Surface 3 , Surface 3 Pro, or iPad Air 2?

[pcslookout]

I am trying to figure out which one I should get? I don't really game on a tablet much.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Hard to judge without more information. I've gone through an iPad Air, Surface Pro 3, and Surface 3. And of those three, I love my Surface 3 the most (have had it a couple weeks now I think).

The iPad Air 2 is a great tablet. My big grievance would be that the $500 model only has 16GB of storage and usable storage is even less and that really doesn't last long. So I'd need at least the $600 64GB model. And the iPad is an amazing content consumption device (and primarily what you'd use a tablet for). But I'd kinda like a tablet with a digitizer (pen support) at this price range. And iOS is a rather restrictive OS, it's hard for me to copy my content to the iPad.

The Surface Pro 3 is also great, but for me this device was a bit of an awkward hybrid that didn't really seem to excel at anything. At 12 inches and 2 pounds it a bit too big for me to really love it as a tablet. And the Type Cover isn't nearly as good as a real laptop keyboard, so I couldn't love it as a laptop replacement either. And since I'd need at least 128GB of storage, so with keyboard that got very expensive.

The Surface 3 was juuuuuust right. Not too big, not too expensive. Has a digitizer (but the pen costs extra). And with a Type Cover (or any keyboard really) can be productive. It's more expensive than an iPad, but much less than a Surface Pro 3. Again, I find the 64GB model to be insufficient for a Windows tablet, so I had to opt for the $600 128GB model and the keyboard and pen will cost another $180 together, So almost $800 in total. But I really love it, it's a great tablet and an okay laptop substitute.

 

[pcslookout]

Hard to judge without more information. I've gone through an iPad Air, Surface Pro 3, and Surface 3. And of those three, I love my Surface 3 the most (have had it a couple weeks now I think).

The iPad Air 2 is a great tablet. My big grievance would be that the $500 model only has 16GB of storage and usable storage is even less and that really doesn't last long. So I'd need at least the $600 64GB model. And the iPad is an amazing content consumption device (and primarily what you'd use a tablet for). But I'd kinda like a tablet with a digitizer (pen support) at this price range. And iOS is a rather restrictive OS, it's hard for me to copy my content to the iPad.

The Surface Pro 3 is also great, but for me this device was a bit of an awkward hybrid that didn't really seem to excel at anything. At 12 inches and 2 pounds it a bit too big for me to really love it as a tablet. And the Type Cover isn't nearly as good as a real laptop keyboard, so I couldn't love it as a laptop replacement either. And since I'd need at least 128GB of storage, so with keyboard that got very expensive.

The Surface 3 was juuuuuust right. Not too big, not too expensive. Has a digitizer (but the pen costs extra). And with a Type Cover (or any keyboard really) can be productive. It's more expensive than an iPad, but much less than a Surface Pro 3. Again, I find the 64GB model to be insufficient for a Windows tablet, so I had to opt for the $600 128GB model and the keyboard and pen will cost another $180 together, So almost $800 in total. But I really love it, it's a great tablet and an okay laptop substitute.

Thanks. Do you use still have the iPad Air ?

Also with your Surface 3 do you ever find the atom processor (or whatever processor is comes with) or the 128 GB of flash memory for storage to slow ?

Like lets say in Firefox browser unless you don't use it. I forgot does Firefox even have a touch friendly browser for window tablets?

 

[ControlD]

If I were buying right now, it would probably be the Surface 3.

I have a much cheaper Windows tablet (Dell VP8) and the processor is plenty fast enough but the storage is quite slow. Using non touch applications is sort of a pain, but there are some good ways to work around that. I imagine the stylus with the Surface tablets pretty much makes that a non issue however.

If you are the kind of person that wants lots of nice apps, go with something else. There are much fewer apps and what apps are out there are almost always of lower quality. Netflix is great however. The Kindle app is terrible. You get the picture. Still, I really like having a full desktop OS on my tablet and would have a hard time going back to a mobile OS.

 

[Crono]

I forgot does Firefox even have a touch friendly browser for window tablets?

It's in beta:
https://blog.mozilla.org/futurerele...or-windows-8-touch-beta-is-ready-for-testing/

 

[pcslookout]

If I were buying right now, it would probably be the Surface 3.

I have a much cheaper Windows tablet (Dell VP8) and the processor is plenty fast enough but the storage is quite slow. Using non touch applications is sort of a pain, but there are some good ways to work around that. I imagine the stylus with the Surface tablets pretty much makes that a non issue however.

If you are the kind of person that wants lots of nice apps, go with something else. There are much fewer apps and what apps are out there are almost always of lower quality. Netflix is great however. The Kindle app is terrible. You get the picture. Still, I really like having a full desktop OS on my tablet and would have a hard time going back to a mobile OS.

What kind of storage does the Dell VP8 have ?

If I want nice apps go with what exactly?

 

[ControlD]

What kind of storage does the Dell VP8 have ?

If I want nice apps go with what exactly?

