Welcome to the third installment of our series on the best apps for the Surface Pro 3! Last week, we covered apps for productivity and creating, and this week we’re diving into entertainment.
Whether you’re looking for a way to enjoy your favorite TV shows or just want to watch some YouTube videos on your Surface Pro 3, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list below!
Best Apps For Entertainment On The Surface Pro 3:
Best Apps For Surface Pro 3
The third time’s the charm. Microsoft’s first couple of tablets met with lukewarm reception, but the Surface Pro 3 ($643.49 at Amazon Canada)(Opens in a new window) has generated some buzz and a corresponding bump in sales. Meant not just as a more-business-capable answer to Apple’s iPad, the Surface Pro rivals full-power laptops while serving double duty as a couch-friendly personal tablet. Windows 8.1 ($643.49 at Amazon Canada)(Opens in a new window) is perfectly poised for this scenario, running both traditional desktop programs and touch-friendly, modern apps fueled by the Windows Store, Microsoft’s version of Apple’s iTunes App Store.
What makes a good Surface app? The device’s capabilities hold the clues to that. Apps that take advantage of its super-high resolution screen (it has 216 pixels per inch compared with the MacBook Air’s 128ppi), of its touch and stylus input, its 5-megapixel camera, and its fourth-generation Intel Core processor.
Of course, the best apps for the Surface are, arguably, the components of Microsoft Office, which take advantage of many of these features. For example, the Office OneNote note-taking app automatically starts via a button on the stylus. Many fine apps come with the tablet’s stock collection, including Flipboard, Finance, Health&Fitness, Sports, Skype, Maps, Weather, Xbox Music, and Video. But with more than 170,000 third-party apps at your disposal, why not bolster your Surface Pro 3 with the apps below?
Click through the short slideshow to see our top picks, and be sure to chime in with your own recommendations in the comments section below.
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- Adobe Photoshop Express
Adobe Photoshop Express
Free; in-app upgrades available
Image software leader Adobe’s free app(Opens in a new window) shows off both the excellent screen and camera of the Surface Pro 3. You can correct photos shot through the app or those living in your camera roll, with adjustments for not only exposure, contrast, and white balance, but also for clarity, vibrance, highlights, and shadows. I also appreciate that Adobe(Opens in a new window) provides an easily touchable cropping tool, Auto Fix button, and red-eye correction. You can also go beyond the realistic with Looks, which are Instagram-style filters.
- Autodesk SketchBook Express
Autodesk SketchBook Express
Free
Another app that lets you use the stylus to good advantage, SketchBook Express(Opens in a new window), is a drawing app that comes from a company that knows a thing or two about illustration—Autodesk. Choose from a number of brushes, pens, and markers to create artwork on top of an existing image or one from scratch. The app can even create a symmetrical mirror-image of your drawing automatically. And you’ll save a lot of paper! - Despicable Me: Minion Rush
Despicable Me: Minion Rush
Free
Another way to take advantage of the Surface’s outstanding screen is by viewing and interacting with the rich 3D world of this fun runner game(Opens in a new window). The very fun and amusing adaptation of the animated hit Despicable Me has you using bananas to purchase perk prize pods, after running through Vector’s Fortress in a Frankenstein costume or one of many other getups. One downside is that the game takes a few minutes to load the first time around. But once you’re up and running (literally), you can enjoy the rich 3D scenery while jumping to grab all those bananas and passing your minion competition. - Drawboard PDF
Drawboard PDF
$9.99
If you have a stylus, shouldn’t you be able to mark up a PDF document, with your signature or notes? Drawboard PDF(Opens in a new window) lets you do just that, offering separate stylus and touch input options. At $10, it’s pricier than most apps, but for something that can be invaluable as a business, personal finance, and design tool, that’s hardly a king’s ransom. It works similarly to OneNote in that you can use the stylus buttons to select, move, and erase your writing. A radial menu control similar to OneNote’s lets you change options. Drawboard PDF lets you load or create PDFs, annotate them, and bookmark them. It also offers a highlighter and PDF markup-history view. - Facebook
Facebook
Free
There’s no need to be antisocial on your Surface. Of course you could just view Facebook in the browser, but if you have a touch screen, why not take advantage of it? The official Facebook app(Opens in a new window) gives you an easy touch-friendly way to interact with all your Friends, via the newsfeed, messaging, photo uploading, check-ins, and group activity. The app offers a Snap sidebar view a live-updated start screen tile, and popup notifications.
