What kind of a tech person puts Surface 3 next to a Macbook? :DD Surface Pro 3 is the Macbook competitor and that one easily holds up against it. It's like making an iPad vs Lumia 930 video and claim that the iPad is shit because you can't make calls on it...
Benedek Farkas I think it could compete against the new Macbook which was unveiled at the end of last year. The specs are pretty close to being similar but you get the lower price and tablet functionality of the Surface.
Na'im A.Bakar Seriously, I tried my parents surface and it had what i wanted , drawing and downloading programs and it's smooth and not laggy. Im not in the apple eco syostem and I love editing stuff i seriously fell in love with it. It does what I wanted originally the ipad which couldnt do
It's sad people like this hate on something that is superior to a macbook that is way to expensive. heck my old surface rt can do a lot of the things you claim didn't work properly, just another person that can't give microsoft props for making a superior tablet than any tablet out there.
Ayush Abhinav Its not microsoft its the developers. They even had an incentive to pay developers to put apps on the store(unlike google who actually CHARGES them) so its not like they aren't trying Forgetting all of the above you still can do everything which is not true on either chromebooks and android tablets since you can still use desktop apps. BTW name an app which you can't find in the store, I have found most of what I need.....
Gabrielus I agree and I'll add that whatever a Google tablet can do, this one can too in tablet mode (media consumption and adding useless picture filters...) Oh wait, that's a pc too while others aren't
4K videos stutter even on my quad core i7 Haswell powered laptop using Chrome. You need to use IE11 to obtain smooth 4K videos because Chrome's GPU acceleration is horribly inefficient, leaving the CPU to do practically all of the work. IE11 plays 4K videos and 60fps videos buttery smooth.
Cakefish You are correct. I messed around with a Surface 3 at the microsoft store, one of the models with 64gb memory and 2gb ram. It was able to stream 4k buttery smooth in internet explorer. I am not sure why reviewers all love to use Chrome.
Peter Weiss It's got slightly better with recent updates. Chrome can now do 1080p60 without stuttering every 5 seconds at least. But smooth 4K playback still seems to be solely in the realm of Microsoft's browsers for now.
Comparing a $500 tablet vs a $1300 laptop... Yea, that makes a lot of sense. *Derp* Next time, compare the surface 3 Pro with the new Macbook. Would make more sense, doncha think?
Yes. There is a major price difference. But the Intel Core M is no Core i fast processor. So it would make a bit more sense to compare the new macbook to the Surface 3.
I completely agree, that's why I haven't bought an kind of surface tablet yet. I have an iPad Air right now and it's a great tablet, I love the touch friendly OS and the amount of apps are great. That is what windows is lacking, a good touch friendly OS and more Apps. Hopefully windows 10 changes that.
Really! if you want a laptop then get a laptop for high end things. You guys know this and it never fails to amaze me how biased the reviews can be. Most people are not doing video editing though it is nice that the system can handle it, most people are only doing light multitasking on their desktops and this can do that just fine. You guys make it sound like the newer generations of the Atom are bad but I have been using my 10" windows tablet with a Z3770 processor for over a year now in college as my primary computer. I can multitask with multiple browsers open, OneNote and Word all at the same time with no problem at all. Even tested my machine with 6 browsers open, a full HD video, all the productivity suites open (word, excel, OneNote and PP) and doodling in sketchbook pro with no problem. I do not see what you complaint about the power of the processor is for what most people do. As with your comparison to Apple products, lets talk about the ipad. dumbed down OS using apps only. I want to do real work when I need to and these systems are more than powerful enough for the average user. Are you guys really that disconnected with the reality of the average user?
Kevin Coleman The reason he is doing a test of the Adobe suite is to see how the Surface performs outside of its comfort zone. And speaking of the iPad, i could apply the same psychology. The so called "average user" may not care if their tablet has Windows or iOS. They'll just use a full PC when they need too. Though i admit, the review got a bit biased when he started comparing the Macbook to the Surface, generally ignoring price.
Thanks for replying to me. You are right about any person's preference in what they want their technology to do for them is a legitimate one but I would like for reviewers to acknowledge what these machines can do.This goes into what I was trying to say about average user. I may have unintentially (in my zeal) make the same mistake as the reviewers in comparing devices that are meant to fit different niches. What I meant by what the "average user" comment was that the machines are more than capable of doing the tasks that the average Joe will be doing on his laptop or PC. I was trying to make a point about the power and functionality of the processor. Sorry if that came across in a wrong way. I am just a little over sensitive because when I am in class at university, people come up and are interested in my device and when I tell them it has an Atom processor, they are at first dismissive of the performance. When I show them what it can do and how I can plug it into dual monitors and run it like a full PC is when their attitudes change. That was the point I was trying to make and didn't succeed at. Thank-you for replying to me and allowing me to rethink what I had said as it makes me a better writer.
When you are right, you are right. I think that some people let their egos get in the way of trying to see other peoples sides and when people do that they sometimes miss some really good information or ideas. Thank-you again for replying to me. Have a good day.
planning to get one to replace my ipad 2. i do not plan to do hard photoshop editing with it since i have my main pc which is much more powerfull, but with all the goodness coming with windows 10 and having full windows on the surface 3, it is totally perfect for me since it has the same price as the ipad air 2
Michaelsp9 In a nutshell, the new MacBook is meant for basic usage such as web surfing, e-mail, and whatever office suite you use. I imagine you could do light editing on it.
***** Loving the logic here. Your comment was baisicly: "Well, they both have the same possessor, so the Surface must perform better because everything Apple makes is icky and sucks." Despite the fact that the Macbook has a *better* processor, *twice* as much RAM, and a *faster* PCIe SSD.
The surface 3 is not meant to compete with other laptops. It is meant to be a tablet first, and have a keyboard accessory if you want a better note taking experience or to play a pc game once in a while. The Surface pro 3 is the one trying to compete with other laptops, which it does a hell of a good job of.
thanks a lot for the video, really shows how surface performs in every day usage. in fact I bought a surface 3 after watching this video and got to be sure it fits my requirement : )
1) Videos do not stutter using the IE browser 2) On premier pro the video is stuttering because you didn't render the work area (notice the red in the timeline) Nice tablet for the price Just my opinion
Definitely my next tablet! I went low end and bought the Asus MeMO 8 since I only use it for youtube, xvideos, netflix, kodi, torrentz, and web browsing when my other devices are charging or I feel like watching something on a bigger screen than my phone.