It uses some type of flash memory. I'm honestly not sure what type it is, but installing Windows updates takes a long time, and it updates once a week. That being said, my gut feeling is that everything is better on the Surface which is a premium product. The Dell is a budget tablet (and awesome for the $140 I paid for it) and I'm sure some corners were cut to make it cheap.

If app quality is what you are after I would say Ipad >> Android >> Windows. We have all three in our house, and the iPad seems to have the best app store.

 

[pcslookout]

It uses some type of flash memory. I'm honestly not sure what type it is, but installing Windows updates takes a long time, and it updates once a week.

If app quality is what you are after I would say Ipad >> Android >> Windows. We have all three in our house, and the iPad seems to have the best app store.

Thanks.

Which iPad and Android tablet do you have ? Which tablet do you use the most out of the three you have ?

 

[ControlD]

Thanks.

Which iPad and Android tablet do you have ? Which tablet do you use the most out of the three you have ?

We have an iPad 3, Samsung Note 10.1 and the Dell Venue Pro 8. I only use the Dell personally unless I am troubleshooting one of the others. I used the iPad 3 for about a year (had the original iPad before that) but I lost it to my daughter. My wife uses the Note 10.1 for work and she loves it. I also like it quite a bit, but I am generally "encouraged" to not tinker with it.

I am perfectly happy using a Windows tablet. I can run my brewing program on it on brew days, the full Chrome browser and any other number of desktop programs. Heck, I have Steam installed on it and can play a few low tech games. I don't really miss the apps to be honest, and what I need is available. I have Netflix, Plex, and Kindle which are my main consumption needs.

 

[pcslookout]

Yeah I heard really good things about the Dell Venue Pro 8.

Do you have a keyboard and pen too ? Which one ?

 

[ControlD]

Yeah I heard really good things about the Dell Venue Pro 8.

Do you have a keyboard and pen too ? Which one ?

I bought some el-cheapo keyboard case on Amazon and used it once. If you look on Amazon it is pretty much the same as any other cheap VP8 keyboard you will find. I think they are all made by the same company. I am a sit on the couch kind of guy when using a tablet, and that doesn't work at all with a keyboard. A laptop would be a much better choice for that. I never got a pen, I use a program called Touchmousepointer that essentially turns the whole tablet screen into a touch pad. I use that when I am running classic programs (non touch enabled) and it does the job like a champ.

If I were buying a Windows tablet today however, I think the Surface 3 would be the choice. The VP8 is good for what it is, but it is also somewhat old technology now. It also has an annoying bug with the audio driver that can drain the battery overnight unless you mute it when you are done. I am assuming that will never get fixed.

 

[pcslookout]

I bought some el-cheapo keyboard case on Amazon and used it once. If you look on Amazon it is pretty much the same as any other cheap VP8 keyboard you will find. I think they are all made by the same company. I am a sit on the couch kind of guy when using a tablet, and that doesn't work at all with a keyboard. A laptop would be a much better choice for that. I never got a pen, I use a program called Touchmousepointer that essentially turns the whole tablet screen into a touch pad. I use that when I am running classic programs (non touch enabled) and it does the job like a champ.

If I were buying a Windows tablet today however, I think the Surface 3 would be the choice. The VP8 is good for what it is, but it is also somewhat old technology now. It also has an annoying bug with the audio driver that can drain the battery overnight unless you mute it when you are done. I am assuming that will never get fixed.

Cool looking program just looked at it.

The only thing I worry with the Surface 3, not the Surface 3 Pro, is the slower 128 GB of flash memory for storage. I keep reading it is slow.

 

[mmntech]

All boils down to what you're using it for. The iPad is ideal for typical tablet uses like light web browsing, mobile gaming, and media consumption. It's a system that's dead simple to use and requires next to no maintenance, but it won't let you crawl around in its guts.

The Surface 3 is an idea system if you are doing mostly typical tablet tasks but need some added flexibility and power user features. It can run any program that's compatible with desktop x86 Windows. Meaning you're not confined to a walled garden like on the iPad. Want to run Flux? Go nuts. Browse the file system? Sure. You can even stream Steam games from your desktop. It's not something you'd want as a laptop replacement, but it will handle the occasional laptop job. I'll probably get one when it comes time to replace my iPad 3.

FWIW though, the pen and keyboard for the Surface 3 are sold separately and are ridiculously overpriced. I'm told the pen is an absolute necessity for using desktop apps. So unfortunately, the Surface 3 has some big hidden costs.

Now the Pro 3 is a complete laptop replacement. It's bigger but it's not horribly clunky. Still, I prefer the 10'' form factor for tablets.

 

[ControlD]

Cool looking program just looked at it.

The only thing I worry with the Surface 3, not the Surface 3 Pro, is the slower 128 GB of flash memory for storage. I keep reading it is slow.

I have read the same thing. I am hoping some people here that own it can give some input on the storage speed. Really the slow speed only really shows up for me when installing programs. As far as normal usage is concerned it is fine.

 

[pcslookout]

I have read the same thing. I am hoping some people here that own it can give some input on the storage speed. Really the slow speed only really shows up for me when installing programs. As far as normal usage is concerned it is fine.

Thanks.

I guess tablets will never be as fast as desktops.

