Artist Review: Microsoft Surface 3 (non-Pro) for drawing

[@TheDanielboomboom]

You can improve the performance of the surface 3 using the power management options. Microsoft intentionally limited the performance to control heat. There are KZbin videos on how to do this.

[@ileanareyes3464]

thank you for reviewing the Surface 3 as a drawing tablet! your explanations were clear and very helpful!! 🙂

[@Gsus1234567]

Hi! Amazing review, it helped me making out my mind, and I finally bought it! I installed Sketchable and was having trouble with my hand being detected, as you mentioned. I however found that in settings, it allows me to choose which input mehtod I want to use, Pen + Touch, or only Pen. I selected Pen and now is super nice. I've seen the same settings in Paint 3D, so it might be available in most tools. Hope this helps.

[@Glamrgrl104]

Awesome I'm looking for a portable drawing tablet everybody says iPad but for bigger screen and included stylus from eBay for about same price hmm.

[@Glamrgrl104]

What kind of stylus can you use?? Can I have link.

[@AdrianFoy]

I got my Surface 3 back in December, after getting frustrated with the iPad Air 2 and stylus issues. I'm very happy with this and I use it every day for my mobile drawing. Great to see an in-depth review with various applications :)

[@teohyc]

+Adrian Foy Thanks. I'm really enjoying the Surface 3 as well. You can do so much more things on it. :-D

[@AdrianFoy]

+Teoh Yi Chie absolutely, I agree totally! The thing I like the most is the workflow - I can start a drawing in Sketchbook, save it, transfer it to my Mac and continue to work on it with my Cintiq. I just couldn't get that before, and now it's great!

[@mikkey246]

Is it worth it

[@hazeldavis3176]

Thank you so much for making this review. It was very helpful and enjoyable to watch, too!

[@Guccimar502]

no you can still have the surface tablet screen on when you plug in into another monitor. go into settings and display (while pluged in) and go down and you can see an option to display on surface,monitor, or both.

[@tonalharmony9266]

Very comprehensive review. Thanks for posting!

[@teohyc]

+TonalHarmony Thanks :-)

[@BRIKENFMJ]

9:30, I am amazed by your masterpiece!

[@Speaktrap]

Which Pen is best for this Surface model?

[@lindadanison92]

would you say this is good for portable sketching? like a digital sketchbook on the go. ive been debating for weeks to go between this or an ipad air. though to be honest i did just order one so ill guess ill have to see for myself, but i was wondering your thoughts on it. thank you for your reviews btw they've been really helpful.

[@teohyc]

+Linda Danison Yes, it's good for portable sketching. Main downside is the battery life is not as long as iPad Air.

[@subspaceanomaly]

thanks this was really helpful, especially seeing how it dealt with sketch up and connections to a 27" screen. I've bought one (not arrived yet) after seeing your video, it seems as a design tool this is great and well worth the saving over the pro models, and no fan and the flexibility seem worthy compromises to the pro, as you can still do everything. Big 3d files and rich photoshop work and rendering etc would not really be done on a pro model either as a desktop would make more sense, so this seems the perfect model to get. Most helpful review I've seen, and thanks for talking about the diagonal wobbly line issue as that made me give up using the pen on my vaio duo 11.

[@teohyc]

+Daniel Adderley Thanks. Glad that you find the review helpful 😁

[@browndwarf1755]

It can be done!!! Great video

[@rochelimit55555]

I want to know your opinion as an artist between surface 3/pro and iPad pro, also between Microsoft stylus and Apple Pencil. What do you think? I'm an artist as well and I find using Apple pencil and iPad Pro really enjoyable. I really love the USB port of Surface, but I don't like the jitteriness, lags, and those buttons on the stylus because it reminds me of bamboo stylus, I keep pressing them with the side of my fingers!

[@teohyc]

+rochelimit's hangout If you have the budget for iPad Pro, that is the better tablet for drawing purposes.

[@lucianoramirez6111]

Hi, I have an Ntrig compatible device that uses a pen which is very much like the surface pen 3. In fact, I used the pen tips designed for the surface pen 3 when my pen's original tip wore out. So I know that my device is compatible. I am considering buying a surface pen 4 for my tablet (Asus Transformer T304UA) since I heard you mention in the video that the newer pen is much better in regards to pressure sensitivity. My question is would the pressure sensitivity be enough to justify the $100 dollar price tag of the newer pen? I have been closely following your reviews about these kinds of drawing devices for quite some time now, keep it up! Thanks a lot!!

