Surfacing to the top

Windows computing’s a notch higher with the Microsoft Surface Pro 3

From reading this space in the past, you might recall that I’ve been using the same laptop for six years (and counting). It’s pretty hard to part ways with your very first major geeky companion outside your home country.
As with the other mobile computers I’ve reviewed before, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 is tempting me to &consider a replacement. And this time, the temptation is more serious than ever. This tablet/notebook is arguably Microsoft mobility at its finest; while the previous iterations of the Surface Pro did fairly well, #3 adds a few more oomphs.
The Pro 3’s screen is up at 12”, against the Pro 2’s 10.6”, plus its improved pixels give it an even brighter display. The kickstand — while a bit tough to swivel — can be swung almost all the way (75 degrees, I estimate), allowing you to adjust the device to your viewing pleasure.
To fully harness its claim that it can replace mobile PCs, &you need to have the improved Type Cover — sold separately, however. But trust me, you can do more by using it, and I &absolutely enjoyed typing with it (and  I rarely like typing while not on a full-sized keyboard). Plus, Microsoft’s done a good job improving the Type Cover as well.
Also say hello to another improved sidekick, the Surface Pen; it comes with the unit, thank goodness. Many apps — such as those from Adobe and Corel — have already been launched to make full use of it; you can convert your handwriting into text, be Da Vinci-esque, or just doodle around. The pen’s top button brings a touch of magic — pressing it launches OneNote.
Two things we need to point out though — it does heat up with fairly heavy use, and its battery life isn’t exactly geared for all-day pleasure; Microsoft lists it at nine hours — with certain settings off — but our mixed-use test yielded only about five hours of juice.
AND SO...
There’s a lot to like about the Microsoft Surface Pro 3; it does good on its promise to make you at least consider replacing &your old laptop; still, there’s lots of room for improvement, especially on the battery. One more “drawback”: it is available in the UAE, but only to business/commercial clients, and not the general public. However, it will be rolled out here sometime this year. But seriously, while this device was in my possession, I almost forgot about my six-year-old laptop. 
alvin@khaleejtimes.com

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THE LAUNCHPAD
Microsoft Lumia 430 — The Lumia 430 is dual-SIM, has a 4” WVGA display, has a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, and runs on the latest Windows Phone 8.1. It’s also the most affordable Lumia that will be upgradeable to Windows 10, when it debuts later in 2015. (approx Dh259) 
Nokia 215 — It gets even more affordable with the Nokia 215, the most affordable Internet-ready phone. “Designed to connect and introduce first-time mobile phone buyers to the Internet and new digital experiences”, it’s available in single- and dual-SIM and boasts of “outstanding” battery life. (Dh109)

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