Charging and Use

[ng4ever]

Will the Surface 3 charge while it is in use ?

 

[xandros9]

Yes, the question becomes how fast.

that also hinges on whether it's pegged to working as hard as it can or just snoozing.

 

[ng4ever]

I would be sometimes using it.

 

[LouCap]

I've been getting a long time between charges, about 6 hours I'd say of almost constant use. You might be able to get by and only charge at night or when it's idle. That scenario has been working pretty well for me.

 

[seremify]

I would be sometimes using it.

should be fine - I find mine charges fine but my use is limited to basic web browsing.

 

[camptime]

.Charging time is the only thing holding me back from getting a S3, Many complaining about it taking up to 5 hours to charge and then not gaining any charge while in use, Really don't understand why Microsoft dropped the ball on this aspect of a portable device.

 

[seremify]

.Charging time is the only thing holding me back from getting a S3, Many complaining about it taking up to 5 hours to charge and then not gaining any charge while in use, Really don't understand why Microsoft dropped the ball on this aspect of a portable device.

I guess in the use case where you plan to leave it plugged in all the time and then want it fully charged when you need to leave, I can see why this would be an issue... but surprisingly this hasn't caused me any headaches as I usually use it before I go to bed so I can always leave it to charge overnight.

I also wonder if the slow charging is a technical limitation of the move to the Micro USB charging.

 

[Dewg]

It charges just fine - people have to use higher amp chargers (the provided USB charger is fine), and lower AWG USB cables. Many people are using their cell phone chargers, which don't put out enough amps (most are in the 1 - 1.5 amp range). The Surface 3 wants 2 - 2.5 amps. Also people use their cell phone charging USB cables, which are usually 26-28 AWG cables capable of handling 1 - 1.5 amps. When you use those cables with a 2 amp charger, it will attenuate down to its capacity.

Try using the Surface 3 USB charger with a 24 AWG micro-USB cable. It'll charge just fine, even while using it.

 

[camptime]

Try using the Surface 3 USB charger with a 24 AWG micro-USB cable: Does the S3 come with this cable? or is this something I would need to purchase?

 

[Dewg]

Not sure about the type of cable the S3 comes with - but it feels like a 26 AWG. Here is the cable I bought (I needed a longer cable to reach my nightstand for charging), which is a 24 AWG cable and charges quite fast with the supplied S3 charger: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUvbUpU3118939

 

[EMitchell]

... charges quite fast with the supplied S3 charger: Amazon.com: Mediabridge USB 2.0 - Micro-USB to USB Cable (6 Feet) - High-Speed A Male to Micro B: Computers & Accessories

This is the reason I'm also hesitant to pick up an S3, the reported slow charging. When you say 'charges quite fast,' can you give an idea how long it takes from empty battery to full charge?

 

[cygnus11]

This is the reason I'm also hesitant to pick up an S3, the reported slow charging. When you say 'charges quite fast,' can you give an idea how long it takes from empty battery to full charge?

I went from 5% to full charge with the surface in sleep mode (not hibernation) in just under 4 hours with the stock charger.

 

[Dewg]

I get the same, if not faster, charging as cygnus11 reports. When I get down to empty, I usually power it off. A full charge takes me about 3.5 hours.