Surface Pro 3

[bluefan]

Originally Posted by rcentros

My point being, Microsoft advertises the Surface Pro (especially the 3) as being a laptop replacement. I don't agree (inferior keyboard), but the reason I mentioned being able to buy all three is to compare the price to a laptop. Personally I would rather have a real laptop and (if I needed one) a real tablet -- and save a few hundred dollars in the bargain.

My plan is to carry around something like this :

http://www.diatec.co.jp/en/det.php?prod_c=1471

or

http://www.rapoo.com/ProductShow.asp...uCupl3PJuVw%3d

Yes not as mobile as the type cover, but for essentially the same price...I'll sacrifice some portability for a vastly superior typing experience.

[WillysJeepMan]

Originally Posted by MikeB1972

Someone better let Samsung, Google, Sony, Nokia, etc know that accessories have to fit the next model then, because they keep changing the form factors with every new release.

Please. Which one of those companies sells a $130 keyboard accessory that went obsolete in less than 1 generation? If you think that there is any commonality between what Microsoft did and the companies you mentioned then you are missing the main point.

[MikeB1972]

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

Please. Which one of those companies sells a $130 keyboard accessory that went obsolete in less than 1 generation? If you think that there is any commonality between what Microsoft did and the companies you mentioned then you are missing the main point.

Well, there's a $69.99 case for the galaxy S5 that isn't compatable with the S4 (and I'll bet it won't be compatable with the S6)
http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cel...EP-VG900BBUSTA

A $79.99 cover for a sony tablet Z
http://store.sony.com/leather-cover-...=27-SGPCV5%2FB

This is not new and pretty much everyone does it.

I don't think I'm the one missing the point here, the accessories market is huge and you need new accessories for each new toy $$$$$.

[pl001]

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

Please. Which one of those companies sells a $130 keyboard accessory that went obsolete in less than 1 generation? If you think that there is any commonality between what Microsoft did and the companies you mentioned then you are missing the main point.

The original keyboards lasted two generations so far including the current one. There has been no confirmation the 10" models are being completely discontinued and I have read the old keyboards do in fact still work with the S3, it's just that they don't cover the larger tablet as a case very well.

As I mentioned earlier I think it's ridiculous they sell them for $130, but when the form factor changes of course accessories are going to get outdated. What's going to happen when Apple introduces the rumored 4.7" iPhone 6? How long have the 4" screens been around?

Everybody operates that way today, nobody can afford to sit on old designs forever just to keep compatibility with old accessories. You may not like it, but you can't single out Microsoft for it. We don't even know if the 10" tablets will be discontinued yet. But even if they are, it's the price we pay for such technologically advanced devices.

[WillysJeepMan]

Originally Posted by MikeB1972

Well, there's a $69.99 case for the galaxy S5 that isn't compatable with the S4 (and I'll bet it won't be compatable with the S6)
http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cel...EP-VG900BBUSTA

A $79.99 cover for a sony tablet Z
http://store.sony.com/leather-cover-...=27-SGPCV5%2FB

This is not new and pretty much everyone does it.

I don't think I'm the one missing the point here, the accessories market is huge and you need new accessories for each new toy $$$$$.

Which of those that you linked to cost $130? None. Fail.

I didn't ask for accessories that cost $50-$100 because that IS what everyone pretty much does. $130 is PREMIUM for a mobile keyboard.

Again, if you are attempting to equate what Microsoft did re: SP2 -> SP3 with what others are doing (which you haven't done) they you are missing the point.

Originally Posted by pl001

The original keyboards lasted two generations so far including the current one. There has been no confirmation the 10" models are being completely discontinued and I have read the old keyboards do in fact still work with the S3, it's just that they don't cover the larger tablet as a case very well.

The TypeCover2 came out 8 months ago. Electronically they'll work, yes... but it completely defeats the purpose of a COVER. And I find it highly unlikely that someone will spring for an SP3 and then use a TypeCover2 with it.

[JSWolf]

I have a Surface Pro 2 with 512gig of ram and it's very nice. It's a full fledged computer. yes, it has Windows 8.1 on it, but I've installed Classic Start Menu and it now looks and feels like Windows 7 with the ability to use Windows 8 apps should I want to. The only Windows 8 app I use on the Surface with any sort of regularity is IHeartRadio. The rest all all desktop programs.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by WillAdams

I'm tempted by the idea of the Surface 3, and the formfactor appeals to me. Some thoughts / observations:

On the bright side, it should run Macromedia FreeHand/MX.

It also runs Calibre & Sigil. Try that on an iPad or Android tablet.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Alfy

I'm writing this on my iPad and I am not fond of Windows 8 but...

