Surface 3 Details (Unconfirmed Leak) + Discussion Thread

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#1113934 23-Aug-2014 10:44

Zub: Looks like NZ stock is on the way. I just got shipping notification from the Microsoft store. It appears my unit is being shipped from Melbourne. I'm not sure about retail availability, but it can't be long now...!

P.S. - thx BDFL for the unlock ;)

launch is August 28

4 retailers
JB Hifi
Noel Leeming
Harvey Norman
Microsoftstore.com

4 commercial resellers
Spark Digital
Cylone

then from 1 September
Datacom
Acquire

Zub

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#1113940 23-Aug-2014 10:50

nathan:
Zub: Looks like NZ stock is on the way. I just got shipping notification from the Microsoft store. It appears my unit is being shipped from Melbourne. I'm not sure about retail availability, but it can't be long now...!

P.S. - thx BDFL for the unlock ;)

launch is August 28

4 retailers
JB Hifi
Noel Leeming
Harvey Norman
Microsoftstore.com

4 commercial resellers
Spark Digital
Cylone

then from 1 September
Datacom
Acquire

I just figured that since the MS store was shipping a week early, that MS might have just decided to pop the cork and roll them out to retail before the 28th (they likely have the stock available globally now). I noticed earlier that PB tech list that they have 4 in stock (i5) already.

I heard stories that in the US, they shipped a few days early by accident, then recalled the couriers to avoid breaking there own street date! Hah.

Edit: HOLD UP. I just realised that on the DHL tracking website the notification only says "Shipment information received". I think that this means they've just received a request from MS to come and pick up the product. So yeah, hopes of an early receipt dashed. Likely will arrive bang on the 28th or just after. I just got a bit excited ;P

nathan

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#1113959 23-Aug-2014 11:09

PB Tech are parallel.importing and more than NZ RRP but yes you can buy one right now

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#1118753 30-Aug-2014 21:05

Went to JB Hifi today to take a look at the surface 3 pro. I am pretty impressed, screen is fairly spectacular, the resolution is perfect for the screen size, weight hard to beat, the pen was very responsive and nice to hold, but the keyboard would drive me crazy and to be honest the price doesn't really work for me either. A Laptop replacement I don't believe it makes. I believe if Surface survives, the next attempt will be the one that gets it right. It would probably suit some, and I do applaud MS for a fantastic little device, but for me, I'd stick with my notebook.

It feels like a Surface RT (very underrated little box), with full windows and great specs.

For my money a bundled copy of office or keyboard included would be the thing that makes it a must have device.

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#1118786 30-Aug-2014 22:26

I had a play with one last month (the pictures I posted before) and yes, the screen is incredible. Meeting the Microsoft Product Manager this Monday and getting one for a longer period (probably a month).

I do feel it is a great laptop replacement - the specs are up there with medium to top-end laptop devices.

I also saw the docking station coming up soon. Pretty solid piece I have to say.

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#1118802 30-Aug-2014 23:17

Heh if they want to let me take one whilst travelling in Italy for 2 weeks, I'd be happy to go with an open mind and do a full review up on my return, maybe more time with it, might change my mind.

Zub

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#1118808 31-Aug-2014 00:27

I've had mine for a couple of days now, and initially had some regrets because it didn't seem quite as good as a laptop for productivity and ease of use. But I've spent some more time with it this afternoon, and I'm really getting to love it. It just took a while to get used to the ergonomics. Overall it's a better device in that it reaches a wider part of my life.

I'm using it now on my lap on the sofa to type this whilst watching tv and it's quite comfortable. Before that I was taking notes in tablet mode on OneNote. I sketched up some wireframes for websites (although I haven't set up any dev environments yet, so I can't speak to full time programming). Steam streaming of games was okay (but a tiny bit laggy for me at times), and installed games like Hearthstone ran fine. It's great for reading novels, textbooks, and comics. It's amazingly light, and nice to hold, however still a bit heavy for holding up one handed to read books for more than a few minutes. But usually I'm able to prop it up against a leg, or on my chest in bed, and that just works out fine. The screen resolution is amazing for watching movies. The speakers are pretty tinny (as in tin. Although they are also tiny). But bluetooth pairing was simple, and I tend to use my earbuds which have nice bass and range. I do like the keyboard (for it's size) and I would not want to use it solely as a tablet without one.

It's not without it's share of bugs and shortcomings. But being a windows PC I've been able to do something to fix just about every niggle. Reddit.com/r/surface has been a great place to get tips, and find things like autokey scripts to make it work the way I want. A few hours ago the pen started to write even when hovering a cm above the screen. But pulling the battery out for a sec seemed to reset it, and it was back to normal. I've had a few times when OneNote has frozen when opening, and some programs not starting up at startup.

There are some programs (e.g. Photoshop CS6) that suffer from the high resolution (tiny menus). I'm finding I'm getting better and better at using the pen as a pointer tool though, and it's starting to become quite natural even with the small targets.

I don't think i'm a particularly greasy guy, but I do notice the marks on the screen when the screen is off (and the keyboard keys too in some light). I've never owned a tablet before, but I suppose if you have, then you're probably used to this. You might like to carry a microfibre cloth around with you though, especially if you're using it for client presentations or something.

Overall, I'm super happy with it. Carrying it around easily like a book and taking notes naturally with a pen is a really nice feeling, and puts me in a creative state of mind. I'd still recommend getting some decent hands on time with it before you decide to buy. It might not be for everyone, and you have to be willing to put in a little bit of set up time, and change up some of your old laptop habits/familiarity to get the most out of it. If you have to go in blind though, then I would definitely give it a thumbs up as worth it.

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#1118809 31-Aug-2014 00:33

Which spec do you have?

Zub

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#1118810 31-Aug-2014 00:34

networkn: Which spec do you have?

i5 256

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#1118928 31-Aug-2014 13:05

Picked up an i3 version on Friday. Its brilliant. This is exactly what I was after. It has replaced my laptop and given me a tablet too which I've never had before. I almost treat it like a phone. I charge it up and take it around with me or leave it on my coffee table when not in use. The keyboard is great for something so thin like this and the pen has already come in handy for scribbling around on photos (my fiancé loves that you can draw on it too) It is by far the coolest device I've ever owned. I actually think its better suited to being on a lap than an actual laptop if I move around I just do little adjustments and its perfect. Super stoked with my SP3 so far.

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#1119077 31-Aug-2014 18:46

So picked mine up on Thursday and love the device, I got the i5, 8gig ram.
Got it for $1910 including the keyboard from noel lemmings.

It's fast and the screen is just great, major step up from the Asus T100 i was using.
Best thing is it works great on the lap while watching tv, battery life is good as well.

nathan

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#1119280 1-Sep-2014 07:48

great feedback, loving it. Keep the feedback and questions coming.

freitasm

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#1119944 1-Sep-2014 20:43

Love the kickstand going almost flat. Perfect for using on the kitchen bench...

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#1119948 1-Sep-2014 20:51

Surface Pro 3 can do things a laptop clamshell cant

perfect for meetings, get that laptop screen diem and out of the way, concentrate on your meeting, not hide behind laptop screen playing angry birds, doing email and Facebook

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#1120007 1-Sep-2014 21:33

nathan: Surface Pro 3 can do things a laptop clamshell cant

perfect for meetings, get that laptop screen diem and out of the way, concentrate on your meeting, not hide behind laptop screen playing angry birds, doing email and Facebook

This is the same argument used when the Tablet PC came out (the one running Windows XP).

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