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Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is announced: the tablet made to replace your laptop |
Tsepz_GP
Joined: Dec 27, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Johannesburg, South Africa
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Say hello to the Microsoft Surface Pro 3. Yup, Microsoft just announced a brand new Windows 8.1 tablet at its press event, and, boy, does it have a lot going for it! In fact, Microsoft is promising that the Surface Pro 3 is capable of replacing a laptop, and that might turn out to be valid for many a user.
So, what's so cool about the Microsoft Surface Pro 3? Well, the slate has adopted the magnesium casing and solid construction that the Pro 2 was known for. And to prove that the new model can handle more than a few bumps, one got dropped at the stage without suffering any damage. Furthermore, the Pro 3 weighs 800 grams, which makes it over 100 grams lighter than the previous model. At an impressive 9.1 millimeters, Microsoft's newest tablet is also much slimmer than its predecessor. Further design changes include an improved, multi-position kickstand.
Now, a weight figure of 800 grams might seem like quite a lot for a tablet, but there's a bit that we haven't mentioned yet. The Microsoft Surface 3 comes with a 12-inch color-calibrated display with ClearType tech – up from 10.6 inches on the Pro 2 model. Interestingly, the screen now has an aspect ratio of 3:2, which has its benefits. Or as Microsoft puts it, the Pro 3's screen has 6% more area than that on an 13-inch Macbook Air. The resolution of the Surface Pro 3's display is 2160 by 1440 pixels, resulting in about 216 ppi.
Under the hood of the Surface Pro 3 resides an Intel processor – up to a 4-th generation Core i7 with HD 4400 graphics, at that. Microsoft has managed to put Intel's powerful chip in its new tablet, thus making it the thinnest Core i7 device ever. Less capable, yet more affordable configurations will be available as well, packing an Intel Core i3 or an i5 processor. Up to 8 gigabytes of RAM can be tucked inside the device, and storage space options range from 64 to 512 gigabytes. To keep its cool even under heavy load, the Surface Pro 3 relies on a fanless cooling system and vents placed around its sides.
As for its multimedia capabilities, the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 comes with two 5MP cameras – one in the front and one in the back – paired with front- and back-facing microphones. The snappers can shoot 1080p video at 30 frames per second. Microsoft is also touting the tablet's upgraded front-facing speakers that are now 45% louder.
OS:
Windows (8.1 Pro)
Dimensions:
11.5 x 7.93 x 0.36 inches (292 x 201 x 9 mm)
Weight:
28.16 oz (798 g)
the average is 16.6 oz (473 g)
Body material:
Metal
Tablet dock:
Yes
Features:
USB
DISPLAY
Physical size:
12.0 inches
Resolution:
2160 x 1440 pixels
Pixel density:
216 ppi
Technology:
LCD
Touchscreen:
Multi-touch
Features:
Light sensor
CAMERA
Camera:
5 megapixels
Camcorder:
1920x1080 (1080p HD)
Front-facing camera:
5 megapixels
HARDWARE
System chip:
Intel Core i7
Graphics processor:
Intel HD Graphics
System memory:
8192 MB RAM
Built-in storage:
512 GB
Storage expansion:
microSD
MULTIMEDIA
Speakers:
Stereo speakers
CONNECTIVITY
Bluetooth:
4.0
Wi-Fi:
802.11 a, b, g, n, ac
USB:
USB 3.0
Connector:
Full-size USB
Features:
USB Host
OTHER FEATURES
Additional microphone/s:
Yes
Sensors:
Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass
PhoneArena
[ This Message was edited by: Tsepz_GP on 2014-05-20 17:43 ] Phone: iPhone 15 Pro Max Black Ti 512GB
Tablet: iPad Pro 11” 2020 Space Gray 256GB
Watch: Series 3 Nike Edition Space Gray
Droid: Huawei Mate 40 Pro 256GB | |
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tranced
Joined: Jan 19, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Santo Domingo, wonDeRland
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Looks really impressive. They just need to have a competitive price.
