Surface 3 Pro - 128gb or 256gb?

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sxz

761 posts

Ultimate Geek

#175739 10-Jul-2015 11:25

Hi guys,

Wife needs an ultraportable for upcoming overseas work trip. Really like the Surface Pro's. Have been anxiously awaiting Surface Pro 4 being announced, but we are leaving in 8 weeks so need to make a decision now...

I really like the Surface 3, being smaller, lighter, cheaper, and with micro USB charging. But I think I have convinced myself that she should have a Surface Pro 3, to get a faster processor.

My main questions are: Is it worth the $3-400 upgrade to go from 128gb/4gb - 256gb/8gb on the core i5 model? I understand the processor is the same, so the main difference we will notice is storage / ram upgrade. Storage isn't too much of an issue for this machine. What do you guys find? Does anyone find the 4gb ram model doesn't cut it?

Main uses will be writing / spreadsheets / internet / pdf's etc.

Cheers

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1508 posts

Uber Geek

#1340490 10-Jul-2015 11:37

Personally, if you have the option, go with more RAM and storage, you will forget the cost eventually, but if you have to shuffle data around between USB sticks or portable drives, that is going to be annoying every day. Similarly 4GB RAM should be fine, but you won't regret having more. If you get the best you can afford now, you won't have regrets later when you run out of storage or Chorme slows down your surface because it has grabbed all the RAM and is constantly paging to the SSD.

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heavenlywild

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#1340492 10-Jul-2015 11:39

I would always suggest going with a larger SSD and RAM if you can afford it. These are not user-upgradable.

And, go with the Pro version. The processor can handle multi-tasking and other heavier programmes much better than the Surface 3.

nathan

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#1340508 10-Jul-2015 12:06

If you really are just doing writing, internet, PDFs, spreadsheets etc I can't see why you'd need 8Gb, let alone the core I cpu

Id be looking into the Surface 3 64/4 model myself

Obviously the Surface Pro 3 is faster blah blah, but define better. For some people better is lighter, cheaper, better webcam, thinner, longer battery life

If you're going to run lots of other programmes etc, then go for the 8/256

Handsomedan

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#1340537 10-Jul-2015 12:27

I have always been in the camp of more is more, but to be honest, my experiences of late have led me down the path of external HD's for storage etc.

Easily portable ones at around a TB are relatively cheap, easy to carry, transferrable, should the unthinkable happen to your device and frankly makes sense (to me).

I'd be going cheaper and spending the remaining dosh on a Portable SSD, case and keyboard and Bluetooth mouse for the Surface.

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jonb

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#1340547 10-Jul-2015 12:34

I have a 128GB Windows convertible and have trouble filling it halfway. That is with Photoshop installed etc. I think 128GB is fine for any applications she could need, and with microSD slot can use that as needed for any large media files.

sxz

761 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1340548 10-Jul-2015 12:35

Thanks guys.

Nathan - glad you showed up. I understand Microsoft has a 14 days right of return. I presume this includes if we get a surface 3 128/4gb, and find we would rather have a surface pro 3?

Krishant007

1403 posts

Uber Geek

#1340550 10-Jul-2015 12:35

Hmm. Personally - I have a macAir with 4GB ram and 128GB ssd. It offers me more than enough storage for things on the go. If I am going anywhere away from my home (where I have my NAS), then I do carry a small portable 2TB.

But, if I needed storage space on the road (and cloud is not an option), I recently got one of those SD card extensions (something like this)

I have loaded a few videos and music on there. This allows me to still have the storage at a smaller price. I am not sure if the Surface pro has an sd card reader. If it does and the SD card sits flush, then this might be an alternative?

Unless you are looking at the surface as your primary machine, then go all out. But if its your secondary, then I would get 128gb.

You mentioned you were going traveling. I believe your biggest concern would be photos (stop reading if I am wrong). Personally, I upload my photos to Flickr after a couple of days of shooting and recently, also started to upload to Google photos (unlimited storage!). And I do a backup on my portable, just in case.

All the best.

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Dairyxox

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#1340618 10-Jul-2015 14:08

Kind of depends if you're going to use it as your main computer, or an additional device to keep you mobile...

Main computer, definitely get more storage
Secondary device, save $$ take the less storage option.

Quinny

887 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#1340667 10-Jul-2015 15:00

Pro 3 i7 512 here. Just threw $$ at it and I am in love.

Its so portable, does everything inc light but very nice gaming and looks awesome. Personally bigger hard drive is better. Just my thoughts as a female who carries the kitchen sink around ie lots of ebooks and lots of music. Add some movies and tv and its easy to fill. I also have the 1tb seagate personal wifi hard drive thingy and this works fine for even more space to put all the stuff us girls need.

andrewNZ

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#1340703 10-Jul-2015 15:32

I have the i5 128GB. It's brilliant. To be fair, its probably far more powerful than I need, I mostly only do basic stuff on it.

Remember, there is also a microsd slot if more storage is necessary.

sxz

761 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1346637 18-Jul-2015 10:09

So... ordered a Surface 3 from the Microsoft Store last Sunday. Was quite excited to receive it. Shipping advertised as 3-5 working days, so I expected to receive it a few days ago or Friday at the latest...

As far as I can tell the order still has not even been shipped. Does anyone know where they are shipped from? 3-5 working days, I presume they are shipped from overseas? Pretty disappointed with the Microsoft store so far!

nathan

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#1347136 19-Jul-2015 12:28

Microsoft Store is run by Microsoft Australia, and ships from Sydney

if you email me firstname . mercer @ microsoft.com with the order # etc I can chase someone up for you

or cancel your order and buy locally?

Retail units

https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-nz/buy

Commercial units

https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-nz/business/order-now

sxz

761 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1349701 22-Jul-2015 10:08

nathan: Microsoft Store is run by Microsoft Australia, and ships from Sydney

if you email me firstname . mercer @ microsoft.com with the order # etc I can chase someone up for you

or cancel your order and buy locally?

Retail units https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-nz/buy
Commercial units
https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-nz/business/order-now

Thanks Nathan - just saw this sorry. I ended up phoning them yesterday, they cancelled the old order an put a new one in. I want to stick with the Microsoft store to get the tertiary discount...

Dreal

417 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1351004 24-Jul-2015 09:52

I am going to say 4gb for a work trip. Performance gains drop off the more RAM you add, and 4gb is pretty good, especially if she's not fussed about storage.

If it were for gaming, or running photoshop sort of thing, sure go for the bigger RAM.

For storage, it has a microSD slot too.

If your wife was media mad, it might be worth it, but you could also get a wifi drive with bigger storage for probably less dollars

Tap That - Great cheap tablets and tablet accessories. Windows and Android, NZ based

sxz

761 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1353368 28-Jul-2015 13:43

Went with the Surface 3. It has now arrived - Microsoft store stuffed up the first order (which was cancelled in the end). The second order was very quick, and they gave us $50 for our troubles which was very nice.

So far very happy with 128/4gb Surface 3. I like the size and doubt I'd want bigger. Even installed Android Lollipop on it (AMIDUOS) which seems to work OK, although the framerate is a but juttery when comparing to our phones. It allows the wife to use her Pinterest app as the Microsoft Store offering sucks. Charging via Micro USB as well will be a bonus, and no fan makes it DEAD SILENT, which again I like.

What do you guys use for cases? Has anyone tried third party pens? I don't want one for $80, but if there is one available for $10-$15 I'd give it a play.

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