Surface Pro 3

[Penforhire]

Harry, I agree with you with regards to long passages but handwriting is useful in a group business setting where we might be drawing diagrams to go with text or marking up a document.

More importantly, if I understand the Surface 3 correctly, MS made it very responsive to click the pen when the tablet is "off" and jot down a OneNote note instantly. That makes it more valuable as a carrying-it-around device. I end up carrying a note book and/or legal pad all over the factories I work in. I need to try that function.

But the downside is, I don't care so much if I leave my note book or pad lying around while an uber-expensive tablet needs to stay stuck to me like glue. I don't consider myself especially fashionable but a "murse" or man-purse in my business environments pushes the boundaries of my sensibilities, despite being the answer.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by HarryT

...I never use the stylus on my Surface Pro.

I use it often enough. But rarely for writing. I use it for "right click" options, for example moving files within 2 explorer windows.

[WillAdams]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I've never seen the attraction of "pen and paper" type apps. I can type far, far faster than I can write by hand. I never use the stylus on my Surface Pro.

Most people can (type faster than they can write). Advantages of handwriting:

- less intrusive --- I've never had anyone object to my taking notes using a stylus on a computer, but a fair number of college professors objected to a traditional laptop
- silent
- more expressive --- allows one to capture diagrams, flowcharts, math equations, &c. --- my art history notes always included a small sketch of the slides.

Some people also find that they retain things which are written better than those which are typed. I do.

[Shane R]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Do you feel that the the Surface Pro 3 can live up to its marketing hype as a tablet and laptop replacement? Somehow I get the feeling that the tablet is simply too big to be useful as pen and paper replacement despite the hype of OneNote. I do Think they are really Close though, but until we get foldable screens it won't really happen yet.

They will be releasing a Surface Mini. It was supposed to have been at this show, but the new CEO acted like he was Steve Jobs when he saw it, and they canceled it for now.

[Shane R]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

I wish, Microsoft would be as good in marketing as Apple.

They are. Xbox (and Halo), Windows, and Office were all hits. They know how to market, but the device must be good too.

[Andanzas]

How well does Windows 8 run with only 4 Gb of RAM? What kind of performance can we expect from the base model? I've read several reviews but they all talk about the i5 model.

[WillysJeepMan]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Do you feel that the the Surface Pro 3 can live up to its marketing hype as a tablet and laptop replacement? Somehow I get the feeling that the tablet is simply too big to be useful as pen and paper replacement despite the hype of OneNote. I do Think they are really Close though, but until we get foldable screens it won't really happen yet.

I agree, they're close. I don't think it is the size that makes it sub-par as a tablet, but the quality of the available Modern UI apps. For students and professionals, the SP3 is an excellent size, IMO.

I'm a fan of the Statement/half-Letter size format (5x8.5) for paper notepads, handouts, brochures, etc. I find that is also a convenient size for tablets used for reading (other than full-size magazine, vintage catalogs, and comics). I'm considering picking up a Dell Venue 8 Pro w/pen to see how well that form-factor works for inking.

[Kumabjorn]

You are saying that it isn't size that makes the Surface sub-par as a tablet, yet you are looking for an 8" alternative

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

...I'm considering picking up a Dell Venue 8 Pro w/pen to see how well that form-factor works for inking.

I've got the Dell Venue 8 Pro and can compare to Surface Pro 2.
The pen on Venue 8 Pro is surprisingly accurate. Gen2, though, Gen1 had been deemed disastrous.
But: I have to press the pen relatively hard to the tablet, to make it work. If you use it frequently enough, it doesn't bother that much after some time. But I'm using it only from time to time and then it's extremely obvious. I have my doubts, whether I would write lengthy hand notes with it. The WACOM stylus on Surface Pro 2 or Dell Latitude 10 is way smoother - but less accurate, especially in the upper left corner.

I really can recommend the solution I'm using for now:
Livescribe 3 pen on "normal" paper, syncing on-the-fly to iOS. If I send to Evernote, I only have a PDF or PNG, but searching for text works well enough. Correcting the text of course would be more convenient on a PC than on an iOS unit. But I'm accepting this minor inconvenience for the convenience to write with a "normal" pen on "normal" paper...

[afv011]

Originally Posted by dwig

I stand partially corrected. It seems can open a local file in Chrome, but only if you are using a keyboard and if you know the secret handshake. Pure touch users can't due to the lack of a menu or toolbar button to perform the action.

I detest UI that isn't discoverable except by trial-and-terror and consider Chrome's failure in this area to be poor design.

My main point still stands. It is Google's bad design and not the fault of Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 nor their Windows 8/8.1/8.1u1.

You should be able to drag and drop the file you want to open.

[Dulin's Books]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/...ctID.298465700

Only Surface (Pro) 2 it seems...
But at least this shows, something like this exists...

I've never seen one "in the wild".
There was a brief mention on some thread here and reviews re. build quality, battery duration and weight had been quite favorable.
Never made it to Microsoft Germany, though, for whatever reason. Else I probably would have bought it...

works with Surface 2 Pro1 and Pro 2. They are in stock in MS stores here in the states. It might even work with pro 3 since the connectors for it are all in the same place and spacing etc. The square size of the cover is different than the pro 3 obviously. remind me in a couple weeks and ill confirm it.

[Dulin's Books]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Do you feel that the the Surface Pro 3 can live up to its marketing hype as a tablet and laptop replacement?

heres a new review http://www.zdnet.com/surface-pro-3-a...nt-7000030024/

[Kumabjorn]

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

works with Surface 2 Pro1 and Pro 2. They are in stock in MS stores here in the states. It might even work with pro 3 since the connectors for it are all in the same place and spacing etc. The square size of the cover is different than the pro 3 obviously. remind me in a couple weeks and ill confirm it.

The earlier keyboards works with SP3 but they don't cover the screen as well.

[WillysJeepMan]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

You are saying that it isn't size that makes the Surface sub-par as a tablet, yet you are looking for an 8" alternative

Correct.

You mixed in two different criteria in your comment, "replace a tablet", "replacement for pen and paper". (they're not really the same thing) I was addressing the "replace a tablet" part.

Seeking an 8" alternative to test out the form factor for inking address the "replacement for pen and paper".

In retrospect, it looks like we split the difference.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by pl001

Right, but Microsoft is marketing it as a laptop replacement. You really need their keyboard for that.

Yep. It looks like they've given up on the consumer tablet market -- at least with Surface Pro 3 (I don't know what else they're planning on coming out with). This (the Surface Pro 3) looks more like an attempt to blunt Chromebook's growing sales. Doesn't come close to matching prices, however.