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MicroStation on Surface Pro 3

I am considering moving to a Surface Pro 3 for working computer. Does anyone have experience using MicroStation on a Surface Pro 3? I would also like to know which model you have used.

Thank you,

Paul 

  • Which version of MicroStation are you asking about?


       

  • I am currently using V8i SELECTseries 3.
  • Okay thanks fore the information.

    So I think what you are looking for is anyone who is currently running MicroStation on this hardware.

    I can tell you this that the minimum requirements are:

    •Processor Intel® or AMD® processor 1.0 GHz or greater. MicroStation is not supported on a CPU that does not support SSE2.
    •Memory 1 GB minimum, 2 GB recommended. More memory almost always improves performance, particularly when working with larger models.
    •Hard Disk 9 GB free disk space (which includes the 5.6 GB install footprint for a complete installation)
    •Video See the graphics card manufacturer for latest information on DirectX drivers. 256 MB of video RAM or higher is recommended. If insufficient video RAM or no graphics card supported by DirectX can be found, MicroStation attempts to use software emulation. For optimal performance, graphics display color depth should be set to 24-bit or higher. When using a color depth setting of 16-bit, some inconsistencies will be noted. For more information on recommended workstation profiles for MicroStation, see MicroStation System Requirements and Hardware Recommendations.
    •Screen Resolution 1024 x 768 or higher.

    Please note that at this point most new tables including Surface 3 will have Windows 10.

    Currently only MicroStation CONNECT Edition is certified for installation on this operation system(Windows 10 (64-bit) - Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education) . So take that for what it is worth.

    HTH,
    Regie


       

  • Hi,

    I have no hands-on experience, but based on reviews and what a couple of friends told me (but they use Surface Pro not for CAD work):

    I guess the issue can be graphic card. There is only integrated Intel HD available, depending on processor type it can be HD 4200 / 4400 / 5000. All they support DirectX 11 I guess, so it would be fine, but it's not dedicated card with optimized HW architecture and own memory, so especially in 3D the performance will be not extra high. Despite of Intel has enhanced HD graphics a lot in last few years, they are more optimized to general business and multimedia usage and are roughly equal to basic destop gaming cards.

    There are some others limitations also: Display size, how external monitor(s) can be attached (there is Mini DisplayPort, not HDMI), memory (I guess 8 GB is max and you have to dedicate some from it to graphic card), limited HD capacity etc. Of course what Reginald wrote about Windows version support is also valid.

    You did not write for what type of job you want to use MicroStation on Surface Pro 3. If it's about 2D drafting with some references and rasters attached, it would be fine. Especially if you travel a lot and you need to work with drawings on site, portability is more important than limited performance. But if you work with large datasets (e.g. plenty of aerial pictures), in 3D or you even make some visualizations, Surface Pro 3 is not good enough tool in my opinion.

    With regards,

    Jan
  • Jan gave an excellent summary. I see it the same. Note: We have one, and face trouble to update Grafics Driver for the Intel HD. It requires a firmware update, which conflics with the Company image build for this device. (Maybe someone has gone through this?)

    Additional facts: Touchscreen Gestures and Bentley Tools - how does that match? But ok, you can use Keyboard and mouse.

    No GPS included. So it is not location aware.

    No LTE/UMTS Access built in. Wifi the only option (or plugging in a LTE Stick).

    So this is more of an Ultrabook than touch tablet, and things like "anywhere use" or "Augmented reality" is hard. Tablet features are mor for surfing on the couch.

    But it is the most portable and flexible "Notebook" to own. And it really can run the variety of applications.