Will Microsoft's Surface 3 be "the tablet that can replace your laptop"? Can it overtake a tablet and a notebook at the same time? A quick glance at the device, on the front, you'll find a touch-sensitive Windows logo, a 12-inch display and front-facing camera. The left and right sides come with a headphone jack, miniDisplay port and a USB 3.0 port.
On the back, there's a 22-150-degree kickstand, an angle conducive to having the Surface Pro 3 function like a laptop. A microSD card slot is tucked under the kickstand, supporting cards as large as 128GB. (You can't upgrade the internal storage so adding a microSD is the only way to expand).
The Surface has an Intel Core i5, Intel HD4400 graphic, 16GB of RAM and 256GB SSD storage. These specs are what make the Surface faster and more powerful than any tablet in the market. Cheating, you can say, since it has PC-grade specs. However, with the touch interface and form factor it can be considered a tablet.
A tablet should be light enough to carry in one hand so you can use the other to navigate. If you compare the Surface's 800g with the iPad Air's 469g, it's clear which is friendlier. If I hold the Surface to read books or watch movies for several minutes, my hand aches.
Of course, it is more reasonable to hold it with both hands but you can't always do that. It is more like a lay-down-on-the-lap or a desk gadget. At only 800g, the Surface is packed with PC components despite being thin. I'm impressed with the advancement in technology. Comparing other devices with similar specs, the lightest MacBook Air (11-inch) weighs 1.06kg and a normal laptop weighs around 1.45kg.
The 12-inch screen is what makes the device big. The 2160x1440 pixel resolution not only benefits movie-lovers, but it gives more workspace. When I watched Pacific Rim on the BTS, fellow passengers leaned in and shared the experience. The image is so sharp that you'd have to put your nose up against the screen to see any pixels.
But, it might be too much for Windows to handle. Windows programs aren't optimised and are pixelated. The icons and menu are too small, so I often touched the wrong thing. Using a mouse or trackpad is best.
More apps are being made available in the Windows store and live tile interface is more customisable. However, the main event isn't with the tablet. It is the Windows mode.
I could open several tabs in Chrome, like Gmail, office e-mail, Facebook, YouTube and the internal software I use to write articles, also Office 365, Photoshop CC, Acrobat pro and iTunes, just like on a regular PC. The heat emerging from this kind of device is unavoidable. However, while opening every-day-apps like VLC, Word or Chrome, the system airflow works perfectly to keep the device cool. When playing games, even just the 2D ones, the Surface's fan runs like mad. I heard a sound coming out of the back and it continued for a while even after I closed the game.
The "pen" is far more than just a stylus. It consists of two buttons: an eraser and a selector. When you click the top of the pen, you immediately get into Microsoft OneNote; jot-note program. The pen is designed to feel more like a proper, ink-based pen and feels more natural to hold. However, my graphic designer colleague said it was difficult to use for drawing.
Since it can't replace a laptop without a keyboard. Microsoft sells a keyboard designed specifically for the Surface called "Type Cover''. Sadly, it's not included in the box and is available for 4,490 baht, which drives up the cost of the Surface. Office 365 isn't included, too, which further increases the cost.
I like the Type Cover. It has a wider trackpad and backlighting. You can live without buying a touch cover but it is a lot like love — the two were made for each other. Moreover, lots of keyboard shortcuts are helpful to make work easier.
I couldn't let go of the fact that the light on the charger remains on despite the device being fully charged. Software update, perhaps?
Microsoft has finally made a device that complements its software and has demonstrated what a future PC could be — powerful, touchable and portable. The problem Microsoft will face is that users are happy with a single-purpose, easy-to-use gadget.
Do you want Microsoft Office on your tablet? Are you going to like Adobe Photoshop CC on a 12-inch touchscreen? If so, there's no holding back. This Surface Pro 3 was made for you.
At it's current price point, however, it's not wallet-friendly.
The Surface Pro 3 is available in five models ranging in storage (64GB to 512GB), power (Intel i3, i5 and i7 processors) and is priced from 29,500-69,900 baht.