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Tsepz_GP
Joined: Dec 27, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Johannesburg, South Africa
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The pricing is both scary yet at the same time kind of makes sense when you consider what you getting here in terms of pure functionality.
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 price and release date
Microsoft’s largest tablet so far (and one of the biggest tablets available on the market), the Surface Pro 3, has just gone official with big ambitions to replace both your laptop and tablet in a one device for work and play. The 12-inch Surface Pro 3 is unlike most other tablets on the market that are based on ARM chips - instead it runs on a laptop-grade 4th generation Intel Core chips, a configuration much more powerful than most tablets available right now.
With this huge power, however, comes a higher than usual price for a tablet. Microsoft has unveiled prices for the different version of the Surface Pro 3 that it will sell, and here’s what you’d need to prepare, if you want to get one.
Surface Pro 3 - Estimated retail price (USD)
4th gen Intel® Core™ i3, 64 GB and 4 GB of RAM - $799
4th gen Intel® Core™ i5, 128 GB and 4 GB of RAM - $999
4th gen Intel® Core™ i5, 256 GB and 8 GB of RAM - $1,299
4th gen Intel® Core™ i7, 256 GB and 8 GB of RAM - $1,549
4th gen Intel® Core™ i7, 512 GB and 8 GB of RAM - $1,949
Microsoft did not name a particular Surface Pro 3 release date, but pre-orders are starting tomorrow, May 21 at 12:01 a.m. EDT. You’ll be able to pre-order yours at Microsoftstore.com, Microsoft retail stores, as well as third-party retailers.
The Surface Pro Type Cover and Surface Pen will go up for pre-order at the same time.
PhoneArena
Phone: iPhone 15 Pro Max Black Ti 512GB
Tablet: iPad Pro 11” 2020 Space Gray 256GB
Watch: Series 3 Nike Edition Space Gray
Droid: Huawei Mate 40 Pro 256GB |
tranced
Joined: Jan 19, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Santo Domingo, wonDeRland
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Damn damn damn, cut its price a little bit!
Just saw the video and I'm drooling. Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?[....]=player_embedded&v=1t7rSZT_77E
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tranced
Joined: Jan 19, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Santo Domingo, wonDeRland
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By the way, this is the press release: http://www.microsoft.com/en-u[....]2014/may14/05-20surfacepr.aspx
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cu015170
Joined: Oct 26, 2010
Posts: > 500
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Impressive tech overall.. of course the price is high, but when you comp it to other core intel products its in line with that.
I would wait for the Broadwell refresh.. it should give it better GPU performance, more battery life, and they can get rid of the fan. Speaking of which, the fan in the sp3 is pretty amazing.. at least from what they said on stage.
The stand is very cool... I just wonder how it will feel after a year or two of usage..
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tranced
Joined: Jan 19, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Santo Domingo, wonDeRland
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Loose?
On 2014-05-20 19:54:48, cu015170 wrote:
The stand is very cool... I just wonder how it will feel after a year or two of usage..
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cu015170
Joined: Oct 26, 2010
Posts: > 500
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^ 
No one likes that.. so hopefully it would stay tight
official website: http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/products/surface-pro-3
here is the spec sheet
and the charger looks super small for a machine like that..
I am not sure if this is the whole thing tho.. but I hope so
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badassmam
Joined: Nov 07, 2007
Posts: > 500
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I'm using the Dell Venue Pro 11 as my daily device and I love it. I'm all for these tablets but I think 12 inch could be too big because you need a large bezel to make it comfortable. I have a type keyboard as well which I think is brilliant and although I'm no fan of track pads, I can easily use the touch screen. Love the way the new stylus works, the Dell stylus sucks so bad that they told me to keep the pen and refunded me because of the high volume of complaints. The poor S.O.B has only been out of it's box once. My workmate has the Surface 2 which is very nice but my spec is higher and mine is cheaper so I don't mind much.
