i3 or i5 128 GB for student?

[Jaripi]

Whoops you're absolutely right I just checked the Intel ARK.

I think that it is the only way to know what Intel is doing ...

 

[RexdaleNap]

Get an AMD A10 it is good enough in pref and has gaming as well.

 

[rynoa]

Takes one to know one :wink:

I was about to suggest testing the i3 first and then see if that's already sufficient for your needs, but then I read through the posts and looks like you're in the right track. On a personal note, though, I'd get the i5 for flexibility in case I suddenly, for example, decide to do more with in than just handle documents. But at any rate, let us know your experience with the i3 - might turn out to be more than you need after all. :smile:

Once I'm an engineer for real, with a job and a decent income, I will buy the very best surface pro 5 (or whatever the number is then) available on the market, including a type cover with diamonds on it.
Until then, I'm hoping the i3 will do. It is already quite a luxurious tool for a college student.

I will definitely let you guys know, I'm sure there are more people wondering.

 

[ShinraCorp]

Get an AMD A10 it is good enough in pref and has gaming as well.

..... Did you even read the original post? It has nothing to do with the Surface Pro 3....

 

[rynoa]

I absolutely agree that it is not only about the CPU. If the i5 128 GB came with more ram, I think it would be a no brainer to get the i5. But to pay that much "only" for a CPU and a larger SSD (which for some might be important, but not in my case really), makes it difficult to justify for me personally.

They did a test here between the i5 and i3
AnandTech | First Look: The $799 Microsoft Surface Pro 3 with Core i3

Seems the i3 scores consistently lower than the i5 (obviously), but it is also cheaper by about the same percent-ratio so I guess in this case you really get what you pay for.
If the takes a few seconds to open or to save files or the like, I can live with that since I will be using it more as a glorified tablet rather than a full laptop. I just couldn't live with not being able to do what I need to do. Guess I will find out soon if it is enough, just got the shipping confirmation, it should be here Wednesday

To those suggesting to get an AMD etc, the surface pro only comes in four configurations, you can't personalize it.

 

[Jaripi]

I absolutely agree that it is not only about the CPU. If the i5 128 GB came with more ram, I think it would be a no brainer to get the i5. But to pay that much "only" for a CPU and a larger SSD (which for some might be important, but not in my case really), makes it difficult to justify for me personally.

They did a test here between the i5 and i3
AnandTech | First Look: The $799 Microsoft Surface Pro 3 with Core i3

Seems the i3 scores consistently lower than the i5 (obviously), but it is also cheaper by about the same percent-ratio so I guess in this case you really get what you pay for.
If the takes a few seconds to open or to save files or the like, I can live with that since I will be using it more as a glorified tablet rather than a full laptop. I just couldn't live with not being able to do what I need to do. Guess I will find out soon if it is enough, just got the shipping confirmation, it should be here Wednesday

To those suggesting to get an AMD etc, the surface pro only comes in four configurations, you can't personalize it.

I do not think that there is a big difference in a real use ... just remember that all kind of tests run at max, using turbo boost of i5 and that's why there is a big difference, but in a real, it will be rare to use turbo at all (it is also TDP limited, depending on heat level) ...

 

[Qtweeder]

i deliberately went with the lowest spec one to mimic as near as possible a tablet/tablets runtime (longer battery), am a light user and the i3 is more than enough for me, its cheaper, lasts longer, i even parked two of the cores to gain some more power savings

 

[vertigoOne]

My i3 SP3 outperforms my i7 SP1. You should be just fine.

 

[rynoa]

Got my surface yesterday, using it today at the University. I love it. From what I can tell so far, it seems plenty fast for my needs, but I will write more about performance once I have tested it a little longer.

 

[CKennedy]

Have you been able to install Autocad yet, what is it's performance like? I'm looking to buy one for my small business to be a more portable version of my MacbookPro running parallels so I can show clients and do some light to moderate 2d work when needed but not sure what version I should get. I would love the 256gb 8gb ram version but its a wee bit pricey! Hoping the 128gb 4gb version would be sufficient to run CAD 2012. ( I also have 2006 which should run no problem at all).

