Surface Pro 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

SoulOfTheFlame · 08-28-2014, 06:32 AM

Anyone else picked up this tablet?

I just got the i7 today. Thought it would be cool to share some tips with other users.

psicodude · 08-28-2014, 07:37 AM

I picked one up 2 weeks ago and am using it as my primary workstation now. I also grabbed the i7 512gb and added the docking station, extra power supply, and dongles. I seriously love this thing. The larger screen and changes to the keyboard are great.

The only thing I don't like is that I run 2 monitors (in addition to the Surface screen) and the dock only has one display port, so I have to plug a dongle into the port on the side of the Surface. Other than that, I am really enjoying it.

Bobblehead · 08-28-2014, 09:22 AM

Are you using it as a desktop replacement or a notebook replacement...?

My Thinkpad recently died and I've been debating another thinkpad or one of these surface pros.

psicodude · 08-28-2014, 01:30 PM

Both, sort of. It replaced my desktop but I just undock and take it to meetings whenever I need to. Other than the second monitor dongle thing, it works perfectly. I did get the 512gb model on purpose so I could replace my desktop.

I can honestly say that it is a legitimate laptop now, but offer so much more flexibility with the detachable keyboard and the touchscreen.

wooohooo · 08-28-2014, 01:42 PM

How is windows on that thing?

I bought a laptop recently that ran Windows 8 but it drove me up the wall so I went back to my old laptop.

Looking at the surface pro 3 or macbook pro/air. I'm more of a windows guy, but the latest windows just makes me so mad. I feel more lost than my mom when she uses a computer.

Diemenz · 08-28-2014, 03:22 PM

I have the i5 256 version and I love it. Ended up selling my laptop as well since the surface can do everything I need it to (some things even better like Lightroom and Photoshop).

I installed the intel drivers for video and noticed a change in performance in civ5 and battlefield (yep battlefield 4 on a tablet).

Edit: I also use my xbox controller with the surface to play games while on staying in hotels on the road with a display port to hdmi cord. It cost $9 on amazon and works perfectly.

J Diddy · 08-28-2014, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psicodude

I picked one up 2 weeks ago and am using it as my primary workstation now. I also grabbed the i7 512gb and added the docking station, extra power supply, and dongles. I seriously love this thing. The larger screen and changes to the keyboard are great.

The only thing I don't like is that I run 2 monitors (in addition to the Surface screen) and the dock only has one display port, so I have to plug a dongle into the port on the side of the Surface. Other than that, I am really enjoying it.

If your monitor has display port 1.2 on your monitors you can daisy chain them eliminating the need to connect one monitor directly to the SP.

Mike F · 08-28-2014, 07:31 PM

I picked up the 256GB (8GB RAM) i5 a couple of weeks ago, after having a Surface Pro 1 for a year and a half.

I use it as basically as my sole computer at home: I do a lot of word processing for work on the SP3 directly and use LogMeIn Pro to network with my work PC; I use the stylus with an old but full version of Photoshop (CS3) to do a bunch of photo editing, which works awesomely; finally I watch a tonne of mkv videos, which is the only time I use my desktop PC - I download everything to my 2TB hard drive in my PC, then stream video through my HomeGroup network.

At the risk of sounding like a total fanboy, I don't see how this isn't the future of all mobile computing - it's completely capable for productivity tasks, then the keyboard detaches or folds away and it's a beautiful experience for using new age apps or consuming media. It baffles me why anyone would want to purchase and switch between not only separate devices, but separate ecosystems (e.g. OS X and iOS)

InglewoodFan · 08-28-2014, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wooohooo

How is windows on that thing?

I bought a laptop recently that ran Windows 8 but it drove me up the wall so I went back to my old laptop.

Looking at the surface pro 3 or macbook pro/air. I'm more of a windows guy, but the latest windows just makes me so mad. I feel more lost than my mom when she uses a computer.

