Surface 3 / Surface Pro 3

[79wjd]

I'm looking to replace my Galaxy Note 8 with something a bit bigger for my daily note taking device. Yes, I know either one is overkill for a note taking device....and I don't care about that. Something about using my Note 8 just irks me, and hopefully the larger screen and larger stylus of the S3/SP3, and full version of windows will solve that problem. 

 

Now, I already have a laptop that I'm not looking to replace, so there isn't any real advantage to me stepping up to a more powerful model of the Surface. With that said, I'm looking to get a hold of either one as cheaply as possible, and so far I've found these three deals, which seem to be the best deals I could find:

$430 for a 64gb SP3 with 4gb of RAM (i3): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-Surface-Pro-3-12-intel-i3-4020y-64GB-Windows-8-1-Tablet-Model-1631-/291588303556?hash=item43e4046ac4

$465 for 64gb S3 with 2gb of RAM (Atom) + Type cover: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-Surface-3-Wi-Fi-12in-Intel-Touch-Screen-W-Extras-Silver-/191715338000?hash=item2ca31fe710

$390 for 64gb S3 with 2gb of RAM (Atom): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-Surface-Pro-3-12-intel-i3-4020y-64GB-Windows-8-1-Tablet-Model-1631-/291588303556?hash=item43e4046ac4

All three sellers seem fine, and all three tablets seem fine (just some minor cosmetic marks). I doubt I really need the type cover, so I'm leaning towards ignoring the $465 option and just picking up a cheap protective case for the S3 @ $390. But $40 isn't a lot to step up to the SP3, but is the SP3 still a good size for handwriting notes -- is it not a too big?

 

TL;DR SP3 vs. S3 for note taking with the stylus (probably in one note). 

 

P.s. will I likely be able to get either for significantly cheaper in the upcoming weeks after the SP4 is released? 

[S7117]

Prices on Surface Tablets should be going down soon because of the launch of the surface 4 series coming out.... not to mention the new surfacebook laptop thing might do well for your needs

[S7117]

i would get the i3 machine 2gb of ram and the atom isnt much power after all.... just in case

[d3sl91]

I'm looking to replace my Galaxy Note 8 with something a bit bigger for my daily note taking device. Yes, I know either one is overkill for a note taking device....and I don't care about that. Something about using my Note 8 just irks me, and hopefully the larger screen and larger stylus of the S3/SP3, and full version of windows will solve that problem. 

 

Now, I already have a laptop that I'm not looking to replace, so there isn't any real advantage to me stepping up to a more powerful model of the Surface. With that said, I'm looking to get a hold of either one as cheaply as possible, and so far I've found these three deals, which seem to be the best deals I could find:

$430 for a 64gb SP3 with 4gb of RAM (i3): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-Surface-Pro-3-12-intel-i3-4020y-64GB-Windows-8-1-Tablet-Model-1631-/291588303556?hash=item43e4046ac4

$465 for 64gb S3 with 2gb of RAM (Atom) + Type cover: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-Surface-3-Wi-Fi-12in-Intel-Touch-Screen-W-Extras-Silver-/191715338000?hash=item2ca31fe710

$390 for 64gb S3 with 2gb of RAM (Atom): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-Surface-Pro-3-12-intel-i3-4020y-64GB-Windows-8-1-Tablet-Model-1631-/291588303556?hash=item43e4046ac4

All three sellers seem fine, and all three tablets seem fine (just some minor cosmetic marks). I doubt I really need the type cover, so I'm leaning towards ignoring the $465 option and just picking up a cheap protective case for the S3 @ $390. But $40 isn't a lot to step up to the SP3, but is the SP3 still a good size for handwriting notes -- is it not a too big?

 

TL;DR SP3 vs. S3 for note taking with the stylus (probably in one note). 

 

P.s. will I likely be able to get either for significantly cheaper in the upcoming weeks after the SP4 is released? 

 

For note taking the S3 is perfectly fine. However, since you are apparently looking at used stuff, the Sp3 won't hurt. 

 

But really, the S3 is fine for note taking. However, you WILL need to buy the stylus for the S3 if you dont buy one that has it already. New, the S3 does not include the pen whereas the pro does. 

[royalcrown]

Yes you'll get rid of the problems of the ridiculous slippery screen and the awkward feeling of the tiny stylus. Also the note 8 is 16:9 where the surface 3 is 3:2; it's QUITE a bit wider because of that. I liked my note 8 too, but just try annotating some PDFS on it and that should illuminate why a surface 3 will be a LOT better.

[79wjd]

Prices on Surface Tablets should be going down soon because of the launch of the surface 4 series coming out.... not to mention the new surfacebook laptop thing might do well for your needs

Seeing as I don't even plan on picking up a type cover as I only really intend to use it as a tablet, the surfacebook would just be a waste of money (not to mention it would cost significantly more). And while I expect the SP4 to bring SP3 prices down, I don't know if the drop occurred already and/or if it would even be a significant drop seeing as the SP3 is $700/$800 new vs. the SP4 which is $900 new. So at $430 I question how much cheaper a used SP3 will go. (This is all of course assuming I find another SP3 for sale around $430~).

