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    August 17, 2015
  • Last review
    October 18, 2015
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    October 18, 2015
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Zack's Reviews
 
With the integrated Kickstand, the ability to run desktop software and touch apps, and a full-size USB port, Surface 3 is a perfect mix of innovation and practicality. As thin and light as it is, you'll be amazed at all you can achieve with this device.Now for a limited time, Surface 3 tablets include 1 year of Microsoft Office 365 Personal (a $69.99 value) plus OneDrive cloud storage. Office activation required within 6 months of Windows activation date. Offer valid while supplies last.
 
Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
DO NOT PURCHASE: The Charging Port is Flawed
on October 18, 2015
Posted by: Zack
Upon my purchase of the Surface 3 (4GB of RAM, 128GB HDD, including the type cover keyboard, surface pen, and mouse), I hastily wrote a review commending the product's impressive aesthetics, surprising amount of power, and capable operating system. In late August of 2015 I gave the Surface 3 4 stars.
However, after about two months of heavy use, I can say surely and genuinely that no one should purchase the Surface 3. Why? Because the charging port is designed to fail. Since day 1 of my purchase I, as have many others, been plagued with the notification "plugged in, not charging." I have done everything in my power to try to fix this; turn the screen brightness to 0, turn off all background apps, disable Cortana, remove the Bluetooth mouse and attachable keyboard, charge while sleeping, charge while shut down, charge while wifi is turned off, performing numerous restarts, performing factory resets, and performing two-button shut downs. I have uninstalled and reinstalled drivers, swapped mini usb cables, changed charging outlets, and serenaded the Surface with a romantic song. None of this, nor many of the other countless things I and Microsoft Support have tried, works.
The issue here is the design of the Surface 3's charging port. It is about half as deep as a mini usb plug, so no plug you attach to the device will fully be inserted. Charging cables simply dangle from the device, and can be wobbled in a full 360 degree motion. It easily falls out, and can even bend to misuse with a child's level of pressure. Unlike the effective, magnetic charger of the Surface Pro 3 #and soon-to-be-released Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book#, the Surface 3's mini usb plug simply and astoundingly DOES NOT WORK. There is nothing you, Microsoft, Amazon, Geek Squad, your nerdy neighbor, or anyone else can do about it. Such an otherwise perfect device is rendered useless by such an easy flaw to fix. And yet, this flaw is fatal.
I repeat: DO NOT buy the Surface 3. While it is charged it is a great device, well worth one's money. As the battery dwindles, however, you will be dismayed to find it rather difficult to restore that percentage to the glory days of its youth. Having owned the product since August, I have only seen the battery achieve 100% perhaps 5 times. This, mind you, from a user who charges it every night, and never gets lazy with the battery level.
In summary, I have taken every precaution and effort to try to fix the Surface 3's battery issues, but to no avail. It is out of my control, and it will be out of yours as well. Do not buy the Surface 3, because its charger port is so fatally flawed that it renders the device unusable in most situations.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+14points
15of 16voted this as helpful.
 
Microsoft Surface 3 Tablet: Multitasking is easy with this functional tablet, which features Windows 10 and an integrated kickstand for simple, intuitive navigation. Stay productive with preloaded apps, and record and share memories with the front and rear cameras.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Aesthetically perfect. Minor performance issues.
on August 17, 2015
Posted by: Zack
The Surface 3, coupled with Windows 10, is probably the most eloquently-designed, luxurious-feeling, and premium-looking device I have ever had the pleasure of owning. The operating system is fast and fluid, responding adeptly to both mouse and keyboard and touch. However, the device's full Windows operating system makes it easy to forget about the product's spec limitations. It is a tablet, after all. Programs such as Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and most modern games are going to struggle on the Surface 3. However, web browsing and Microsoft Office work fine. That being said, this tablet was absolutely designed for college students and the workplace. Its 1 year of Office 365 and extremely lightweight construction make it the ideal note-taker and presentation device. Being about half the height of a dime and only a couple pounds, its portability is unmatched.
Unfortunately, portability is probably the biggest factor in terms of price. You're paying $600 for a tablet, and you'd be missing out on the true surface experience if you didn't purchase the $130 keyboard (which is one of the best keyboards on the market, by the way# and the $50 stylus. That, minus tax, brings your purchase to around $800. That's a lot of money for a tablet, especially since it's trying to grab at the laptop market.
But if the price tag is no issue for you, then I wholly suggest you purchase the Surface 3. As long as you don't expect to do any major gaming or video editing, you should find this tablet/laptop hybrid to be your perfect portable companion. It's by far the best product #Xbox aside) Microsoft has released in a very long time.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+23points
25of 27voted this as helpful.
 
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With the integrated Kickstand, the ability to run desktop software and touch apps, and a full-size USB port, Surface 3 is a perfect mix of innovation and practicality. As thin and light as it is, you'll be amazed at all you can achieve with this device.Now for a limited time, Surface 3 tablets include 1 year of Microsoft Office 365 Personal (a $69.99 value) plus OneDrive cloud storage. Office activation required within 6 months of Windows activation date. Offer valid while supplies last.
 

Adobe Illustrator?

Can it be used with Adobe Illustrator?
The Surface 3 simply is not powerful enough to allow one to fully use Adobe products like Illustrator or Photoshop. They will run, yes, but at an extremely laggy rate, to the point that the Surface 3 might face processing issues.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
Zack
 
With the integrated Kickstand, the ability to run desktop software and touch apps, and a full-size USB port, Surface 3 is a perfect mix of innovation and practicality. As thin and light as it is, you'll be amazed at all you can achieve with this device.Now for a limited time, Surface 3 tablets include 1 year of Microsoft Office 365 Personal (a $69.99 value) plus OneDrive cloud storage. Office activation required within 6 months of Windows activation date. Offer valid while supplies last.
 

Will this run on a Verizon 4GLTE network?

While the Surface 3 has WiFi built in like any standard laptop, it will not function with Verizon 4G LTE capabilities. There is, however, an LTE model of the Surface 3 being released shortly. I believe it is only available for AT&T, though.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
Zack