Microsoft Surface Pro 3
- Thread starter Vicki
- Start date
I've wanted one. Looks pretty awesome. I'm a Linux head though.. I hope these types of devices get to the point of being able to dual boot different os while still being fully functional.
xer0
Well-Known Member
I have a Surface Pro 1.0 and I love it. Laptop power and functionality in a tablet form factor.
I like the Surface Pro 3 but other than the screen size it isn't enough of an upgrade for me. I'm holding out for one with a decent GPU. Intel's integrated GPU leaves much to be desired...its my only real complaint about the device.
I like the Surface Pro 3 but other than the screen size it isn't enough of an upgrade for me. I'm holding out for one with a decent GPU. Intel's integrated GPU leaves much to be desired...its my only real complaint about the device.
Vicki
Herbal Alchemist
The SP3 is my first Surface. I heard the SP4 was coming out the beginning of 2015, but I can't believe they would do that so quickly. I've been known to be wrong on several occasions, so maybe. I wasn't extremely impressed with the Microsoft band, plus it's a little expensive.
stickstones
Vapor concierge
I'm very interested in one. I do all my work on a laptop with a 17" screen, and it is mostly work in Microsoft Office. Do you think it would function well in that capacity?
Vicki
Herbal Alchemist
The Surface Pro 3 only comes in the 12 inch screen, just different levels of power. i3, i5, and i7. I heard that the i7's had overheating problems, but they were really pushing them while gaming, etc. We went with the i3 because we had to keep it as cheap as possible, and that is more than we need. Microsoft Office would work well on the i3.
I've also read that the i3 is 80% the benchmarks of the i5. I just can't justify the price of the i7, and you have to add in the price of the type cover if you truly want a hybrid that can replace your laptop. The new SP3 did replace my old laptop, and is much more portable.
stickstones
Vapor concierge
Thanks, Vicki! I'll have to look into them some more and do some pricing.
stickstones
Vapor concierge
So we could easily drop a grand on one.
xer0
Well-Known Member
Absolutely. The screen is smaller like Vicki said but otherwise they work just like any other Windows computer. Add a type cover and a bluetooth travel mouse and you're all set.
As far as which CPU to choose that depends on how you're using it. If you're just doing work in Office then an i3 would probably be fine. If you're going to watch videos, play some games, or do anything else like that then you will want the i5. The i7 is really unnecessary unless you're trying to do some serious graphics/illustration or video work on it.
Vicki
Herbal Alchemist
We decided to exchange our i3 for an i5 yesterday afternoon. We were still within the 30 days, so they did it no questions asked. We just had to pay the difference. The main reason we did it was because the SP3 cannot be upgraded, and we didn't want ours it be outdated too quickly.
stickstones
Vapor concierge
Do you notice a difference?
grokit
well-worn member
I checked these out on amazon, for an i7 with the 512 flash drive and 8gb ram they want $2k.
That's without a supplemental warranty or docking station. I could buy one hell of a windows laptop for half of that, or I for $2k I could get a 15" i7 macbook pro and run boot camp. I could get a macbook air/windows clone for a lot less if I wanted to have limited functionality like the sp3. There's a few i7 windows laptops with flip-around tablet screens that cost much less as well. The sp3 is nice but it's not that nice!
That's without a supplemental warranty or docking station. I could buy one hell of a windows laptop for half of that, or I for $2k I could get a 15" i7 macbook pro and run boot camp. I could get a macbook air/windows clone for a lot less if I wanted to have limited functionality like the sp3. There's a few i7 windows laptops with flip-around tablet screens that cost much less as well. The sp3 is nice but it's not that nice!
olivianewtonjohn
Well-Known Member
I totally like the battery life on these guys, thats probably one of the most important features for a college student. Im still digging my ultrabook that walmart essentially paid me $170 to take (thank you price mistake 
). Battery life is pretty bad on it though so I might have to upgrade to one of these guys for grad school. The only thing that would stop me from going with one of these is the screen size. I have a 27" monitor at home (thank you clearance ) and my ultrabook is 13.3", it seems hard to go smaller in screen size. I feel like ~14" is the perfect portability size
Gawd though these things are pretty bad ass, motherfucking i7 and motherfucking SSD, along with windows 8
). Battery life is pretty bad on it though so I might have to upgrade to one of these guys for grad school. The only thing that would stop me from going with one of these is the screen size. I have a 27" monitor at home (thank you clearance ) and my ultrabook is 13.3", it seems hard to go smaller in screen size. I feel like ~14" is the perfect portability sizeGawd though these things are pretty bad ass, motherfucking i7 and motherfucking SSD, along with windows 8
Vicki
Herbal Alchemist
My cousin bought me a Microsoft Band for an early Christmas/birthday present! I got it this morning, and so far I love it! I haven't really had a chance to use it much, and I'm still getting used to it. I plan to wear it all the time to help monitor my health, in conjunction with another app. Keeping track of medical things, daily calorie intake, calories burned, etc.
I know this will really help me, along with my home blood pressure monitor.
I know this will really help me, along with my home blood pressure monitor.