30
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Laptop-Battery-For-Apple-MacBook-Pro-15-A1286-A1281-MB772-MB772J-A-MB772LL-A-/321232633252?pt=Laptop_Batteries&hash=item4acaf4fda4
I understand where you are coming from, but personally I'd never risk my $1900 machine and put in a non-Apple approved battery. I've personally seen way way too many burnt power adapters/cables from non Apple companies on my MacBook air, iphones and ipads to stay far away from them. I just sent my wife's iPhone for squaretrade replacement due to an ebay cable burning out and frying her phone.
If you want to compare apples to apples we can wait and see who offers a cheap Chinese made battery for the Surface Pro 3 then compare prices.
I played with a SP3 at my local MS store yesterday here's my initial thoughts.
My overall reaction is that its a great laptop replacement, functional as a tablet though I can't see this replacing my rMini.
If I were to get one, I'd be giving up on using my 15" rMBP - is that something I'm willing to do? I'll have other macs in my household so its not like I'm walking away from the platform
- Overall size - its bigger then the older models but instead of feeling too big, its more like the SP2 looks too small if that makes sense. I mean it seems better to have this size for what you're doing.
- Screen size, its smaller then my 15" rMBP but has a higher resolution (with my rMBP running in retina mode) and to that end, some things are rendering smaller. That is a higher resolution in a smaller display. Mostly this is ok and I wasn't bothered by it. I found excel and word to be fine, since you can easily zoom in. Its apps that are not DPI scaling friendly that are maybe showing up smaller then I'm used too.
- Used as a tablet in portrait mode - I'm not convinced this would be very viable for long term use. I can see this being used w/o cover keyboard as a landscape tablet more then holding it upright. Hand fatigue sets in fairly quickly
- Performance. Good performance using the installed apps, not much was on there when I arrived but for what I played with it was good.
- The keyboard was good, the track pad was decent, not great but decent. I think a wireless mouse may be needed.
- Pen, its nice, it works well, MS struck out in placing the pen on the cover. I'm not sure where it should go but I don't think the solution that is offered is really all that great. On usage, it was accurate, and fairly fast. I'm not someone who draws and I think typing would be faster but quick note taking would be good with it, especially as I got used to the device.
- Kickstand is great, it works as advertised - only time will tell in how it will hold up in the long run, i.e., will it be as good in year 2 as it is on day 1?
My overall reaction is that its a great laptop replacement, functional as a tablet though I can't see this replacing my rMini.
If I were to get one, I'd be giving up on using my 15" rMBP - is that something I'm willing to do? I'll have other macs in my household so its not like I'm walking away from the platform
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It sounds like you hit on a lot of the weaknesses of this platform. I'd give it a long hard thought before deciding to replace your Macbook. I think it's great that they changed the aspect ratio. I wish they had done so without increasing the size of the device by minimizing the bezels as much as possible instead.
Like you, I found that the original Surface was never going to replace my ipad, and for me, after a while, he novelty wore off as a laptop replacement. The screen size always felt too small, and the keyboard and trackpad were acceptable for basic tasks, but became a major hindrance when I really needed to work. Going back to my Thinkpad felt like a huge relief. After a few months the Surface went into a drawer and has since rarely come out.
The only way I see this making sense is for someone who is committed to taking a lot of notes (and for whom the honestly quite excellent options on the ipad is not acceptable) or who is absolutely dead set on minimizing weight. Otherwise two good devices are far superior, no question.
Like you, I found that the original Surface was never going to replace my ipad, and for me, after a while, he novelty wore off as a laptop replacement. The screen size always felt too small, and the keyboard and trackpad were acceptable for basic tasks, but became a major hindrance when I really needed to work. Going back to my Thinkpad felt like a huge relief. After a few months the Surface went into a drawer and has since rarely come out.
The only way I see this making sense is for someone who is committed to taking a lot of notes (and for whom the honestly quite excellent options on the ipad is not acceptable) or who is absolutely dead set on minimizing weight. Otherwise two good devices are far superior, no question.
Thanks
I purposely chose yesterday because I figured the MS store at the Pru will be very busy this weekend with people playing with it. Its usually very busy as it is. Good luck in trying it out
I am thinking about it. Here's my dilemma, when I'm not needing it mobile, i.e. on the desk. there's no clear winner. Both the rMBP and the SP3 will exceed my needs since both will be hooked up to an external monitor.
For my mobility needs when I travel, or need it out and about, I think the SP3 wins out in this department. I'm not talking a lot of weight, but clearly a 12" tablet with a cover keyboard is much easier to use on an airplane then a 15" MBP. Would I be satisfied using the type cover keyboard when I'm in a hotel? That's the question. I'll be in a hotel or two this summer for weekend trips. That's no big deal. I'll also be away for a week in a hotel later this year. That is something that I need to fully vet out regarding the SP3
Being a pre-order that won't ship until later this month I have the luxury of time to mull things over
Another thought would be not to replace my rMBP but use it in conjunction, but that seems like a waste and I'd end up only using one most of the time.
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Two use cases for me that make it attractive as a replacement for my current work Lenovo ultrabook.
Remote interaction with coworkers using a smartboard.
Slate use on a plane. If stuck in coach, I really have a hard time being productive.
My Macs aren't feeling threatened, but the Lenovo is!
Out here in the 'burbs our store never seems quite so busy.... When I looked at Surface 2 pro I had a dedicated staff member selling me the device.
