Microsoft Surface 3 (not 3 Pro)

[haven]

Today, Microsoft announced the return of the junior edition of the Surface tablet/laptop replacement computer. Prices start at $499 for a WiFi-only model with 2 GB of RAM. The Surface 3 will be in stores starting in May.

When Surface was first introduced in the summer of 2012, the junior version was called the Surface RT. It utilized an NVIDIA processor and a special version of Windows. The RT required new versions of standard Windows software, and most software developers decided not to introduce RT versions. As a result, the computer buying public ignored the RT. The Surface Pro, on the other hand, runs standard Windows, and was a market success. Microsoft continued to develop and market the RT, but it was a flop.

It seems Microsoft has learned its lesson. The Surface 3 (not 3 Pro) runs a new version of Intel's Atom processor, and standard Windows software. So all your desktop software will run on the Surface 3, as well as 3 Pro.

Microsoft, like Apple, does not include GPS capability in the WiFi-only versions of its tablets. You'll have to use an external GPS receiver (Bluetooth or USB), or wait until the introduction of the WiFi+Cellular models later this year.

 

[kojackJKU]

Awesome tablet. the perfect size for travel. and 3:2 ratio as well!

 

[haven]

That $499 price does not include the keyboard cover, a $130 extra. Also Surface 3 RAM is 2 GB, which many say is tight for Windows 8.1.

Microsoft's competitors also have new models. In the tablet-with-removable-keyboard category, consider the ASUS Transformer Book Chi T300. For $700, you get an Intel Core-M processor, 4 GB RAM, and 128 GB storage, all better/bigger/faster than Surface 3. The touch screen is a 12.5 inch with 1920 x 1080 resolution in 16:9 ratio. The dimensions are 12.5 x 7.5 x 0.3 inches, weight 1.6 lb without the keyboard. With keyboard, 3.2 lb.

I'll look for comparisons between Intel's new Atom Cherry Trail and Core-M processors. It's a good time to be shopping for a Windows tablet/laptop!

 

[chet6.7]

4GB sounds a lot better.


"The 4GB/128GB version will cost $599. Microsoft is also including an option that the Surface Pro 3 doesn't have: integrated LTE, as a $100 option on both the 2GB and the 4GB units. The LTE versions will also support GPS/GLONASS positioning."
by Peter Bright

 

[AFBronco235]

The LTE version is not true GPS. It relies on cell tower triangulation, which is not nearly accurate enough for some people. It kinda works for street navigation, but for getting off the beaten path, it won't work as it relies on road tracking to get a fine location. Plus the data charges are stupidly high. If you just want a road nav app, use a cell phone, but if you want a tablet with mapping, you'll want a GPS dongle. If found this out while researching what tablet I'd use and realized its better to spend a few hundred less on a tablet and $50 on a decent GPS dongle and avoid the data charges which saves even more.

The RT programs are coming along and there are some excellent apps out there now.

My surface 2 replaced my laptop and is just as useful to me in my everyday life and when I go on the trails. I'm actually typing this on my tablet now. I do recommend a keyboard if you're going to do any serious typing, along with a screen protector and some sort of case. You should also look into getting a cheap Micro SD card to bump up the memory storage if you use it for pics and video and such. You can find them at high memory storage for pretty cheap. I was able to more than quadrouple my total memory storage with a 128G card from a 32G tablet.


I've been considering trading up on my tablet though at the end of the summer. I'll have to look into this one. Before I was only looking at the Surface Pro 3, but this seems like a good alternative.

 

[kojackJKU]

My asus as 2gb of ram, running win 8.1 and it runs fine. It does not hang or lag, etc. I did the same thing as you AFBronco, Added a SD card to each of our tablets now I have enough storage for my daily activites on my tablet as well. For storage I use a 2 tb USB hard drive too, TONS of room for photo and video edits around the campfire or in the tent in the evenings. The great thing about the asus tablets is the keyboard is also an extended battery. I get 2-3 days of heavy use out of the battery. 99 percent of my time, I use may tablet. I was all in for the surface 3, however, the more I think about what I am giving up with the asus tablet, The more I think I will just keep these and see how they implement win 10 on them before tossing more money into the ring. I have both my tablets on LTE now as well. I love being able to use them fully, anywhere. When we go camping, We have weather and travel plans etc all ready at our finger tips. Plus entertainment in the evenings.

 

[AFBronco235]

I guess if you have to have internet, LTE is good, but if I need internet on my tablet, I just connect it to the wireless hotspot on my phone. Can't use it a whole lot for that, but I don't need to. I guess it just depends on your use. I'm just frustrated whenever I hear someone say that LTE is required for "GPS" when its not even GPS. UGH! If you need your map constantly updated, then yes, its needed, but if you have the map already downloaded, then there's no need for LTE. Just hook up your true GPS dongle and go.
*end of rant*

 

[chet6.7]

My asus as 2gb of ram, running win 8.1 and it runs fine. It does not hang or lag, etc.
for photo and video edits around

How long does it take to download a 32GB SD card? One of the things I want is to be able to download the data from my dash cam quickly.Thanks.

 

[kojackJKU]

quick. I don't find it long at all. I am talking about when at camp. NO internet, only cell service...

 

[AFBronco235]

How long does it take to download a 32GB SD card? One of the things I want is to be able to download the data from my dash cam quickly.Thanks.

It depends on the quality of the card, but anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. It also depends on if you're using a USB adaptor or if its a direct plug in. Either way, its not very long. Even the cheapest Micro SD card out there can move data pretty fast. While I only have a 128 GB card, I've seen them as high as 512 GB, and they're still pretty cheap. I haven't seen any terabyte SD cards yet, but I believe those can't be too far into the future. At any rate, data transfer also depends on the processor I believe, so that's another limiting factor. However, with the cheap card I have, my transfer rate is good enough I can play movies and videos directly from it with no lag times.

 

[chet6.7]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[kojackJKU]

Just a note, The 512 gb cards I have seen are fake. I ordered a 256gb so I thought, I acutally received a 256kb card, and then the person switched the ad, I have no proof so I cannot goto Ebay. worst part is I paid 20 bucks for card that costs 3 bucks at best.

 

[haven]

The Surface 3 is available in stores. A Gizmodo reviewer likes it, but thinks it's too expensive.
http://gizmodo.com/microsoft-surface-3-review-the-tablet-i-want-at-the-pr-1696598172

The Surface 3 does not include GPS support, but you can use the standard USB port to attach an external GPS receiver. A Surface 3 model with LTE modem, a SIM card slot, and GPS support is supposed to be available this summer for $100 extra.

To help people move to the new model, Microsoft is offering $150 if you trade in the original Surface RT or the Surface 2.
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/cat/All-Surface/categoryID.69758400