Doesn't this defeat the mobile nature of the Surface Line of Devices?
Surface Pro 3 - Why?
- Thread starter Knuck
- Start date
Doesn't this defeat the mobile nature of the Surface Line of Devices?
RT is not dead.... it will be tweaked and Windows Phone and RT will merge. I truly believe that the delay was due to needing Office Gemini for the MINI. If you read the reviews of using the Windows Desktop on an 8" device you'll notice it is a frustration experience at best. I used Windows 7 on a 7" device for a year, not fun.
With respect to the list of my USB devices, I was in error with respect to the printer as it is networked and not connected by USB. The 2 scanners are necessary as one is a high speed document scanner and the other a photo scanner. The hard drives are each 3 tb set up in a Raid configuration for data security and are easily swapped out if they fail without data loss or downtime. Didn't find any Bluetooth speakers I liked. I could switch out the keyboard to a Bluetooth version but find connectivity inconsistent and frustrating especially for an input device. The monitor is a connected through the dislayport but must also have a USB connection as it allows for internal hardware calibration which s important for my work. I forgot to mention I also have a Wacom Pro tablet hooked up. Although this may be overkill for some, the point is that many of us using it as a desktop will have more than 7 USB devices hooked up.
I agree that this is overkill for most SP2 users and i did not initially intend to use it as a desktop when I bought it. Once i realized how powerful the SP2 was i quickly realized it easily handled my desktop tasks and used it accordingly. That's why I find the SP2 so unique. It can be used as a tablet, laptop and desktop. My point about the USB limitation in my originally post was in reference to the SP3 i7 models which Microsoft must intend to be used partially as a desktop replacement given its price and the newly announced docking station. At that price point it should be able to handle several peripherals. Obviously I don't need all of my peripherals on at one time such as the display clalibrator or SD transfer card but it is a hassle to have to unplug one peripheral when I connect another. I have never had this issue with any of the laptops I have docked in the past.
I really love the SP2 even with all of its quirks and was excited to see where this product line was going. I was motivated to write the original post as I was disappointed with the direction the SP3 is taking and how quickly it has come out. I do not have an issue with the new tablet and it's different form factor etc. it should have been announced as a new product, like the mini surface will be, not as an SP3. The fact Microsoft has called it an SP3 tells me they are going away from what I like so much about the SP2.
I agree that this is overkill for most SP2 users and i did not initially intend to use it as a desktop when I bought it. Once i realized how powerful the SP2 was i quickly realized it easily handled my desktop tasks and used it accordingly. That's why I find the SP2 so unique. It can be used as a tablet, laptop and desktop. My point about the USB limitation in my originally post was in reference to the SP3 i7 models which Microsoft must intend to be used partially as a desktop replacement given its price and the newly announced docking station. At that price point it should be able to handle several peripherals. Obviously I don't need all of my peripherals on at one time such as the display clalibrator or SD transfer card but it is a hassle to have to unplug one peripheral when I connect another. I have never had this issue with any of the laptops I have docked in the past.
I really love the SP2 even with all of its quirks and was excited to see where this product line was going. I was motivated to write the original post as I was disappointed with the direction the SP3 is taking and how quickly it has come out. I do not have an issue with the new tablet and it's different form factor etc. it should have been announced as a new product, like the mini surface will be, not as an SP3. The fact Microsoft has called it an SP3 tells me they are going away from what I like so much about the SP2.
Last edited:
I think Microsoft would be happy to hear that you realized how powerful it is as an all-in-one device - tablet, laptop and desktop, but may be didn't think that someone would take it to the extreme and have that many devices connected simultaneously. That being said, you may want to try something other than the MS Dock. I have the Plugable UD-3900 and it has 2 USB 3 and 4 USB2.0 ports on it and it has been working great. I haven't maxxed out the ports, but it might be an interesting exercise to try it out sometime.
I am waiting for the SP3 since I returned my SP2, but I am hoping that it would be powerful enough to handle almost everything I throw at it.
I am waiting for the SP3 since I returned my SP2, but I am hoping that it would be powerful enough to handle almost everything I throw at it.
Thanks for the tip mohcho. I'll look into the UD-3900, although I need at least 4 USB 3 ports. Unless they do some magic in managing USB resources, I think it will still have the same limitations.
By putting in an i7 chip and asking $1549 and $1949 for the two models, Microsoft must have contemplated high end use well beyond a tablet. That's why its so disappointing that they didn't look into properly upgrading the graphics chip and expand the available ports.
Its an i7 ULV SoC that is S0iX Compliant, they aren't creating a Mobile Workstation with Dedicated Graphics designed for Complex 3D CAD Renderings, these are targeted at Prosumers, BYOD Workers, Mobile Professionals and Executives as well as wealthier (or at least well endowed Financial Aid recipients).
Microsoft is looking towards creating highly mobile Halo Devices that showcase their cloud technologies....
Well, in their marketing promo for the SP3, they have involved an architectural firm to show the benefits of being able to render and edit drawings while on the go.
And I am very surprised about the gaming potential of the Surface line. I was able to finish Tomb Raider on the SP2. It's not a high end gaming rig, but for what it is, it's quite a feat.
And I am very surprised about the gaming potential of the Surface line. I was able to finish Tomb Raider on the SP2. It's not a high end gaming rig, but for what it is, it's quite a feat.
Nuspieds
Active Member
I am currently using this hub:
Amazon.com: Cable Matters 10-Port SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Hub: Computers & Accessories
I have used all 10 ports simultaneously without any issues. As a matter of fact, average is 9 simultaneously. Same situation when I previously used other brands but the only reason I switched was due to device (specifically, Hard Disk) throughput; otherwise, no problem using 10 devices all connected to the hub.
You don't need a desktop to connect and use that many devices. A USB 3.0 hub does the job on Surface Pro.
Thx. I'll give it a go.
Nuspieds
Active Member
There shouldn't be a problem because I have been able to simultaneously use all 10 devices on my hub without any issues; been doing this since my SP1.
Everybody has their own use case and I can tell you that I have a NAS, but I also have 5 USB drives that I connect simultaneously to my hub to perform certain processes. Each drive serves a different purpose and I prefer to perform my processes in parallel rather than serially.
In addition to the 5, I have my Audio, Fingerprint Reader, iPhone, and Ethernet devices connected. That's 9 in use, on average, and that leaves one extra for my camera, TV remote control, ad-hoc USB stick work, etc. Bottom line is that everyone has his/her own use case and I have had no issues regularly using 10 devices simultaneously with my SP1 or SP2.