[@teohyc]

It's a combination of the pen and which tablet that affects drawing experience. Not sure how well this will work on the Asus

[@awholenewworld6770]

Hi! Thanks for the tutorial. Appreciate it. Maybe you could guide me in right direction. I’m on my way buying my first tablet. Purpose: I’m gonna animate. My budget is 300 Euro +/- and with that I need to have afford with both pen and keyboard in my budget. I was thinking off going for the Surface Pro g2 or 1 (used) then buy pen / keyboard on the side. But I would be really glad to hear your thoughts around it. What would be the optional choice here for my budget and purpose? And if I should go for the surface pro, what kind of pen are you referring to in the video, that have no lag/enjoyable and nice experience to draw with? Thanks again! / Greetings from Sweden

[@teohyc]

If you have a computer, it's best to get a screenless tablet. Surface Pro 1 and 2 would be quite slow by today's standards.

[@awholenewworld6770]

Teoh Yi Chie I don’t have a computer. So this going to be my base. With my budget I know I won’t come up to today’s standard...but i would like to get the most suitable and best value I can find from my money. I’m looking on surfaces pro 3 atm actually. But is there other tablets worth checking out? Kinda only heard things about apple and Microsoft but how about other brands? Or is the surface 3 best option here ? Main Purpose : animation Thanks for answering btw 🌼 Golden 🕊

[@Myyne]

Can someone help me please!!! I recently got a Surfacepro3 for Christmas! However whenever I try to download FireAlpaca, it says I cannot download this onto my PC, however I always see people using it!!? Help! D:

[@teohyc]

+Jugi191919 Try to download from Medibang Paint Pro website instead

[@TymosC]

Hey, what do you think about the screen resolution of this surface? Is it good to photo edition? The image has that "sharp" quality or the 1920x1280 resolution isn't enough for a 10.8" screen?

[@teohyc]

It's sharp enough

[@TymosC]

@@teohyc Thanks a lot! I'll keep tuned to your videos

[@Spectrue]

Hopefully, you will see this question. If I am only interested in using this to produce comic book pages and some basic viewing of Sketchup models, would you suggest this or the Pro 4? Or Pro 3, etc? I am looking to use Sketchbook Pro, a Photoshop that will work with the tablet, possibly Sketchable and some similar program. Thank you in advance.

[@teohyc]

+Ryan Brown For Photoshop, if you are using CS5 or CS6, the user interface such as buttons and menus are going to be too small. Other software works fine. For comic art, I recommend you check out the free Medibang Paint Pro. I think it's better to get SP4 since it's newer.

[@Spectrue]

+Teoh Yi Chie Ok. Thank you for the reply.

[@halfmonster9013]

This was very useful! Super clear and detailed :) anybody using it still, now? How does it work with Paint Tool Sai?

[@rsg5850]

does it support data via micro usb using otg cable? i read it used to both charge and data transfer but recent upgrade they removed the data and made charge only to fix charging issue?

[@Iugin2]

Nice review, thanks a lot! Have you made other surface 3 videos with sketchup? It offer a decent productivity? thx

[@teohyc]

I don't have other videos with Sketchup. Generally speaking, moving around the 3d space will lag and more complex scenes will lag more. The Surface Pro 4, is much more powerful. I'll do a comparison video in the future.

[@giovysdedign]

I need it this review, and it was clear and detailed. I was wondering if I can use it with a portable photoshop on a pendrive. I need to know, because Im about to buy one on this days.

[@johan-garcia]

I don't know what tablet buy, my decision it's between Microsoft Surface 3 (64GB) and Yoga Book (with android). Just I need it for sketch a fashion drawing What do you think is the best?

[@teohyc]

Maybe the Surface 3 but get the one with 4gb RAM if you can afford it. The thing is when you draw slow diagonal lines, they will wobble. Not sure if you draw slow with fashion drawing. If so, the Yoga Book (Android) is way more accurate.

[@aykutcanerdemir47]

I realize that most of the youtubers compare surface 3 with ipad air (not air 2). Why?. It seems camparable with ipad air2. What do you think? Which one is better?

