Surface PRO 3 - Office 2024

A technological marvel

Even though we have already talked about the first impressions of both XatakaWindows and the Xataka partners, I still cannot give a first-hand opinion about the device.

But I can assure you that the underlying engineering problems of achieving this integration are anything but trivial. Even with the background and experience of the two previous versions of the Surface PRO that has been used by millions of people around the world.

Without a doubt It is a success to have changed the proportion of the screen to a much more comfortable 3:2 That is, it is three times as wide as twice as high. A 12” format that leaves us with a viewing area very close to that of an A4-size sheet of paper and that makes it easier to read and work with computer applications.

In addition, the concept of pixel free screen means that the points of the screen are so small that at the distance of normal use the human eye is not able to distinguish the physical pixel, achieving an analog image quality .

To this must be added a screen resolution beyond Full HD (2160x1440), which means that users of editing texts or graphics, developing applications or any other that needs as much information as possible on the screen, it comes in handy.

On the other hand, the change of manufacturer for electronic ink has been in pursuit of greater precision and feedback in the use of the pencil; advancing in the integration with applications such as OneNote in the search for a true digital notepad.

Without a doubt the Surface PRO 3, as if it were the latest supercar to hit the market, has managed to be present in all media and in almost all for very good.Which is a huge step up from their predecessors who had a much harder time breaking into the spotlight of the non-tech press.

It has even been said that the SurfacePRO 3 represents the change that Satya Nadella is bringing about since the departure of Steve Ballmer, fleeing from the old and efficient moderate politics and leading Microsoft towards thenew horizons with more courage and courage

The dark side of the surface

However, despite possibly being the most advanced device Microsoft has ever built, the presentation was pretty bad, not to say lousy.

The comparison of the Surface PRO 3 with the Mac has not been accurate, since they are hardly comparable devices when Apple is an ultrabook without touch capabilities, nor the ability to use it as a tablet, but with obvious advantages .

An excellent opportunity was also missed to highlight the unrivaled and advanced e-ink technology, making a frustrating demonstration of the use of an application over a decade old.

And, although it is easy to say it from this side of the stage, I think that much more play could have been obtained from a device that, as I never tire of repeating, is excellent.

That they speak well, better than bad

Worse has been Microsoft's inability to control the “Hype” of the presentation on the 20th that started and maintained the expectation about the Surface Mini , of which nothing more has been said since then, with the rumor of a possible “big” tablet emerging a few days before the event.

There are few things that do more damage than not managing expectations well and turning against what is presented.And this is what happened with the Surface PRO 3, nobody expected it In fact, the fact that it appeared was secondary to the rumors for weeks about a new RT of 8 ”.

And disappointment has dulled a device that should have flowed a lot more rivers of ink than it is. Both for the accuracy of the rumors, and for what would have been revealed as unsuspected.

What about RT and Modern UI?

Surface PRO 3 is a device that undoubtedly prevails on the Desktop. Of course it has touch capabilities and we can use the applications from the Windows Store, but right now an ultrabook with this power only makes sense if it is used mainly with a keyboard and mouse

Moreover, the rupture of the tradition of simultaneous presentations of the new versions for both the PRO and the RT versions of the Surface, leaves the doubt – always present – about the fate of the operating system “ short ".

Without a doubt, the Surface PRO 3 is not the machine that is going to sell to hundreds of millions of users and that is going to promote the use of the touch part of Windows 8, which in turn This time makes development companies even more reluctant to use their resources on a platform (Modern UI) that it's not clear where it's going

This role is supposed to be played by the Surface RT 3, if it ever comes out, or the long-awaited Surface Mini with e-ink capability... but the rumors about the latter are not encouraging .

Backward Incompatibilities

In addition, we must add certain hardware incompatibilities with previous versions that, without being a surprise, can be annoying for userswho have a Surface PRO or PRO 2 that is just over a year old.

For example, those who shelled out for a battery-powered keyboard can't use it with the new Surface; The current Covers do work but do not cover the entire screen (logical), on the other hand the power supply has a connector that is incompatible with both the previous PRO versions and the RT; and Dock stations are also incompatible in both ways.

And here's another PRO 3 weakness: its lack of standard connectivity To connect to a network via an RJ45 port, or connect to a monitor with a VGA port, or to a TV through an HDMI port, in all cases it is necessary to buy accessories that are not included in the price. And that means a significant increase in it, or trust the cheaper products of other manufacturers.

Who are you competing against?

In the middle of a debate on this topic, a commentator put words to a feeling I've had since the presentation on the 20th: who does the Surface PRO 3 compete against?

It is a professional product aimed at just under 10% of the ultra-portable device market. Aimed at a demanding user in the quality of finishes, materials, performance and reliability. A high-end user who marks a status with the device he carries under his arm, and who has a large portfolio or the ability to get into debt

But I don't see any more competitive advantage than the incredible weight (800gr.), its ability to be used as a pure tablet with enormous computing power and excellent electronic ink. Even the battery life (9h) pales in comparison with ultrabooks capable of running 15 continuous hours.

The best keyboard on the Surface PRO 3 – the Type Cover that is purchased separately - does not beat a dedicated keyboard or pure ultrabooks in this range in price or quality.

The screen is very good, but I'm not sure if it can clearly and forcefully beat a RetinaThe 12” diagonal brings the tablet closer to ultrabooks, but those of this quality are tending towards 13” or 14”, because the weight gain is minimal and the comfort of use is much greater.

There is not, nor does it seem to exist in the short term, any competitor that puts an i7 in so little space. And much less at that price. Given which all of the above, I see that the Surface Pro 3 is in a market niche where no one else is currently, and therefore has no competitor. And that's because the device is actually a TabletPC

A type of device that had its moment a few years ago, and which disappeared due to, among many others, a high price.

Conclusions

In the absence of being able to “taste” one in first person, the first impression I get from the Surface PRO 3 is that it is too big for a tablet, too small for a laptop, too expensive for an ultrabook.

It is a Tablet PC, with much less weight, more technology, power and with the same problem: a high price .

It may mean abandoning RT and consumer tablets for the general public, focusing on the minority market of computing supercars. And, where I think, there's no room for a second Apple.