Surface Pro 4 or other? Moving from Mac

[dsgarvin84]

Hello All,

I'm currently a Mac user (Macbook Air, i5, 8GB RAM, 128 GB SSD), but needing to switch to Windows for graduate school and professional needs. I'd love to hear thoughts about the best options to meet my needs: heavy Office use, email, Internet browsing, light photo storage/editing. I usually keep several applications and tabs open at the same time for research, writing, etc. I really like the idea of annotating documents/writing on the Surface, etc.

I'm considering the following, but am open to other options:

1) Like-new SP3, i5, 8GB RAM, 256 GB SSD + SP3 type cover = $850.

2) New SP4 - likely the same configuration as above (8GB, 256 GB SSD) + SP4 type cover

3) Lenovo Yoga 900

4) Other?

I suppose - is the $850 price for the SP3 a decent deal? Is the upgrade to the SP4 (and SP$ pen, type cover) a worthwhile upgrade for the additional costs?

Also - could I expect the entry-level SP4 (m3) to satisfy my needs?

Thanks in advance.

 

[skstrials]

Hello All,

I'm currently a Mac user (Macbook Air, i5, 8GB RAM, 128 GB SSD), but needing to switch to Windows for graduate school and professional needs. I'd love to hear thoughts about the best options to meet my needs: heavy Office use, email, Internet browsing, light photo storage/editing. I usually keep several applications and tabs open at the same time for research, writing, etc. I really like the idea of annotating documents/writing on the Surface, etc.

I'm considering the following, but am open to other options:

1) Like-new SP3, i5, 8GB RAM, 256 GB SSD + SP3 type cover = $850.

2) New SP4 - likely the same configuration as above (8GB, 256 GB SSD) + SP4 type cover

3) Lenovo Yoga 900

4) Other?

I suppose - is the $850 price for the SP3 a decent deal? Is the upgrade to the SP4 (and SP$ pen, type cover) a worthwhile upgrade for the additional costs?

Also - could I expect the entry-level SP4 (m3) to satisfy my needs?

Thanks in advance.

First of all, you do not need an Intel Core CPU for your need.

The new Intel M CPU, or even the old 4th gen Atom processor can fulfill your needs. The Core M/Atom CPUs have the added advantage of the battery life and less heating over the Intel i3/5/7 CPU, while of course being cheaper to buy as well. So if you do not require the extra CPU power, then you might as well save some money, and gain some extra battery life.

I would recommend looking into Dell Venue 11 Pro. They are cheaper than Surface tablets, but every bit as capable. Their screen is a bit smaller compared to Surface's 12 inch, but that makes it more portable and lighter than Surface tablets.

I am using a Dell Venue 11 Pro 5130 with a 4th gen Atom processor running Windows 10. For my usage (Office, internet browsing, and Netflix), it is a perfect tablet. With the external battery keyboard, I can easily get a 14 hour of usage out of the tablet (8 to 10 hours on the tablet power alone).

If you have to rely on the battery at all, I would try to go for the Atom/M processors.

 

[EmeraldReporter]

Surface Pro 4: Final Answer

 

[chattoe]

Hello All,

I'm currently a Mac user (Macbook Air, i5, 8GB RAM, 128 GB SSD), but needing to switch to Windows for graduate school and professional needs. I'd love to hear thoughts about the best options to meet my needs: heavy Office use, email, Internet browsing, light photo storage/editing. I usually keep several applications and tabs open at the same time for research, writing, etc. I really like the idea of annotating documents/writing on the Surface, etc.

I'm considering the following, but am open to other options:

1) Like-new SP3, i5, 8GB RAM, 256 GB SSD + SP3 type cover = $850.

2) New SP4 - likely the same configuration as above (8GB, 256 GB SSD) + SP4 type cover

3) Lenovo Yoga 900

4) Other?

I suppose - is the $850 price for the SP3 a decent deal? Is the upgrade to the SP4 (and SP$ pen, type cover) a worthwhile upgrade for the additional costs?

Also - could I expect the entry-level SP4 (m3) to satisfy my needs?

Thanks in advance.

I'm in the same boat, although I have a MacBook Pro and an iPad, looking to maybe consolidate both of those Into a surface pro 4 or keep the iPad and just swap out the laptop. I'm still not sure yet.

Primarily use my tablet more than my laptop but there are occasions when I need that power, also looking to learn software development so need something for that. I've been reading and researching for weeks and still unsure.

Hopefully you will decide soon

 

[elindalyne]

You can do lightweight dev work even on a Surface 3. Pretty much any of the non base models will serve you just fine. Heck as soon as you get up to the i5s you're already out performing my work PC.

 

[chattoe]

Went back to the department store today to play with the pro 3. The MS rep kindly let me try his pro 3 with type cover on my lap while sitting and I was very surprised how well it worked.

I think I may go for the pro 4 but hold out on selling the iPad for a few weeks see how I get on, the Mac is definitely going.

 

[Steve Adams]

You probably will never pick up the ipad again after getting the pro 4. I am on a mid level surface 3, and its awesome. I got the non pro surface as I wanted the smaller device size for traveling.

 

[chattoe]

You probably will never pick up the ipad again after getting the pro 4. I am on a mid level surface 3, and its awesome. I got the non pro surface as I wanted the smaller device size for traveling.

Would be nice as that is my ultimate goal to consolidate 2 devices to one

What's it like using the pro 3 as a tablet, I carry my iPad with me all the time when at home it never leaves my side

 

[Steve Adams]

I find it great. I use mine mainly for next issue etc. but the really cool thing about the surface line is the keyboard is just like the apple basic cover for the ipad. It just fold up and is very very thin. There is no reason to not have your keyboard with you. In tablet mode, the surface still better than the apple product. I had the ipad2, the surface mops the floor with it. The only difference in the ipad and ipad pro is the size. the keyboard and "pencil" on the ipad pro are chintzy afterthoughts. Trying to copy the success of the surface line. You will be impressed with the surface pro. that's for sure.

 

[astell]

I have the exact SP3 you're looking at and I love it. My daily use ranges from taking notes in a meeting, Office, email, and internet browsing. I've used it to focus and adjust the view of security cameras that my company installs (up on a ladder, much easier than a full laptop). I usually have at least half a dozen to a dozen different windows open at once. Edge, Excel, Mail app, Notepad, work applications, RDP client, etc etc.

It is a solid machine. If you go with the SP3 I would recommend the new Type Cover with the finger print scanner so you can use Windows Hello and because the touch pad is larger on the new one. The SP4, while a newer and better machine isn't leaps and bounds ahead of the SP3. Off the top of my head the pen is better as it has more sensativity, you get Windows Hellow with the onboard camera, and the hot spot issue seems to have been resolved (SP3 gets hot in one spot when under heavy load, at times).

My company is a Lenovo partner and I like their products, but the Surface line is superior in my mind. I am considering an upgrade to the Surface Book myself though.

I've used this SP3 since launch and still have 175GB of free onboard storage. I don't have a ton of photos or music (no video). I don't need the i5 or 8GB, but it is better to have and not need than need and not have......that is what they say.