Wanting too much from a tablet?

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BenjNZ

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#173207 14-May-2015 20:09

Hi

I'm semi new (got an Htpc together a couple of months ago in a different topic).

I work for a design engineering company here in NZ in a marketing role.
I spend a LOT of time on Adobe CC and our proposals have rendered solid works models in them. So I use Solidworks with photo view 360 as well.

I've just blown up an Acer Travelmate, which had i5 processor with 8gb of ram, so I need something new.
The plastic chassis actually turned white!!!

I have been told to keep it under $3k and I could really use a hybrid laptop (don't want to carry an iPad as well).
I have 2 x 23" monitors at my desk, so it needs to have a dock or USB extension which can handle 2 more screens.
I had a quick look at a Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro and a Surface 3 Pro, but I'm not sure if they'll be any better than the previous laptop I just fried....

Would be really keen for suggestions!

Cheers

Ben

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#1305440 14-May-2015 20:15

Surface Pro 3 - tablet that can replace your laptop ;)

Especially with the big bright screen, 798gm, 9.1mm for a design marketing guy like yourself

I can lend an i5 8Gb model for a couple of weeks if you want so you can see if it cuts it.

Can drive 3 external screens with or without a dock. Can loan you the Dock as well.

Only has integrated graphics not GPU, so graphics are no gaming machine, but what do you expect in a 9.1mm chassis.

BenjNZ

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#1305579 15-May-2015 08:50

Just about to order this...

The i7 models are priced at $2,249 for 256GB and $2892 for 512GB....
I rang Microsoft to find out if the hard drive storage space was the only difference, he wasn't sure.

I can't see the point in paying almost $650 for 256GB of hard drive.
Are there any other differences between these two models?

Cheers

Ben

hairy1

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#1305619 15-May-2015 09:54

Don't forget the Micro SD slot in the back. You can put a decent sized Micro SD card in the slot for a second drive. I have a 64 GB in mine.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

wasabi2k

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#1305637 15-May-2015 10:18

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_Pro_3 (if they are to be believed) has a breakdown of models:

It appears all the 256GB models have 8GB RAM, but there is an i7 and an i5 version.

128GB model only has 4GB.

512GB only difference is storage.

Again assuming Wikipedia is correct.

hairy1

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#1305681 15-May-2015 10:50

Nathan should be able to comment here.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

grant_k

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#1305707 15-May-2015 11:29

hairy1: Nathan should be able to comment here.

When Nathan drops by to comment, I would like to know what is the biggest Micro SD card that is supported by Surface 3?

And does it need to be Class 10 or SDXC etc?

Handsomedan

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#1305719 15-May-2015 11:38

From the Microsoft website:

ize 11.5” x 7.93” x 0.36” (292.1mm x 201.4mm x 9.1mm)
Weight 1.76lbs (800 grams)
Display Screen: 12” ClearType Full HD Plus Resolution: 2160 x 1440 Aspect Ratio: 3:2 Touch: Multi-touch
Battery Life Up to 9 hours of web browsing1
Storage2/RAM 64GB or 128GB storage with 4GB RAM
256GB or 512GB storage with 8GB RAM
Processor Clock Speed
Intel Core i3 1.5GHz
Intel Core i5 1.9GHz
Intel Core i7 1.7GHz
CPU Max 1.5GHz 2.9GHz
(w/ turbo) 3.3GHz
(w/ turbo)
Graphics Intel 4200 Intel 4400 Intel 5000
TPM chip for enterprise security
Network Wireless: Wi-Fi 802.11ac/802.11 a/b/g/n Bluetooth® 4.0 Low Energy technology
Location Digital Compass
Ports Full-size USB 3.0 microSD™ card reader Headset jack Mini DisplayPort Cover port
Software Windows 8.1 Pro
Cameras, Video and Audio 5.0 megapixel rear-facing camera 5.0 megapixel front-facing camera Stereo microphones Stereo speakers with Dolby® sound
Sensors Ambient light sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Magnetometer
Kickstand positions Multiple
What's in the box Surface Pro 3 Surface Pen 36W Power supply Quick Start Guide Safety and warranty documents

https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/products/surface-pro-3

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nathan

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#1305723 15-May-2015 11:41

BenjNZ: Just about to order this...

