Surface 3 or pro 3

[anon(8567512)]

I am sure others have asked or done the comparison, but I am looking for advice. Should I get the Surface 3 or Pro 3? I can't afford the more expensive Pro versions, so would need to stick to probably the i5/128gb storage model. For the Surface 3, I would get the 128gb/4gb ram version.

I have a Surface Pro and love it. An issue that has been going on for well over a year is that, when using Word, sometimes it starts to show what I am typing incredibly slowly. I type an entire sentence, but by the time I am done, only one or two words are on the screen. All the words eventually show up, but very slowly. It is very difficult to write long documents this way. I am a pastor so I write at least a sermon a week plus lecture outlines and articles. Word and Outlook are the two most used programs for me. Over the past year or two, when this issue starts happening, I restart the computer, which often, but not always fixes it for a while. When it no longer fixes it, I have to to a clean install of OS, which tends to fix it for a month or two, and then it slowly starts again. Today was finally the last straw. I was two sentences in and I couldn't take it anymore.

So, I want to upgrade. I can't really afford the highest end Pro models, but I don't want to have a similar problem if I just get the Surface 3. How does the 3 compare to the original Pro? Will I have any issues like I am currently having? The only other program I run is Quicken, and that never gives me an issue. What are the benefits of the Pro 3 (other than size) versus the 3?

I am leaning towards just getting the Surface 3, but I just want to hear other's thoughts before I spend the money. So please, feel free to give me your thoughts. Also, what kind of battery life are people getting on each?

Thanks.

 

[Reflexx]

The regular Surface 3 should be more than enough for your needs, but even the original Surface Pro should be able to handle Word without any problems.

It sounds like you likely have sort of process that is running in the background. Maybe your antivirus is set to automatically do a scan during the times you're using Word? If it does that it will end up doing the exact thing you are describing.

 

[anon(8567512)]

Reflexx, thanks for the thoughts. The issue isn't antivirus, but I haven't checked to see what other processes are running in the background. I will have to look into that a little more.

 

[Reflexx]

The fact that it runs well for a month after a clean install means that the problem is most likely software related.

If you have trouble finding what process might be taking up your resources, you may want to check the apps you have starting at startup. As we install things, many programs set themselves to automatically start when Windows start.

 

[WillysJeepMan]

I am sure others have asked or done the comparison, but I am looking for advice. Should I get the Surface 3 or Pro 3? I can't afford the more expensive Pro versions, so would need to stick to probably the i5/128gb storage model. For the Surface 3, I would get the 128gb/4gb ram version.

I have a Surface Pro and love it. An issue that has been going on for well over a year is that, when using Word, sometimes it starts to show what I am typing incredibly slowly. I type an entire sentence, but by the time I am done, only one or two words are on the screen. All the words eventually show up, but very slowly. It is very difficult to write long documents this way. I am a pastor so I write at least a sermon a week plus lecture outlines and articles. Word and Outlook are the two most used programs for me. Over the past year or two, when this issue starts happening, I restart the computer, which often, but not always fixes it for a while. When it no longer fixes it, I have to to a clean install of OS, which tends to fix it for a month or two, and then it slowly starts again. Today was finally the last straw. I was two sentences in and I couldn't take it anymore.

So, I want to upgrade. I can't really afford the highest end Pro models, but I don't want to have a similar problem if I just get the Surface 3. How does the 3 compare to the original Pro? Will I have any issues like I am currently having? The only other program I run is Quicken, and that never gives me an issue. What are the benefits of the Pro 3 (other than size) versus the 3?

I am leaning towards just getting the Surface 3, but I just want to hear other's thoughts before I spend the money. So please, feel free to give me your thoughts. Also, what kind of battery life are people getting on each?

Thanks.

I've experienced similar behavior with my Windows devices running Windows 8.x. Upon investigation, I discovered it would be caused by Windows Search Indexer or a glitchy Windows update. On those devices experiencing the issue, I disable Windows Search Indexer. For glitchy Windows updates, I go in and delete the update files and attempt the update again.

Interesting that you use your Surface Pro for sermon and seminar prep. I switch between an iPad 4, 11" Macbook Air (MBA), Acer Aspire Switch 11, and a Surface 2 (yes, the RT version) for my sermon and seminar prep.

1Pad 4: 13 hrs battery

• MS Office
• iWork
• Logos
• ESV Study Bible
• OliveTree
• Notesy (access to simple text notes synced on DropBox)
• SimpleMind (mindmapping software)

11" Macbook Air : 8 hrs battery

• MS Office
• LibreOffice
• iWork 09
• e-Sword
• TheWord
• Logos
• nvALT (Notational Velocity for simple text notes synced on DropBox)
• SimpleMind

Acer Aspire Switch 11 (Core i3 Surface Pro 3-like hybrid) : 5.5-6 hrs battery

• MS Office
• LibreOffice
• e-Sword
• TheWord
• Logos
• ResophNotes (access simple text notes synced on DropBox)
• SimpleMind

Surface 2 (Windows RT) : 8+ hrs battery

• MS Office
• OliveTree
• Logos
• WritePlus2 (access simple text notes synced on DropBox)

They also all work well for presentation devices (I use a Targus presentation remote with them (except the iPad)). The only caveat is in using those Windows systems. I've had Windows force updates (regardless of update settings) at the most inopportune times (like 10 minutes before the beginning of a seminar). This has happened even when I thought I'd be proactively smart and check multiple times for updates. Now, if I need WiFi to be enabled, I'll use my MBA.

I have a fulltime+ job in addition to my pastoral duties so I needed to create a workflow that allows me to pick up anything at any time to spend time on preparation.

The base model Surface 3 will be fine for your purposes. As for battery life, given your use cases you should expect the advertised duration.

The Surface 3 is insanely portable. Although I don't own a Surface 3, my experience with these devices have given me a unique opportunity for comparison. (especially with the Switch 11 which is basically a poor man's Surface Pro 3) Depending upon what Apple does in the next 3-6 months, I may end up passing these devices on to others and getting a Surface 3 as my GO TO mobile device.

 

[anon(8567512)]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. I will look into the search indexer. From what I can tell, the issue occurs when Word starts uploading the saved file to OneDrive. I will try the various suggestions, but if I get a new Surface, which it sounds like the Surface 3 is the way to go, then I won't worry about solving the issue on the old one. I will reformat it, give it away, and let someone else worry about it.

The main reason I bought the original Pro was because RT couldn't do all I needed it to do with its inability to run legacy apps. I have used the Pro for some audio recording of classes I teach and the software I use couldn't run on RT. Though, at this point, i haven't done any of that for about two years.

It sounds like getting the Surface 3 is the way for me to go. Now I just need to convince my wife to let me. :sweaty:

 

[Brian282]

Do you have a Microsoft store close to you. I would suggest taking a trip with your surface and see if they can help you. Or ask there help forum. They tend to be very helpful on both fronts. The surface 3 is fast but it can't compare to any version of the pro on the power front