Amazingly well (but still only partially as a notebook replacement)

Amazingly well (but still only partially as a notebook replacement)

Microsoft Surface Pro3 30.4 cm (12 inch) tablet PC (Intel Core i5 4300U, 1.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Win 8, touch screen) silver (Personal Computers)

Customer Review

Foreword

Investigated Model: i5 / 256GB (with 8 GB of RAM!)

Since the first generation I have been following the development of Surface devices. From the very beginning I was enthusiastic about the idea, but had doubts about the implementation. A device that comfortable inserting productive as tablet and beyond as a notebook leaves? It sounds almost too good to be true. And so it was also the case in my opinion, in the 1st generation. Immature the first Surface Pro came to market. But how could this be otherwise in a 1st generation. After all, Microsoft pushed boldly into the hardware market with a relatively new concept. The second generation conceded now up some shortcomings of the 1st generation on, but I still was not convinced. And now there is the 3rd and 1st in my eyes really marketable generation of Surface Pro ...

The first impression

This turns out very well, so do the SP3 by its excellent workmanship really convince. One has to keep the feeling of a device of the high-end class in his hands. And that, quite incidentally, at the price also quite rightly! In particular, the stability of the Kickstands has surprised me the most. This keeps the tablet no longer only in two angles determined, but in any position - class! So and not otherwise the Kickstand really makes sense. The material in its light version like very, since, in contrast to the dark version (2nd generation) now hardly takes fingerprints.

Connectivity and ports

In addition to a webcam, and photo camera on the back (both 5 MP) you get a full USB 3.0 port on the right side. Here is the first big gripe: A single USB connection is certainly not sufficient! Thus, you want probably the clientele to move the dock to buy (of course the purchase of a much more affordable USB hubs would also be possible). Which again and again costs extra for the keyboard, which makes the device actually only about a round supply must be purchased separately at a hefty price of about 110. Since quite what comes along. And let's be honest: A notebook with only one USB port replaced? That's not it! Thus, one is more or less forced either a) switch to Bluetooth Perepherie or b) to buy the Dockinstation for another 200. Short intermediate thought: "Oh man, that is quite expensive!"
Next ... The SP3 has furthermore a mini-display port (via an adapter on most HDMI devices are therefore usable), a combined connector for the headset and a micro SD card reader located below the kick Stands hidden. The connector for the charger supplied has been revised and now offers significantly more grip than was its predecessor the case. However, I found this in the 2nd generation already perfectly fine. On the bottom is the long magnetic connector for the touch / or Type-Cover. As controls located on the top of the on / off switch and on the left side along with headset port the volume rocker. Connection can be established both via Bluetooth 4.0 and with all common wireless standards. In addition, there is a USB to Ethernet adapter of Microsoft. Thus you are on the road if desired also via LAN on the Internet. But then no more USB port is free.

The new Stylus

This makes similar to the housing of the SP3 a very good impression. With a pleasant weight, which is partly due to the button cell and the AAAA battery inside the active stylus, the pen is very comfortable to hold. Two buttons on the stylus are intended to Right-click and delete content. I like that, so do not have the pin to be turned to the written supposedly wrong to remove the "eraser" to erase. The "Eraser", ie the button at the rear end of the pen has now received a new, very useful function. Clicking this means that automatically opens OneNote on the SP3. And when the SP3 is currently locked! That's just great. Within seconds, the SP3 for notes is ready. Excellent! With a double-contrast a screenshot sent to OneNote - also thought very useful and good.
Since the new Microsoft Surface Pro 3 no longer with Wacom technology but with N-Trig, they have managed to make the Stylus smoother and more precise. So it was at the Surface Pro in the tweiten version yet so that you had to endure severe inaccuracies when writing with the pen near the display edge. That's no longer the case with the SP3. With the new Stylus (with N-Trig technology) can be worked into the corners with pinpoint accuracy. Thus, control elements can now achieve much better.

The display

The resolution with 2160 x 1440 pixels 12-inch IPS display impresses in every aspect. Madness! The format with 3: 2 may be unfamiliar but interfere in any way. On the contrary, you get used to fast on the A4 format and would like it - do not miss - at least in the surface. For all number lovers: The display has a pixel density of 203 ppi approx. Although it is a glossy display is the contents even outdoors readable. This is partly because there is now no more distance between the display and the protective glass and more, because that SP3 has a fairly high brightness (backlight).