Yep the SP3 is amazing. I have one myself for photoshop and illustrator on the go. It has a lot of power considering its form factor. But be aware it can become really hot (measured it at 52 degrees max) at heavy load
trg1408 I'm personally going to get the Surface 3 because I like the decreased weight and easier portability. Some people say the SP3 is a little unwieldy to carry around.
Peter Weiss I'd easily agree with you on that note of comfort. Playing with each demo unit for 15min each S3-->SP3 I noticed that instant unwieldiness that you described.
@@makaylamartin1386 yes I did. It was great to take notes on with the pen. I had it as part of a university project in the first place 😊 I still really reccomend it
This review shows that the Surface 3 is a very powerful machine. Trying to compare to an ipad competitor to full blown laptops, with photoshop and premiere is testament to how powerful it really is.
How did the battery hold up under moderate/heavy usage? Is the keyboard a must for using excel, word etc? How useful was the stylus/pen? Thanks in advance.
I wasn't sold on the concept because of the price and the so-so performance. About a week ago I encountered a huge sale, 499€ for the 64gb surface 3 with type cover and pen included. They were sold out in my whole country, so I gotta wait 2 weeks untill delivery... Anyway, I think 499 is a great price for what you get, and I'm already looking forward to mine :) I hope it will keep up with Illustrator vectorization of hand drawings.
Great video. Suggestions, alternatives, comparisons, pros, cons, price evaluation, concrete examples. Good job Mark. I'd like to see more videos in this style. Your point about the pretty necessary expensive additions could also be evaluated from the perspective of: if you're going to spend $630, might as well save up a little more to get the Surface Pro 3 because it has a better processor and more RAM. Then the same points come up though, about comparing that with a macbook.
He even failed to mention it is the first sporting the new family of Atom processors, the X7. Not the previous generation as most Windows tablets now. Talking performance, I think it is pretty important to mention the differences between the two generations.
I think it is definitely worth $500. Because that's what the 128gb hdd/4gb ram model is going for on the MS Store site right now. And with the cover, it's still only $630, on par with other Atom 2-in-1s, which are a crapshoot whether they're optimized as well, or if any of the hardware is as "just works" as the Surface, and of course the bloatware. I have an oldish budget as hell Asus touch laptop (no tablet mode) that honestly does all I need it to. But, I would like to upgrade it and also get back into tablets (had an Android one for a while, didn't use it so gave it to my aging mother who found it easier to use than her laptop). This performance-wise is actually a bit of an upgrade to my laptop strangely, and it also works as a tablet of course. I already have an HDMI cable to where I would use it going to a 32" HDTV if I need more screen real-estate. If I find the need to do anything more I'll just build or have built a decent desktop. But for now this will work great. My gaming consists mainly of Xbox One, which I can stream to this, and old emulators which will have no problem here. I also have a few old or retro styled Steam games, like Omikron, Age of Empires 2HD, BattleBlock, FFVII, and some visual novels (Don't judge ;). VNs would be especially nice in table mode, can sit back and they work fine with touch, because you just flip through scenes and dialog.
Jihad Powell No, it wouldn't be smart. The core M costs almost $300 which is more than half of the cost of the entire device. There is no way that they could have made that work.
It looks fantastic for student! Portable, running Windows, optional stylus... Who's gonna use this kind of portable machines doing video editing anyway? If the base model comes with at least 128 GB storage, it would be a must buy for me.
I work as an Editor, except we use AVID, and I can't understand the point of this video. It's unrealistic to assume that a tablet with a lower-end Intel processor could in any reasonable way be used for professional, or even prosumer, editing. I get that this is a stress test of sorts, but there's not much context given, and the guy just doesn't seem to get what this device is supposed to be, and who its target audience is. Quite simply, it's stupid.
Not a great review. No need to add the dock to the price just to compare it to much more expensive laptops. Of course you would need a higher end machine to edit videos in Premiere Pro, that's a given at this price range so you can't knock it for that either. He's expecting far too much from a $500 machine.
A comparison between this device and the new Macbook is not apples to apples. The Surface Pro 3, although a year older, would be a much more apt comparison. I would just wait a couple more months until the SP4, though. That will be the best possible showdown video.
Comparing the Surface 3 to the new macbook was an absurd notion that should have never made it into the final cut. Merely glancing over the fact that the base model of the 2015MB is nearly 3 times as expensive as the S3 was poor judgement when prefacing it with the fact that the 2015MB boasts better build and specifications. Am I a fan of the S3? No, not really. But this review was clearly slanted in the direction of wanting a powerhouse of a laptop from what is primarily a tablet whose base model price is just $500. Price is certainly an aspect to consider when reviewing these devices, and the average person doesn't have the ability to just ignore the $800 difference between something like the 2015MB and the S3.
great touch screen and pen option, along with the windows Eco system is the major reason to favor the Surface 3 for those who need them, . . .. you really didn't focus on these strengths that make the S3 one of a kind.
This device is definitely worth the price of $499. It's a computer with the full Windows 8.1 OS, capable of basically doing anything your laptop or desktop can do, with all the benefits and portability of a tablet. It diminishes IOS and Android tablets, to essentially toys, primarily designed for light gaming and media consumption. If this device were released along side the original Ipad in 2010 or with android tablets a year later, Microsoft would have dominated the tablet landscape. This device in my opinion is 5 years to late, but has earned a seat at the table.
As always a very nice and informative video, but yet again Microsoft needs to include the keyboard. It would feel wrong or total miss the point of this device in my opinion.
So at $ 550 (includes pen) it's basically a good entry level OneNote machine with "extras" like IE/Edge dual window browsing, having iTunes and most other media/file programs, etc I wish the 4GB + Pen + CoverKB are only $ 650 MSRP. This thing doesn't even have a real SSD (only eMMC).
