The laptop that is a game changer

I do not work for Microsoft and I’m not being paid to write this. I simply can’t understand why everyone doesn’t have a Microsoft Surface Pro 3.

Quite seriously this laptop is a complete game changer. I recently needed to upgrade from my Sony VAIO and put together a wish list which looked something like this:

I wanted a laptop that had massive grunt, loads of peripheral ability, weighed almost nothing, fitted in my handbag, and looked cool. I wanted a touchscreen and a stylus to draw, as well as something that I could easily take anywhere. Actually I thought if my iPad could blend in with my laptop, then I’d be ecstatic.

I am a fairly average business computer user. At my desk 6-8 hours/day, have a smart phone and an iPad.

I use the Microsoft Suite and Adobe Photoshop heavily as well as the internet for web development and e-commerce management. I’m a highly resourceful and busy individual running several online businesses. I need to be always switched on.

I did more than the usual research before buying a new computer (I’m an avid and comprehensive researcher) and read specifications, blogs and forums until I was drowning in information overload.

I then did the shoe-leather thing and the price comparison thing, I talked to geeky shop assistants who either knew too much or almost nothing about computers and who all without exception made the massive mistake of talking to me like I was a woman (ok I am a woman, but they soon found out I could out-geek them at the speed of light).

I came close to a purchase a few times, but nothing had everything I wanted. I had set a budget of AUD $1500 but was willing to go to $2,000 tops. Although I knew I wouldn’t go that high unless what I found was a game changer.

For the Mac addicts out there who are wondering why I just didn’t get a MacBook, well, I tried to work with a Mac in a recent contracting role where that was the only choice and I can’t stress enough how much I HATED that computer (enough said, all the PC peeps understand me). In any case, there isn’t a Mac that could come close to my wish list or the price.

So, just as I was about to give up on everything on my wish list, I came across the Surface Pro 3 in the flesh. Somehow in my research, the awesomeness of this computer had not come across and that’s partly why I’m writing this review. Perhaps also, I wasn't prepared for Microsoft to produce anything awesome in hardware.

But, there it was, an amazing piece of computer hardware that is a game changer - the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is the laptop that has it all.

It is light, yet has all the USB and HDMI ports I need and a long lasting battery. It is also a tablet with HD touchscreen and surface pen, a full Windows operating system and a good size screen at 12 inches. It has all the convenience of an iPad with all the grunt of a laptop. All my files are on hand wherever, whenever I need them (without having to rely on Google Docs or Dropbox, neither of which are a perfect solution for mobile computing, IMHO).

When travelling, it folds up neatly and fits in a handbag, backpack or briefcase. Final size is just a bit smaller than A4.

Microsoft calls this laptop “Revolutionary” but that just doesn’t do it justice. Everyone uses revolutionary to describe their latest product. So while the Surface Pro 3 is certainly revolutionary it is so much more than that.

With 8GB RAM I can do all I need to do and Windows 8, which I didn’t expect to like, is easy to use and makes a lot of sense with its new layouts – most of which can be changed to go back to the Windows 7 way of looking at things if you like.

All my software came across without any extra upgrading costs and I had it set up and working in no time at all. Gone are the days of setting aside a weekend to set up a new PC.

I bought the extras – the keyboard/cover and the docking station - and the surface pen came with it for no extra cost. All up I did spend a little over AUD$2000 as I had expected I would if I found a game changer.

So I keep my docking station on my desk permanently plugged into my large external screen and a few peripherals, including a DVD drive, wireless keyboard and mouse and then I take the tablet part of it with me to go anywhere I want, for work or play. I use the pen and tablet to draw in Photoshop and quickly knocked up a Christmas Card by hand.

Since the tablet is semi-permanently plugged into the docking station it is always charged and ready to go. I can leave the office with just the tablet to which I then attach the keyboard as it acts like a cover as well as instantly turning the tablet into a laptop.

Attaching the keyboard-to-go is as easy as flicking a light switch, it magically attaches when the two parts get close to each other. Then slotting the tablet back into the docking station is equally as easy.

Also this keyboard is no flimsy last minute thought, it is a proper laptop keyboard, just without the weight.

And, it’s not just me! The reviews of the Surface Pro 3 are almost all positive – there’s really not much wrong with it. It does get hot, but that’s the only consistent criticism I’ve read and that doesn’t bother me at all – in fact I’ve hardly noticed it.

Naturally it has wifi so I can sit with my legs curled up under me on the couch drawing away while still keeping a close eye on my email and my online businesses.

There isn’t another computer around that has the aesthetics and lifestyle features of the Surface Pro 3 as well as the grunt and strength of a business tool.

I seriously don’t see why anyone would buy any other brand or run-of-the-mill laptop while this is on the market.

Specifications:

• Intel 4th Generation Core i7 Processor
• 12-Inch HD (2160 x 1440) Touchscreen Display
• 8 GB RAM; 232 GB Storage Capacity (512 also available)
• Windows 8.1 Pro
• Power Supply and Surface Pen Included

Websites I manage include: BoostnBlend, WomenHairLoss, BambiStaveley