If you are OK with Wndows 7, just install Classic Start Menu on Windows 8.1 and you won't have to put up with Windows 8.1 as Windows 8.1. You can have Windows 7 back with Windows 8/1 there if you ever want/need it. Well, it's not exactly Windows 7, but with the desktop and the start menu, it feels just like Windows 7.

[WillysJeepMan]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I have a Surface Pro 2 with 512gig of ram and it's very nice. It's a full fledged computer. yes, it has Windows 8.1 on it, but I've installed Classic Start Menu and it now looks and feels like Windows 7 with the ability to use Windows 8 apps should I want to. The only Windows 8 app I use on the Surface with any sort of regularity is IHeartRadio. The rest all all desktop programs.

Nice. I'm still holding out hope that there will be a critical mass of Modern UI apps for those functions that are better served by a touch interface.

That's the appeal that the Surface 2 has for me. I can use it with the TypeCover2 as a netbook for serious work then when the mood strikes, snap off the cover, flip it around and reattach it and do more casual tasks in tablet mode.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

Nice. I'm still holding out hope that there will be a critical mass of Modern UI apps for those functions that are better served by a touch interface.

That's the appeal that the Surface 2 has for me. I can use it with the TypeCover2 as a netbook for serious work then when the mood strikes, snap off the cover, flip it around and reattach it and do more casual tasks in tablet mode.

I have a Logitech mouse I use with my surface. It has the unifying dongle with it. I'm thinking of getting a Logitech keyboard to go with with it. Then I can use it across the room if I want to plug it into the TV.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I have a Surface Pro 2 with 512gig of ram and it's very nice. It's a full fledged computer. yes, it has Windows 8.1 on it, but I've installed Classic Start Menu and it now looks and feels like Windows 7 with the ability to use Windows 8 apps should I want to. The only Windows 8 app I use on the Surface with any sort of regularity is IHeartRadio. The rest all all desktop programs.

That is a heck of a lot of RAM! I'm not sure I believe you...

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

That is a heck of a lot of RAM! I'm not sure I believe you...

It's the top end Surface Pro 2. It also has 8gig of ram for running the OS and programs.

[Dulin's Books]

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

Please. Which one of those companies sells a $130 keyboard accessory that went obsolete in less than 1 generation? If you think that there is any commonality between what Microsoft did and the companies you mentioned then you are missing the main point.

the keyboards are compatible across 3 generations now. touch and type covers work on surface rt , surface 2, surface pro, pro 2 and pro 3. the only difference is the size/shape of the pro3 and its type cover being over sized for the previous gen and the previous gen covers not quite covering the display of pro 3. they do attach and work the same way.

[WillysJeepMan]

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

the keyboards are compatible across 3 generations now. touch and type covers work on surface rt , surface 2, surface pro, pro 2 and pro 3. the only difference is the size/shape of the pro3 and its type cover being over sized for the previous gen and the previous gen covers not quite covering the display of pro 3. they do attach and work the same way.

I'm talking about the TypeCover2. That was introduced in Sept. It cost $130. People who purchased it for their Surface device and now looking to upgrade to the SP3 find themselves with a physically incompatible device. Electronically it is compatible but it is a COVER as well as a keyboard. And a cover that doesn't actually cover is not very useful.

That means that this $130 accessory cannot be used with the next generation of device.

Ok, apparently that is no big deal to people. But when Microsoft fails to gain traction in the marketplace try considering that things like this contribute to that rather than dismiss it all as, "an Apple-loving press not giving Microsoft a fair shake".

[pl001]

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

I'm talking about the TypeCover2. That was introduced in Sept. It cost $130. People who purchased it for their Surface device and now looking to upgrade to the SP3 find themselves with a physically incompatible device. Electronically it is compatible but it is a COVER as well as a keyboard. And a cover that doesn't actually cover is not very useful.

That means that this $130 accessory cannot be used with the next generation of device.

Ok, apparently that is no big deal to people. But when Microsoft fails to gain traction in the marketplace try considering that things like this contribute to that rather than dismiss it all as, "an Apple-loving press not giving Microsoft a fair shake".

I pointed this out twice but I'll do it again. We don't know that the 10" form factor is going away. Until it does, you really don't have anything to complain about. You can still buy a brand new Surface 2 and use your keyboard on it. It's not an outdated product by any means.

I just don't understand that "don't change or improve anything" mentality. Not even Apple fully subscribes to that.

As I've said before, the price is too high on the keyboards. But we accepted that cost as a worthwhile value when we bought them.