So far, it's the perfect student companion. While most reviews try to throw the hardest programs at this, I feel as though the reviews and even Microsoft's own marketing are sightly missing the mark. Currently, I have an old Asus ME400C, probably the first non-Pro, full windows tablet released. I have a desktop connected to my TV for big screen Content Consumption. I have an ultrabook workhorse for Adobe, CAD, etc because it is well-suited for dedicated Content [Production] while still being pretty portable... However, there are still more instances that this Surface 3 is perfect (for me). If I'm in my bed for casual Content Consumption, Windows tablet always wins, even more so than a phone unless I'm literally in and out of sleep. If I'm going to a friend's house or tutoring kids at the library, Windows tablet wins again as the super portable all in one PC I need. And finally, the reason why I plan to get the 4gb RAM, 128gb version of this is because there are also moments when as a student, I'll have to give presentations, take notes, etc, and during that time, I may be in a bind and need to make quick adjustments to the presentation itself, or even edit the image in PS real quick, and this seems to well fit the bill. Is this a laptop replacement? Only for folks who aren't using Adobe Premiere or SolidWorks. But if you need a snappy tablet that's pretty clutch when your laptop was too hard to carry around, then yes, I think it's awesome.
Years ago Intel Atom wasn't reference for a PC, but netbook. Nowdays, tablets have taken netbook's role. I am amazed what one Intel sophia CPU can do. Sophias perform better than anyone expected. Android and Windows. Why would anyone consider this kind of machine for professional video editing? 4K video on full HD display? Why? What is the point? This is entry level 11 inch tablet for everyday mostly entertainment use. It supports casual gaming on medium settings. Excellent. Many who would buy this pc don't need keyboard at all...
a lot of people arent really caring about using this for gaming, photo shop or video editing. this is a basic cool touch screen laptop that is at a great price. although you have to buy the keyboard but still. and why would you compare this to the ipad air 2 and samsung galaxy tab macbook? especially macbook
Dude, you're using Chrome? It isn't optimized for touch at all. Also, playing back 4K videos in Internet Explorer is smooth, on Chrome it stutters. The battery life also takes a hit when using Chrome.
how about you do test with what the surface can actually do like browsing, office, running windows apps, and compare it to the same priced iPad then give it a score, for me a choose the S3 over the iPad and the new macbook,
I would like to hear about the charge time with a USB Wall Adapter via 2 Amp vs 1 Amp Pairing the Surface 3 with Plugable® Pro8 Charging & USB Docking Station, I've read is possible and I would mostly use this as a Torrent Viewer. Also the Micro USB Port is a great addition and would be easily welcomed as an additional port on the Surface Pro 4
I found a bundle for $699 with the keyboard and the pen, and that's for the 4gb/128 version. Speaking of the pen, you never made mention of that, which I think is one of the coolest features of it. I have a Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 with a bluetooth keyboard that cost OVER $500, and it's still just a glorified tablet using a mobile OS. The Surface 3 is that rare hybrid between the tablet and laptop. In fact, I've been playing around with a refurbished Asus Transformer T-100 I picked up on WOOT, and given the way it performs, the Surface 3 should be plenty powerful for 99% of anything you'd want to do with a tablet or a laptop. And it has a PEN!
I would say that it is, but because of the price u would have to pay to convert it to a laptop (the keyboard), other laptops provide better prices for the same functionality.
I must be missing something because I've spent nearly the last 20 years learning every thing I possible can and still learning but nearly all laptop processors including apple ones are ARM based languages in the surface line in its simplest description an i5 mode cranks out as much performance as a mac but with more flexibility and if we wanted to be technically correct with out bringing Calc functions into the mix the speeds are very similar in that regard it would be unwise to say that the surface line isn't a performance line
Reviewers are getting more impressive with time ... Comparing a tablet to a Mac and Laptop ... Comparing a tablet to the use that a computer would get ... Not comparing a tablet to another tablet that can or cannot handle the same tasks ... I am flabbergasted.
Should be fine, barring if you're in an advanced graphic design or video production class, but they probably would have made you get a specific computer if that was the case.
I have a powerful laptop, however I need a tablet that can satisfy my college needs, I need to run both mathcad and matlab, and office. I think this device is pretty powerful for these needs.
As a Music Major, the only application I want to know that works well or not is StaffPad which is a good-looking and easy to use music notation application. I only play minecraft if I ever have time to and I usually only ever have 3 tabs open at most in a browser. My question is, can the Surface 3 run this program well or am I better off saving up and getting a Pro 3?
Ian Toth This is just speculation, but I can't imagine the Surface 3 would struggle to run StaffPad. Even my old windows tablet running the weaker last-gen Atom processor can handle things like the Sims 2, so it should have absolutely no issue running a graphically simple ink-to-notes application
Matthew Denby Yeah dude, it would be great for that. He'll probably really like being able to use the stylus to sign or annotate documents before emailing them out for work.
Honestly the 499 base model isn't worth it. The 599 model is the best but only if the keyboard was included would this price be amazing. For a student it's a perfect. I'm a student fyi. Yet $730 is asking a lot. But it's beautiful so just maybe...
Ulises Ramirez so? what your point? you are crying because you can't afford a matching keyboard that you don't even need. i give you an option and you say some dumb shit back. you don't even need the fucking keyboard. you can use any keyboard available to you. dumbass.
Twice the price for a slight bump in power? Are you really advocating for that Macbook? Don't get me wrong, I think that if someone prefers a Macbook over a Windows machine then they should have the ability to get whichever they prefer without having to deal with a lot of crap from people but I cannot even begin to see why people would recommend the new Macbook over this lovely Surface 3. If you are debating whether to get this or new Macbook 12" and really like Apple then I *highlight* recommend the Macbook Air if you want portability but if you want more power for your money then get the new Macbook Pro :) At the end of the day we all have our preferences but I plead to everyone who has a brain to not get the 12in Macbook!
I'd like to see a comparison video of the new MacBook and the Surface 3! (: And, I was wondering, can the Surface 3 handle CAD software and 3D modeling software?
I think it's worth it... I've pre-ordered two of them (128 GB). One for me, and one for my wife. I'm interested in something that can replace my tablet and still offer the full computing power of Windows. I'm not a big fan of Windows apps at the moment, but the new Universal apps look pretty great, and the ability to run Android apps will be awesome... So I'm definitely buying it partially for the potential Windows 10 will bring to the form factor... and a test run for whether or not I'll replace my laptop with a Surface Pro 4 later this year.
I'm seriously considering the Surface 3 to replace my broken laptop (screen is cracked & need an update). I usually just use it to check emails, social media sites and watching TV & movies online. I like the lightweight feel and the keyboard seems easy to navigate. Do you think this would be the perfect tablet/notebook for my personal use?
