Businesspeople are always looking for smaller, lighter and more portable computing systems that can still do everything their larger predecessors were able to do.
Microsoft's latest creation, the Surface Pro 3, is smaller than a laptop, has most of the same functions as a laptop and has a lower starting price point than most laptops. Microsoft advertising states that their tablet can replace your laptop - but, can it really? Let's examine the key comparison points between the two.
Screen Size - Laptop Wins
The tablet has a smaller screen compared to a laptop of the same price. The Surface begins at about $800 dollars and that model has a 12.5 inch screen. Comparably-priced laptops are available with anywhere from a 13 inch to a 15-inch screen. A 12.5-inch screen though is a sufficiently usable size screen for most applications and uses.
Using it On Your Lap - Laptop Wins
What if your "mobile" use primarily means taking your computer home with you every night and using it on your lap on the couch? The laptop sits up on its own and works fine on your lap. The Surface has a kickstand to prop the screen up in the same that way a laptop sits, but the disadvantage here is that the kickstand has a harder time staying up when placed on an uneven area like your lap - while the flat-bottom of a laptop was designed, well, to sit on the top of your lap.
External Connectivity Options - Laptop Wins
Both the Surface and laptops have a track pad for a mouse as well as a keyboard. Most laptops have 3 or more USB ports to connect whatever peripheral you need to use. The Surface only has one USB port, but you can increase this number by using a USB splitter.
Also, laptops have a standard VGA/HDMI port to connect to a larger secondary monitor. The Surface Pro 3 uses a mini displayport, which will likely require you to use an adaptor to connect it to a VGA or HDMI monitor or projector.
Both the Surface Pro 3 and most laptops come with Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity.
Weight - Surface Wins
The Surface Pro 3 weighs 1.76 lbs., much less than most comparable laptops. Laptops vary in weight from 2.95 lbs (Chromebook 2) to 4.7 lbs (Dell Inspiron). If you are a road warrior, then the lighter Surface Pro 3 can make a huge difference in your daily quality of life.
Operating Versatility - Laptop Wins
The Surface Pro 3 only runs Windows 8/8.1. A laptop can run many versions of Windows - so if your business software requires the use of the older Windows 7 or (gasp!) even older Windows XP, then your only choice is a laptop.
For Light to Moderate Office Work - Tie
The Surface Pro 3 has three options for a microprocessor. There is the Core i3, which starts around $800, the Core i5 starting at $1000 and the Core i7, starting at $1550. The i3 is ideal for light Office work, web browsing and streaming videos. The i5 is ideal for heavy Office use, multi-tasking and casual gaming. The i7 is ideal for video or photo editing or other more-demanding professional-grade applications. Based on the low price point of the lowest end model, the Surface Pro 3 wins when compared to a low-end laptop.
For Heavy App Usage - Use a Desktop
Neither laptops nor the Surface Pro 3 are meant to efficiently run your CAD or 3D design software. Get the right tool for the job.
Touchscreen Applications - Surface Wins
Laptops don't have a touch screen, while the Surface Pro 3 is a touchscreen. This allows you to use the Surface pro 3 both as a tablet and as a laptop.
Apps plus Applications - Surface Wins
Laptops run software applications like Outlook, QuickBooks, and Photoshop. The Surface Pro 3 does this also, but it can also run mobile apps that can be downloaded from the Windows Store (same as the Apple App Store and Google Play.)
Who Wins?
Unfortunately there is no clear-cut winner - every situation is different. Your IT support and consulting partner should be able to help you determine if a Surface Pro 3 or a laptop is the right choice for your business. It's also possible that you will use both - but for different users.
For more questions, feel free to contact us at 973-227-5020 or visit us at http://indcorp.com.
Microsoft's latest creation, the Surface Pro 3, is smaller than a laptop, has most of the same functions as a laptop and has a lower starting price point than most laptops. Microsoft advertising states that their tablet can replace your laptop - but, can it really? Let's examine the key comparison points between the two.
Screen Size - Laptop Wins
The tablet has a smaller screen compared to a laptop of the same price. The Surface begins at about $800 dollars and that model has a 12.5 inch screen. Comparably-priced laptops are available with anywhere from a 13 inch to a 15-inch screen. A 12.5-inch screen though is a sufficiently usable size screen for most applications and uses.
Using it On Your Lap - Laptop Wins
What if your "mobile" use primarily means taking your computer home with you every night and using it on your lap on the couch? The laptop sits up on its own and works fine on your lap. The Surface has a kickstand to prop the screen up in the same that way a laptop sits, but the disadvantage here is that the kickstand has a harder time staying up when placed on an uneven area like your lap - while the flat-bottom of a laptop was designed, well, to sit on the top of your lap.
External Connectivity Options - Laptop Wins
Both the Surface and laptops have a track pad for a mouse as well as a keyboard. Most laptops have 3 or more USB ports to connect whatever peripheral you need to use. The Surface only has one USB port, but you can increase this number by using a USB splitter.
Also, laptops have a standard VGA/HDMI port to connect to a larger secondary monitor. The Surface Pro 3 uses a mini displayport, which will likely require you to use an adaptor to connect it to a VGA or HDMI monitor or projector.
Both the Surface Pro 3 and most laptops come with Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity.
Weight - Surface Wins
The Surface Pro 3 weighs 1.76 lbs., much less than most comparable laptops. Laptops vary in weight from 2.95 lbs (Chromebook 2) to 4.7 lbs (Dell Inspiron). If you are a road warrior, then the lighter Surface Pro 3 can make a huge difference in your daily quality of life.
Operating Versatility - Laptop Wins
The Surface Pro 3 only runs Windows 8/8.1. A laptop can run many versions of Windows - so if your business software requires the use of the older Windows 7 or (gasp!) even older Windows XP, then your only choice is a laptop.
For Light to Moderate Office Work - Tie
The Surface Pro 3 has three options for a microprocessor. There is the Core i3, which starts around $800, the Core i5 starting at $1000 and the Core i7, starting at $1550. The i3 is ideal for light Office work, web browsing and streaming videos. The i5 is ideal for heavy Office use, multi-tasking and casual gaming. The i7 is ideal for video or photo editing or other more-demanding professional-grade applications. Based on the low price point of the lowest end model, the Surface Pro 3 wins when compared to a low-end laptop.
For Heavy App Usage - Use a Desktop
Neither laptops nor the Surface Pro 3 are meant to efficiently run your CAD or 3D design software. Get the right tool for the job.
Touchscreen Applications - Surface Wins
Laptops don't have a touch screen, while the Surface Pro 3 is a touchscreen. This allows you to use the Surface pro 3 both as a tablet and as a laptop.
Apps plus Applications - Surface Wins
Laptops run software applications like Outlook, QuickBooks, and Photoshop. The Surface Pro 3 does this also, but it can also run mobile apps that can be downloaded from the Windows Store (same as the Apple App Store and Google Play.)
Who Wins?
Unfortunately there is no clear-cut winner - every situation is different. Your IT support and consulting partner should be able to help you determine if a Surface Pro 3 or a laptop is the right choice for your business. It's also possible that you will use both - but for different users.
For more questions, feel free to contact us at 973-227-5020 or visit us at http://indcorp.com.