It's coming, it's coming! I'm 100% set on getting a SP4, despite my love for the SP3, but only because I think I can convince my job to fork over the cash for one for me since they are going to be replacing a bunch of laptops anyway. Interestingly enough, I think SP4 being on Windows 10 might be the biggest hurdle to getting one for work. I want to make the move to 10 but I don't think that will jive with our IT structure here, at least not for a while after release.
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Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Announced (12", 3:2 aspect ratio, new stand)
- Thread starter enzo_gt
- Start date
It's coming, it's coming! I'm 100% set on getting a SP4, despite my love for the SP3, but only because I think I can convince my job to fork over the cash for one for me since they are going to be replacing a bunch of laptops anyway. Interestingly enough, I think SP4 being on Windows 10 might be the biggest hurdle to getting one for work. I want to make the move to 10 but I don't think that will jive with our IT structure here, at least not for a while after release.
Anton Sugar
Member
Think the form factor will change much? I am considering getting a dock, as I just ordered a new monitor for my desktop. Would love to bring a monitor into my bedroom to use my SP3 on, but I'm worried about a new dock coming out and SP3/4 compatibility.
SerTapTap
Member
Probably not, but you never know. IMO they've probably found their ideal form factor here and keeping compatibility is a nice plus (even the old surface pro 1 keyboards work with SP3s...they just don't cover the whole screen). They don't have an established upgrade cycle yet, but I'm personally expecting an SP4 that's completely compatible with SP3 covers/docks/etc and I'm assuming/hoping the heat/performance are the primary things they improve on.
They already broke away from the generic 16:9 form factor and it seems to work great. I don't see it getting THAT much thinner, and they've kept the same keyboard slot. But it's hard to say, this stuff moves fast.
BTW, does USB C push more power or something? Would a single USB C -> many USB 2&3 things be possible on a new SP4? Not sure they'll go to C that early, but it'd be cool, and the SP3's USB port is a bit under powered. I can only power about two low-ish power devices with it.
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
USB type C can juice 100w. Based on my cursory searching, the SP3 adaptors go up to 48w at the high end, so a single Type C port would be more than adequate for powering the SP4. I hope to god we get multiple ports though!
As it happens, we have more rumours about an announcement to a "Surface 2" successor coming from Build conf.
This all makes a lot of sense to me, the non-X86 tablets were always DoA and got discontinued a while ago. Intel low end stuff is now cheap and powerful enough to give us full windows for 99 dollar tablets at the ultra-low end, so a 399-499 "Surface 4" or whatever that runs full windows on an Atom processor and a smaller screen (10" probably would be my guess, just like the older Surface models) seems like a very attractive prospect.
As it happens, we have more rumours about an announcement to a "Surface 2" successor coming from Build conf.
This all makes a lot of sense to me, the non-X86 tablets were always DoA and got discontinued a while ago. Intel low end stuff is now cheap and powerful enough to give us full windows for 99 dollar tablets at the ultra-low end, so a 399-499 "Surface 4" or whatever that runs full windows on an Atom processor and a smaller screen (10" probably would be my guess, just like the older Surface models) seems like a very attractive prospect.
Septimus Prime
Member
I wonder if they will forgo the SP4 in this case, since people probably aren't down to buy new $1000 tablets annually.
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
They have started discounting SP3s on the MS store and bundling it with cashbacks, discounts or whatever. It seems like they're starting to move towards phasing it out, which they wouldn't do if they didn't intend to replace it with something. People don't upgrade tablets every year necessarily, but some people will replace every other year, or every 3rd year.
Broadwell (or Skylake if we're lucky) laptop CPU will probably power the SP4, which is likely to ship with Win10 ~halfway through the year. Maybe Julyish. A win 8.1 "windows 10 ready" machine on the latest atom seems logical to break into the lower end market.
We might see a resurrected Surface Mini eventually on Intel as well. Can't guarantee that, but it's possible.
Broadwell (or Skylake if we're lucky) laptop CPU will probably power the SP4, which is likely to ship with Win10 ~halfway through the year. Maybe Julyish. A win 8.1 "windows 10 ready" machine on the latest atom seems logical to break into the lower end market.
We might see a resurrected Surface Mini eventually on Intel as well. Can't guarantee that, but it's possible.
Steelyuhas
Member
Everyone making ultrabooks has an annual refresh, no reason for MSFT to not do that as well.
I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Microsoft said the docking stations would work for the 3 and 4.