 

[ShinraCorp]

Have you been able to install Autocad yet, what is it's performance like? I'm looking to buy one for my small business to be a more portable version of my MacbookPro running parallels so I can show clients and do some light to moderate 2d work when needed but not sure what version I should get. I would love the 256gb 8gb ram version but its a wee bit pricey! Hoping the 128gb 4gb version would be sufficient to run CAD 2012. ( I also have 2006 which should run no problem at all).

You're absolutely fine with the 128GB/4GB RAM version AutoCAD performs well with 4 GB, as long as you don't run a lot of background tasks or have dozens of open browser tabs open.

 

[Bill Mitchell]

Ok, I just ordered the i3. SO EXCITED. I just couldn't bring myself to spend any more, with tax it came out to 774, that is already quite a bit for a glorified tablet - still need the type cover too. I will report about performance once I've tested it , worst case, I'll send it back. Thank you all for your input!

The SP3 is a glorified tablet like a Porsche is a glorified Volkswagen.

 

[rynoa]

Have you been able to install Autocad yet, what is it's performance like? I'm looking to buy one for my small business to be a more portable version of my MacbookPro running parallels so I can show clients and do some light to moderate 2d work when needed but not sure what version I should get. I would love the 256gb 8gb ram version but its a wee bit pricey! Hoping the 128gb 4gb version would be sufficient to run CAD 2012. ( I also have 2006 which should run no problem at all).

I have not installed AutoCAD or solid works yet and I probably won't in the near future because I don't work with it at the moment. Sorry. All I can tell you is that the i3 runs very smooth for everyday computing tasks (note taking, Office, etc). Let us know how it works for you if you install it on a surface , I'd be interested in it.

 

[rynoa]

Ok, so after the first week, I thought I'd update on my thoughts for others who might be interested in the i3.

I'm really happy I gave the i3 a try, it performs more than well enough for my needs. I have only noticed lags if I'm running multiple programs at once, but it is nothing I can't deal with and I've heard the same about he i5 with 4GB. It is really not a big deal, just takes the surface a few seconds to transition between programs and then it works. For single applications, it works perfectly smooth, no trouble whatsoever.

I've had onenote crash a few times, but I think that is more a software issue?! I noticed it happens mostly when I try to select areas with the pen and move them around. Also, the eraser sometimes takes a couple of strokes before it erases. Could it be my pen is a lemon?

Two gripes about it:
- The type cover is a dirt magnet. I got the dark blue one and I have to go over it with a microfiber cloth or lint roller regularly to keep it clean. Also, I'm glad I bought a used one on ebay, because this thing really does not feel like it is worth $130, it is pretty flimsy in my opinion. Plenty of room for improvement. It works though and I like that it is so compact. I wish there was another magnet to keep it closed when you use the keyboard as a cover.
- The back scratches very very easily. I did not throw the surface around carelessly and it was always in a neoprene sleeve in my backback. But during note taking, I put the back directly on the tabletop at the university and I have several clearly visible scratches on the back because of doing that twice (before I realized it was happening). Really not cool considering that that is the intended use of the surface and the price paid for it. I solved the problem for now by cutting a spare front screen protector to fit the back. Not very elegant and I don't think this should be necessary (shame on whoever chose the material for the back), but it works for now.

But overall, I absolutely love the surface. It is the perfect compromise between portability and actually being able to get work done. I have not taken paper notes at the university since I got it and I will probably just ditch my backpack for a small messenger bag once I scanned and organized all my notes.My back is very grateful for that.

It has also become the object of jealousy among my peers. People are amazed when I first use this thing like a tablet and then snap in the keyboard and open Matlab. "You can run Matlab on this thing?". Yup, I sure can. Can your toy tablet do this? Didn't think so .

Two things I found to be very useful for note taking:
1. get the surface hub app and increase the pen sensitivity (by like a lot) to avoid your wrist from breaking after 3hr lecture.
2. get a anti-glare screen protector. Firstly, it obviously takes care of the super annoying glare. Secondly, the protector adds a little more resistance to the screen when you are writing which makes it feel more like paper and improves handwriting. Thirdly, finger prints don't show so easily.