Wendell: Surface Pro 3

> I have heard a lot of good things about these, including your comment the other day. Which model do you have specifically? I was wondering if you see a need for the i7 version over the i5.

I have the i5 8GB 256GB model. I LOVE it. Early on, the fan came on a lot for no apparent reason. A few firmware updates later, it's not doing that unless I'm actually doing something particularly taxing.

From what I've read, the i7 model tends to get hotter (makes sense) and thus the fan comes on more often. I've also read some reviews where they put the i5 8GB and the i7 8GB head-to-head and the i7 performed marginally better than the i5. To me, that says that the i7 probably isn't worth the extra cash plus the potential of the fan running a lot.

> My question points more to lifespan of the device than any one software use. Also, do you use the dock with external monitor(s)? I have talked with IT professionals in the past that warned against multiple monitors without a graphics card for each, do you see any validity in that for a CAD user?

I have the dock and an external 34" ultrawide monitor (3440x1440), which is not only amazing but works flawlessly. Not too long ago, I had two 1920x1080 monitors hooked up and it worked flawlessly as well. One was hooked up with to the dock's mini displayport to the monitor's HDMI port. The other went from the SP3's mini displayport to the other monitor's HDMI port. No fancy software, no fancy video card. The SP3 i5 does in fact have the integrated Intel HD Graphics 4400 video.

When doing something more taxing on the system, the fan comes on more often in the dock, and I suspect that is because the dock itself blocks half of the vents. The vents are little slits in the side that run around the perimeter of the device.

As for multiple graphics cards for multiple monitors, that's an old problem. Most new video cards can handle at least 2 external monitors, some will handle more. In the SP3's case, you can run one 4k monitor (like I am now) or two 1080p monitors AND still use the SP3's own screen. And that's with the stock integrated video card! I used to be a huge proponent of using dedicated graphics cards, but the latest iterations of Intel HD Graphics (4000 and 5000 series) have impressed me thus far.

> I'm contemplating getting one of these as an all-for-one replacement. I had a Sony Vaio XP computer back around 2006 that just seemed to work better than the hardware specs would indicate, from what I've found on the web this seems to be true of the Surface as well. There seems to be a high value to the product.

Microsoft likes to tout that the SP3 is a laptop and tablet replacement. I can TOTALLY vouch for the laptop replacement, because that's exactly the case for me. I hook it up to the dock at home, but can take it wherever I go with the Type Keyboard. It gives me a solid 6 to 7 hours without being plugged in, and that's using Photoshop and heavy internet usage. Sometimes I get more if all I'm doing is browsing the web. I don't even bother taking the power cord with me anymore.

As for it being a tablet replacement... no. It has all the functionality of a tablet, the screen is very responsive and beautiful. But it's the Windows Store that kills the deal as a tablet. There's just not the selection out there that you will get with Android or (choke) iOS. There's a few good apps out there that I use, but generally just for casual use in my recliner or whatever.

I did use the SP3 briefly with Carlson Software for testing purposes, and I didn't have any trouble with it. I didn't use it in any real-world kind of scenario, so it's hard to say exactly how it would do. However, I don't think it would have any trouble.

Check out BlueStacks.com, they make a free program that allows android apps to run on Windows. I have not used it myself, but in reading the reviews of SP3 users it apparently does a great job.

Thanks for the great feedback. I'm surprised (well, not really) that it doesn't work well as a tablet. Honestly, though, all I use a tablet for is surfing (Google Chrome) and reading.

I think I'll definitely get myself one soon based on your feedback, as a laptop replacement.

Thanks again!

Timely post for me.

I recently spent a several days spread out over a couple of weeks sitting with my Dad in the hospital (he's fine now). I quickly tired of trying to shuffle files back and forth on a thumb drive and keep up with the latest version. I upgraded from the free version of DropBox to DropBox Pro (more space and tools) and set my system up so that all of my work files live in the DropBox folder. Now I have access to all of my files on the desktop and the laptop at all times and Dropbox keeps the versions synced between the machines.

Now that I have all of my files readily available, I've started taking the 17" laptop with me daily but I'm finding it bulky and power hungry. I've also tried to make do with AutoCAD360 on my Samsung Note 10.1 tablet but AutoCAD 360 just doesn't have the full set of tools yet (even the paid version falls short). So, I'm looking hard at the SP3 as the solution.

I would pass on BlueStacks and go with DuOS.

http://www.amiduos.com/#home

Just ran into this thread at Reddit. You might find it interesting and relevant.

http://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/2pzdqz/drafting_and_drafting_programs_on_sp3/

Thank you for the info. Santa is supposed to deliver mine in his big brown truck tomorrow afternoon.

Wendell, post: 294170, member: 1 wrote:

Wendell, are there any other apps you suggest?

Wendell, post: 295321, member: 1 wrote: Just ran into this thread at Reddit. You might find it interesting and relevant.

http://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/2pzdqz/drafting_and_drafting_programs_on_sp3/

Good info, I was trying to figure out how to escape in Carlson earlier.

I have the Surface Pro 2 and I love it. It is a powerful computer in a compact package. They are expensive, but worth the cost. I can run all of my work software exactly like at the office.

[USER=1]@Wendell[/USER]
Thanks for the android link, Blue stacks is OK but full of ads.

With respect to the Surface pro, I was looking at the following alternative.
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/01/hp-spectre-x2-review-all-the-quality-of-the-surface-pro-hundreds-of-dollars-less/

Comments appreciated.
Thanks, Bill
(love to Angel)