- Fresh Paint
Fresh Paint
Free
If you want to put your Surface’s pressure-sensitive stylus to the test, there are few better apps than Fresh Paint(Opens in a new window). Start with a blank canvas or an existing image or photo, and draw to your heart’s content. The app includes brushes for oil and watercolors as well as pencils. When you’re done, you can order a framed canvas print of your creation. - Netflix
Netflix
Free (requires subscription)
You want to take advantage of that glorious high-definition screen, and what better way than with the largest collection of streaming movies and TV shows around? The Netflix app(Opens in a new window) lets you search for new stuff to watch, browse and add to your movie queue, and rate shows you’ve watched. It also can resume playing a flick you’ve started on another device like your HDTV. Could you really live without access to Orange Is the New Black or The Returned on any tablet you owned?
best drawing app for surface pro
This article covers nine of the best Surface Pro drawing apps worth downloading and using for work, study, or just for passing the time and having some fun. These Microsoft Surface drawing apps support both touch and Surface Pen functionality and range from a kids video game and sketching app to a flashcard program that supports handwriting and the best note-taking app with stylus support.
01
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Best Artistic Sketching Surface App: Autodesk SketchBook
Autodesk Sketchbook drawing Windows app for Surface Pro.
What We Like
Massive selection of professional digital sketching tools.
The app’s full functionality is now unlocked for free for all users.
What We Don’t Like
Autodesk SketchBook can be very intimidating at first for casual artists.
Lacks a full fullscreen option when in Windows 10’s Desktop Mode.
Autodesk SketchBook is by far one of the best Surface drawing apps with its massive list of features and digital art tools that are so often required these days by professional designers, architects, and creators.
The Windows SketchBook app previously locked many of its features behind a premium membership. However, it has dropped that paid tier completely, with its full functionality now being accessible within the app for free. Anyone can use this drawing app’s 190 customizable brushes, rulers, and unlimited layers without paying a dime or even signing up for an email list or account membership.
Download For:
Windows
02
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Best Surface Pro Drawing App for Making Mandalas: Spirality
Spirality mandala drawing app for Surface Pro.
What We Like
A unique drawing app that does something most other art apps can’t.
Easy to use for adults and children alike.
What We Don’t Like
Spirality has a very specific use case that definitely won’t be for everyone.
Spirality is a Surface Pro drawing app with a difference. Rather than acting as a blank canvas for users to draw on, Spirality implements its unique workspace that allows for the creation of genuinely impressive spiral mandala designs using simple gestures and strokes.
The digital creations may look complex, but these drawings are surprisingly easy to make and only require you to drag your Surface Pen or mouse in various directions across the screen to render results. Those who prefer more control over their art can also draw freehand while the full spectrum of colors is available to choose from via the top toolbar. Impressively, you can export all creations in Spirality as still images, animated GIFs, and movie files. Every single feature is also completely free, with no in-app purchases required at all.
Download For:
Windows
03
of 09
Best Digital Note-Taking Surface App: OneNote
Microsoft OneNote note-taking app with a drawing of Tokyo Tower.
What We Like
Microsoft OneNote is completely free to download and use.
Good combination of drawing and writing with touch and traditional typing.
All notes can sync to the OneNote iPhone and Android apps via the cloud.
What We Don’t Like
The multiple navigation layers of notebooks, sections, and notes can become unwieldly and confusing.
Manually switching between drawing and typing makes sense though feels unintuitive at first.
Microsoft’s OneNote app is an absolute powerhouse of a tool that allows for creating notes on one device that you can sync to the cloud via your Microsoft account and accessed almost immediately on an Android or iOS smartphone or tablet, a Mac, or another Surface Pro.
The ability to quickly switch between traditional keyboard typing and drawing with a finger or Surface Pen makes OneNote one of the best note-taking apps for stylus fans. The various sorting and share options work well for those who want to collaborate with friends or colleagues. You probably won’t be making any high-quality artwork in OneNote, but if you’re just after an app for scribbling down some handwritten notes, it’s hard to beat.
Download For:
Windows
04
of 09
Best Note-Taking App With Stylus Focus: Microsoft Whiteboard
Microsoft Whiteboard drawing app on a Windows 10 Surface Pro.
What We Like
A streamlined UI that’s very easy to use.
Sharing the workspace with others is incredibly simple.
Easy for kids to use.
What We Don’t Like
This drawing app may be too simple for some adults.
Microsoft Whiteboard isn’t ideal if your project requires a lot of text.
If you’re after a super-simple drawing app for your Surface Pro or another Surface device, you really can’t beat Microsoft Whiteboard. This app features a streamlined interface designed for those who prefer to use a stylus, such as the Surface Pen, though it also works well with a mouse and basic touch controls.
The pen size and color options are easy to access along the bottom of the Microsoft Whiteboard screen. They are also a large enough size for children to interact with without accidentally selecting the wrong function. Whiteboard has some additional line and chart tools and some solid import support for PDF files and images from the Bing search database. The app’s main claim to fame is seamless syncing between devices and an easy link sharing feature, allowing multiple people to work on the same digital workspace simultaneously across multiple Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.
Download For:
Windows
05
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Best Drawing App For Pixel Art and LED Displays: Expressive Pixels
Expressive Pixels drawing app on a Surface Pro.
What We Like
Easy to create pixel art and edit animations frame-by-frame.
Good support for a variety of LED displays and accessories.
The online community gallery is extensive and active.
