Working with Microsoft technology

Last year I spent a week working exclusively with Microsoft products and services. Since then Microsoft updated its flagship Surface Pro tablet, there is a new Lumia phone and Windows moved from version 8.0 to 8.1.

How does this change things?

The standout difference is the move from 2013’s Surface Pro 2 to the 2014 Surface Pro 3. While the Surface Pro 2 could run the Windows apps most people use most of the time, the Pro 3 can run almost everything which does away with the need for a separate notebook. This means one less item to buy and, just as important, one less thing to carry, less to fuss over.

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 is better than the Pro 2 in every respect.

A better surface

Better screen, better screen size, better processor, even a better kick-stand. There’s enough processing power to handle every mainstream application, even editing media files. Unlike the Surface Pro 2, there were no embarrassing glitches. When you add the docking station you can use a big screen for graphics and video work.

The Surface keyboard still isn’t as robust as those found on desktops or high quality laptops. That aside, you could realistically use the Surface Pro 3 as your only computer. It might be worth invest in a solid desktop keyboard if you do that.

Some people use the Surface Pro 3 with large screens—even multiple screens—Yet, the 12-inch display is enough for most needs.

Incremental phone update

Despite higher specifications is almost every department, the difference between the Lumia 920 and the 2014 Lumia 930 is not as pronounced. Yes the camera is an improvement. Anything needing heavy-duty processing is faster, but in day-to-day use you barely noticed these things. It’s a nice phone, but in hardware terms the Lumia 930 has fallen behind Apple’s iPhone 6 and Samsung’s Galaxy S5.

The move from Windows Phone 8 to 8.1 doesn’t amount to much in practice. There’s an extra column of icons on the phone screen; a notification centre and Cortana, Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s Siri voice activated digital assistant. The screen keyboard seems to work better than on the 920.

In practice, Microsoft has unnecessarily complicated matters with 8.1. Windows Phone 8's charm was its simplicity. Another cycle of further complication would make Windows Phone unbearable.

In technical terms Microsoft fixed most of what’s wrong with Windows 8 in 8.1. The move from the start screen to the Windows desktop is less jarring. Internet Explorer 11 is a better browser. Windows 8.1 is faster and more apps and utilities come as standard. Yet it is still Windows 8 which continues Microsoft's recent tradition of making every second version of Windows feel like a backward step.

Microsoft has fixed last year's frustrations. Moving between the Surface Pro 3 and the Lumia 930 is natural. Saving Office documents to OneDrive from the Surface Pro 3 then editing or reading them on the phone works just as it should. Microsoft has sharpened its act.