Deborah Cochran It should be able to tackle everything you mentioned with ease. Although I recommend getting the more expensive 4gig version, just to keep you from getting slowed down when you're running a lot of things at once =)
Mt_Xing I usually spend about 2 hours a day on my laptop so maybe as Michael suggested I should spend the extra money to get the 4gig version (unless there's something in between). Thank you!
Deborah Cochran I mean as long as you don't spend a lot of time using it on your lap. As in physically putting it onto your lap and using it. If you're using it on a table, you'll be fine. And yes, definitely get the 4GB version.
You compared the Surface 3 to an iMac, then a $1500 MacBook, and then concluded it was underpowered... Try not to carve your Xmas turkey with a pocket knife.
I own a very expensive laptop and I use it in the university a lot, this device will help me in the main problem i have with my laptop..the weight sometimes is annoying carrying that all day but sometimes I use my laptop to play games like gta or assassin creed when I am bored so maybe i will buy it because right now im thinking to buy a tablet maybe this one or an android maybe a nexus 7
If you're getting a Nexus, get a Nexus 9. More powerful and will get more updates than the 7 in the future. But if you're in a budget and have to, get the 7
500 is a stretch IMO. I believe 399 would be the sweet spot for this tablet as the keyboard would make up the extra. I hope they have a back to school deal making it cheaper as they are trying to go for the everyday person. This would be pretty nice for a student that needs portability and enough power for online research. But that also depends on the degree they are going for.
YES it's worth it. I have a Macbook Pro that I use at home, and I hate traveling with it. So I'm definitely getting the Surface 3. That way I'll leave my Macbook at home and bring the Surface 3 with me when Im traveling. The most annoying thing is having to take my Macbook out of my bag at the airport when going through security. Surface is considered a tablet, so I can just leave it in my bag and keep it pushing. I'll be able to work on documents while traveling and do my heavy work when I return on my Macbook.
the benchmarks for the device suggest that it is about on par with a samsung galaxy s4 (the qualcomm one). Any rumors about the surface 4 yet? I mean the non pro 4.. I cant wait
The pen. You have to talk about the pen. Assuming students are going to be looking for the comparison of surface to macbook, the inking experience is incomparable. Having the ability to write outweighs any spec to spec comparison. Especially at it's price point, for students the surface and its pen experience is invaluable.
Well from the point I see, the tablet is mostly targeted at Students and Light Users The Pro Version is targeted for the power user But I can say luckily they included the digitizer for the pen on the Surface 3, if not it will be a odd combination. I am still using the 1st Gen Surface Pro and it still works and shine like awesome, even my own lecturer also surprised the thing got a full Intel Core i5 in it
I would say that this being $500, its not bad at all.....of course its not a gaming machine nor is it designed for editing 4K video, etc......There isn't really a point in comparing it to laptops that are $800-$900 b/c this is not an $800-$900 computer. If I was in the market for a $500 computer, I'd buy the Surface 3 more than likely. But if I had more money to spend and was looking for video editing machine, I wouldn't. It all depends on what you need it for. I have a QuantumView 10.1" tablet that is like $250 and it only has 2GB RAM and 32GB storage with a Intel Bay Trail CPU...but, it does what I want and I can even play a few games on it (South Park Stick of Truth works well on it)....it is great for what I want to use it for....
I'm honestly surprised it performed the way it did. I didn't think it would be able to handle many tasks.
The Atom CPU is pretty good.
My answer would be of course it's worth $500. The high-end tablets run about that much but with the surface Pro 3 you're getting a full-fledged PC.
What kind of a tech person puts Surface 3 next to a Macbook? :DD
Surface Pro 3 is the Macbook competitor and that one easily holds up against it.
It's like making an iPad vs Lumia 930 video and claim that the iPad is shit because you can't make calls on it...
Agreed.
Benedek Farkas I think it could compete against the new Macbook which was unveiled at the end of last year. The specs are pretty close to being similar but you get the lower price and tablet functionality of the Surface.
Benedek Farkas That is HIS opinion, not yours.
But it is a factually false opinion.
There are no right or false opinions.
This surface is a whole lot better than any Ipads or android tablet!!
Na'im A.Bakar Yup thinking about trading the Ipad air i just bought!
Go for it man!
Na'im A.Bakar Seriously, I tried my parents surface and it had what i wanted , drawing and downloading programs and it's smooth and not laggy. Im not in the apple eco syostem and I love editing stuff i seriously fell in love with it. It does what I wanted originally the ipad which couldnt do
It's sad people like this hate on something that is superior to a macbook that is way to expensive. heck my old surface rt can do a lot of the things you claim didn't work properly, just another person that can't give microsoft props for making a superior tablet than any tablet out there.
Microsoft sucks .. Expecially with the lack of quality and touch friendly apps ..
Ayush Abhinav Its not microsoft its the developers. They even had an incentive to pay developers to put apps on the store(unlike google who actually CHARGES them) so its not like they aren't trying
Forgetting all of the above you still can do everything which is not true on either chromebooks and android tablets since you can still use desktop apps. BTW name an app which you can't find in the store, I have found most of what I need.....
Ayush Abhinav i could say the same about apple... (not hating im neutral lol)
Gabrielus the surface 3 can also run VMs... so ad bluestacks amd boom android tablet...OR dual boot android x86 or chromium.... options
Gabrielus I agree and I'll add that whatever a Google tablet can do, this one can too in tablet mode (media consumption and adding useless picture filters...) Oh wait, that's a pc too while others aren't
4K videos stutter even on my quad core i7 Haswell powered laptop using Chrome. You need to use IE11 to obtain smooth 4K videos because Chrome's GPU acceleration is horribly inefficient, leaving the CPU to do practically all of the work. IE11 plays 4K videos and 60fps videos buttery smooth.
Cakefish You are correct. I messed around with a Surface 3 at the microsoft store, one of the models with 64gb memory and 2gb ram. It was able to stream 4k buttery smooth in internet explorer. I am not sure why reviewers all love to use Chrome.
Peter Weiss Hey, I love IE11 and Edge just as much as the next guy. But don't tell me an Atom can render a 4K video smoothly. No chance in hell.
***** I plan to.
Peter Weiss It's got slightly better with recent updates. Chrome can now do 1080p60 without stuttering every 5 seconds at least. But smooth 4K playback still seems to be solely in the realm of Microsoft's browsers for now.
