Should I get a Surface Pro 3

[Fynbo]

Hi,

I'm considering getting the Surface Pro 3.

I've looked at the Pro 4, but I refuse to buy a PC with so many bugs.

So, the Pro 3 would be used for work and will replace my Macbook Air (13", medio 2013, 1,3GHz i5, 4GB 1600MHz DDR3, Intel Graphics 5000).

I'm looking at getting the Pro 3 in the i5, 256GB HDD and 8GB RAM configuration. But I have some questions I hope you guys won't mind answering.

1. How much of an upgrade is it? For instance, the Pro 3 only has Intel Graphics 4400, I believe
2. How many bugs does the Pro 3 have? I mean, is it worse than other PCs? As it's used for work I can't afford to have any serious bugs that might affect work.
3. Is it stupid to get a Pro 3 instead of a 4?
4. Does the Pro 4 typecover as well as the new pen both work with the Surface Pro 3?
5. The shop I'm going to buy it from has two almost identical versions of the Pro 3 for sale. The only difference is the OS; 8.1 or 10. Are the Windows 10 version just a newer produced one, or has it been 'refurbished'?

Thanks in advance, guys.

 

[Danariel]

Hi! I'm new to the Surface Pro line as well. I can't tell you what to do, only what I've done. I received my "Used - Like New" Surface Pro 3 i5, 256GB HDD 8GB RAM today. I, like you, was concerned about the bugs, and poorer reviews, of the SP4. I was also able to get the specs I wanted (as a Graphic Designer, I wanted to be able to run full Photoshop for travel purposes.)

1. No idea, I prefer Windows to Macs (I know, blasphemy for a Graphic Designer - but I'm a gamer, too.) I have a VERY nice, new, gaming rig that's my main machine. I do notice the display on the SP3 is higher resolution, which should be great for photo retouching. I've also figured out how to control my desktop remotely (from the couch) with the SP3, for times I might want access to 32gb of RAM and a dedicated graphics card. Haven't tried gaming on it yet.

2. I've been reading the forums extensively. Up until recently, the consensus seems to have been that 8.1 is rock solid, and 10 still had some issues. I posted yesterday asking for current state of Win10 on SP3 though, and got favorable reviews. So I went ahead and updated to 10 after remembering just how much I love the improvements it brought over 8.1.

3. If it's stupid, then I'm stupid too. I was able to get the specs I wanted for a lot less even when talking about a used - like new machine. A used SP4 is still $250 more than I was able to get the SP3 for, and the SP3 came with a keyboard, Pen, charger, and a case.

4. Even though it came with the Type 3 pen and cover, I ordered the Type 4 pen and cover. Yes, they do work, and are worthwhile upgrades to the SP3 versions.

5. You'll probably have to ask the shop whether the 10 is refurbished or not. Mine had 8.1 on it, and was originally registered/purchased on 9/16/15 (meaning it still had 6 months of warranty.) I like that it has 8.1 on it, so that if I do run into bugs on Win10 in the next month, I can roll back to it.

I know this didn't answer ALL your questions, but I hope it answers a nice chunk of them. Either way, I don't think it's a mistake to get the 3 instead of the 4.

 

[cba191]

Where did you order from? I've been looking at used as well.

 

[baydude]

I'm an owner of a SP3 and the new Surface Book. I can tell you I never once had an issue w/ the SP3, never even a blue screen. With the SB, i've had blue screen since the first day and now it's sitting in the MS Store for support.

 

[cba191]

Just bought an sp3 off eBay. 8gb, 256gb with a warranty good through April of next year. Now I just have to wait til it shows up.