[@teohyc]

+Aykut Caner Demir Surface 3 uses Windows desktop OS. IPad Air is iOS. Windows is more functional and better for productivity. If it's just for consumption, reading, watching shows, then the iPad is sufficient.

[@woke2woke153]

There is a purpose built fast charger for this machine, which you really need to use it properly.

[@bearythegamer6539]

Hi, have you used the different pen tips available for the Surface Pro 4 Pen on the Surface 3? If so, what is your experience with them?

[@teohyc]

+Beary TheGamer You cannot use SP4 tips in SP3 pen. The length of the tip is different.

[@bearythegamer6539]

+Teoh Yi Chie Oh no, I meant the Surface Pro 4 Pen and its tips on the Surface 3 Tablet.

[@veroallo]

I would really like to know this too

[@ime500]

For sketching you would prefer the iPad pro over Surface 3?

[@teohyc]

+ime500 iPad Pro with Apple Pencil. It's almost as good as Wacom.

[@siraf4496]

Is the surface pro 3 keyboard compatible with surface 3 ??surface 3 keyboard are very expensive in Malaysia😢

[@teohyc]

Not compatible because the tablets are of different sizes.

[@jasonbrand5762]

Wondering if higher memory card would help performance

[@jaysmithminaj]

I’m just getting the iPad Pro and making my surface 3 my laptop

[@Astrobiologica]

if you activate experimental mode you can double size of menus

[@andrewwilliams3160]

How is medibang and clip studio on this machine? is it comparable to the lenovo yogabooks performance? i use medibang on it but not clip studio as of yet (licensing issues)

[@teohyc]

I no longer have the Surface 3 to test. You can install the trial version of Clip Studio to try.

[@teafoamart2757]

Does this have the problem that the surface pro 3 has where if u draw slow it makes a very jittery line?

[@teohyc]

+Ellart ••••••• Yes. Diagonal lines are wavy if you draw them slow.

[@latination2013]

can you list the apps/programs you were using on the review, I could understand the name of the second one you used on the review, thanks

[@teohyc]

+Jay Geo These are the apps that I use: Mischief (ver 2.1.4) - desktop app - Excellent Artrage Touch - tablet app - Excellent Sketchable (ver 3.0) - tablet app - Excellent Sketchbook Pro for Tablet - tablet app - Excellent Sketchup - desktop app - Lags Krita (ver 2.9) - desktop app - Excellent Medibang - desktop app - Excellent

[@KristenBlueStar]

Can the Tablet PC Windows be used for drawing? Or It's not the best option?

[@teohyc]

You can use them for drawing. Most would produce slightly wavy diagonal lines when drawn slowly. If you draw at moderate speed then it's not a problem. For casual drawing, sure go ahead.

[@LE0N3355]

Thank you I need to get one for mines

[@LAN-w-]

do you think the edge mini 7.85 will suffice my needs on digital drawing in Photoshop Iam only a beginner and I only have a small budget.

[@teohyc]

Photoshop is going to lag on the edge mini 7.85. That device only has 2GB memory. Note that Windows also use memory so you'll be left with even less. The minimum amount of memory for Photoshop for comfortable use in my opinion is 4GB. Best is if you can get 8GB memory. The size is also a bit small. Of course the larger the better. I suggest at a screen of at least 10-inch. With limited budget, perhaps it might be better to get cheaper Android tablets, but most Android tablets don't support pressure sensitive stylus.

[@LAN-w-]

Teoh Yi Chie OK thanks for the reply.:)

[@blacksnow150]

hey there you can pick up surface 3 and surface pro 3 2nd hand quite cheap,,,,and if you are on a budget i would recomend manga studio 5 as a cheap ( ish ) pro art package its a bit less bloated and recourse heavy than photoshop (and way cheaper ) check out the tutorials here on youtube to see what it can do its not just for manga but all art styles a pro art program with added manga / comic layout stuff i love it and still cant use all the things it can do and have never found anything it cant do that other art aps can ,,,hope this helps

[@mattm00ey]

Excellent video. Thank you

[@flyingfox9952]

Also could it run similar to a computer?

[@flyingfox9952]

Can you plug a mouse in to the USB port and use it?

[@little3rddegreeburns]

Flying Fox absolutely, you can

[@virginiastratulat7871]

Hello! Does this tablet work with Adobe illustrator too?