Peter Weiss why play 4k video when the screen is 1080p...?
Comparing a $500 tablet vs a $1300 laptop...
Yea, that makes a lot of sense. *Derp*
Next time, compare the surface 3 Pro with the new Macbook. Would make more sense, doncha think?
Yes. There is a major price difference. But the Intel Core M is no Core i fast processor. So it would make a bit more sense to compare the new macbook to the Surface 3.
Because that Macbook so slow so they are comparable.
He should be comparing it to a 16gb iPad
True, but you don't need to buy the keyboard or pen. As tablets they're both $499.
I completely agree, that's why I haven't bought an kind of surface tablet yet. I have an iPad Air right now and it's a great tablet, I love the touch friendly OS and the amount of apps are great. That is what windows is lacking, a good touch friendly OS and more Apps. Hopefully windows 10 changes that.
Really! if you want a laptop then get a laptop for high end things. You guys know this and it never fails to amaze me how biased the reviews can be. Most people are not doing video editing though it is nice that the system can handle it, most people are only doing light multitasking on their desktops and this can do that just fine. You guys make it sound like the newer generations of the Atom are bad but I have been using my 10" windows tablet with a Z3770 processor for over a year now in college as my primary computer. I can multitask with multiple browsers open, OneNote and Word all at the same time with no problem at all. Even tested my machine with 6 browsers open, a full HD video, all the productivity suites open (word, excel, OneNote and PP) and doodling in sketchbook pro with no problem. I do not see what you complaint about the power of the processor is for what most people do. As with your comparison to Apple products, lets talk about the ipad. dumbed down OS using apps only. I want to do real work when I need to and these systems are more than powerful enough for the average user. Are you guys really that disconnected with the reality of the average user?
Kevin Coleman The reason he is doing a test of the Adobe suite is to see how the Surface performs outside of its comfort zone.
And speaking of the iPad, i could apply the same psychology. The so called "average user" may not care if their tablet has Windows or iOS. They'll just use a full PC when they need too.
Though i admit, the review got a bit biased when he started comparing the Macbook to the Surface, generally ignoring price.
Thanks for replying to me. You are right about any person's preference in what they want their technology to do for them is a legitimate one but I would like for reviewers to acknowledge what these machines can do.This goes into what I was trying to say about average user. I may have unintentially (in my zeal) make the same mistake as the reviewers in comparing devices that are meant to fit different niches. What I meant by what the "average user" comment was that the machines are more than capable of doing the tasks that the average Joe will be doing on his laptop or PC. I was trying to make a point about the power and functionality of the processor. Sorry if that came across in a wrong way. I am just a little over sensitive because when I am in class at university, people come up and are interested in my device and when I tell them it has an Atom processor, they are at first dismissive of the performance. When I show them what it can do and how I can plug it into dual monitors and run it like a full PC is when their attitudes change. That was the point I was trying to make and didn't succeed at. Thank-you for replying to me and allowing me to rethink what I had said as it makes me a better writer.
Kevin Coleman What??? Someone agreeing to me over the internet???? I HAVE REGAINED MY FAITH IN HUMANITY!!!!!!!
When you are right, you are right. I think that some people let their egos get in the way of trying to see other peoples sides and when people do that they sometimes miss some really good information or ideas. Thank-you again for replying to me. Have a good day.
I can't wait for you to do 1 for the Surface pro 4
you seem to be REALLY in depth and answers all my questions on performance with it
planning to get one to replace my ipad 2. i do not plan to do hard photoshop editing with it since i have my main pc which is much more powerfull, but with all the goodness coming with windows 10 and having full windows on the surface 3, it is totally perfect for me since it has the same price as the ipad air 2
Do the same type of video for the new Macbook... I'm really skeptical what that machine can do.
Michaelsp9 In a nutshell, the new MacBook is meant for basic usage such as web surfing, e-mail, and whatever office suite you use. I imagine you could do light editing on it.
Michaelsp9 The New MacBook will do everything that this does but with a tad more speed. Both are not power houses.
***** Surface 3 is using Intel Atom not Core M
Ali Alqushery I can detach a mac book's keyboard.
*grabs dremel
***** Loving the logic here. Your comment was baisicly:
"Well, they both have the same possessor, so the Surface must perform better because everything Apple makes is icky and sucks."
Despite the fact that the Macbook has a *better* processor, *twice* as much RAM, and a *faster* PCIe SSD.
comparing a $500 tablet to a $1000+ laptop is stupid.
Yeah I agree the Surface is 500 and the MacBook 2015 is 1500+
The surface 3 is not meant to compete with other laptops. It is meant to be a tablet first, and have a keyboard accessory if you want a better note taking experience or to play a pc game once in a while. The Surface pro 3 is the one trying to compete with other laptops, which it does a hell of a good job of.
thanks a lot for the video, really shows how surface performs in every day usage. in fact I bought a surface 3 after watching this video and got to be sure it fits my requirement : )
1) Videos do not stutter using the IE browser
2) On premier pro the video is stuttering because you didn't render the work area (notice the red in the timeline)
Nice tablet for the price
Just my opinion
Thank you! Some of the stuff we techies tend to be concerned with definitely touched on in this review.
Wow!!! Exactly what I wanted to see! Great outline .
would you rather get this or the old Surface pro 2?
Definitely my next tablet! I went low end and bought the Asus MeMO 8 since I only use it for youtube, xvideos, netflix, kodi, torrentz, and web browsing when my other devices are charging or I feel like watching something on a bigger screen than my phone.
So I'd be better getting the Surface Pro 3?
trg1408 I´d say yes, it is much better, just more expensive
Alberto Bermejo thanks!
Yep the SP3 is amazing. I have one myself for photoshop and illustrator on the go. It has a lot of power considering its form factor. But be aware it can become really hot (measured it at 52 degrees max) at heavy load
trg1408 I'm personally going to get the Surface 3 because I like the decreased weight and easier portability. Some people say the SP3 is a little unwieldy to carry around.
Peter Weiss I'd easily agree with you on that note of comfort. Playing with each demo unit for 15min each S3-->SP3 I noticed that instant unwieldiness that you described.
Great review!!! Might as well wait for surface pro 4!!!
yeah, a comparising between the Surface 3 and the new Macbook could be really interesting.
as a proud SP3 owner, yes it can replace your laptop.
did you use it for college?
