Dane Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 So I was wanting a Surface 2 last year but never got one. I would have been fine with what it could do. I now have been checking out the Surface 3, and just have a few questions since it runs full windows. If I want one for web (chrome),netflix,word and outlook, and maybe some games from the app store, and a very few select desktop apps and anti virus. Would the 2 gig ram model be ok, or should I go for the 128/ 4 gig ram option? I know nothing of the type of processor in them, how would that handle stuff? I am kind of leaning towards the 4gig ram model. Also, I wont be getting the pen, most likely, but would be getting the type pad. The pro's are out of my price range for what I would use it for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mockingbird Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Yes, the Surface 3 is fit for you. If you multitask a lot, get the 4GB RAM model, otherwise the 2GB RAM is probably sufficient. (How many tabs do you plan to have open in Chrome?) The RAM is NOT upgradable so choose wisely. DConnell 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Posted April 15, 2015 Author Share Posted April 15, 2015 Yes, the Surface 3 is fit for you. If you multitask a lot, get the 4GB RAM model, otherwise the 2GB RAM is probably sufficient. (How many tabs do you plan to have open in Chrome?) The RAM is NOT upgradable so choose wisely. Maybe 3-6 tabs plus word? I was thinking 4gig just because it's not upgradable. I'm curious how windows 10 will run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhangm Supervisor Posted April 15, 2015 Supervisor Share Posted April 15, 2015 I also recommend going with the 4 GB RAM. The Metro apps are usually fine, but I expect you'll find instances where you'll appreciate having the extra memory when running desktop programs. Jose_49 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKEITBILL Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 i wont suggest any one to get 2GB ram version. 4GB is absolute minimum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mockingbird Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 It this going to be your main computer? If it is a supplementary (type-reports-and-check-emails-while-at-Starbucks) computer then 2GB RAM is fine. If it's going to be your main computer, get the one with 4GB RAM in case of when you really need it. DConnell and Open Minded 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forjo Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 i wont suggest any one to get 2GB ram version. 4GB is absolute minimum. Anyone who has used a Windows 8 small tablet will tell you that even 1GB runs great for store apps. For his use case, 2GB would be fine. One thing to note is if you want to install an Android emulator or want to have more than one user and be able to switch between them you should get the 4GB model. But again for what he described, 2GB is just fine. Also, I'd strongly recommend using the Windows App version of Internet explorer. It's very fast, VERY secure, and very nice to use via touch. It already has a lot of the features of Spartan (reading view, for example) and allows you to pin your favorite sites right to the Start Screen. Everyone, you need to remember, the typical home Windows computer of just a few years ago only had 2GB of RAM. Even for Photoshop this was fine unless you were editing absolutely huge files with lots of layers. The VAST majority of users will not notice a difference between the 2GB Surface 3 and even a desktop computer. In fact, any desktop computer without an SDD will seem slower than a Surface 3 in most use cases. Future-proofing is always a good idea if your budget allows it, so get 4GB if you can. But you almost certainly NOT notice the different in daily use. -Forjo DConnell 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+E.Worm Jimmy Subscriber¹ Posted April 15, 2015 Subscriber¹ Share Posted April 15, 2015 I would get 4gb just because you cannot upgrade and you want a competent machine in case your use will require more memory. Open Minded 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 It this going to be your main computer? If it is a supplementary (type-reports-and-check-emails-while-at-Starbucks) computer then 2GB RAM is fine. If it's going to be your main computer, get the one with 4GB RAM in case of when you really need it. Nope. It will just be something I take to work. Thanks everyone for the replies so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anibal P Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 I'd still get 4 min, no point in having a gimped machine in case you decide to use it more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siah1214 Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Got a 2 gb Atom tablet. 2 gb does not feel "gimped". I'm also not stupid trying to edit movies or anything, just word, Outlook, Excel, stuff like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
link6155 Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Yes it should fit your needs just fine, and it might even surpasses it as well. It has the power to do web browsing just fine, but I recommend you stay away from Chrome if you're going to be using this as a on-the-go device. Chrome's touch support is pretty finicky and it's also a battery muncher. Internet Explorer actually is one of the most lightweight browser on Windows currently in terms of battery consumption. I would go with 4GB of ram as with 2GB you'll be hitting the max fairly often if you're running a couple of apps. Metro/Modern apps will work just fine even with 1GB of ram, but desktop are often times more demanding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrian Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Anyone who has used a Windows 8 small tablet will tell you that even 1GB runs great for store apps. For his use case, 2GB would be fine. One thing to note is if you want to install an Android emulator or want to have more than one user and be able to switch between them you should get the 4GB model. Yeah, I recently got a cheap Toshiba tablet with only 1 GB of RAM, and that was a mistake. Even worse, I found out later that they made a 2GB model, just that Best Buy didn't carry it (in that store, at least). This is unfortunate because I had planned on emulating Android apps, and the emulators won't even install on less than 2GB. With that said, 2GB would probably be sufficient. If you dedicate 1GB of RAM to Android that is as much or more than most Android devices have. I'd still recommend getting a 4GB Surface, though. You can never have enough memory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Open Minded Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Got a 2 gb Atom tablet. 