Surface 2 vs Surface 3: Should you upgrade?

Surface 2 vs Surface 3

In that location are a few key points worth considering earlier making any last decisions. Permit's break it down.

Surface 2

The operating system - adieu, bye Windows RT

Windows RT is dead. Long live Windows RT. The new Surface 3 is the offset that doesn't carry the 'Pro' title to come with the full version of Windows 8.one. And that'due south a big deal, because information technology gives it a longer lifespan than the Surface ii, regardless of how long you may have endemic one.

We're talking about Windows ten. The Surface 3 will get the complimentary upgrade to Windows 10 later this year. The Surface 2 volition non. Or at least, not the full version. Right now the future of RT based devices is unknown, with Microsoft hinting they'll become some kind of update only not the full Windows 10 treatment.

Likewise future software upgrades, there'southward another huge benefit to the Surface 3 over the Surface ii. Similar its bigger brother, the Surface Pro 3, the Surface iii can exist a full Windows workstation at home and on the go. It can be a laptop, it can every bit be a desktop PC in conjunction with the optional Docking Station. It tin run Windows desktop apps non just modernistic apps, and for many, that's a huge bargain.

Nevertheless, if you lot bought a Surface 2, presumably you're fine with running but Mod apps. If that hasn't changed, then getting a Surface 3 may not be necessary. Only if you want to time to come-proof yourself a little better, it's worth considering.

Surface 2

No more ARM chips

While we wouldn't say the general performance of the Surface 2 was bad, there have been critics of Windows running on ARM chips similar the Tegra 4 inside it. Microsoft, at least for at present, appears to have given upwards on ARM powered Windows devices. They were exclusive to Windows RT and with that exiting stage left, there's no longer a demand.

Instead, the new Surface 3 packs Intel's latest quad-core Atom CPU. Information technology's an unknown quantity however, only functioning in the Mod apps yous're used to as a Surface 2 owner isn't likely to exist any worse. These apps run well on even low ability Windows tablets so yous're going to be in for a good ride.

In tandem Microsoft is promising "all day bombardment life." Whether that's truthful or not in part will depend on how long your day is and how much you lot're doing with it.

Surface 3

A change in class

The Surface 2 was very much to be used in landscape way. The Surface iii follows the three:2 aspect ratio of the Surface Pro 3 and that makes a deviation to how you use it. In landscape it's taller, in portrait it'southward wider. It makes for a more than comfortable experience as a tablet. Every bit a laptop-esque device, the Surface two was but fine. Propped upwards with the kickstand with its keyboard docked. But 16:9 tablets similar this aren't as fun to use every bit a tablet.

The Surface Pro 3 is actually pretty great to use in portrait orientation for reading, despite having a large 12.2-inch display. The Surface iii is a little smaller and should exist even better to use this fashion.

Surface 2

A few other points to note

The Surface 3 has the same support for a digital pen that the Pro tablet has. Albeit the pen is an optional purchase at $l.
The kickstand on the Surface 3 has an extra position when compared to the Surface ii. 3 vs 2.
The Surface 3 charges using microUSB. Something no other Surface tablet has to date. If you ain any phone but an iPhone y'all'll likely accept plenty of microUSB cables lying around.
Like the Surface 2, the Surface 3 will eventually be bachelor in cellular class with LTE data back up.
If you're into taking photos with your Surface for whatsoever reason, the rear camera in the Surface 3 should exist much better. It could fifty-fifty improve that in the Surface Pro three.
The Surface three has a larger display just is still lighter than the Surface ii.
The Surface 3 comes with one free year of Office 365.

Surface 2

The bottom line

No-1 can decide whether y'all should upgrade but you lot. We can help you lot with that, merely ultimately it'due south your money and your decision. If yous're perfectly happy with the Surface 2 and how it works right now, then you might be fine hanging on to information technology for a while longer. If y'all utilize primarily Modern apps and have no desire to venture into the desktop, the Surface 2 will go on beingness the device you've enjoyed thus far. Unless you're looking, longingly, at Windows 10.

Ultimately that could be the deal breaker. The Surface 2 volition not get Windows 10 in the same way that the Surface three volition. Then if you want to commencement using your Surface for more, getting into the desktop and even using it as a laptop, it'due south absolutely worth moving up. There's then much added value with the Surface three such equally the digital pen, the updated hardware, the alter in form factor and even the twelvemonth of Office 365 Microsoft will give you for free.

Sadly the future is a piddling dour for the Surface 2. The future is brighter for the Surface 3. If information technology's a future you desire to exist part of, definitely think virtually upgrading.

Are y'all making the upgrade or sticking with what you already have? Let us know in the comments beneath!

Protect your Surface Pro with one of these great cases

Buyer's guide

Protect your Surface Pro with ane of these dandy cases

You have a Surface Pro in your hands and you want to protect it. This roundup of cases compatible with Pro four, Pro (2017), Pro 6, Pro seven, and Pro 7 Plus covers rugged and stylish options so that you find something you like.