[@teohyc]

Works alright

[@adnaneazami920]

Is it comfortable to work with at bed or lap?

[@teohyc]

+Adnane Azami It's comfortable, but bad for posture. In bed better than lap. 😂

[@adnaneazami920]

Teoh Yi Chie ok thank you, can this pen work with any touchscreen laptop?

[@teohyc]

+Adnane Azami The pen only with with Surface products

[@LE0N3355]

What other stylus pens can you use, can you use wacom

[@teohyc]

You can only use the Surface Pen with Surface tablets

[@cryobooty]

Does surface 3 work with MediBang?

[@teohyc]

Yes

[@capdponts8710]

Thanks for your videos Teoh! Love them! I enjoy drawing, and I would like to buy a cheap tablet with good results in pressure and sensibility, for drawing in my train trips, but not spending a lot of money. Which tablet do you recomend? A chinese one? What do you think about Cube i7 Stylus? Thanks a lot! :)

[@teohyc]

+Capde ponds Check out the Samsung Tab A 10.1 with the S Pen model. That's the cheaper one that I can think of. S Pen is a bit small though. Or the Surface 3 but pen is not included.

[@tylergifford1443]

does the model in the video have the 2 or 4 gigabytes of ram option

[@teohyc]

+Tyler Gifford 4GB.

[@Skintyfiadh]

is it worth it to bought now?

[@teohyc]

It's too old now. And if you buy secondhand, the battery is not going to be good

[@mjlsosito]

Does the new surface pro 4 pen eraser tip is working on the surface 3 ?

[@teohyc]

Yes

[@mjlsosito]

I see, I am looking to buy it as my daily driver in the future :D Thanks :D

[@luzier13x]

thanks man. this is very helpful. i was planning to buy the surface pro4 just for me and my daughter's doodling. but it's too expensive. then this product popped up on my email for only 300 dollars. lol! not bad.

[@AntOfWar]

luzier x how was it

[@luther9594]

How well is the Surface 3 usable without typecover?

[@teohyc]

It's very usable. You just have to get used to the on-screen keyboard when you want to type. If you don't type often, it's not an issue, just use it as a tablet.

[@luther9594]

Teoh Yi Chie​ Thank you for the quick response ^_^ I think the type cover isn't even worth the money. I saw a keyboard for 50$ that fits into one's pocket... sooo... Well, I am going to save up money for a Surface Pro 4

[@teohyc]

Theralún The Type Cover is not worth the money. When connect, when you're drawing, your hand will be over the cover. It recommend a bluetooth keyboard like a Logitech K810 instead. or the Microsoft universal foldable keyboard

[@luther9594]

Teoh Yi Chie You are right. It would probably be in my way all the time... I'll buy the foldable keyboard ^^

[@kktmadhusanka]

Can I install Adobe illustrator?

[@teohyc]

Yes

[@jaydarwin2036]

I thought the surface pen would only work with the Pro series

[@teohyc]

Works on the Surface 3 also.

[@nada1357]

This is a greaaat video!!! btw question. Is that surface 3 running Intel Atom? If so, is that powerful enough to run adobe photoshop etc??? Thanks!!

[@teohyc]

+Natalia Deng Yuan Yes, it's powerful enough. If you open a lot of apps, it may slow down due to lack of RAM as it tops out at 4gb.

[@teohyc]

***** 4GB

[@gladel]

Do you still have the Surface 3?

[@teohyc]

+gladel No longer have that.

[@gladel]

Teoh Yi Chie What do you currently use for your work as an artist?

[@teohyc]

+gladel In the office it's an old desktop. At home it's a Mac Pro. I don't use portable computers because I don't usually work outside of office or home.

[@novamationmedia]

Great Video

[@kirrithansathananthan2060]

How to charge this on the go? Answer: Get a battery pack

[@owenent9636]

Surface Tree

[@teohyc]

Yeah, extra comment

[@x5thgamer128]

sDDDD

[@richardbecerra8305]

"surface pro tree"

[@teohyc]

+mrfox465s hi One more comment. Thanks. I need to find more words to mispronounce

[@mahmoudarab8516]

Three or tree i dont know what he is trying to say

[@teohyc]

Tanks. I do dat to get more comments