@@makaylamartin1386 yes I did. It was great to take notes on with the pen. I had it as part of a university project in the first place 😊 I still really reccomend it
This review shows that the Surface 3 is a very powerful machine. Trying to compare to an ipad competitor to full blown laptops, with photoshop and premiere is testament to how powerful it really is.
The surface 3 is a companion device, not a replacement device. This would be great for taking to class for notes and web browsing.
How did the battery hold up under moderate/heavy usage? Is the keyboard a must for using excel, word etc? How useful was the stylus/pen? Thanks in advance.
I wasn't sold on the concept because of the price and the so-so performance. About a week ago I encountered a huge sale, 499€ for the 64gb surface 3 with type cover and pen included. They were sold out in my whole country, so I gotta wait 2 weeks untill delivery... Anyway, I think 499 is a great price for what you get, and I'm already looking forward to mine :) I hope it will keep up with Illustrator vectorization of hand drawings.
Great video. Suggestions, alternatives, comparisons, pros, cons, price evaluation, concrete examples. Good job Mark. I'd like to see more videos in this style. Your point about the pretty necessary expensive additions could also be evaluated from the perspective of: if you're going to spend $630, might as well save up a little more to get the Surface Pro 3 because it has a better processor and more RAM. Then the same points come up though, about comparing that with a macbook.
He even failed to mention it is the first sporting the new family of Atom processors, the X7. Not the previous generation as most Windows tablets now. Talking performance, I think it is pretty important to mention the differences between the two generations.
Excellent review, i was wondering about basic editing in Premiere...thnks!!!!
I think it is definitely worth $500. Because that's what the 128gb hdd/4gb ram model is going for on the MS Store site right now. And with the cover, it's still only $630, on par with other Atom 2-in-1s, which are a crapshoot whether they're optimized as well, or if any of the hardware is as "just works" as the Surface, and of course the bloatware. I have an oldish budget as hell Asus touch laptop (no tablet mode) that honestly does all I need it to. But, I would like to upgrade it and also get back into tablets (had an Android one for a while, didn't use it so gave it to my aging mother who found it easier to use than her laptop). This performance-wise is actually a bit of an upgrade to my laptop strangely, and it also works as a tablet of course. I already have an HDMI cable to where I would use it going to a 32" HDTV if I need more screen real-estate. If I find the need to do anything more I'll just build or have built a decent desktop. But for now this will work great. My gaming consists mainly of Xbox One, which I can stream to this, and old emulators which will have no problem here. I also have a few old or retro styled Steam games, like Omikron, Age of Empires 2HD, BattleBlock, FFVII, and some visual novels (Don't judge ;). VNs would be especially nice in table mode, can sit back and they work fine with touch, because you just flip through scenes and dialog.
I think it should have had a Core M
Then that would of made it cost more.
It just seams Smart, core M is fanless also , and more power , but you are right about the price but i think it could have been done
Jihad Powell No, it wouldn't be smart. The core M costs almost $300 which is more than half of the cost of the entire device. There is no way that they could have made that work.
Jihad Powell Yeah thats what the new macbook has. The new macbook can't replace my laptop and the surface 3 is a joke.
Well i guss i just want it to have a core m
Leaving out a really important feature of the Surface, the pen.
It looks fantastic for student! Portable, running Windows, optional stylus... Who's gonna use this kind of portable machines doing video editing anyway? If the base model comes with at least 128 GB storage, it would be a must buy for me.
@Sean Parks it can perform the same task as the new 12inch MAC that cost 1300. With no USB ports.
I work as an Editor, except we use AVID, and I can't understand the point of this video. It's unrealistic to assume that a tablet with a lower-end Intel processor could in any reasonable way be used for professional, or even prosumer, editing. I get that this is a stress test of sorts, but there's not much context given, and the guy just doesn't seem to get what this device is supposed to be, and who its target audience is.
Quite simply, it's stupid.
look at the surface pro 4 it's built like a horse
Not a great review. No need to add the dock to the price just to compare it to much more expensive laptops. Of course you would need a higher end machine to edit videos in Premiere Pro, that's a given at this price range so you can't knock it for that either. He's expecting far too much from a $500 machine.
A comparison between this device and the new Macbook is not apples to apples. The Surface Pro 3, although a year older, would be a much more apt comparison. I would just wait a couple more months until the SP4, though. That will be the best possible showdown video.
Great review, guys. I would love to see a Surface 3/Macbook head-to-head.
Comparing the Surface 3 to the new macbook was an absurd notion that should have never made it into the final cut. Merely glancing over the fact that the base model of the 2015MB is nearly 3 times as expensive as the S3 was poor judgement when prefacing it with the fact that the 2015MB boasts better build and specifications.
Am I a fan of the S3? No, not really. But this review was clearly slanted in the direction of wanting a powerhouse of a laptop from what is primarily a tablet whose base model price is just $500. Price is certainly an aspect to consider when reviewing these devices, and the average person doesn't have the ability to just ignore the $800 difference between something like the 2015MB and the S3.
How do you think it would hold up for portal 2? 30 FPS? Thx
The severe lack of quality apps automatically makes it a deal breaker for many .. Windows store needs more apps man ..
I with that reviewer would use the base model so that it can only get better with other models
great touch screen and pen option, along with the windows Eco system is the major reason to favor the Surface 3 for those who need them, . . .. you really didn't focus on these strengths that make the S3 one of a kind.
wait this the one that came out last year? my i7 8GB surface 3 can run 4K videos no problem, along with great multitasking.
***** yours is surface pro 3 this is surface 3 with atom procesor
***** Nope.
This device is definitely worth the price of $499. It's a computer with the full Windows 8.1 OS, capable of basically doing anything your laptop or desktop can do, with all the benefits and portability of a tablet. It diminishes IOS and Android tablets, to essentially toys, primarily designed for light gaming and media consumption. If this device were released along side the original Ipad in 2010 or with android tablets a year later, Microsoft would have dominated the tablet landscape. This device in my opinion is 5 years to late, but has earned a seat at the table.
As always a very nice and informative video, but yet again Microsoft needs to include the keyboard. It would feel wrong or total miss the point of this device in my opinion.
So at $ 550 (includes pen) it's basically a good entry level OneNote machine with "extras" like IE/Edge dual window browsing, having iTunes and most other media/file programs, etc
I wish the 4GB + Pen + CoverKB are only $ 650 MSRP. This thing doesn't even have a real SSD (only eMMC).