Here: http://www.techradar.com/us/news/mo...-release-date-price-news-and-features-1285416
No, but I do think people are really starting to realize how functional the SP's are compared to ultrabooks and ipads and it would be foolish to not capitalize on that with some sort of line refresh, especially in conjunction with Windows 10.
Anton Sugar
Member
Good stuff, thanks.
And yeah, if they go USB-C, that's awesome, but I still want a separate charger port...or just two USB-C ports!
SerTapTap
Member
Will be interested to see what they release this year for sure, if it's just annual spec bumps or a new line or something. The SP2 seemed like a popular idea but I dont' know many people that really bought them. The SP3 feels like the first real success and I'm not sure how valuable it is to focus on much other than that. RT was definitely a dead end. Surface Mini could be interesting IF it has proper x86 and the keyboard isn't a nightmare.
Glad they're being upfront. Being antsy about stuff like this definitely affects my purchases. Would be more willing to buy digital things on PS4 if they'd promise PS5 would have backwards compatibility, for instance.
Never thought I'd praise a proprietary port, but I rather like the SP3's charge port (and the typecover port). But if USB C is used for charging yeah, they either need two ports, or they need to let us use the port on the brick for data too! (yes, there's a USB port on the power brick BTW, good for charging another device)
Glad they're being upfront. Being antsy about stuff like this definitely affects my purchases. Would be more willing to buy digital things on PS4 if they'd promise PS5 would have backwards compatibility, for instance.
Never thought I'd praise a proprietary port, but I rather like the SP3's charge port (and the typecover port). But if USB C is used for charging yeah, they either need two ports, or they need to let us use the port on the brick for data too! (yes, there's a USB port on the power brick BTW, good for charging another device)
Domcorleone
Member
I think I might return my SP3 today. I'll get one again when the SP4 is announced and released, hopefully lighter, thinner and running a lot cooler. It's between that and the new Macbook at this point.
lastflowers
Banned
which sp3 do you have?
My i5 was almost never hot. Then again, I don't think I was running any cad software
My i5 was almost never hot. Then again, I don't think I was running any cad software
Anton Sugar
Member
Yeah, I love that extra USB port. Charge my phone and SP3 from one charger=wonderful.
yeah. It's one of those 'people should have been doing this ages ago!' moments.
hyped for SP4, as in i'm hyped for a new keyboard. Need the excuse to have another color one, might as well get an improved one.
Problem is that new bluetooth keyboard looks really similar to SP3 keyboard, so i'm not expecting many changes.
Whats a good 'portable' usb hub y'all are using? Typical ones just dangle on the side which is a bit... ugly.
SerTapTap
Member
I use this one, it fits perfectly but unfortunately only powers 1-3 devices, depending on how much power they need. USB sticks work very well with it, but it only powers 2 DS4s, or one high power device like an external HDD. It's not too ugly IMO but it's also not too useful since it's really only 2 extra USBs for the most part. Use bluetooth for everything possible, or a powered hub if you actually need more than 2 USB things. I have a powered hub but it's for the desktop not the SP3.
LukasTaves
Member
Do they have those in usb 3.0?
SerTapTap
Member
The 4 port powered hub is USB 3.0, the hang-off one isn't. You can get this hang-off one with 2 USB 3.0s, Micro and normal SD card inputs. I guess they don't do more than 2 ports since that usually doesn't work anyway.
LukasTaves
Member
That's exactly what I wanted. Thanks!
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
The idea of Core M in the SP4 like TR was saying up there is terrible. Like fanless shit is nice but I don't want to go backwards in performance. The Core M stuff comes with hd5300 graphics, which is actually worse than the 4400 in the old SP2/3. The processing power isn't shit hot either. If they want to go with the Core M or even a bloody atom for a lower end device, that would be cool (e.g. the x86 Surface 3/4/whatever) but the Pro line shouldn't be backsliding on that front.
However due to the card reader (there's also a similar with a LAN-Port instead of the card reader, which I had for a brief moment) the surface won't fit into the dock anymore, also the DP is likely going to be covered as well. And it might not lie flat on a table (but that's probably not an issue with the card reader version)... and as had been said, powering an external 2.5USB HDD and a logitech unifying receiver (or other usb device) will likely not work...