 

For note taking the S3 is perfectly fine. However, since you are apparently looking at used stuff, the Sp3 won't hurt. 

 

But really, the S3 is fine for note taking. However, you WILL need to buy the stylus for the S3 if you dont buy one that has it already. New, the S3 does not include the pen whereas the pro does. 

None of the linked sellers (including the SP3 seller) include a stylus, so I already figured that $35 expense. The larger screen wouldn't feel a bit awkward to use for note taking -- I feel like it should be a huge plus actually, but part of me wonders if the larger screen could be a negative. 

 

Yes you'll get rid of the problems of the ridiculous slippery screen and the awkward feeling of the tiny stylus. Also the note 8 is 16:9 where the surface 3 is 3:2; it's QUITE a bit wider because of that. I liked my note 8 too, but just try annotating some PDFS on it and that should illuminate why a surface 3 will be a LOT better.

Yeah, all of those are certainly factors in my annoyance with my Note 8. 

[royalcrown]

My wife bought the note 12.2 and even that s pen is too skinny. Plus it's just too awkward in portrait mode because it is super tall and heavy then, makes it top heavy. The surface feels lighter because the weight is more balanced and not acting like a lever in your hand

[79wjd]

Alright, well, considering the SP4 just launched, what would probably be a good price to buy (just) an SP3 at? Like $400~?

[Ryou-kun]

I'm looking to replace my Galaxy Note 8 with something a bit bigger for my daily note taking device. Yes, I know either one is overkill for a note taking device....and I don't care about that. Something about using my Note 8 just irks me, and hopefully the larger screen and larger stylus of the S3/SP3, and full version of windows will solve that problem. 

 

Now, I already have a laptop that I'm not looking to replace, so there isn't any real advantage to me stepping up to a more powerful model of the Surface. With that said, I'm looking to get a hold of either one as cheaply as possible, and so far I've found these three deals, which seem to be the best deals I could find:

$430 for a 64gb SP3 with 4gb of RAM (i3): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-Surface-Pro-3-12-intel-i3-4020y-64GB-Windows-8-1-Tablet-Model-1631-/291588303556?hash=item43e4046ac4

$465 for 64gb S3 with 2gb of RAM (Atom) + Type cover: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-Surface-3-Wi-Fi-12in-Intel-Touch-Screen-W-Extras-Silver-/191715338000?hash=item2ca31fe710

$390 for 64gb S3 with 2gb of RAM (Atom): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-Surface-Pro-3-12-intel-i3-4020y-64GB-Windows-8-1-Tablet-Model-1631-/291588303556?hash=item43e4046ac4

All three sellers seem fine, and all three tablets seem fine (just some minor cosmetic marks). I doubt I really need the type cover, so I'm leaning towards ignoring the $465 option and just picking up a cheap protective case for the S3 @ $390. But $40 isn't a lot to step up to the SP3, but is the SP3 still a good size for handwriting notes -- is it not a too big?

 

TL;DR SP3 vs. S3 for note taking with the stylus (probably in one note). 

 

P.s. will I likely be able to get either for significantly cheaper in the upcoming weeks after the SP4 is released? 

 

Well, it is worth the wait for SP4 to be released OR Black Friday that is right around the corner.

I mean, it doesn't hurt unless you are being insanely impatient about it.

 

Luckily, for you to use S-Pen on Note Tablet while I am using my iPad Air with Adonit Jot Script 2.0 on Goodnotes App.

Although it works but the stylus and app communication to each other tend to frustrate me, it does however do its job. I do plan to upgrade it to either SP3 or S3 depending on SP4 release and/or Black Friday.

[Ryou-kun]

My wife bought the note 12.2 and even that s pen is too skinny. Plus it's just too awkward in portrait mode because it is super tall and heavy then, makes it top heavy. The surface feels lighter because the weight is more balanced and not acting like a lever in your hand

 

There is a longer S-Pen that look like a mechanical pencil or a pen.

[79wjd]

Well, it is worth the wait for SP4 to be released OR Black Friday that is right around the corner.

I mean, it doesn't hurt unless you are being insanely impatient about it.

 

Luckily, for you to use S-Pen on Note Tablet while I am using my iPad Air with Adonit Jot Script 2.0 on Goodnotes App.

Although it works but the stylus and app communication to each other tend to frustrate me, it does however do its job. I do plan to upgrade it to either SP3 or S3 depending on SP4 release and/or Black Friday.

I may be a bit impatient :unsure: 

 

But either way, I feel like I like at best I'd be able to get the SP3+type cover+pen for like $480~...so for $35 I don't see a reason to not satisfy my impatience. (Plus, I already ordered it.....although I could email the seller and see if he'd be nice enough to cancel the payment)