How can a Surface Pro 3 replace a laptop?

Laptops have optical drives.

Does a Surface Pro 3 have 1TB of storage to hold entire video and music collection + photos?

Their is no SD Card reader (ok there is microSD).

Not all laptops have optical drives now either. If you need need one you can always have an external one.

It doesn't have 1TB storage but then not everyone needs that much storage. And if they did they could use a NAS to store the large files on.

For SD cards you could get a USB SD card reader.

It might not be suitable to replace everyone's laptop but for many people it could be an ideal choice.

It's a similar configuration like ultrabooks. The only problem with S3 and all Surfaces when considering them as a laptop is that the covers to be used as a keyboard do not hold their position, so you cannot use them comfortably on your lap, with laptop you open the keyboard in a certain angle at it stays like that. S3 is gorgeous though, I could not resist and got one

I got one too! Specifically to replace my laptop (Samsung Series 5 13.3 ultrabook) and my tablet (Galaxy Tab 2 10.1), as wanted one device instead of switching between the two constantly, and I am in school 8hrs a day so needed a device with full Windows/Office functionality that would last that long. It's actually lighter than both my old laptop (Samsung Series 5 ultrabook) and tablet, which I have now sold. It's just like carrying around an A4 sized thin book. I store all of my work/student related files to the cloud, mostly on OneDrive, the rest on Google Docs. I don't have masses of large files or music so less physical storage not an issue for me. I can actually use it comfortably on my lap. It's a great device, no regrets.

And because of a kick stand you can watch various videos hands free BTW do you use the cover for typing when you have it on your lap? I found out I rarely need it at all, just as a screen protector when transporting the tablet.

I do yeah, I love the keyboard - think i am still scratching the surface with this device (pardon the pun)!

i can't see the need for a Surface Pro at all when for a similar price you can get a Macbook Air ???

Why would I want that? Let's say screen resolution, 1440 x 900 vs. 2160 x 1440.

The SP3 is for people who want the ability to switch between laptop and tablet, without losing any functionality. I wanted one device instead of a laptop AND a tablet. Full Windows OS, so the ability to install full desktop applications like Microsoft Office (essential to handle my 20,000 word dissertation). Plus the SP3 is gorgeous

There are millions of us who need to run Windows applications at work.

Fair enough. Its just someone asked me only a couple of days to find a decent priced Surface Pro for university. After looking at the price , and benefit v MacBook Air which is a similar price point I convinced them to go for the MacBook.

Plus when you factor in a keyboard, it can get very expensive??

I believe its normally sold without the keyboard at around £639??

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computi...26041-pdt.html

I'm sure theyre nice pieces of kit, but at that price point you start heading into Apple territory!

Can't argue about the costs, it isn't cheap and it would be of course be better if the keyboard was included in the price - but student discounts of around £100 are available via the Microsoft UK store.

The Surface Pro is for those who want to be able to have the convenience of a tablet and the power of a laptop in one device. It's essentially a laptop in tablet form. Macs are nice but not everyone likes them and even though you can run Windows on them some people don't feel right about it. The Surface Pro could easily be used as someone's main computer. My dad has one and he uses it more than he uses his Windows 7 laptops. He has the Pro 2 but he didn't like the Pro 3 because of the bigger screen.

The lower end Macbook Airs only have a 1366 x 768 display!

Better screen resolution, touchscreen, pen input, can be used as a tablet or a laptop, thinner, lighter, greater choice of software than Mac, more compatible with most business networks, optional docking station makes it a desktop replacement.

The Air's advantages are better battery life and easier to use on your lap with the keyboard. OSX can be considered an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your OS preference.

There's lots of potential advantages over a MacBook Air.

Gabe, the artist/gamer behind online strip Penny Arcade, tried a Surface Pro and loved it. He drew his next days strip on it and then played games.

One thing he didn't mention, and may not have known since MS don't appear to tell anyone, is that even with the Surface RT you can plug a MS X Box controller into the USB socket and use that to play games.