Definitely want to see comparison between this thing with the new Macbook. Please. :)
So far, it's the perfect student companion. While most reviews try to throw the hardest programs at this, I feel as though the reviews and even Microsoft's own marketing are sightly missing the mark. Currently, I have an old Asus ME400C, probably the first non-Pro, full windows tablet released. I have a desktop connected to my TV for big screen Content Consumption. I have an ultrabook workhorse for Adobe, CAD, etc because it is well-suited for dedicated Content [Production] while still being pretty portable... However, there are still more instances that this Surface 3 is perfect (for me).
If I'm in my bed for casual Content Consumption, Windows tablet always wins, even more so than a phone unless I'm literally in and out of sleep. If I'm going to a friend's house or tutoring kids at the library, Windows tablet wins again as the super portable all in one PC I need. And finally, the reason why I plan to get the 4gb RAM, 128gb version of this is because there are also moments when as a student, I'll have to give presentations, take notes, etc, and during that time, I may be in a bind and need to make quick adjustments to the presentation itself, or even edit the image in PS real quick, and this seems to well fit the bill. Is this a laptop replacement? Only for folks who aren't using Adobe Premiere or SolidWorks. But if you need a snappy tablet that's pretty clutch when your laptop was too hard to carry around, then yes, I think it's awesome.
Years ago Intel Atom wasn't reference for a PC, but netbook. Nowdays, tablets have taken netbook's role. I am amazed what one Intel sophia CPU can do. Sophias perform better than anyone expected. Android and Windows. Why would anyone consider this kind of machine for professional video editing? 4K video on full HD display? Why? What is the point? This is entry level 11 inch tablet for everyday mostly entertainment use. It supports casual gaming on medium settings. Excellent. Many who would buy this pc don't need keyboard at all...
a lot of people arent really caring about using this for gaming, photo shop or video editing. this is a basic cool touch screen laptop that is at a great price. although you have to buy the keyboard but still. and why would you compare this to the ipad air 2 and samsung galaxy tab macbook? especially macbook
good video. exactly what I was looking for.
Try the same with surface pro 3 - High end model - it will be interesting to hear a review
Dude, you're using Chrome? It isn't optimized for touch at all. Also, playing back 4K videos in Internet Explorer is smooth, on Chrome it stutters. The battery life also takes a hit when using Chrome.
how about you do test with what the surface can actually do like browsing, office, running windows apps, and compare it to the same priced iPad then give it a score, for me a choose the S3 over the iPad and the new macbook,
Is the battery replaceable? Can you replace the battery for the surface 3?
I would like to hear about the charge time with a USB Wall Adapter via 2 Amp vs 1 Amp
Pairing the Surface 3 with Plugable® Pro8 Charging & USB Docking Station, I've read is possible and I would mostly use this as a Torrent Viewer.
Also the Micro USB Port is a great addition and would be easily welcomed as an additional port on the Surface Pro 4
I found a bundle for $699 with the keyboard and the pen, and that's for the 4gb/128 version. Speaking of the pen, you never made mention of that, which I think is one of the coolest features of it. I have a Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 with a bluetooth keyboard that cost OVER $500, and it's still just a glorified tablet using a mobile OS. The Surface 3 is that rare hybrid between the tablet and laptop. In fact, I've been playing around with a refurbished Asus Transformer T-100 I picked up on WOOT, and given the way it performs, the Surface 3 should be plenty powerful for 99% of anything you'd want to do with a tablet or a laptop. And it has a PEN!
The new atoms are waaay better than the older atoms found on the netbooks a few years ago.
I would say that it is, but because of the price u would have to pay to convert it to a laptop (the keyboard), other laptops provide better prices for the same functionality.
Please compare with surface pro 3? I don't know which one to get!
compare the mb and surface 3 please.
was tempted to get the surface but will wait it out for the SP4
I notice that volume is low for your all of videos ? is there any reason for that ?
Thanks for ur review
Is this thing better than the original surface pro? In terms of power that is, not ergonomics or features
I must be missing something because I've spent nearly the last 20 years learning every thing I possible can and still learning but nearly all laptop processors including apple ones are ARM based languages in the surface line in its simplest description an i5 mode cranks out as much performance as a mac but with more flexibility and if we wanted to be technically correct with out bringing Calc functions into the mix the speeds are very similar in that regard it would be unwise to say that the surface line isn't a performance line
Reviewers are getting more impressive with time ... Comparing a tablet to a Mac and Laptop ... Comparing a tablet to the use that a computer would get ... Not comparing a tablet to another tablet that can or cannot handle the same tasks ... I am flabbergasted.
Why do you guys forget the fact that its laplet and its main use portability...nobody talks about that
Still for what it is the Surface 3 is an impressive technical achievement.
Is there a video of a comparison of Surface 3 vs Surface Pro 4?
Really good Review, thanks!!!
Jeez. I need it for Word, calendar and a few apps, like Skype and perhaps minecraft. I need it for school, do you think it would be alright?
Should be fine, barring if you're in an advanced graphic design or video production class, but they probably would have made you get a specific computer if that was the case.
Ch4osWe4veR Thanks.
This is how a laptop review should be.
Is window 10 going to debut or launch in month of june.
Some say the end of July and some say it won't be ready, either way there's a Microsoft build conference tomorrow, so hopefully they give us a date.
Microsoft said that they are planning the release to be sometime during the summer
If you get the free version of Windows 10 then you will be missing alot of features
I have a powerful laptop, however I need a tablet that can satisfy my college needs, I need to run both mathcad and matlab, and office. I think this device is pretty powerful for these needs.
As a Music Major, the only application I want to know that works well or not is StaffPad which is a good-looking and easy to use music notation application. I only play minecraft if I ever have time to and I usually only ever have 3 tabs open at most in a browser. My question is, can the Surface 3 run this program well or am I better off saving up and getting a Pro 3?
Ian Toth This is just speculation, but I can't imagine the Surface 3 would struggle to run StaffPad. Even my old windows tablet running the weaker last-gen Atom processor can handle things like the Sims 2, so it should have absolutely no issue running a graphically simple ink-to-notes application
My dad wants to buy a surface 3 for browsing the web and documents and sending emails for work so im just wondering if you recommend buying it.
Matthew Denby Watch the review >.>... But if u are still unsatisfied, Then yes. Only on those circumstances, yes.