I really wish there was a version of that plug without a card reader, so simply a 2 port USB 3.x hub, so I could still dock the surface with it attached and have a second port for an USB stick, while the DP is uncovered and the surface may still lie flat on its back... but no, apparently there has to be somethign more in it than just a second flat usb port :/
SerTapTap
Member
Hm. The USB 2.0 hangoff I posted earlier rotates into 3 positions, so it's easy to not block ports with it. But of course, it's USB 2.0
Damon Bennet
Member
Oh yes! Best device on the market
SerTapTap
Member
Thought this was a typo. That's...unexpected. I guess they're putting RT behind them but keeping the non-pro line. I think it's a good move on it's own, but the shittiness of Surface 1&2 RT might still do some harm to the branding.
It still needs a higher resolution screen imo. Almost there :/
Great to see Microsoft has added LTE and Pen options. I'd prefer a ~7"/8" tablet but tempted to grab this when it launches.
SerTapTap
Member
It's a budget option, higher resolution than I was expecting honestly. Plus it's smaller, could it be the same/higher PPI?
I'm meh on separate data plans per device, but the pen, get the pen.
SerTapTap
Member
YOU CAN DO THAT?! Well fuck. And yeah, more travel and click for the keys sounds great.
1080p on a $500 Windows laptop might be the norm but 1080p on a $500 tablet is not acceptable. Not only have $400 iOS and and Android tablets offered better for years but now $300 Chinese Windows tablets have better than 1080p
Even the Surface Pro is borderline high resolution imo. Microsoft is still trying to figure out their high-res mode while retina Macbooks and Chromebook Pixels both offer the option of greater desktop real estate. If makes the Surface Pro 3 seem very small in comparison :/
LukasTaves
Member
Same reaction for me on the pen, lol.
I'm so close to throwing away that stupid pen loop from my cover now.
And imo, the SP3 keyboard is already good enough, but any improvement is always welcomed.
SerTapTap
Member
This is much closer to a $500 laptop than it is a $500 tablet. It's not reasonable to compare the surface to far less useful devices in the same price range, of course a less useful device needs a better screen to justify itself.
SerTapTap
Member
You probably have to take the pen out since I bet it's blocking the magnet, but it still looks nice for transport (I don't have mine with me to try).
I wonder if they can just have some sort of special magnet spot for the Surface Pro 4 to stick on the pen even when moving. The typecover/power cord magnets are nice.
Again, you can get full Windows 8 Atom tablets right now for $300. Add a Bluetooth mouse+keyboard and they are just as useful as a Surface. Heck some of those Chinese high-res tablets dualboot Windows and Android so you could argue that they are more useful. You can also get Windows ultrabooks/convertibles with better resolution than a Surface Pro. I prefer the build quality of the Surface line and Microsoft's signature Windows experience but there's no excuse for continuing to lag behind in screen resolution
SerTapTap
Member
I really don't feel the SP3 is lagging behind in display resolution, the display is beautiful IMO. High DPI is handled weirdly in Windows which is a problem, but that's really about it. I can't imagine buying a more limited device just for higher numbers at this point. Text reads great at 1440p and the SP3's PPI. Games would benefit, but the SP3 can't push major 3D games at 1440p so raising the resolution won't have any particularly positive effect on gaming.
And you couldn't PAY me to use a $300 atom laptop and lug around an external bluetooth keyboard and mouse. The surface is a great bundle and I'm glad they're not sacrificing other areas or price just to say "yeah boyyeee higher res than a $2000 macbook". The Surface is a holistic experience that cannot be compared spec point by specpoint in a meaningful manner.
And you couldn't PAY me to use a $300 atom laptop and lug around an external bluetooth keyboard and mouse. The surface is a great bundle and I'm glad they're not sacrificing other areas or price just to say "yeah boyyeee higher res than a $2000 macbook". The Surface is a holistic experience that cannot be compared spec point by specpoint in a meaningful manner.
Eh, I'm not interested in it for gaming. Text reads only ok imo and I could notice the difference when I had one. And the scaling modes of ChromeOS and Mac OS helps a lot when doing work.
I'm not getting one of those Onda tablets either just pointing out that a higher resolution screen is doable. I expect better from Microsoft
Lone_Prodigy
Member
$639 in Canada... that exchange rate.
Resolution is a non-issue IMO. Most $500 laptops don't have resolutions exceeding 1080p.
Resolution is a non-issue IMO. Most $500 laptops don't have resolutions exceeding 1080p.
This looks really fucking amazing for musicians.
It's also the kind of app that best shows a difference between Surface and most other devices.
It's also the kind of app that best shows a difference between Surface and most other devices.
The Faceless Master
Member
i guess the Surface 3 will be a good deal when the dwindling supply of Surface Pro 2 units finally dries up?