Surface 3 (non-Pro) a reasonable buy?

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Ruahrc

Limp Gawd
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Mar 8, 2009
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I read an article recently about the surface 3 tablet, and that since Intel has cancelled the Broxton CPUs a direct replacement may not come out for some time. Then I saw that it is currently on sale (4GB RAM/128GB storage version) for $150 off, and I am very tempted to pick one up, as apparently the hopes of a replacement anytime soon are quite low.

Anyone who has had one for a while have any thoughts? I have been kind of going back and forth between trying a Surface out and something like the iPad Pro (maybe 9.7 inch). Right now for portable computing I have a Macbook Pro (13", from 2009) that is already on life support (battery is really wearing out and it has some problem where it often does not wake from sleep properly) but I have been holding out on a true replacement for it as the Apple lineup has really stagnated, and my lifestyle/usage patterns have changed over the years since I bought it. I also have a small and very cheap (got it for free actually) 7" HP android tablet that is used 99% of the time to watch youtube videos or light browsing.

What turns me away from getting a more capable tablet is the limitations of the android and maybe even iOS systems. I honestly have only ever downloaded/installed maybe tablet 5 apps in my life, since I simply don't really see the appeal or have found a compelling need for any apps beyond what is installed by default. As long as I have an email client, youtube, netflix/amazon video, web browser, some way to play MP3s I'm pretty much good to go. And also the fact that it is much harder to get good ad-blocking in the tablet OSs (is this still true?) it really dampens the online/youtube experience vs. from my desktop/laptop. I did install Adguard on my tablet which has worked great for the browser but youtube still has ads.

What I'm looking for is something for general use computing, mostly browsing and watching youtube for use around the house and while traveling. The smaller Surface 3 (vs the Pro models) appeals to me because of the lower price, and almost more importantly, the smaller/lighter form factor. Also the fact that it runs full Windows 10, so the possibility of installing some older/non-demanding games on it to play while traveling is very appealing to me too. I am fully aware the limitations of Cherry Trail's GPU, but certainly this thing would still be able to handle even modern non-3D stuff like Banner Saga, or Sunless Sea? Also I have tried Steam in-home streaming to my Macbook a couple of times and it works pretty smoothly- the surface 3 could be a great little device to game from the couch, etc.

Anyway, I'm really on the fence, and very tempted to place an order. Any thoughts to push me one way or the other?

Oh P.S. I do like the concept of being able to use the Surface (or iPad Pro) with a stylus. For several years now my primary input mode on my desktop computer has been a Wacom Intuos. I do find it easier on the wrist and navigating via stylus/pen is very natural to me now.
 
I love my Surface 3, it's pretty, fast and very well built. Windows 10 still has some bugs (some are probably Surface specific) but nothing dramatic as far as I'm concerned.
I use it for browsing, reading, watching the occasional film/show and very rarely for gaming (when I do it's usually Steam Stream but it is very capable of running light or old games on its own, plenty of games from my GoG and Steam library work fine on it - not tried Banner Saga but I'm confident that will run flawlessly). I did hesitate between Android, iOS and this, but at the end of the day I'm a Windows guy. Truth be told it ends up being very expensive when you add the keyboard and stylus (I also picked up a USB 3 hub) - but I can't say I regret it. It's exactly what I wanted.

Since my desktop runs on Windows I was able to copy paste my docs/media files and a number of applications I can't live without (only had to install the small number of non-portable apps I use). It wouldn't have been that simple with Android or iOS :) I have the 128GB/4GB version - local storage was certainly a strong point for the Surface.

Now the battery life is definitely not amazing, browsing/reading with WIFI on I'm averaging ~6-8h depending on the brightness I need (25-50% usually), but it can go down very quickly when you watch HD videos or game. Unless you're outside you shouldn't need 100% brightness anyway (it's really bright). But yeah, that's definitely not where the Surface shines.
 
Ruahrc said:
I read an article recently about the surface 3 tablet, and that since Intel has cancelled the Broxton CPUs a direct replacement may not come out for some time. Then I saw that it is currently on sale (4GB RAM/128GB storage version) for $150 off, and I am very tempted to pick one up, as apparently the hopes of a replacement anytime soon are quite low.

Anyone who has had one for a while have any thoughts? I have been kind of going back and forth between trying a Surface out and something like the iPad Pro (maybe 9.7 inch). Right now for portable computing I have a Macbook Pro (13", from 2009) that is already on life support (battery is really wearing out and it has some problem where it often does not wake from sleep properly) but I have been holding out on a true replacement for it as the Apple lineup has really stagnated, and my lifestyle/usage patterns have changed over the years since I bought it. I also have a small and very cheap (got it for free actually) 7" HP android tablet that is used 99% of the time to watch youtube videos or light browsing.

