Apple iPad Pro: Is it really a Surface Pro Killer?

Tech comparisons often fall into confirmation bias, telling people what they want to hear. Let’s get my personal bias out of the way right now. I’m a big fan of Microsoft’s current strategy of consolidating their operating systems under Windows 10, and making sure you can access all of their services no matter which phone, tablet, or computer you use.

Apple keynote wwdc 2015Screenshot (26)_resultApple made a lot of news yesterday announcing new iPhones, a new Apple TV, Apple Watch updates, and the iPad Pro. It seems pretty clear that Apple has the Surface Pro in their sites, as Microsoft is starting to build a little momentum with their “PC in a Tablet Shell” formula. There was a lot of talk from Apple over how their new tablets and phones were “desktop powerful” devices thanks to new mobile processors.

Pricing, form factor, accessories, even the apps showcased, Apple claims they have the solution for mobile productivity. How does their new iPad Pro compare to the older Surface Pro 3? Let’s take a look.

Continue reading “Apple iPad Pro: Is it really a Surface Pro Killer?”

CTIA 2014 – Toast Real Wood Covers for iPhone 6, LG G3, and Surface Pro 3

Toast is one of my favorite case and cover manufacturers, using real wood for their skins, manufacturing here in the United States, and power their plant with renewable energy. I got a chance to check out their upcoming covers for the LG G3, iPhone 6, and Surface Pro 3!

Review: Toast Cover for the Pebble Smartwatch
Review: Toast Cover for the Samsung Galaxy S5

FYI: Intel Core i3 and i7 Versions of the Surface Pro 3 Now Available!

11Surface Pro 3 NYC EventThe surface Pro 3 made quite a splash when it was first announced, but only the Core i5 units were available at launch.

Microsoft has now updated the Surface Pro 3 ordering page with all five variations of the new LapTab (I’m really trying to make that word happen as I’m tired of explaining how the Surface blurs the lines between LAPtops and TABlets).

The Core i3 version starts at $799 with 64GB of storage. Core i5 versions have either 128GB or 256GB, and Core i7 models will pack 256GB or 512GB. That last option, the Core i7 with 512GB will cost $1949. Going through each option though, Microsoft has done a decent enough job of hitting various prove points for people with specific needs.

We’re you waiting out the i7 model before taking the plunge? Maybe considering replacing your regular tablet with an i3 Surface? Drop us a comment below!

And for no good reason, here’s a pic of a Surface Pro 3 being dropped from shoulder height again…

Surface Pro 3 live drop test

Microsoft Shows Off New Surface Pro 3 Laptop/Tablet Hybrid PC

51Surface Pro 3 NYC EventAt a press event in New York City today, CEO Satya Nadella discussed the company’s hardware strategy, emphasizing that Microsoft was not competing with their manufacturing partners, but using their hardware experiments to push the boundaries of their software and hardware integration.

34Surface Pro 3 NYC EventHead of the Surface Team, Panos Panay took the stage with a couple quips regarding Microsoft’s press coverage in the past. Discussing the market, where 96% of tablet owners still own a laptop, Panay took the wraps off the Surface Pro 3. Featuring an even thinner design, 9.1mm almost 2 milimeters thinner than the Surface Pro 2, it’s the slimmest Core i7 product available. Microsoft estimates a 10% performance boost over the Pro 2.

2Surface Pro 3 NYC EventThe screen size has increased to a 12 inch diagonal with a new 3:2 aspect ratio and a proper 2K resolution of 2160×1440. All of this improvement without increasing weight, and Surface Pro 3 will come in at 800 grams. Yet we’ll likely see about a 10-20% improvement in battery life.  Continue reading “Microsoft Shows Off New Surface Pro 3 Laptop/Tablet Hybrid PC”