The Surface 3 Review
by Brett Howse on May 4, 2015 9:00 AM ESTWi-Fi Performance
For networking, the Surface 3 features the same Marvell AVASTAR 802.11ac network adapter as its big brother. I have seen a lot of the firmware updates for Surface Pro 3 over the last year being network related, so hopefully they have all of the bugs out of it by now. During my time with the Surface 3, I did not have any issues with it. It is a standard 2x2:2 setup, and the top of the Surface 3 has a plastic section to act as a RF window.
The average speed during our TCP test was just about 350 Mbps, which is not too bad but well off of the Broadcom devices, which can see over 500 Mbps.
Speakers
The Surface 3 features to forward facing speakers hidden in the display bezel. It makes for a nice look, and having the speakers facing you helps a lot with stereo and should help with the overall sound quality too.
The Surface 3 is not especially loud, and the frequency response is about what you would expect for a small device with no room for proper speakers. There is almost no sound below 150 Hz, and around 15 kHz the sound drops away. Maximum volume I observed while playing music was 76 dB(A).
Camera
This tablet has two cameras, with the rear camera being an auto-focus 8 MP unit, and the front facing camera is actually a decent camera as well, with 2304 x 1536 resolution shots. The one quirk with the front facing camera though is that it really works best when the kickstand is in the first position, and because this is not a laptop with an adjustable hinge, you will always be limited to where it points.
The rear camera though is surprisingly good, even in low light. I am still not a fan of using a tablet to take pictures, but if you have to, this one will please you.
It will work in a pinch, but I will stick to my smartphone when I can.
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Skywax9016 - Monday, May 18, 2015 - link
Asus also have Transformer Book T300 Chi for a tablet with the same specs as UX305 actually. I actually agree that Surface 3 is a pretty reliable tablet, but for the price, it will face some heavy competition to stay afloat.RafaelHerschel - Tuesday, May 5, 2015 - link
I fail to see the appeal of access to apps that I don't need. With larger screens, higher resolutions, faster internet connections and more responsive websites, apps have become less relevant. And the stuff that is really useful to me is available for Windows.Separate point: for serious work on location, I use a bluetooth mouse, something that can't be done with an iPad.
MrTetts - Tuesday, May 5, 2015 - link
I think we (as people who are interested in surface 3/pro 3) are a different kind of user to people who would want an ipad or something to play with. We are professionals/content creators as opposed to content consumers.zhenya00 - Tuesday, May 5, 2015 - link
I disagree. As battery life has become an ever more important consideration in our modern devices, legacy Windows programs are becoming ever more out of date with their ability to consume as many resources as they like, indefinitely. Add to that the poor UI, the lack of any notification system, the incompatibility with Connected Standby, etc. desktop programs are anchors dragging Windows down with them.RafaelHerschel - Tuesday, May 5, 2015 - link
This is not something that I have encountered. I will always prefer a desktop for prolonged work. From a notebook and/or tablet I expect a mix of fun, convenience and productivity.A Windows tablet will work with MS Office, iTunes, Netflix, Kindle, Google Play. I can look stuff up on Wikipedia, IMDb and so on. I haven't experienced any problem with cumbersome controls or poor battery life. A big advantage is that I can hook up a mouse, not something I can do with an iPad.
I do have an iPad Air and a Samsung Galaxy S. Both are great devices, but the new Surface models seem to offer more of everything. If I didn't need more than one tablet, I would probably choose the Surface.
bleached - Saturday, May 16, 2015 - link
I have a work SP3 and I feel the interface is very cumbersome when used as a tablet. I use Android for most anything else and I would barely call the SP3 a tablet. You quickly miss all the small things in Android like global multitasking, the back button, notification shade, quick settings, touch first UI and especially the lack of tablet apps.The SP3 is a great laptop but a crappy tablet.
simard57 - Thursday, May 7, 2015 - link
how are you getting to $930?$600 + $130 for cover is $730
simard57 - Monday, May 4, 2015 - link
price is on par with an iPad but it is seems more capable.how is it overpriced?
mkozakewich - Monday, May 4, 2015 - link
iPad has better performance and battery life. A keyboard usually only costs $80 or less, too.Frankly, this should cost $50 less if they really want to compete. (I mean, all their margins are in the keyboard covers, anyway.)
AmbroseAthan - Monday, May 4, 2015 - link
Better performance is very subjective if comparing the iPad to the Surface 3. Personally, I would take a Surface for access to Windows, being the actual programs would be much better than the iOS app alternatives.If all I was doing was videos and needed only light applications for work, than the iPad is not bad.