Looks like Harvey Norman has just take 20% off most of their Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (as Microsoft Store has 15% off Surface Pro 4 at the moment).
Do note that you can get them cheaper from grey imports (which would be ex-GST price & without Australian warranty).
Rumored to have Thunderbolt 3 and a true quad core CPU this time around, which will turn it into a completely different beast of a machine.
If it doesn't have those, then it will just be an SP4 with a facelift - which is what the 4 was to the 3.
Here's hoping it does - an SP5 with external GPU and ample fast storage would be the perfect road warrior, desktop, tablet - a true all in one modular PC.
That could he useful. Even if the external GPUs arent as capable.
They are extremely capable with mid range GPUs like the RX 480 or 1060.
The problem is that a lot of reviewers on the net are testing them with laptops that already have 1060 GPUs in them, and putting 1070 and up cards into the external enclosures which get hammered on the bandwith as TB needs 2 way communication if sending back to the internal screen.
The effect was that the reviewers found their external cards such as the 1080 performed around the same as the internal 1060. Of course that's going to happen with the bandwidth, and they knocked the product down because they think everyone has 1060s in their laptops and wants 1080s externally.
For computers with integrated or low end graphics, hooking up an external GPU that doesn't saturate the thunderbolt bandwidth will provide a massive boost.
@c0balt:
Thanks didn't see what the original computers had in them. I just noticed the 1080s getting effectively knocked down a tier due to bandwidth. Kinda immediately put me off replacing a high end desktop as a result.
Replacing a high end desktop will most likely never be possible with a Surface Pro, but replacing a very capable mid range desktop system should be.
Quad? That doesn't seem feasible in this formfactor.
Intel have been putting quad cores into their atom processors for years.
They could easily fit a desktop core series CPU in and downclock it so that the TDP doesn't burn through the chassis - but that's expensive + wasteful, and it's an already expensive machine.
The Surface Pro hasn't seen any significant upgrades to the CPU since the first one came out 4 years ago besides the power of the integrated GPU. The biggest upgrade the SP4 had over the 3 was the keyboard - it's effectively the same machine.
Intel will have to come out with a new ultra low voltage quad core CPU, the market demands it and the tech is there. If not then it's just too much of the same again which seems to be Intel's mantra since Sandy Bridge.
Pretty certain that the external GPU will remain a Surface Book feature. The Pro won't get one… unless they can somehow integrate it into the dock.
You need to research what Thunderbolt 3 and an external GPU such as the Razer Core are. It's a completely different approach that the Surface Book took.
Here's a video that explains it a little: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeGWwziCrpw&
Although that was one of the videos I mentioned earlier where they are using them in the wrong case, i.e. using a laptop with an internal 1060 GPU to test an external 1080 GPU.
@c0balt: i think he was referring to microsoft releasing their own external gpu, which the surface book already has - called the performance base. It operates on the same principles as the thunderbolt external docks, but uses the propriety hinge connector.
Latest rumours are talking about SP5 using an AMD Ryzen chip instead of Intel.
https://www.google.com.au/amp/www.techtimes.com/amp/articles…
Considering that article calls it the "Microsoft Surface Book 5", I completely disregard it. Even if the Surface Book is updated, it won't be the fith.
still seems like a really big corner to get around lol
They are also available as 50 months interest free payments with Go MasterCard(+4.95 fees pm).
Sorry don't really know much about this, but is it actually 'interest free' if you end up paying $4.95 p/m over 50 months which equates to $250 extra? and would it still be worth it if it costs $250 extra?
Sorry don't really know much about this, but is it actually 'interest free' if you end up paying $4.95 p/m over 50 months which equates to $250 extra?
Of course it's 'Interest Free', the fee is an account management fee and our 'protectors' the ACCC and other government departments have deemed this to be ok.
Thank you for explaining Maverick-au. I guess it's just a bit hard to justify spending an extra $250 on top, in my opinion.
I personally wouldn't, but if you end up suing the credit card for several other things then it's not really $250 extra for one item, but spread out for a few items. The idea is that they want you using your card more as well as shopping at HN more.
I hate everything about these but I want one lol. No need at all, can't think of what I'd do with it… Just like my tech stuff…. Hmmm. The overpriced keyboard being my biggest complaint.
i had a surface 3 for work, and then they replaced it with a base model dell laptop.
i miss it but not enough to fork my own money
Can someone tell me the difference between http://www.harveynorman.com.au/computers-tablets/computers/l… and the m3 model post here. The only difference i can see is the $898 does not come with a pen? Is there anything else?
Is there anything else?
The price.
not include m3 without pen :(
4GB RAM is just "meh" these days considering flagship phones have that. Really need 8GB minimum considering the Surface is marketed as a premium line of Tablet/notebooks.
Yep. Hoping the SB5 has 8gb as minimum.
I purchased a Surface Pro 4 M3 128Gb from Harvey Norman about 1 month ago for $799. I didnt negotiate that…. its what they were advertised as.
Edit. Was this deal for $798
JB has the m3 surface pro for $899 currently.
wtf is the deal with HN Cashback? CR site says it's 25% surely that can't be right
Cashrewards' page says:
Harvey Norman B&E
Save Up to 25.00%
Its link goes to this page. Looks like Cashrewards & Harvey Norman teamed up to offer Business & EDU customers some extra discount.
yeah but the prices are jacked up
Surface pro 5 must be around the corner maybe?