The i7 models are priced at $2,249 for 256GB and $2892 for 512GB....
I rang Microsoft to find out if the hard drive storage space was the only difference, he wasn't sure.

I can't see the point in paying almost $650 for 256GB of hard drive.
Are there any other differences between these two models?

Cheers

Ben

There is no difference between those 2 models apart from the larger SSD

You are paying for the storage

You can probably get a better deal via Acquire.co.nz as they are one of Surface Commercial resellers here in NZ
We have a bundle offer in the market at the moment which includes the Dock and Keyboard at a decent discount

By buying Surface Commercial you can also get a proper Commercial warranty, you get complimentary advanced exchange for device replacement, and you can buy the Microsoft Complete for Business extended warranty which takes the warranty out to 3 years (about $70), out to 3 years with Accidental Damage protection (about $300) which covers you for dropped/smashed device, twice in the 3 year period, with no excess. We also now have a 4 year warranty too.

nathan

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#1305724 15-May-2015 11:44

grant_k:
hairy1: Nathan should be able to comment here.

When Nathan drops by to comment, I would like to know what is the biggest Micro SD card that is supported by Surface 3?

And does it need to be Class 10 or SDXC etc?

Surface works with standard microSD card formats—microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC

SDXC for example is supported up to 2TB (as far as I know only cards up to 256Gb are currently manufactured)

grant_k

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#1305736 15-May-2015 11:57

nathan: Surface works with standard microSD card formats—microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC

SDXC for example is supported up to 2TB (as far as I know only cards up to 256Gb are currently manufactured)

Awesome! Thanks very much for the quick response.

BenjNZ

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#1307132 18-May-2015 12:42

So I've just ordered the i7 256GB version....

Acquire had quite a deal including the keyboard/cover.

I'll let you know if it can render a Solidworks model next week.

Final question, at work everyone is still running office 2010.

Will this run happily on 8.1 pro?

Does anyone know where I can still find 2010?

nathan

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#1307163 18-May-2015 13:14

BenjNZ: So I've just ordered the i7 256GB version.... Acquire had quite a deal including the keyboard/cover. I'll let you know if it can render a Solidworks model next week. Final question, at work everyone is still running office 2010. Will this run happily on 8.1 pro? Does anyone know where I can still find 2010?

You should find Solidworks fine, it runs OK on my i5 and i7. Obviously not the same as an i7 desktop workstation, but definitely good enough for a 9.1mm 800gm tablet.

Yes Office 2010 runs on Windows 8.1

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/CompatCenter/ProductDetailsViewer?Name=Microsoft%20Office%202010%20Professional&vendor=Microsoft&ModelOrVersion=14&Type=Software&tempOsid=Windows+8.1

Not sure where you buy it sorry

heavenlywild

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#1307175 18-May-2015 13:26

nathan:

I can lend an i5 8Gb model for a couple of weeks if you want so you can see if it cuts it.

Hi Nathan,

I would love to test drive one as I am about to go overseas for 3 weeks. I have been looking at a Surface Pro 3 for a while now and am holding off for the SP4, which should be pretty similar other than Windows 10 and maybe a Broadwell CPU.

PS - I should add I currently have a Thinkpad Yoga. While it's good, it is a little on the heavy side, which means I hardly use it on tablet mode.

jonb

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#1307178 18-May-2015 13:31

The latest HP Venue 11 Pro, the 7140 model, should be good for your requirements as well. Also check out the HP Spectre x360.

BenjNZ

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#1309104 21-May-2015 09:37

It's Here

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