Lack of LTE? No problem.

[rmmoore80]

I see a lot of talk with this device, as well as many others, about how it lacks LTE/Cellular support. I really have no problem with this and I don't think any versions of the Pro will come with LTE support anytime soon. I also don't think it (or any other device) needs LTE. Why not? Well, how many of you reading this has a smart phone? How many of you have a smart phone with LTE sharing capabilities? My wife and I both have LTE wifi-sharing capabilities that allow me to have LTE on any wireless device. I also have (but don't use and isn't currently active) an LTE Mobile Hotspot from AT&T as a backup. So, why would I pay an extra $49.95 a month for a feature for one device that my phone (and my wife's phone) is already capable of doing for up to 5 devices. I'm sure individuals have good reasons for wanting LTE on a single device but I don't see the real business need there to justify adding it to the device (and raising the cost of the device).

 

[StevoPhilo]

I never understood either. I think if it's built into the device it's a more reliable signal and it cost less per month comparatively to MiFIs and data sharing.

 

[rmmoore80]

Maybe they changed the pricings but when I had an LTE device before it cost me as much for one device as it did my Mobile Hotspot. That's actually why I got the mobile hotspot. I couldn't justify paying $49.95 a month for one device when I could get a hotspot. Now I don't even need that. Even my 5 year old Dell Precision laptop has mobile LTE support thanks to my Lumia 1020.

 

[StephenWagner7]

The problem for me is my cell battery life (I also don't want to carry along another device such as a hotspot).

Using "Internet Sharing" for a extended time kills my cells battery, not only are you using the LTE connection, but heavily using the Wifi on your phone as well. I would have no problem paying a couple extra hundred, and the cost of another data plan, to be able to have LTE built in.

I currently use "Internet Sharing" whenever wifi isn't available when travelling, and it pisses me off every time I'm done when I check my cell battery life.

I like easy, it would be nice just to have it.

 

[drbanks]

This is a pet peeve of mine. It's the one thing that makes something like an iPad such an attractive alternative to a Surface (pro or otherwise), or for that matter, an ultrabook.

I'd gripe that the SP3 doesn't have LTE, but then again, neither does just about any other comparably priced Windows portable. At least that's on my radar.

 

[rmmoore80]

All fair arguments. I'm sure LTE built-in will be helpful for many people. I never go anywhere without the ability to plug in or charge my phone but you are correct on the battery. You can kill a battery fast with LTE internet sharing. I usually plug mine into my laptop while I use my phone's internet.

 

[enthuz]

Considering I have LTE Sharing on my 928 and I don't have to pay for it, I guess it isn't a show stopper for me either. I do prefer it over buying a mobile hotspot (just one more thing to carry and not lose) or as you all have said...having the built-in limited for one device...makes sense.

 

[Mercule]

The thought of getting a tablet/laptop with LTE seems so absurdly wasteful, to me. I'm rarely anyplace without secure WiFi access, and I'm never without my phone. I'm not trying to tell anyone their needs are wrong, just weighing in with my opinion. Unless/until putting an LTE radio on a tablet becomes so cheap as to be effectively free, any (non-phone) device with LTE will get an automatic disqualification from me.

Edit: I have no problem with them releasing a "companion" version w/ LTE. If it increases market penetration, awesome. I just probably wouldn't even notice, and don't want them to make the non-LTE chassis any larger to accommodate the LTE radio.

 

[sd173]

I have no problem with no LTE. I got a new cellular plan last, last Sunday for my new 1520 (which, by the way is awesome, especially with 8.1) that included internet sharing. I use my Surface Pro for a lot of internet tasks like syncing Outlook, OneNote, and OneDrive. If I'm in a car or any place where I don't have internet, I'd just use my Surface Pro in offline mode unless I really needed internet, then I'd use internet sharing for a very short time and monitor the usage from the network charms menu. The Surface Pro wasn't meant to be a chromenook or iPad that works best with internet anyway.

 

[vlad0]

A device aimed at professionals should have access to mobile internet.. its essential. I have a Lumia tablet which has LTE and there is no way I would switch to a tablet that doesn't. Yes, you can use your phone as a modem, but that adds an extra step + it drains the battery on your phone at the same time.. I've been using this system since 2008 with my Nokia E71 and joikuspot.. it was way before it was trendy.

Have on device LTE is much, much better.

It will happen once Intel includes LTE radio into their core chips, which might happen with Broadwell around Christmas this year. Having it as a separate chip would require extra drivers, and it will drain more power than if it was integrated ala Qualcomm ...

So I think that we will see Pro 3 refresh with Broadwell on board (no fans, probably thinner and longer battery life) and LTE connectivity for the holidays.

 

[vzw8830]

I'm writing this on a Nokia 2520. I'm on Verizon, pay $10/month for the 4G access and as a promo I get an extra GB on my shared data plan every month. As others have mentioned, I don't like the battery drain on my cell when used as a hotspot.
But were all different.

 

[vlad0]

It doesn't make sense for the Surface 2 to have LTE and not the 3 PRO .. its a hardware issue, otherwise it would've been on there. I am expecting a refresh with LTE radio included at some point.

 

[drbanks]

I think I'm kind of tired of the mythology that you don't need cellular data, because WiFi is "everywhere," and as a result, am rather angry that LTE isn't an option on every portable computing device, laptops especially.

First off, public WiFi tends to be insecure.
Second, I don't like using the office WiFi, on the rare occasion it's even available, because I don't like the company in my business like that, and because I find any company's "net nanny" to be a bit too obtrusive.
Finally, WiFi just isn't everywhere after all.

So, I end up tethering a lot. I've tried MiFis, but they're super flaky. Right now, I'm using Nexus 7 tablet solely as a WiFi hotspot, because it works better than a MiFi and has better battery life. But that means carrying two tablets (SP and Nexus) when by all rights, I'd much rather carry one. Or, I can also tether to my 1520, but all of that just feels like a kludge.

 

[StephenWagner7]

I just find this whole lack of LTE thing annoying...

I held off on purchasing a Surface Pro 2 waiting for the LTE model (which never came), and now we have a Surface Pro 3 that still doesn't have LTE?

I hate saying this (because I'm such a Surface fan), but I think I may just pull the trigger on a Lenovo X1 Carbon with LTE built in. Would have much rather had a Surface, but what can you do...

 

[neonspark]

Apple sells ipads with LTE. MSFT sells surface 2 with LTE. android OEMs sell tablets with LTE.

stop being a hater of choice and let those of us that don't want to drain our phones for basic connectivity, and don't wish to carry yet another wifi brick around have our tablet. MSFT is free to produce wi-fi only SKU. get out of the way of progress.

 

[unstoppablekem]

They can get a USB dongle, if they want it very much on this device...


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