Portable Device for Uni - Surface Pro 3 Vs MacBook Air Vs Toshiba Kira

Ventak on 26/03/2015 - 22:08
Last edited 27/03/2015 - 00:37 by 1 other user

I intend to use the device for some programming, internet surfing, taking notes at uni & general Office stuff (won't really be for gaming, but if I do use it for that, it won't be anything intensive). I'm looking at these devices:

Device Specs Cheapest Price
Macbook Air Intel i5 5th Gen, 11 inches display, 1366x768 resolution (HD+), 16:9 aspect ratio, 4GB RAM/8GB RAM, 128GB Flash Storage, Intel HD Graphics 6000, 1.08kg weight $1179 for 4GB RAM, $1309 for 8GB RAM
Surface Pro 3 + Type Cover Intel i5 4th Gen, 12 inches display, 2160x1440 resolution, 3:2 aspect ratio, 4GB RAM, 128GB Storage, Intel HD Graphics 4400, includes Win 8.1 Pro, 0.78kg weight $1123
Toshiba Kira Ultrabook Intel i5 5th Gen, 13.3 inches display, 1920x1080 resolution (Full HD), 16:9 aspect ratio, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD Storage, Intel HD Graphics 5500, includes Win 8.1 Pro, 1.1kg weight $1298
Lenovo Yoga 3 2-in-1 Intel i5 5th Gen, 13.3 inches display, 1920x1080 resolution (Full HD), 16:9 aspect ratio, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD Storage, Intel HD Graphics 5500, includes Win 8.1, 1.6kg weight $1102.45

Poll Options expired

  • 10
    Macbook Air
  • 15
    Surface Pro 3 + Type Cover
  • 2
    Toshiba Kira Ultrabook (2014)
  • 0
    Lenovo Yoga 3 2-in-1
Computing

Comments

  • dylanando on 26/03/2015 - 22:19

    Aiirrrrr, cause

  • iridiumstem on 26/03/2015 - 22:21

    My personal opinion is:

    If you need more typing than anything, Macbook air or Toshiba Kira Ultrabook. Not sure about Toshiba model, but SP 3 keyboard isn't good if you want to type while on the move.
    If you are going to read through PDFs and webpages more and need to mark/note stuff onto the pdfs, write mathematical equations and draw graphs, probably Surface Pro 3.

  • tabz on 26/03/2015 - 22:25

    If you're going to be programming, I'd go for the the one with the bigger screen: Toshiba Kira or get a 13" MacBook Air.

  • gawky on 27/03/2015 - 00:02

    As above, for programming go for bigger screen - kira book or something of the like. Have you had a look at the ultranotes from logicalblue? They are cheaper than the above devices and a similarly speced like the kira book - compromise build quality, weight slightly and no OS included.

    I voted for SP3 because it is a flexible device. I.e. writing and tablet form. Unlikely feature(s) that you would use for your uni, but you never know when you might need that document hand-written or presentation. With SP3 you have to really consider usb hub ($30 max) or the dock system ($100-200) and a micro sd($25-$100)!

    N.B: Macbook airs are probably going to go on sale when the new macbook comes out. SP4 is going to be announced in the next couple of months. I believe logicalblue ultranotes/ultrabooks are better value than toshiba kira books.

    • Ventak on 27/03/2015 - 00:36

      The Ultranote for it's price is quite good. I can get Windows for free anyway, so the OS isn't an issue. But yes, the weight of the system (nearly 2kg) and how big it is (15.6 inch display) is a concern to me…

      • gawky on 27/03/2015 - 01:45

        From logicalblue - something with the following specs:

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/131106?page=1

        Currently unavailable though… best to email them to see what is happening with this model - probably a refresh soon.

        • Ventak on 27/03/2015 - 10:14

          Been more than a year since they had that one though…I'm a little doubtful though I'd most likely pick that one if it was available again.

      • iridiumstem on 27/03/2015 - 02:47

        I am using a Surface Pro 1 for note taking in university. I personally like it more than a laptop that I used to own, but that being said, my usage is more suited for stylus than a keyboard. I am writing this because I think there are still a lot of similarities between SP1 and SP3 in terms of how they function and you might benefit from this quasi-review

        Since I am doing psychology and economics, stylus has been useful. Notations are hard to type in, and most of times, lecturers go fast as most of my lectures are information based i.e. stages of development with examples or DSM definition. Also, there are graphs.
        So in that regards, a tablet/laptop with a stylus is really good. Print the lecture slides to onenote, bring the SP in, write notes/draw graphs on the lecture slides.

        As gawky suggested, I suggest you get a USB hub + USB ethernet port or a dock system with SP3 and a SD card. Though that being said, I've gotten around with no SD card and no USB hub after I got a PC. As far as I see, the stylus can replace some, if not most, of the mouse function (if you use Excel or if you are programming, I guess you'd need a mouse, but for web surfing and light uses in lecture, I've never felt compelled to carry around my mouse). SD card, it depends on whether you'd be carrying around a lot of data or not, though 128GB was slightly too small, when I was using it as my main PC. USB hub/dock is a must if you want to use it as a main PC. I bought a powered one and it has been serving me alright.

        Things I dislike about SP is
        1. 1 USB port is bearable, but I'd seriously rather have 2 or more.
        2. Throttling and after awhile the screen gets really warm from usage (which is annoying if you are writting on it using a stylus), I think this problem exist on SP3 as well.
        3. Too heavy as a tablet (SP3 is lighter, but 800g is still too heavy in my opinion)
        4. Cannot really type comfortably on lap because of how it's designed.

  • ozhunter on 27/03/2015 - 05:01

    The mba could be frustrating to use with an 11in display.

  • ProjectZero on 27/03/2015 - 11:34

    Not sure if my info source was correct, but I've heard there are more programming software to choose from for window based OS. Might want to take that into consideration?

  • hashtagbargain on 27/03/2015 - 12:27
    +2

    My advice would be a 13 inch 4GB RAM MBA.

    • mrmarkau67 on 27/03/2015 - 14:44
      +2

      This is the best advice. Get a refurb to get it under your budget.

  • search on 01/04/2015 - 13:20

    You should add Surface 3 http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-au/products/surface-3 to the list too.It should win hands down.

    • scrimshaw on 01/04/2015 - 13:35

      Surface 3 has the smallest screen unfortunately (10.1") out of all the OP's choices.

      I have a 10.1 Surface Pro 1st gen, its not the greatest screen size for work. 13.3 inches of screen real estate gives you more room for productivity.

      • Ventak on 01/04/2015 - 19:33

        Oh well, a bit late now. I already purchased my laptop (ended up going with the Toshiba Kira).

        • Wildcard344 on 08/04/2015 - 13:27

          Hi, mind if I ask where you got it for that price?

        • Ventak on 08/04/2015 - 15:02

          @Wildcard342:

          It was a Good Guys sale. It's over now, so the price has returned to it's $1599 RRP.

      • ProspectiveDarkness on 01/04/2015 - 19:36

        10.8", actually, so it's only a tad smaller than the MBA with a better resolution and aspect ratio. But yeah, I don't know how people get anything done on those 11" displays. Suppose a tablet might be easier than a laptop, but still…

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