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Remote interaction with coworkers using a smartboard.
Slate use on a plane. If stuck in coach, I really have a hard time being productive.
My Macs aren't feeling threatened, but the Lenovo is!
I purposely chose yesterday because I figured the MS store at the Pru will be very busy this weekend with people playing with it. Its usually very busy as it is. Good luck in trying it out
Out here in the 'burbs our store never seems quite so busy.... When I looked at Surface 2 pro I had a dedicated staff member selling me the device.
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I thought the only Microsoft store in Massachusetts was in the Prudential center in Boston? That place is always hoping. MS picked a good location there, high foot traffic (though I don't know if that translates into sales).
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Let me add one more thing, its seems the SP3 dock will not be available until August, at least that's what the sales associate stated. So if anyone was planning on using it on a desk for extended periods, you'll have to live with a mess of wires.
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Natick and Burlington too for us suburbanites.
The mall at Burlington is always hopping, the Xbox One in front of the store always draws a crowd, the store itself... Not so much.
At Christmas I thought that had turned, but it went back to usual after the rush.
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The mall at Burlington is always hopping, the Xbox One in front of the store always draws a crowd, the store itself... Not so much.
At Christmas I thought that had turned, but it went back to usual after the rush.
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Thanks for your hands-on review. I'll be dropping by the Microsoft store in Scottsdale in 2 weeks, so I'll have a chance to see it in person.
Regarding what I bolded, I don't think it is clear that a Surface Pro 3 would be easier to use on a plane than a 15" MBP. I'd say that one would have a better chance of being usable with an SP3, but it isn't a given. It depends upon the configuration of the plane and whether you're sitting in coach or 1st class, but there isn't enough room on the tray to accommodate the keyboard and the extended kickstand... if the person in front of you is reclined... show over.
The largest but most compact configuration that I've used on a plane has been an iPad 4 with the Logitech Ultrathin keyboard cover. Due to the way that the iPad sits in the keyboard's channel, the overall footprint is no greater than the cover itself. Even with THAT, it was very tight using it with the person in front reclined.
I agree... and it is ultimately what I wrestle with regarding my Surface 2 ownership. It makes a great sleek netbook, not so great tablet. If I could replace my netbooks/notebooks/tablets with this one device, it would be worth it. But I can't.Being a pre-order that won't ship until later this month I have the luxury of time to mull things over
Another thought would be not to replace my rMBP but use it in conjunction, but that seems like a waste and I'd end up only using one most of the time.
So for my purposes, I am weighing an SP3 vs. an Asus X200MA + Dell Venue 8 Pro. The total for those 2 combined cost less than the base SP3 w/TypeCover.
I would think a laptop wouldn't fit on that same reclined airline seat and at the very least you have the option to hold it as a tablet or maybe touch type. Not great options, but options at least.
Why do you think it's not a great tablet? I know everyone's needs are different, and I did agree that the SP1 and 2 had compromises. It just seems that the majority of those compromises have been satisfied.
Based on my experiences with a Surface RT and now Surface 2, I have concluded that the Surface devices are not great tablets solely due to the chronic lack of quantity of quality Modern UI apps.
Most of the "basic" apps are available, not all. No choice of web browser (applicable to Surface RT/2 only). But for anything beyond basic, there are significant functional holes. And there's no touch version of MS Office.
Defenders of the Surface claim that the "basics" is all most people need. That's true... but then most people shouldn't need a premium tablet either... a cheap $100 10" Android tablet does the basics too.
The Surface devices are netbooks that can serve as a tablet in a pinch, but the tablet experience is pretty sub-par.
IMO, the best thing about the SP3 is the change in aspect ratio. And THAT took them 3 generations to get there.
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As for getting something like the DV8P, I'm waiting to see what Apple announces this Fall. Currently, my iPad 4 is the device that I take with me on trips. If Apple announces anything that I'm hoping for, then I'll probably get that.
Urban living: Microsoft store is a block away. Will pop in and try the Surface 3 today after the gym.
Despite the myth perpetuated by some, the local Microsoft shop is pretty busy more often than not.
Despite the myth perpetuated by some, the local Microsoft shop is pretty busy more often than not.
I haven't been since March, but will update y'all if I make it later today.
FWIW: I picked up a DVP8 a couple of weeks ago and will be traveling with it and my iPad Mini next week.
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I think it's more accurate to say the windows ecosystem isn't optimal for you because it doesn't have the app you need, not that the SP is a suboptimal tablet. I won't argue with ya on RT though you know I hate that OS, but on the same topic if it uses Modern IE11 I've found that to be a superb touch/tablet browser and trounces the crap out of Safari IMO. It's a real browser, real Flash, etc etc, absolutely no compromises and it's optimized incredibly nicely for touch.
I'm not sure I've heard someone defend a windows tablet saying all you need are the "basics", I'm assuming you mean basic apps? The windows store is quite nice now and I have found pretty much all of the apps I use on either iOS or Android. It's not so much the basic apps, but more specialized apps which you might have trouble finding.
Touch MS Office is coming soon.
But to each his own, it's all good. For me and ipad or android tablet is the sub optimal tablet, they are handicapped with toy OS', many times an "app" is much too simplified versus a legacy program version which quite often exists, they keyboard experience is poor at best, etc etc. Once again my personal preferences though.