As between taking the plunge on an SP3 and waiting for the SP4:
1) The SP3 is an amazing device. I've been at the MSFT store, and I've played with it. It is as good as advertised. Fast (I used the i5 version), phenominal screen, pen is IMHO an upgrade over the Wacom (my wife has an SP2), and the keyboard is a major upgrade. I think the trackpad solves the problems of the previous generations. 1-3/4 pounds, thin, light, and powerful. If you need a device, and if this form factor makes sense for your needs, then you won't regret the SP3.
2) Broadwell will be an improvement. I think it will be a bigger improvement than some here are suggesting. Whether it's worth waiting is a judgment call, but here are some factors to consider:
a. Upside #1: Lighter/thinner/longer battery life due to Broadwell. Broadwell can reduce power to 4.5W. Which means they can probably make the SP4 without a fan (although that's uncertain right now). If they can make it fanless, then you are cutting power consumption in an even bigger way. Plus, you don't need as big of a battery, which makes it lighter and thinner again. If they can make a fanless SP4, then I predict a device that is under 1.5 lbs and somewhere around .3 inches thick. That means cutting 15-20% off the weight. That can make a big difference, especially when you are holding it in one hand.
b. Uspide #2: Probably a spot to put the stylus. If they can eliminate the fan, that creates significant space in the device, and should enable MS to have a spot for the stylus. IMHO, the loop on the keyboard for the SP3 is functional but hokey.
c. Upside #3: Perhaps a bit faster. Note that Broadwell is not designed to be faster, just smaller, due to Intel's tick/tock product cycle. However, also note that the SP3s are designed to run on only 2 cores, to keep power consumption down. It is possible that the lower power consumption of Broadwell would allow MS to use a 4 core Broadwell rather than the 2 core Haswells. If the do, then you might get a speed improvement for some applications. But don't count on it. Most applications won't benefit, and I think it is unlikely that they will move to 4 cores. For a device like this, keeping power consumption low is more important than the modest performance improvement you would get in some programs by moving to 4 cores.
d. Downside #1, 2, and 3, all combined: Delay and waiting. Do not put much stock in those who speculate that the SP4 will be available for the holidays. Sure, Intel predicts that Broadwell devices will be available for Christmas, but that doesn't mean that the SP4 will be. There are many reasons why it will not. The chief reason is product cycles. The SP2 became available in late October, 2013; the SP3 becomes available in late June, 2014. That's an eight-month cycle. That is very aggressive, even in the fast-moving technology industry. To release a product in late November would mean that the SP3 only has a FIVE MONTH product cycle. That's just ridiculous. Not ridiculously awesome; just ridiculously nonsensical. Expect that the eight month cycle we saw for the SP3 was on the fast side, and that the SP4 will be at least that far away and probably farther. Which means end of February, at the earliest.
So, is it worth waiting eight months to get a device that is 1/4 lb lighter, .03" thinner, somewhat better battery life, and a good place for the stylus? If so, then you should wait. If not, then you should join the rest of us who are eager to fork over some good money to buy a really nice device that is 1-3/4 lbs light, .033" thin, fast, powerful, with a beautiful screen, a very nice pen input, and a much improved keyboard/trackpad.
There's no right answer, but those are some things to think about.
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