What turns me away from getting a more capable tablet is the limitations of the android and maybe even iOS systems. I honestly have only ever downloaded/installed maybe tablet 5 apps in my life, since I simply don't really see the appeal or have found a compelling need for any apps beyond what is installed by default. As long as I have an email client, youtube, netflix/amazon video, web browser, some way to play MP3s I'm pretty much good to go. And also the fact that it is much harder to get good ad-blocking in the tablet OSs (is this still true?) it really dampens the online/youtube experience vs. from my desktop/laptop. I did install Adguard on my tablet which has worked great for the browser but youtube still has ads.

What I'm looking for is something for general use computing, mostly browsing and watching youtube for use around the house and while traveling. The smaller Surface 3 (vs the Pro models) appeals to me because of the lower price, and almost more importantly, the smaller/lighter form factor. Also the fact that it runs full Windows 10, so the possibility of installing some older/non-demanding games on it to play while traveling is very appealing to me too. I am fully aware the limitations of Cherry Trail's GPU, but certainly this thing would still be able to handle even modern non-3D stuff like Banner Saga, or Sunless Sea? Also I have tried Steam in-home streaming to my Macbook a couple of times and it works pretty smoothly- the surface 3 could be a great little device to game from the couch, etc.

Anyway, I'm really on the fence, and very tempted to place an order. Any thoughts to push me one way or the other?

Oh P.S. I do like the concept of being able to use the Surface (or iPad Pro) with a stylus. For several years now my primary input mode on my desktop computer has been a Wacom Intuos. I do find it easier on the wrist and navigating via stylus/pen is very natural to me now.
Click to expand...

If it weren't for the games, I'd point you to the iPad Pro... believe it or not, it should be faster, offer better pen input and have a better screen.

My main hesitation: the Surface 3 is relatively old and slow. I'd be tempted to pony up for a base model Surface Pro 4. Even with the Core M, it's going to be much faster and generally nicer to use. See if you can get it as part of a sale or bundle discount.
 
I've had a Surface 3 since launch. Overall I really like it. The performance can be sluggish with the eMMC storage with heave loads but otherwise it runs very will under Windows 10. The keyboard is good for it's size by not the most comfortable but I can use if for extended periods of time. As for inking, I think the Surface line with Windows 10 might be a better choice than the iPad for note taking. The iPad might be a better for art but overall pen support is better in Windows 10.

If you can get a 4GB/128GB model for $450 of less new, I think it's still a good buy. Microsoft has supported Surfaces well, Windows 10 is getting better on them and it's a very good all around hybrid tablet. I get about 8 hours of runtime out of mine. Little heat, not fans, very well built. Handles Office, web browsing, etc. very well. Tablet apps are a problem, but that's gotten reasonably better I think. You certainly don't have anything like the iOS and Android ecosystems but there's still a decent amount of apps and when combined with desktop apps and the web, it's not anything close to a paperweight.
 
Well I caved and put in an order. It is coming from Best Buy so easy returns if it doesn't work out. Or I could maybe give it to my dad who probably would love a device like this. I picked up the type cover and stylus from Amazon both of which were slightly on sale (also a microsoft bluetooth mouse for $20). All told I got 4GB/128GB surface, keyboard, and stylus for $600 which doesn't seem too bad. I'm also tempted to get the Surface dock which is down to $99 instead of $199 but I think I will wait and see if I actually like the Surface first before picking one of those up.

I hear the argument about going to the SP4 instead but even the base model that only has Core M is almost double what I paid (if you add the keyboard cover, it is like ~1100?) and also it is quite a bit larger in size/weight too. With this in mind I think the Surface 3 I got will be a good experiment, both in terms of cross-platform usage model (outside of work I don't use Windows on a regular basis except for my gaming PC and that is 100% only for gaming I don't do anything else on it) and if it works out, I can move to an upgraded Surface model later on down the line. Although for me I tend to use my stuff for a long time. As mentioned in my first post I'm still using my MBP which is 7 years old now, longer than the Powerbook 15" it replaced (5 years) and also my iPod touch (3rd generation) I have been using for like 8 or 9 years now too. Hopefully this surface will have similar longevity :)
 
Ruahrc said:
Well I caved and put in an order. It is coming from Best Buy so easy returns if it doesn't work out. Or I could maybe give it to my dad who probably would love a device like this. I picked up the type cover and stylus from Amazon both of which were slightly on sale (also a microsoft bluetooth mouse for $20). All told I got 4GB/128GB surface, keyboard, and stylus for $600 which doesn't seem too bad. I'm also tempted to get the Surface dock which is down to $99 instead of $199 but I think I will wait and see if I actually like the Surface first before picking one of those up.