2 gb does not feel "gimped". I'm also not stupid trying to edit movies or anything, just word, Outlook, Excel, stuff like that. I also just got a 2GB Atom tablet. 2 gigs is really not that bad for what I'm doing on it- Firefox, Civ 4 and 5 (surprisingly), Winamp, some app store games... nothing really too heavy. I did install an Android emulator and that brought the poor thing to its knees. I'm sure the 4 GB RAM version of the Surface would run the EMU with little problem especially with the new Atom SoC the Surface packs. That said, OP is getting close price-wise to the Surface Pro 3. Spending an extra 200 bucks and getting an i3 over an Atom is a HUGE upgrade not to mention the higher resolution screen and better GPU. If 64 gigs of storage is not enough, slap in an SD card. The Surface Pro 3 will last you longer and in my opinion is totally worth the extra 200 dollars since you're spending 600 dollars anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mockingbird Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 I am going to say get the one with 4GB RAM just to be safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisj1968 Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 i wont suggest any one to get 2GB ram version. 4GB is absolute minimum. with 2 usb ports add a 128GB stick for added space. or am I really off track? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
link6155 Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 with 2 usb ports add a 128GB stick for added space. or am I really off track? A USB flashdrive is one more thing you need to carry, however, the Surface 3 does have Micro SD expansion support. You can buy a 128GB Micro SD card instead. You can just stick it in behind the kickstand and forget about it while a flashdrive you may need to remove it from time to time if you're taking the Surface in and out of a backpack or a carrying case. DConnell 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pookie62 Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 My main machine is still a Q6600 with 4GB DDR2 RAM... using Office 2013 and Quicken, Paint.NET, mainly office applications. I'm leaning towards one of these tablets as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GotBored Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 My main machine is still a Q6600 with 4GB DDR2 RAM... using Office 2013 and Quicken, Paint.NET, mainly office applications. I'm leaning towards one of these tablets as well. Mine is a i7-2600K / 16GB DDR3 RAM / GTX 590 which I last upgraded around 3-4 years ago I think and I just bought a brand new i5 laptop, 4gb ram with an intel gpu and it feels laggy as hell in comparison even though its 3-4 years newer. I really want to go and get a Pro 3 or any other windows portable touch tablet but don't feel they are at a stage now where they can do everything I want and do it without considerable lag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greycaptain Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 I am looking at getting either a Surface 3 or a Surface Pro 3. My use would be primarily for travel (I do travel extensively) and would primarily be watching movies on it (streaming), MS Office suite, Heavy Internet Browsing, etc. I'm debating on the Surface Pro 3 with 8GB Ram and 256 HD Bundle for $1500. or the Surface 3 with 4GB Ram 128 GB HD Bundle for $700.00. Does anyone have an opinion? Also, does the Surface 3 allow me to install software that isn't in the APP Store? From what I know the Surface 2 was locked to only software available in the App store. Thanks in advance for any help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osiris Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 You'd be surprised what you can run on 2GB ram with Windows 8, let alone windows 10, however forward thinking and the fact that you might want to do more with it at some point, id recommend the 4GB model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osiris Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Also, does the Surface 3 allow me to install software that isn't in the APP Store? From what I know the Surface 2 was locked to only software available in the App store. Yes you can install any application (not just apps) on the Surface 3. I am looking at getting either a Surface 3 or a Surface Pro 3. My use would be primarily for travel (I do travel extensively) and would primarily be watching movies on it (streaming), MS Office suite, Heavy Internet Browsing, etc. If that's all you are using it for then the Surface 3 with 4GB ram would meet your requirements. Forjo 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greycaptain Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Yes you can install any application (not just apps) on the Surface 3. If that's all you are using it for then the Surface 3 with 4GB ram would meet your requirements. Thank you for the info and your response. Also, wold that be enough to run downloads on a bit torrent client? One of my favorite bands allows recordings of their shows to be put up on torrent and I'd like to be able to get them while traveling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrian Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Yes. But you need wifi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osiris Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 @greycaptain, +1 to what Darrian said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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