Just got a Microsoft Surface 3. What apps to install?

[fuzzybabybunny]

I just got a Microsoft Surface 3 (non-pro) with LTE. I'm totally new to the Windows app ecosystem, so I'm looking for recommendations for touch/tablet-friendly apps, or even any additional hardware to get.

- I have the Wacom Bamboo pen instead of the Microsoft one and it works fine.
- I have the type cover.
- I checked the app store and there doesn't appear to be apps for hardly anything Google like GoogleMaps or Drive. I've put links to their websites on my taskbar as shortcuts... is this the best I can do?
- The Surface 3 doesn't have built-in GPS. Any recommendations for an external GPS?
- What's the best note-taking app? Making diagrams, writing notes on ruled paper, annotating photos, annotating ebooks, etc?
- The type cover doesn't protect the back of the device at all. Any suggestions for covering up the back, like vinyl or something?
- Will a tempered glass screen protector screw with the pen input?
- Anything else you suggest?

 

[Raduque]

Surface 3 is a full x64 device. It's not limited to WindowsRT like Surface and Surface 2 were.
Install whatever you want.

Microsoft One Note is a great note-taking app and is fully pen-capable and will sync across any platform you use it on.

Surface 3, like the Pro 3, is N-Trig not Wacom - the Bamboo pen shouldn't work. Mine certainly doesn't. I have a Surface pen.

https://dbrand.com/shop/surface-3-skins

I don't use my tablets for GPS, so I can't help you there.

 

[Commodus]

I just got a Microsoft Surface 3 (non-pro) with LTE. I'm totally new to the Windows app ecosystem, so I'm looking for recommendations for what to install for tablet mode, or even any additional hardware to get.

- I have the Wacom Bamboo pen instead of the Microsoft one.
- I have the type cover.
- I checked the app store and there doesn't appear to be apps for hardly anything Google like GoogleMaps or Drive. I've put links to their websites on my taskbar as shortcuts... is this the best I can do?
- The Surface 3 doesn't have built-in GPS. Any recommendations for an external GPS?
- What's the best note-taking app? Making diagrams, writing notes on ruled paper, annotating photos, annotating ebooks, etc?
- The type cover doesn't protect the back of the device at all. Any suggestions for covering up the back, like vinyl or something?
- Anything else you suggest?

I can't answer every question with authority, but:

On the app front... welcome to Google's support for Microsoft's touchscreen devices. It's believed that Google purposefully declines to write Windows tablet and phone apps because Microsoft is a direct competitor in search (it even refused to cooperate on a YouTube app). The iPad has much better support.

For notes: OneNote would probably be the go-to, even if you didn't have a pen -- if just for the Office integration.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Surface 3 is a full x64 device. It's not limited to WindowsRT like Surface and Surface 2 were.
Install whatever you want.

Microsoft One Note is a great note-taking app and is fully pen-capable and will sync across any platform you use it on.

Surface 3, like the Pro 3, is N-Trig not Wacom - the Bamboo pen shouldn't work. Mine certainly doesn't. I have a Surface pen.

https://dbrand.com/shop/surface-3-skins

I don't use my tablets for GPS, so I can't help you there.

My Bamboo pen works fine on the Surface 3. Been writing notes all day.

I understand that I can install anything, but I'm specifically looking for touch-friendly apps.

So, for example, instead of Adobe Lightroom which has a complex UI that really benefits from a mouse and keyboard, something more akin to Snapseed on Android.

 

[quikah]

I have a Surface 3, wish they would update it already with a Core m. surface 3 is super slow, don't expect to be doing much beyond note taking and simple apps.

- I thought the Surface 3 LTE model had a GPS built in?

- Bamboo Ink pen works on N-trig devices.

- Never saw much need to protect the back.

- Google hates MS so their support for windows is pretty meh, just get usual Chrome. You can pin any google site to the desktop and it looks like an app pretty much (though the touch responsiveness of Chrome is pretty crappy).

- Try to use onedrive, Edge and Bing Maps (though I hear complaints from outside US about MS services, so YMMV)? They work well in general with touch.

- I don't do any photo editing, but I hear the Polarr app is pretty good. Photoshop elements is in the store also. (though, as I said the Surface 3 is dog slow, don't expect to do much intense work with it)