Review: Microsoft Surface 3 for Artists and Drawing
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The Surface 3 comes in two model; the 64GB with 2GB RAM and the 128GB with 4GB RAM. The mobile processor is a Quad Core Intel® Atom™ x7-Z8700 processor (1.6Ghz quad). This is not a very powerful processor for running games, but designed for low power consumption and light work. I’ve tested both model and found that the 4GB RAM is way better for drawing software or any software in general.
In this review, I’ll mainly focus on using the Surface 3 with 4GB RAM for drawing and digital painting. I will not review it’s processor performance benchmark and other technical aspect of the Surface 3, with something like the iPad and etc. I just wanted to give you my feedback on using the Surface 3 for/in my daily digital workflow. How is it to draw on the Surface 3 with the stylus and its responsiveness while using these software: ArtRage, Mischief, Sketchbook Pro, Manga Studio 5, Photoshop and Illustrator. And mainly is the Surface 3 right for you, the artist?
Conclusion. Is the Surface 3 for artist?
Yes!
I believe that is a great tablet for the artist starting or wanting to start doing digital works.
The size, weight and form factor of this 10.8 inch tablet is just perfect for sketching and painting while being mobile. It is a surprisingly powerful for Quad -Core Atom processor and yet has enough horsepower to do the mid-level works that I do.
For those that do more intensive works, the Surface Pro 3 with the i5 or i7 might be better for you. And if you are not sure and don’t want to drop over thousand plus dollars for the Pro, then the Surface 3 is it.
Pros and Cons
Pros
+ Light (620g)
+ Window OS can install any desktop application
+ 3:2 aspect ratio
+ 1920 by 1280 resolution
+ Almost the size of an A4 sketchbook
+ Price competitive with iPad Air
+ Pressure sensitive stylus (N-Trig 256 levels of pressure)
+ Good pre-installed calibration software for the stylus
+ Stylus is accurate
+ Portable drawing machine
+ Can charge with microUSB (commonly used to charge Android phones)
+ Expandable storage with microSD slot
+ Full size USB 3 port
+ Can handle Photoshop and layer work up to certain extent until you to save to reduce lag.
Cons
- Built in stand only has 3 positions
- Drawing on glass is really smooth (takes a while to get use to)
- Reflective screen
- Surface Pen stylus not included
- Wireless stylus' battery requires AAAA battery
- Slight jitter in linework when drawing slowly
- Certain software not optimized for tablet resolution (menus, tools too small)
- Adobe Suite version earlier than CC (e.g. CS6) are not optimized for tablet usage
- Maximum RAM at 4GB can be limiting
- CPU can't handle real paint textures (e.g. in ArtRage) as well compared to Surface Pro 3
- Battery lasts 4-5 hours for demanding Photoshop use, 7-8 hours with lesser software
- Whether pressure sensitivity is supported depends on individual drawing application