I hear the argument about going to the SP4 instead but even the base model that only has Core M is almost double what I paid (if you add the keyboard cover, it is like ~1100?) and also it is quite a bit larger in size/weight too. With this in mind I think the Surface 3 I got will be a good experiment, both in terms of cross-platform usage model (outside of work I don't use Windows on a regular basis except for my gaming PC and that is 100% only for gaming I don't do anything else on it) and if it works out, I can move to an upgraded Surface model later on down the line. Although for me I tend to use my stuff for a long time. As mentioned in my first post I'm still using my MBP which is 7 years old now, longer than the Powerbook 15" it replaced (5 years) and also my iPod touch (3rd generation) I have been using for like 8 or 9 years now too. Hopefully this surface will have similar longevity :)
Click to expand...

The dock is handy for having a place to put the tablet while charging and makes more sense with the smaller Surface 3 than the bigger Pro. I would get the older version, not the newer brick-type one, as it is great for having something sturdy to put the tablet in and still use it. I've had the Surface 3 ( with dock ) since launch but gave it to my sister when I got a Pro 4 with i7. I like the Pro 4 much better for the bigger screen and better pen sensitivity. The Surface 3 is fine for note-taking and non-serious drawing. Only problem I had with Surface 3 was choppy video playback with uncompressed BD rips in mkv format. The only codec pack I found that works well with uncompressed content is the K-Lite Codec Pack.

A couple of things I have bought for my Surface tablet.

I stick with Sandisk or Lexar MicroSD cards. I think 200GB is the max right now, but I have several 64GB and 128GB cards that I load with movies. I keep a 128GB installed under the flap-stand. I like the Lexar cards because they come with a small USB3.0 adapter. I bought ( all from Amazon ) an Anker 3-port USB 3.0 + Ethernet adapter, Cable Matters DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0 adapter, and MicroSoft XBox 360 Wireless Gaming Adapter ( which allows me to use my wireless XBox 360 controllers on Surface tablets with XBox Live. ) The XBox 360 WIRED controllers work without any adapters.

As a side-note. I have a couple 12 TB AMS Venus DS3RPro RAID enclosures. They work fine with the Anker adapter. The Surface, DP to HDMI cable, Anker adapter, and the two enclosures make for a nice, quiet portable media serving system.
 
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Slightly off topic, but I was looking for a smallish (under 12" screen) tablet w/keyboard or laptop to use while out in the data halls at the DC and bought a lenovo chromebook yesterday at Frys for $99. Used a script called crouton to install ubuntu on it running side by side with chrome OS. Can even run ubuntu in a browser tab inside chrome os if I want to set it up that way, but then you lose hardware acceleration in ubuntu.

Swiped the bluetooth mouse I carry in my bag with my giant heavy laptop, a USB to serial port adapter for the few times I need to connect to a switch/router and picking up one of and I'll be all set.

https://www.amazon.com/MyDigitalSSD...?srs=8881434011&ie=UTF8&qid=1467575670&sr=8-4

For what I will be using it for it is perfect and under $200
 
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So I've been getting used to my surface 3, I have a question about the pen stylus that I bought to go with it:

For a while now I have been using a wacom tablet as an input device (i.e. just general mousing, not drawing or art). For those familiar with wacom stylii, there is a two button rocker switch on the side where your thumb sits (similar to the older stylus that came with the surface pro 3). I configured my wacom pen's buttons so that one of these two "thumb buttons" was double click, and the other was right click. However, it works slightly differently than my surface pen. On my wacom, I just had to press the right click button and it would right click. What I mean is I could have the stylus hovering over the tablet and just press the right click button and it would right click, without me having to touch the tip of the pen to the tablet.

On the surface pen, there is the same thumb button for right click, but I have to click and hold the right click button, and then while holding the right click button, press the tip of the pen to the screen to activate the right click. Is there any way to adjust the behavior of the surface pen so that simply pressing the right click button activates the right click in the OS? So I wouldn't have to touch it to the screen while holding the pen? In my mind, the way the wacom pen works is more efficient, but I also want to set it up like that to keep the input system consistent between my PC/mac with wacom stylus and the surface with its own pen. I looked in the surface app options but did not see anything to accomplish this... am I missing something or is there some 3rd party utility that will accomplish this?

Thanks
Ruahrc
 
I don't believe that yo can do this and I'm not aware of any 3rd party utilities that allow for the pen buttons to change their function. The next Windows 10 update will allow for the top pen button to be customized but not the right click button.
 
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