My one biggest gripe is Windows 8, each update brings new infuriating bugs. I have random restarts again (it was solved after the previous update), screen orientation issues, freezing and no Microsoft Store unless I do a restore. It's the one thing that's drives me nuts because you spend a lot of time re-opening your files and documents when the thing restarts! SORT IT OUT. |
cu015170
Joined: Oct 26, 2010
Posts: > 500
PM |
^ yes, intel smartframe should take care of all that.. you can fit a 13 inch screen into a 11 inch frame because it uses digital bezels.
as far as Win8.. I have no such issues.. very stable on my end.
This is pretty cool .. you can just start writing on top of the lock/sleep screen, no need to unlock/wake the device and look for the app
[ This Message was edited by: cu015170 on 2014-05-20 20:36 ] |
Tsepz_GP
Joined: Dec 27, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Johannesburg, South Africa
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I really like this and have been secretly looking at W8 tablets, but each time I read and hear the Windows 8 bugs and general issues the more I rethink just waiting for the next iPad. Barely any bugs on iOS, just a few dislikes, but the OS itself just keeps going no matter how heavy I am on it.
Phone: iPhone 15 Pro Max Black Ti 512GB
Tablet: iPad Pro 11” 2020 Space Gray 256GB
Watch: Series 3 Nike Edition Space Gray
Droid: Huawei Mate 40 Pro 256GB |
badassmam
Joined: Nov 07, 2007
Posts: > 500
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Yes, opens OneNote and explodes a bomb somewhere....we'll see 007 with a Surface in his next movie.
Sadly, after the last update Win 8 has taken a step back. They will get things right eventually but it's really annoying for the moment. I won't care for iPad until they put the full MacBook OS onto it, that would be something Apple could easily dominate the 'productive' tablet world with. |
Tsepz_GP
Joined: Dec 27, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Johannesburg, South Africa
PM |
The iPad is a less productive device than a W8 hybrid, so if you use your Dell heavily for document editting and so on then you will be pulling your hair out within minutes of getting an iPad. Apple really need to get that rumored 12inch iPad out, with atleast a more serious version of iOS.
I see Microsoft eventually dominating tablets the way they dominated PCs, it starts with the Surface Pro 3 and other OEMs making more devices like this that can run proper fully blown desktop apps but with a touch friendly interface on a easily portable device. They now need to work on getting devices like this cheaper.
Phone: iPhone 15 Pro Max Black Ti 512GB
Tablet: iPad Pro 11” 2020 Space Gray 256GB
Watch: Series 3 Nike Edition Space Gray
Droid: Huawei Mate 40 Pro 256GB |
cu015170
Joined: Oct 26, 2010
Posts: > 500
PM |
A short vid review worth mentioning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEGNVsyJfdc
and one more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiIri1bxUhQ
On 2014-05-20 22:29:32, Tsepz_GP wrote:
I really like this and have been secretly looking at W8 tablets, but each time I read and hear the Windows 8 bugs and general issues the more I rethink just waiting for the next iPad. Barely any bugs on iOS, just a few dislikes, but the OS itself just keeps going no matter how heavy I am on it.
I have 4 devices running on Win8 and I have no issues on either of them. One Lumia 2520, one Asus U33jc, a desktop machine, and an older HP pavilion.
Just remember that 99% of the issues regarding Windows are driver related... if you have the correct drivers, and they are running properly, the system is very stable. Windows 8.1 is the best windows to date... all of these old machines I mentioned run much better on 8 than they ever did on 7.
[ This Message was edited by: cu015170 on 2014-05-20 23:30 ] |
cu015170
Joined: Oct 26, 2010
Posts: > 500
PM |
On 2014-05-20 22:39:10, badassmam wrote:
Yes, opens OneNote and explodes a bomb somewhere....we'll see 007 with a Surface in his next movie.
That would be cool...
here is another one
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Posted: 2014-05-20 18:42
jay0726 | 
