Surface 3 Details (Unconfirmed Leak) + Discussion Thread

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#1050340 21-May-2014 11:11

It does look nice.
the i3 and 4g ram would be a nice replacement to the atom/2gig in the current machine
However i would also want to see if the pro 2 drops in price now and by how much :)

Lizard1977

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#1050456 21-May-2014 14:11

I've been following the evolution of the Surface since the original model. While I've always been tempted, I've never purchased. The latest version might change that. A core i5 model with 256GB storage and 8GB RAM would be a pretty good device. And on NZ pricing ($1879 + $200 for a type cover) it's pretty competitive with the same specced machines on Pricespy - the closest (and cheapest) I could find was this for $500 more - http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?e=2586721 Even compared with the MBA, the SP3 is still only $200 more expensive, and includes touchscreen and detachable keyboard.

ajobbins

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#1050464 21-May-2014 14:20

Still no cellular option. boo!

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mattwnz

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#1050465 21-May-2014 14:28

I think we may see an ipad pro in the future, with a bigger screen, and a pen for precision. The problem apple have though is that their OS's are fragmented, and IOS is not really suitable to run desktop type apps on it. They current;y don't even let the screen to be split to allow two apps to run at the same time, which windows does, and some limited android devices/apps also do.. IOS is really more of a phone interface than a tablet one. Although windows 8 is somewhat fragmented between desktop and metro, and they have put in some crude fixes into it to try and help with this. But I think their is still alot of legacy code and software under the hood that needs cleaning out of it, as it is very bloated for what it is, and uses a huge amount of the storage compared to ios.

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#1050466 21-May-2014 14:30

ajobbins: Still no cellular option. boo!

That is a pretty major omission, especially considering it is a mobile type of device. But then again, with windows updates, and difficulty controlling what gets downloaded over 3g vs wifi on windows, which is a lot easier on ios and android, it is possibly something that is being worked on.

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#1050471 21-May-2014 14:38

mattwnz:
ajobbins: Still no cellular option. boo!

That is a pretty major omission, especially considering it is a mobile type of device. But then again, with windows updates, and difficulty controlling what gets downloaded over 3g vs wifi on windows, which is a lot easier on ios and android, it is possibly something that is being worked on.

This comment makes no sense. There are already Surface 2 with built-in LTE. Just not in New Zealand and just not Surface Pro 3.

The "download over 3G vs WiFi" is solved - they already have options on Windows Phone and since Windows 7 there are options for "metered connections". Even on Windows 8 there are "metered connections" options already.

macuser

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#1050473 21-May-2014 14:42

Nathan, time to do some member reviews! Give out a few :O

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mattwnz

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#1050499 21-May-2014 14:59

freitasm:
mattwnz:
ajobbins: Still no cellular option. boo!

That is a pretty major omission, especially considering it is a mobile type of device. But then again, with windows updates, and difficulty controlling what gets downloaded over 3g vs wifi on windows, which is a lot easier on ios and android, it is possibly something that is being worked on.

This comment makes no sense. There are already Surface 2 with built-in LTE. Just not in New Zealand and just not Surface Pro 3.

The "download over 3G vs WiFi" is solved - they already have options on Windows Phone and since Windows 7 there are options for "metered connections". Even on Windows 8 there are "metered connections" options already.

We are talking about NZ market though, what is available in other markets isn't really applicable if it isn't going to be available here. If there was a surface pro with 3G in NZ, it would be an attractive option to many. I haven't seen the options for controlling 3G vs wifi data usage in windows 7 or 8 or how easy it is to setup and configure. Perhaps it needs a 3G chip in the computer for those menus or options to be visible, but would expect it to be setup directly from the right swipe menu in metro, and not have to go into the desktops control panel.

freitasm

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#1050500 21-May-2014 15:01

Yes we are talking NZ market but you wrote "But then again, with windows updates, and difficulty controlling what gets downloaded over 3g vs wifi on windows, which is a lot easier on ios and android, it is possibly something that is being worked on." giving the impression a device with 3G didn't exist not because of market location but software limitations.

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#1050502 21-May-2014 15:03

I use my surface pro tethered to my phone via wifi or Bluetooth so get 4G/3G/Gprs depending where I am at and what time of the day it is.

While I would like to have a device with a SIM in it, my Telco does not offer the ability to have two SIMS on one connection (for the same connection fees) so I can share my connections services across both devices. If I were allowed 2 sims on a connection I would probably by a portable Wifi hotspot that I could tether my devices to.

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networkn

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#1050503 21-May-2014 15:04

I've never understood built in Cellular services. Non Upgradable. Tethering or USB devices are simple and easy to use. No hardship.

MikeB4

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#1050510 21-May-2014 15:17

networkn: I've never understood built in Cellular services. Non Upgradable. Tethering or USB devices are simple and easy to use. No hardship.

This is what I do, no hassle

mattwnz

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#1050515 21-May-2014 15:21

TwoSeven: I use my surface pro tethered to my phone via wifi or Bluetooth so get 4G/3G/Gprs depending where I am at and what time of the day it is.

While I would like to have a device with a SIM in it, my Telco does not offer the ability to have two SIMS on one connection (for the same connection fees) so I can share my connections services across both devices. If I were allowed 2 sims on a connection I would probably by a portable Wifi hotspot that I could tether my devices to.

But would that active winodws built in system for managing wifi and 3G. I have tried that in the past on windows 7 and it didn't, hence why I didn't intially think it was built in.

billgates

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#1050517 21-May-2014 15:41

networkn: I've never understood built in Cellular services. Non Upgradable. Tethering or USB devices are simple and easy to use. No hardship.

This is what I offer to all the mobile devices at work like tablets and laptops. Use the Internet sharing/Hot Spot feature on the phone. Not paying 2 monthly connection fees for 1 user.

Windows 8 along with Windows Phone have a nice pairing feature built in which automatically turns on Internet sharing via Bluetooth connection turned on and connected on both tablet/ultrabook and phone. No need to go separately turn ON/OFF internet sharing on the phone each time you want to use it.

Do whatever you want to do man.

freitasm

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#1050743 21-May-2014 22:57

Folks, I have just been invited to the Microsoft aff program so if you are planning to place a Surface order (or anything else from the Microsoft NZ Store really) please use the following link: Microsoft New Zealand store.

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