Power

I, for one to prefer the model with the i5-4300U processor, so it really comes as a notebook replacement in question. In addition, 128 GB SSD storage are simply not enough (subjective opinion). The i7 model, however, is me again far too expensive. The i5 the Surface 3 has actually done enough to power most of the tasks in their daily work. However, the processor is limited in its speed of operation, the device or the core temperature should greatly increase. Here there are just limits, which are due to the construction. However, you notice it in everyday nothing. Incidentally, the Surface Pro 3 works always "the same rate", regardless of whether it is supplied from the wall socket or exclusively from the battery.

Battery life

Here the Surface Pro 3 has a great advantage to its predecessors. With normal use of (wireless one, brightness about 50% ...) are actually to achieve the 9 hours. And I find it already really good. If the device is, however, only for reading PDFs, books, etc. used are quite times up to 12..14 hours in there - super! In everyday realistic you can watch but be sure that at least are always around 7-8 hours there. Thus, the look of one or more full-HD movies on a trip is possible.

Function as a notebook

Here I have to admit, unfortunately, that the Surface Pro 3 can not be used for any situation as a notebook replacement. And that is my opinion on the fact that the device with Type Cover attached simply not the rigidity * has, as is the case in normal notebook. Thus, the "loose" type cover is sometimes but a bit annoying. In this regard, although I am spoiled by the excellent keyboard of my T440s, but the tip-feeling is not optimum on the Type Cover in my eyes. The use on the lap, which is often used as a promotional tool, I find little advantage. I can not imagine that I would write long texts (theses, ...) on me. The balancing act between tablet and notebook succeeds not entirely satisfactory in my eyes.

* The display is more or less rigidly connected to the keyboard and forms a unit

Summary and Conclusion

Microsoft improves its Surface Pro in the 3rd generation significantly compared to its predecessor. It is pleasant to the A4 format, ie 3: 2 set, whereby the writing of notes is more enjoyable. The significantly enlarged display is 12 inches now actually much better suited to master the balancing act between tablet and notebook. This attempt, however, marred by the significantly Type Cover. With Type-Cover attached the SP3 as a full notebook the former classic notebook (and Tablet) is replaced. In my view, here a big step in the right direction has succeeded. However, I can still do without a "real" keyboard to post long texts. Certainly there are people who can arrange better here.

The following is a summary of the advantages / disadvantages and:

Positive noticed is me ...

Extremely high-quality workmanship
Pleasant Stylus with useful features
Convincing battery life (en)
Display format similar to DIN A4
Kickstand be locked in any position
GeƤuseform (light and thin)
Larger display (better than 2nd generation)
High Resolution
Super as a Tablet

The one negative I ...

Only one USB port (USB hub or docking station possibly necessary)
Type Cover not included and expensive
64 GB as the only option in conjunction with i3 processor (very bad)
Power limitation by cooling concept
Notebook Replacement only (very) limited extent *
Sorry, no 3G / 4G support, in prices incomprehensible (ways out: Tethering via Smartphone, USB surf stick)

* Subjectively

Thus I come to the following conclusion: With the Surface Pro 3 Microsoft has taken a giant step in the right direction. The balancing act between tablet and notebook (replacement) in a single device works better than before but is not invariably suitable for all applications. For the ambitious student who wants to create his transcripts on the SP3, the device is perfect. However, there is (in spite of the 10% price discount) give little students, who can not afford such a device. For the creation of short to medium work, the device is safe, well settled and professional purposes. However, as a true replacement for a laptop, I still see too much weakness (especially the lack of stiffness). However, Microsoft is on the right track and the SP3 is already for many users certainly almost perfectly.

So if you count yourselves to the abovementioned categories, which I call appropriate audience feel I can recommend the Surface Pro 3 without restriction. The price appears certainly a little high, but you also get an absolute premium product (see. Ultrabooks are in similar price ranges, not please with Tablets comparison!).

A classic! Rank: 5/5
November 7
Top quality, great service Rank: 5/5
December 18
happy with my shell Rank: 4/5
October 13
DISAPPOINTING 25 PRODUCT Rank: 2/5
December 17
great product in 2910 Rank: 5/5
July 26
Dog cushion 1 Rank: 5/5
February 4

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