Matthew Denby Yeah dude, it would be great for that. He'll probably really like being able to use the stylus to sign or annotate documents before emailing them out for work.
Honestly the 499 base model isn't worth it. The 599 model is the best but only if the keyboard was included would this price be amazing. For a student it's a perfect. I'm a student fyi. Yet $730 is asking a lot. But it's beautiful so just maybe...
Ulises Ramirez students get 10% off. and you can use the old surface keyboards that are now selling for $50.
Walter White the older boards don't fit perfectly with the new dimensions.
Ulises Ramirez so? what your point? you are crying because you can't afford a matching keyboard that you don't even need. i give you an option and you say some dumb shit back.
you don't even need the fucking keyboard. you can use any keyboard available to you. dumbass.
Could you compare the iPad Air 2 and Surface 3
Twice the price for a slight bump in power? Are you really advocating for that Macbook?
Don't get me wrong, I think that if someone prefers a Macbook over a Windows machine then they should have the ability to get whichever they prefer without having to deal with a lot of crap from people but I cannot even begin to see why people would recommend the new Macbook over this lovely Surface 3. If you are debating whether to get this or new Macbook 12" and really like Apple then I *highlight* recommend the Macbook Air if you want portability but if you want more power for your money then get the new Macbook Pro :)
At the end of the day we all have our preferences but I plead to everyone who has a brain to not get the 12in Macbook!
I'd like to see a comparison video of the new MacBook and the Surface 3! (: And, I was wondering, can the Surface 3 handle CAD software and 3D modeling software?
I think it's worth it... I've pre-ordered two of them (128 GB). One for me, and one for my wife. I'm interested in something that can replace my tablet and still offer the full computing power of Windows.
I'm not a big fan of Windows apps at the moment, but the new Universal apps look pretty great, and the ability to run Android apps will be awesome... So I'm definitely buying it partially for the potential Windows 10 will bring to the form factor... and a test run for whether or not I'll replace my laptop with a Surface Pro 4 later this year.
I'm seriously considering the Surface 3 to replace my broken laptop (screen is cracked & need an update). I usually just use it to check emails, social media sites and watching TV & movies online. I like the lightweight feel and the keyboard seems easy to navigate. Do you think this would be the perfect tablet/notebook for my personal use?
Deborah Cochran It should be able to tackle everything you mentioned with ease. Although I recommend getting the more expensive 4gig version, just to keep you from getting slowed down when you're running a lot of things at once =)
Deborah Cochran As long as you don't spend extended periods of time using it on your lap.
Michael Werner Thank you! I think spending a little more $$ to get the 4gig version would be worth the investment.
Mt_Xing I usually spend about 2 hours a day on my laptop so maybe as Michael suggested I should spend the extra money to get the 4gig version (unless there's something in between). Thank you!
Deborah Cochran I mean as long as you don't spend a lot of time using it on your lap. As in physically putting it onto your lap and using it. If you're using it on a table, you'll be fine.
And yes, definitely get the 4GB version.
You compared the Surface 3 to an iMac, then a $1500 MacBook, and then concluded it was underpowered...
Try not to carve your Xmas turkey with a pocket knife.
I own a very expensive laptop and I use it in the university a lot, this device will help me in the main problem i have with my laptop..the weight sometimes is annoying carrying that all day but sometimes I use my laptop to play games like gta or assassin creed when I am bored so maybe i will buy it because right now im thinking to buy a tablet maybe this one or an android maybe a nexus 7
If you're getting a Nexus, get a Nexus 9. More powerful and will get more updates than the 7 in the future. But if you're in a budget and have to, get the 7
500 is a stretch IMO. I believe 399 would be the sweet spot for this tablet as the keyboard would make up the extra. I hope they have a back to school deal making it cheaper as they are trying to go for the everyday person. This would be pretty nice for a student that needs portability and enough power for online research. But that also depends on the degree they are going for.
Can you compare the SURFACE PRO 3 vs the new Macbook?
Did you use a Adobe online subscription service for Photoshop?
is a good choice to buy?
what is the graphics card it?
what about HD 720 and 1080p videos for TH-cam in adobe, lasting around 7 minutes??
YES it's worth it. I have a Macbook Pro that I use at home, and I hate traveling with it. So I'm definitely getting the Surface 3. That way I'll leave my Macbook at home and bring the Surface 3 with me when Im traveling. The most annoying thing is having to take my Macbook out of my bag at the airport when going through security. Surface is considered a tablet, so I can just leave it in my bag and keep it pushing. I'll be able to work on documents while traveling and do my heavy work when I return on my Macbook.
the benchmarks for the device suggest that it is about on par with a samsung galaxy s4 (the qualcomm one). Any rumors about the surface 4 yet? I mean the non pro 4.. I cant wait
My nexus 9 is giving me tons of problems. Im definitely replacing that with the surface asap.
Is Surface 3 more than sufficient for web browsing, emailing and watching video? Is it overkill or should I just get a Tab S?
I would like to get that machine, but I live in Venezuela and here it's too expensive, So sad :(
The pen. You have to talk about the pen. Assuming students are going to be looking for the comparison of surface to macbook, the inking experience is incomparable. Having the ability to write outweighs any spec to spec comparison. Especially at it's price point, for students the surface and its pen experience is invaluable.
Do a comparison between the Surface 3 and the new Macbook!
Well from the point I see, the tablet is mostly targeted at Students and Light Users
The Pro Version is targeted for the power user
But I can say luckily they included the digitizer for the pen on the Surface 3, if not it will be a odd combination.
I am still using the 1st Gen Surface Pro and it still works and shine like awesome, even my own lecturer also surprised the thing got a full Intel Core i5 in it
I would say that this being $500, its not bad at all.....of course its not a gaming machine nor is it designed for editing 4K video, etc......There isn't really a point in comparing it to laptops that are $800-$900 b/c this is not an $800-$900 computer. If I was in the market for a $500 computer, I'd buy the Surface 3 more than likely. But if I had more money to spend and was looking for video editing machine, I wouldn't. It all depends on what you need it for. I have a QuantumView 10.1" tablet that is like $250 and it only has 2GB RAM and 32GB storage with a Intel Bay Trail CPU...but, it does what I want and I can even play a few games on it (South Park Stick of Truth works well on it)....it is great for what I want to use it for....