Surface 3?

[johnson_pw]

I'm looking to replace my 8 year old laptop and Nook HD+. I am pretty confident that on the laptop side the Surface 3 will be able to perform all of the things I currently use my laptop for.

However, I do use my Nook HD+ for alot of reading of PDFs and Epubs with a couple of different readers, and comics via ComicRack. Are there any Surface 3 owners that can confirm that there are viable apps to replicate these experiences on the Surface 3?

[Sweetpea]

I don't own a Surface 3, but a Surface Pro 2 and an Asus Vivotab Note 8.

Personally, I find even the 10" of the SP2 too large to comfortably read (comics might work). I use my Asus for that and I simply installed Calibre on it. I use the reader that comes supplied with that. Works perfectly. I never read PDF so I can't comment on that.

I searched for ComicRack and that's apparently a windows application, so it should work fine on the Surface as well. I could install it on my SP2 today to check out how it works with a touchscreen...

[ebusinesstutor]

I own a Surface Pro 3 and just went on a 10 day trip. It replaced my laptop superbly.

However, I usually use my Galaxy Note as my ebook reader. I find the Surface Pro 3 is quite large. I do love it for news - I use NextGen rss reader for this.

I did read a couple of comics from ScribeD in my browser and it worked ok, but not great. Sadly ScribeD doesn't have a Windows app. Haven't tried ComicRack.

[rakulos]

Initially I tried using CDDisplayEX via desktop for comics but got fed up with sausage fingers on the small screen so ended up using 'Cover' app (on my switch 10) - works well for me.
I went through most of the free cbz/cbr readers first and I had niggles with all of them - ended up paying £2.40 iirc? for the fully unlocked Cover, you can trial it and it limits the number of files you can see in the app but it gives you an idea of its functionality.

[AnthonyBe]

I use Freda on my Surface and Lumia 930 so that I can grab books directly from my Calibre library when I'm travelling.

I agree with the sentiments that the Surface Pro 2 and 3 get a bit heavy to use as a reader. They've fine if you can rest it on your lap or something, but holding it up (e.g. on a plane) is a little tiring.

The Surface 3 is about 180g lighter than the Pro 3 (800g vs 622g) and the screen just over an inch smaller (12" vs 10.8") and this is quite noticeable when holding it like you would a tablet/eReader.

[Caleb666]

I'm also looking for a replacement for my iPad 2, and I was thinking that Surface Pro might be worth looking at.

I mostly read technical PDFs and browse the web on the iPad and with a Surface I could actually get some programming done. The thing is, I cannot find a PDF reader on the Windows Store that can rival GoodReader.

One basic feature of GoodReader that seems to be missing is the ability to dynamically "crop margins" of PDFs (screenshot). Does anyone know of a PDF reader that has this functionality?

[howyoudoin]

Originally Posted by Caleb666

I'm also looking for a replacement for my iPad 2, and I was thinking that Surface Pro might be worth looking at.

I mostly read technical PDFs and browse the web on the iPad and with a Surface I could actually get some programming done. The thing is, I cannot find a PDF reader on the Windows Store that can rival GoodReader.

One basic feature of GoodReader that seems to be missing is the ability to dynamically "crop margins" of PDFs (screenshot). Does anyone know of a PDF reader that has this functionality?

You could use Briss to crop the pages before reading them on your regular pdf reader.

[robko]

Originally Posted by Caleb666

I mostly read technical PDFs and browse the web on the iPad and with a Surface I could actually get some programming done. The thing is, I cannot find a PDF reader on the Windows Store that can rival GoodReader.

With any of the Surface Pro's or a Surface 3 (not older Surface 1 or Surface 2) you aren't limited to just the Windows Store. They will run virtually any Windows software. Not sure if there is any Windows PDF reader that will do what you want, but don't limit yourself to looking at the Windows Store.

The Surface 3 is a nice size/shape for reading things on.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by Caleb666

I'm also looking for a replacement for my iPad 2, and I was thinking that Surface Pro might be worth looking at.

I mostly read technical PDFs and browse the web on the iPad and with a Surface I could actually get some programming done. The thing is, I cannot find a PDF reader on the Windows Store that can rival GoodReader.

One basic feature of GoodReader that seems to be missing is the ability to dynamically "crop margins" of PDFs (screenshot). Does anyone know of a PDF reader that has this functionality?

With a screen the size of the Surface Pro you can simply use the Adobe regular version instead of an app. You can reflow the text, zoom past the edges if you wish to reduce the margin and many additional reading features. Don't forget you have two computers in one, a tablet and a laptop.

Dale

[WillysJeepMan]

Originally Posted by robko

With any of the Surface Pro's or a Surface 3 (not older Surface 1 or Surface 2) you aren't limited to just the Windows Store. They will run virtually any Windows software. Not sure if there is any Windows PDF reader that will do what you want, but don't limit yourself to looking at the Windows Store.

The Surface 3 is a nice size/shape for reading things on.

The unique benefit of using a Surface (instead of a notebook) device is in using it as a tablet. That is best accomplished by the apps in the Windows store. Using desktop apps on the Surface in tablet-mode is technically possible, but not desirable. It is an inferior experience than using "native" touch-optimized Modern UI apps.

[WillAdams]

I find on the larger tablet screen that it's not so necessary to trim margins --- when I do, I use the full version of Acrobat to do this, which preserves the text as type, vector elements, &c.

[Scarpad]

I just bought a surface 3 and it works very well in tablet mode for comics perfect size and shape i use cover to read them

[Andanzas]

Originally Posted by Scarpad

I just bought a surface 3 and it works very well in tablet mode for comics perfect size and shape i use cover to read them

I just discovered Cover recently and I think it's hands down the best comic reader for Windows. It doesn't load up as fast as it should, and it takes a long time to scan a large library to add thumbnails showing the covers, but it's full of great features, and it's a joy to use.

[WashWest]

Originally Posted by Scarpad

I just bought a surface 3 and it works very well in tablet mode for comics perfect size and shape i use cover to read them

Agreed - perfect size and shape! I traded in the Surface 2, which was too long and narrow for comics reading (16:9 ratio instead of the S3's 3:2).

The only thing I would change about the Surface 3 is to have a kickstand that would also work in portrait orientation instead of just landscape. I read a lot of comics and always hold the Surface in my hands, but it would be great if it could stand, vertically.

I haven't used Cover. I use Comics Jolt and like it.

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

The unique benefit of using a Surface (instead of a notebook) device is in using it as a tablet. That is best accomplished by the apps in the Windows store. Using desktop apps on the Surface in tablet-mode is technically possible, but not desirable. It is an inferior experience than using "native" touch-optimized Modern UI apps.

I was just going to say I bought a Surface 3 two weeks ago. I have Calibre on it and ITunes. I don't have any issues using desktop programs and in many cases there just isn't any app good enough in the Windows store (which is why I am using iTunes for music and video playlists)

I tend to use the Surface as a normal laptop with touch/tablet ability.