Surface Pro 3 Vs. World: Mobile Smackdown

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mak63,
User Rank: Ninja
5/30/2014 | 10:36:47 PM

compatibility

Somewhere in the article says: "But if you don't care about hybridity, MacBooks are exceptional machines."

Let me rephrased that: But if you don't care about hybridity and compatibility with your Windows programs, MacBooks are exceptional machines."

In any case. I would love to get my hands in one o those hybrids. Nonetheless, they all seem very expensive. When all these major companies will think in the little guy?

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BillB031,
User Rank: Moderator
5/31/2014 | 9:50:09 AM

Pro3 just right

I still think the major difference would be between a desktop and a laptop. I have never liked the tablet computers, and prefer a small notebook. I loved the netbooks. But replacing my big powerful desktop and 20" screen is not going to happen. At least not in my life time.

I believe Msoft has actually nailed the pro3 pretty well. I never could stand lugging around a laptop, and for my needs, tablets are a pain. Between traveling with a smartphone and one of these Surface pro3's should be just right.

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Michael Endler,
User Rank: Author
5/31/2014 | 11:48:31 AM

Re: compatibility

That's a valid point; some people might not be able to run all their programs on a Mac, at least not natively. Some businesses address this with virtualization, allowing Macs as a BYOD or COPE option, but using virtual machines for specific needs. Others limit Macs to certain teams or divisions. But analysts I've talked to say that enterprise acceptance of Mac is growing, overall, and that Macs are annually gaining around one percent of enterprise market share. I've seen studies that say over half of enterprises support Apple computers-- so they're an option for many, but also a non-option for many.

As for price, yeah, the nicer hybrids are still pricey. There are cheaper hybrids, but few of them are as appealing as the Surface Pro 3.

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mak63,
User Rank: Ninja
5/31/2014 | 11:53:08 PM

Re: compatibility

"...the enterprise acceptance of Mac is growing, overall, and that Macs are annually gaining around one percent of enterprise market share"

Yes, I've read the report from analyst Charlie Wolf. Very impressive numbers indeed. I better start brushing up my Mac skills soon.

"...but few of them are as appealing as the Surface Pro 3."

If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're falling in love with the Surface 3.
I was working on one of the latest Lenovo with a touchscreen and Win 8.1 last week. Very beautiful machine. No wonder you liked the Surface 3 so much.

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SaneIT,
User Rank: Ninja
6/2/2014 | 7:50:35 AM

Re: Pro3 just right

I felt about the same way but decided it was time to try and simplify as much as possible. I have found that my Surface Pro 2 works well as my desktop, a small laptop/netbook and a tablet. My one complaint is the small keyboard since I have big hands. Aside from that I can't find anything that makes me want to go back to a traditional desktop and laptop solution. When I get to the office I dock my Surface to a 24" display, full sized keyboard and mouse. If I didn't have the tablet sitting on my desk displaying my calendar all day I'd forget that I was working from a tablet PC. When I leave I just undock the Surface snap the keyboard cover on it and toss it into my backpack. Now my desktop goes everywhere I go.

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any1,
User Rank: Apprentice
6/3/2014 | 9:46:31 PM

expensive hybrids

Yes, these hydrids like the Surface Pro 3 are relatively expensive. I think that Microsoft has developed a high quality piece of hardware here. And in a sense you get what you pay for quality wise. But I also think you are still paying a Wintel duopoly fee. If and when ARM based microprocessors become competitive for performance and power efficiency to current Intel offerings that may change. Apples new A8 chip may be close, and I would not be surprised to see some sort of ARM based hybrid from Apple in the next year or two.

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Michael Endler,
User Rank: Author
6/4/2014 | 2:54:32 PM

Re: Pro3 just right

What about replacing your desktop with a docking station and external monitor? Not sure the Surface Pro 3 would have the power you want, even in the pricey i7 configuration-- but if so, it's a way to fit tablet, laptop and desktop into one device.

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