What We Don’t Like
Windows 10 S users will need to switch to Windows 10 when using Expressive Pixels.
Scrolling content with the mouse wheel is oddly slow which can frustrate.
Expressive Pixels is a free app designed by Microsoft for creating pixel art and animations on Surface Pro and other Windows 10 devices. Users can create brand new pixel artwork, edit existing ones, or download others made by other users via the integrated online community tab using just a mouse or stylus.
Pixel creations can be saved locally as GIF or PNG files or exported to connected LED displays, tech, smart clothes, and accessories like LED goggles and masks. Many major third-party manufacturers of LED devices are supported, such as Adafruit, Sparkfun, and SiliconSquared, while drawing, editing, and exporting artwork straightforward and easy to understand. You’ll need to log into your Microsoft account to download Expressive Pixels.
Download For:
Windows
06
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Best App for Learning to Draw With a Surface Pen: Sketchable
Surface Pro drawing app Sketchable.
What We Like
Lots of tutorials for first-time digital artists and Surface Pen users.
A UI that’s designed to work on a Surface Pro with a Surface Pen.
What We Don’t Like
Some of the advanced features are locked behind a $24.99 paid upgrade.
Sketchable is up there with Autodesk SketchBook as one of the best Surface Pro drawing apps within the Microsoft Store app store. Sketchable boasts a massive selection of brush types, color options, and tools to help you create some genuinely professional-grade drawings and uses a UI designed to be navigated and controlled with a stylus. It is worth mentioning that Sketchable locks some of the more advanced tools behind a one-time $24.99 paid upgrade. All of the basic drawing and painting features are free.
What sets Sketchable apart is its strong focus on educating and training new users on using the app and making the most out of all of its features. Many high-quality Sketchable tutorials are available to watch directly from within the app. The official website hosts a free comprehensive manual that can be downloaded and read in addition to various artist spotlights showcasing what you can create using just this app and a Surface Pro.
Download For:
Windows
07
of 09
Best Surface App for Drawing on Flash Cards: Index Cards
Index Cards flashcard drawing app on Surface Pro.
What We Like
Very easy to create sets of flashcards in a variety of styles and looks.
Cards can sync to the free iOS and Android apps for studying on the go.
Great support for both typed and handwritten content.
What We Don’t Like
A $30 upgrade is required after 14 days if you want to use more than 50 cards.
The price of the upgrade is completely hidden until you choose to buy it.
Index Cards is a comprehensive Windows 10 flashcard app that lets you create an unlimited number of cards and card sets. The app naturally supports words typed with the Surface keyboard though its main draw is its support for words or images drawn via touch or a connected stylus.
The support for handwritten and drawn content sets Index Cards apart from similar apps in the Microsoft Store app store. This extra functionality is handy for those studying languages like Japanese and Mandarin, emphasizing writing characters as much as reading them. The ability to sync all created cards to free iOS and Android smartphone apps is also great. It’s worth keeping in mind that free users will be restricted to just 50 cards after the initial two-week free trial is over.
Download For:
Windows
08
of 09
Best Completely Free PDF Surface App: PDF Reader by Xodo
PDF Reader by Xodo Surface Pro drawing app.
What We Like
PDF Reader by Xodo is completely free to use and has zero ads or upgrades.
Very easy to create new PDF files and convert other file types.
Good support for drawing and handwriting for notes and signatures.
What We Don’t Like
There’s no fullscreen option while in Windows 10’s Desktop Mode.
PDF Reader by Xodo is one of the best Windows 10 apps for reading, creating, and editing PDF files. It’s also completely free with zero in-app purchases and no pressure to upgrade to a premium version. You can open PDF files with just a few clicks, and there are built-in features that allow for the creation of new PDF files from a blank canvas or by importing an image. Users can capture photos from within the app too.
There are many editing tools available and some solid support for drawing and handwriting with a Surface Pen or other such stylus. Signing a PDF file with a handwritten signature is a breeze.
Download For:
Windows
09
of 09
Best Drawing Video Game on Surface Pro: Draw A Stickman
Draw A Stickman Windows 10 drawing video game on Surface Pro.
What We Like
Players can draw any character they want to play as.
Gameplay is simple and intuitive.
What We Don’t Like
No local or online multiplayer options.
Lack of support for Xbox Achievements and leaderboards feels like a missed opportunity.
Draw A Stickman is a unique video game for Surface tablets that lets the player draw their character and then play as their creation for the game’s entirety. Once created, the character can be moved around levels by dragging a pen or finger across the screen, while additional drawings can trigger attacks or effects.
For example, the first few levels encourage players to draw fire to burn down trees or trigger explosions to clear paths. Impressively, Draw A Stickman doesn’t restrict players and allows them to draw wherever they want on the screen. If they wish to, players can draw fire all over the screen and burn down every tree in sight. Draw A Stickman is a drawing game that’s a lot of fun for kids and their older siblings and parents.
Conclusion
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