 

[pcslookout]

All boils down to what you're using it for. The iPad is ideal for typical tablet uses like light web browsing, mobile gaming, and media consumption. It's a system that's dead simple to use and requires next to no maintenance, but it won't let you crawl around in its guts.

The Surface 3 is an idea system if you are doing mostly typical tablet tasks but need some added flexibility and power user features. It can run any program that's compatible with desktop x86 Windows. Meaning you're not confined to a walled garden like on the iPad. Want to run Flux? Go nuts. Browse the file system? Sure. You can even stream Steam games from your desktop. It's not something you'd want as a laptop replacement, but it will handle the occasional laptop job. I'll probably get one when it comes time to replace my iPad 3.

FWIW though, the pen and keyboard for the Surface 3 are sold separately and are ridiculously overpriced. I'm told the pen is an absolute necessity for using desktop apps. So unfortunately, the Surface 3 has some big hidden costs.

Now the Pro 3 is a complete laptop replacement. It's bigger but it's not horribly clunky. Still, I prefer the 10'' form factor for tablets.

Thank you good read!

 

[sweenish]

I enjoy that SP3 got dinged for the Type Cover, then Surface 3 it's "any keyboard, really."

Consistency would be nice. The two devices are not that different. You either need the extra horsepower that the Pro brings, or you don't. I wouldn't consider the iPad unless you're already in the ecosystem, because at that price, the Surface 3 is the better machine.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Yeah I was ready to get an iPad Air 2, but after reading many reviews and sitting down for an hour at the Microsoft store, I'm pretty impressed with the Surface. I can get a lot more storage for $100 more than the base model and there's a whole lot of flexibility.

My only concern is the lack of apps right now. It's cool to be able to game reasonably well on the iPad for example. I think going the Surface route, you're giving up some tablet apps for more PC-like functionality. Not 100% sure if that's for me because in that case my laptop is more suited for that.

 

[pcslookout]

Should I instead get a ASUS Zenbook UX305FA-ASM1 13.3-Inch Ultra-Slim Aluminum Laptop ?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop

The specs are insane.

I still like the Surface and iPad Air though.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I really like my iPad Air 2. But I don't expect a lot out of it.

 

[pcslookout]

I really like my iPad Air 2. But I don't expect a lot out of it.

What do you like best about it?

 

[ControlD]

Should I instead get a ASUS Zenbook UX305FA-ASM1 13.3-Inch Ultra-Slim Aluminum Laptop ?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop

The specs are insane.

I still like the Surface and iPad Air though.

That depends on what you are looking for. Do you think you will be using your tablet as a laptop more often than not? If so, get a laptop. Do you want something you can use mainly as a tablet with occasional laptop type usage? If so get the Surface. Do you just want a tablet with lots of apps? If so get the iPad. The Surface is probably the best compromise device among the three but perhaps not as good a dedicated device as the other two.

 

[pcslookout]

Thanks. It is so difficult deciding.

Someone sell me on one.

 

[dainthomas]

Surface Pro 3 is the only answer. It's as close to perfect as you can get.

 

[poofyhairguy]

What do you like best about it?

What got me to buy it was the specs- it is the best size to power ratio in this form factor. The build quality is amazing, and the screen is top notch. Plus the performance is very nice- I do a lot of web browsing and this is the first mobile device where that doesn't feel like a significant step back from my desktop (except for a few edge cases). The touch screen is very responsive, and I know that if I ever don't like it and I want to sell it then I will get back maximum resale value compared to other tablets. iPads always hold their value.

Now that I have had it for a while I like that the iOS ecosystem BY FAR has the best selection of tablet applications that use the full screen space as best as possible. I like the fingerprint reader gives me real security, so I don't mind making my iPad my "banking/serious stuff" device. The game selection is really nice, and now that MS Office is all over iOS with a bluetooth keyboard this thing is basically a laptop replacement for me. Oh and I like that it "just worked" with my wireless HP printer.

For a consumption/entertainment I don't think it can be beat. Not only is the app selection for tablets better than in Android, so is the game selection overall. I would say it is a 9/10 for a consumption/entertainment device. For a productivity device I think it is far better than other devices I have had due to the extra power. I would call it a 7/10, with it only being held back by the OS.

The reason I picked the iPad Air 2 over a Windows tablet is because:

1. Non-desktop mode on a Windows device falls apart in high resolutions because Windows DPI scaling is fundamentally broken. I hate trying to click microscopic buttons.

2. Metro mode (aka the tablet mode) in Windows is almost as restrictive as iOS (like no flash in the Browser) without the great tablet-ready apps or the selection of tablet-friendly games

3. I really really wanted a device I could use one-handed for long periods of time. All the time I will do something in one hand while I hold the directions for what I am doing on my iPad in my other hand. Only the Air 2 is that thin and light.

Please note though I have a lot of devices: a smartphone, a couple desktops, an older Macbook Pro, a 2009 netbook, etc. so I am not trying to get a single device to rule my life. If I needed it all to be one device, I would own a Surface Pro.

What I wanted was a tablet, and one that is best in class. That is the iPad Air 2.