Announcing the Surface 3 • Hacker News Board

Re: Announcing the Surface 3

#51

Post by mitchell209 » Tue, Mar 31, 2015, 2:11 PM UTC

dman wrote: post #25

mg1982 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You got me there. My point, as you no doubt know, was that they're advertising a low headline price and then jacking it up with 'optional' extras that provide core functionality.

The competition (ipad / android tablets) doesnt come with keyboard either.

But iPads and Android tablets don't have a UI that practically requires the precision of a trackpad. Obviously you don't have to use the Desktop on your Surface 3, but Microsoft is clearly pushing that as a core feature.

Re: Announcing the Surface 3

#52

Post by noteloop » Tue, Mar 31, 2015, 2:12 PM UTC

Looks like this is the first 14nm Cherry Trail device with its fanless Quad-core Intel Atom x7-Z8700 processor. Hopefully it will be a great CPU for HTPC use.

Re: Announcing the Surface 3

#53

Post by MCRed » Tue, Mar 31, 2015, 2:13 PM UTC

loceng wrote: post #48

[deleted] wrote: post #37

[deleted]

They're doing a fantastic job with improving the design. I didn't consider it an option before but I like it enough now, and the fact that it has a built-in physical keyboard is the only real differentiator I need from a standard tablet. For me it wouldn't replace everything - though for specific use cases it would be a perfect companion, though perhaps isn't for everyone's needs.

The built in keyboard, and the "kickstand" are the key differentiators of the Surface. Still seemingly pretty unique features even several years later. For me, bluetooth keyboards are good enough.... but then I use my laptop as a desktop. I don't really find myself in a situation where I'd be using this as a laptop mobile.

I'm not saying that this is a bad product or that it isn't improving.

I'm just saying that they compromised the result by trying to not compromise the purpose.

Re: Announcing the Surface 3

#54

Post by whoiskevin » Tue, Mar 31, 2015, 2:14 PM UTC

mg1982 wrote: post #10

sz4kerto wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You'd lose the bet. Keyboard is $129, docking station is $199, pen is $49.

You got me there. My point, as you no doubt know, was that they're advertising a low headline price and then jacking it up with 'optional' extras that provide core functionality.

Do ipads or other competitors come with keyboards, pens, covers? Seems they are right in the market then doesn't it?

Re: Announcing the Surface 3

#55

Post by venomsnake » Tue, Mar 31, 2015, 2:15 PM UTC

geerlingguy wrote: post #42

Actual product page: http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/products/surface-3 And buy now page with tech specs: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/productI... Looks like $499 for 64GB storage and 2GB RAM, $599 for 128GB storage and 4GB of RAM (WiFi models; 4G LTE model pricing wasn't showing for me).

MS have really low bar for high end laptop. 16G at least of ram or go away ...

Edit: It was about 3 pro ... ignore.

Re: Announcing the Surface 3

#56

Post by Someone1234 » Tue, Mar 31, 2015, 2:16 PM UTC

[deleted] wrote: post #37

[deleted]

> I already have an iPad that's full size and while it was very nice, I don't use it very much.

The iPad is a content consumption device. The Surface is both a content creation device AND content consumption device. For example, if I want to run a IDE on an iPad then I'm ultimately using a highly interactive web-site even if that website is presented within an app.

On the Surface I can run pretty much anything: Netbeans, Visual Studio, Notepad++, Sublime, and so on. Heck I can install Linux if I wanted and use VIM or emacs (assuming the keyboard is connected).

> My iPhone + Macbook Pro combo is fine for me.

This weighs half as much as a MBP (3.48 pounds Vs 1.37 lbs (S3) and 1.76 pounds (SP3)). A MBA would be a better comparison but even that weighs 2.38 pounds.

> I'm pretty sure, because it's going to be seen as a "tablet" that "runs windows" which is not a tablet operating system... even with metro it's not great.

That's fine. Then use it as an inexpensive ultrabook. How much does an ultrabook cost? $700, $800, $1000? This costs $500, you can plug in a mouse, and it is still a 1.37 lbs full Windows machine.

Re: Announcing the Surface 3

#57

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Mar 31, 2015, 2:17 PM UTC

untog wrote: post #44

[deleted] wrote: post #37

[deleted]

"I already have an iPhone, and iPad and a Macbook Pro. Why would I want this?" Er, I'm guessing you wouldn't, if your current setup works for you. But it could potentially replace the iPad that you rarely use and the Macbook that you do. If I was in the market for a new laptop I'd strongly consider a Surface 3 Pro with a docking station - perfect for when I'm sat at my desk with a monitor (what I do with my Macbook a…

[deleted]

Re: Announcing the Surface 3

#58

Post by MCRed » Tue, Mar 31, 2015, 2:19 PM UTC

orf wrote: post #7

Looks interesting until I see that it's $499 in the US and $945 (£639) in the UK. Why! Edit: Was looking at the Surface Pro 3, the standard Surface is only ~$620. Not too bad I guess.

The UK charges taxes at all different levels of industry. This causes imported products to be more expensive. Happens to the products in the USA too, but the overall tax rate is lower.

Re: Announcing the Surface 3

#59

Post by awalGarg » Tue, Mar 31, 2015, 2:19 PM UTC

+1 for lowering the price alone. Even though I don't like Windows much, I think Surface is quite a nice device for a lot of people.

Re: Announcing the Surface 3

#60

Post by lmnm » Tue, Mar 31, 2015, 2:19 PM UTC

Granted this is anecdotal, but using a colleagues surface pro 2 recently was a frustrating experience. Keyboard had horrible response time and the device itself had a lag of a few seconds.

Couldn't see myself using one anytime soon. That being said, I'll give the Surface 3 a test drive as I don't want to write off a new product based on the failings of its older siblings.