Microsoft - Surface Pro 3 - 12" - Intel Core i3 - 128GB - Silver

I was excited to get this model for such a good price (499), but it has been nothing but problems since first turning it on. It has bad light bleed on right side of screen (see pic) to go along with the random freezes requiring restarts (all of the latest updates installed). Tried 2 factory resets and still no improvement.

Wanted to try something new as I've been in the Apple ecosystem for far too long. Purchased the tablet w/o the pen or the type cover case and have been so impressed with the versatility of the device that I will probably grab those as well to see how much (more) depth they provide. Does everything my old iPad did and more. Only real problem is that their App store is lacking. However, since it is both a tablet and a laptop, you can either use the internet to provide what you might need (HBO GO comes to mind) or you can download the application you are looking for in Laptop mode and create your own Pin to appear in Tablet mode.

I got my Surface Pro 3 just before Christmas and I really like it. I read all the reviews... lots of love and lots of hate. I had actually talked myself out of getting a SP3 and was going to just go with a small flip laptop. But when I went to Best Buy to purchase, the Geek convinced me that this was a better machine. After using my SP3 for a few weeks, I have to admit that I am glad I went with it. I had to order an external CD/DVD drive - which I would of had to do with the laptop I was looking at anyway. I haven't purchased the pen yet...I thought I would use my points to get it. Every once in a while there seems to be a bit of a glitch... it won't recognize touch OR the keyboard, but if I just turn it off and back on it goes to working. if it continues I may call the Best Buy Geeks and see what they recommend. I am still getting used to Windows 10 - but so far I love it. I just installed Office Professional Plus 2016 and uninstalled the "Free for a month 365". I do a lot of documents for work and personal, I am a scrap-booker and I just received a Silhouette - Cameo for Christmas - so I am kind of crafty too. i love that you can set it up at a desk and use it just like a computer... or you just grab it and use it like a tablet to check emails and Facebook.

I was very hesitant at first when looking at purchasing this product. After extensive research I took the jump and bought my surface pro 3. As a college student this was the best purchase I could have made. My booksack is immensely lighter and the ease of this mini computer makes college life a lot easier. It also supports all my software for my engineering classes. Best tablet/computer for campus.

I got this tablet primarily as a note taking device to use with a stylus. Coming from years of using Macs, it was quite an adjustment. Apple products simply work right out of the box with minimal setup. The same is not true of PC. And Windows 10 is confusing and inconsistent. However, aside from my gripes about Windows, the SP3 works fine for me. My only issue is that my palm constantly sets off the icons at the bottom bar of the screen, which is annoying when I'm trying to take notes and I have to stop mid-flow to close the calendar or keyboard window that pops up by mistake. It's entirely possible that there's an overlooked setting that I can change to keep this from happening, but I haven't found it yet. I liked that this model didn't include a surface pen, as I purchased the surface 4 pen anyway, along with the surface 4 keyboard. Those two accessories are far superior to the SP3 versions, IMO, and well worth the investment.

The Surface Pro 3 is light and has a sleek design. The fan is very quiet even in library setting unless you have your ear next to the vent openings. Built in kickstand is sturdy and great for various viewing angle adjustments. Boot time from complete shutdown to desktop is about 13 seconds. I dont see much slow down with my streaming videos, web browsing, and working Microsoft Office 2013 like Word, Point Power, or some Excel. Opening Edge take about 1 second. Opening Firefox take about 2.5 seconds. Microsoft Office programs take about 3.5 seconds to open. I have the screen set at 40% brightness because 100% is more for outdoor use. I have been using the Type Cover designed for the Surface Pro 4 and it is way better then the Surface Pro 3 keyboard because the keys are spread out more and it has a deeper key travel. The Type Cover does extend about several millimeter over the screen edge on both sides. Flipping the Type Cover to the back of the Surface Pro 3 will disable its functions. Battery life is about 6 hours and 40 minutes on run down until 10% battery life with Balance mode, brightness set at 40%, and web browsing with Edge (6 tabs opened) and Word opened. Note: My unit had a dead CMOS battery that would stop my Surface from keeping tracking of the time and date when it was completely shutdown. I had to send it to Microsoft for fixing.

I was going to spend more on a Surface Pro 4 but this "low end" model of the Pro 3 was on sale for Christmas. Since I needed a device for mobility rather than power, I looked at this model and was won over by the price point. Given that the Pro 4 accessories are compatible with this model, it was an easy choice. In my opinion, using a 4 type cover and pen, the 3 is just as nice and you don't really miss the Pro 4's extra features. It's highly usable and Windows 10 was clearly designed with an eye towards the Surface. It's a great product and I have had no problems at all with it.

The Surface line of products are simply on another level. They stand in a league of their own. I wanted the Pro 4, but I couldn't pass up on the price of the Pro 3 at Best Buy. Plus I had an additional $100 off student discount. Excellent deal for an excellent product.