For what it's worth, I think the Surface Pro is the best suited device to Windows 8. I switched from 20 yrs of Apple to a 1st gen SP and had zero problems with it. It is really suited to the tablet touch interface. I can imagine it would be a pain on a conventional laptop by comparison.

I'm very productive with my SP, once you get the hang of it you find a lot of uses for it. OneNote on a tablet has become a way of life, I use it for everything.

Diemenz · 08-28-2014, 08:57 PM

You will notice a bit better performance when using the intel display drivers.

I use them because I do photo editing with Lightroom and photoshop and being able to adjust the gamma, contrast etc make it very easy to get Colors where I want them to be.

Also the intel drivers give me 35fps in battlefield where the Microsoft drivers have me around 20.

SoulOfTheFlame · 08-28-2014, 09:10 PM

Hey Diemenz, can you add a link to the intel drivers please?

psicodude · 08-28-2014, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoulOfTheFlame

Hey Diemenz, can you add a link to the intel drivers please?

+1. I didn't even know that was an option!

I thought I would add that the battery is very good as well. I was on a business flight 2 weeks ago and watched four episodes of Game of Thrones (using VLC for Windows 8) and was still at 71% battery.

psicodude · 08-28-2014, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Diddy

If your monitor has display port 1.2 on your monitors you can daisy chain them eliminating the need to connect one monitor directly to the SP.

Both monitors are only DVI, unfortunately. Maybe time for new monitors?

Diemenz · 08-29-2014, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoulOfTheFlame

Hey Diemenz, can you add a link to the intel drivers please?

Link for i5 256 model:
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Det...ng&ProdId=3719

I used display driver uninstaller and removed the current intel drivers.
http://www.guru3d.com/files-details/...-download.html

Then without rebooting installed the intel drivers using the have disk method. After you do the have disk method you won't have to do it again in the future the intel drivers will install like normal drivers on future releases.

Please remember that if you have automatic updates on windows will install the old drivers over the current ones (it will show up as a firmware update)

Hemi-Cuda · 08-29-2014, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wooohooo

How is windows on that thing?

I bought a laptop recently that ran Windows 8 but it drove me up the wall so I went back to my old laptop.

Looking at the surface pro 3 or macbook pro/air. I'm more of a windows guy, but the latest windows just makes me so mad. I feel more lost than my mom when she uses a computer.

http://www.classicshell.net/

For anyone using Windows 8 on a normal laptop or desktop but hates using the new start screen. Brings back the Windows 7 start menu in exact look and feel. You can still bring up the start screen through a shortcut or through the live corners, but it makes using Windows 8 on a desktop so much better

Handsome B. Wonderful · 08-29-2014, 04:36 PM

Upgraded my Surface Pro 1 to a 3 last week (i5 256 GB). I loved my Surface Pro, this one is even better.

InglewoodFan · 08-29-2014, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Handsome B. Wonderful

Upgraded my Surface Pro 1 to a 3 last week (i5 256 GB). I loved my Surface Pro, this one is even better.

C'mon, don't tell me that. I'm trying to hold out for Broadwell chips for the improvements in battery life.

Handsome B. Wonderful · 08-30-2014, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InglewoodFan

C'mon, don't tell me that. I'm trying to hold out for Broadwell chips for the improvements in battery life.

Well then I won't tell you I can really feel the significant improvement in battery life between the Pro 1 and the Pro 3.

Diemenz · 08-30-2014, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Handsome B. Wonderful

Well then I won't tell you I can really feel the significant improvement in battery life between the Pro 1 and the Pro 3.

I have owned all 3. The Surface 3 is by far the best piece of tech I have ever laid my hands on. I have used my iPad Air twice this month. Normally I was using it 10-15 times a day.

Bill Bumface · 02-10-2015, 12:54 PM

There is a one day sale on these.

Ordered one from Best Buy, then noticed the MS store had the same deal and a free sleeve.

If anyone misses the sale and wants to buy one of them before I return it, let me know.

I haven't even decided if I'd keep either, as I haven't actually tried one yet.

I ordered 2xi5 256Gb

Are people still happy with them?