Surface Pro 3 Wavy diagonal lines when inking

Anonymous
2014-07-12T07:29:27+00:00

I've noticed a problem with my surface pro 3 that I have not been able to work around.  When I draw a slow diagonal line, it comes out very wavy and jagged.  If I quickly draw a diagonal, it seems ok.  Has anyone else seen this, is there a fix for it?  seems to happen in every application, so it strikes me as potential hardware.

Surface | Surface Pro | Install and update

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-03-19T16:42:48+00:00

    Hi MasCaritas

    I appreciate you pasting SteviB's answer from the Reddit AMA here. That was quite a while ago and nothing ever came of it. The voltage increase, if implemented, does not seem to have had any effect. I'm not holding my breath.

    I sold my SP3 around this time last year for $950, with type cover and dock. At the time, that represented about $1500 in lost sales to MS, since they saw no profit from my resale. Since then, they missed another sale to me last summer when I was considering buying a SP4 as a personal machine and decided against it after trying the pen in their store.

    Recently, I needed to get a new machine for work. After my experience with the SP4 in the MS store, I didn't even consider the SurfaceBook; I got a ThinkPad X1 Yoga for $1900. At this point, MS has missed out on about $4000 in Surface-line sales just due to me. I think they are severely underestimating how much this problem is holding back potential buyers.

    For the record, I'm very happy with the Wacom AES tech in the X1 Yoga. I was afraid it would be more like Ntrig than like traditional Wacom EMR, but it has proved very nice so far. Wacom AES works on the same principles as Ntrig: a powered stylus over a capacitive screen. Microsoft: invest in improvements to your pen technology! You are on the right track, but this issue is killing us.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-11-04T22:31:06+00:00

    I'm adding my voice to the mass of discontented pen users. I've tried all of the fixes recommended and I still get wavy lines when drawing slowly and carefully.

    Another related side-effect is drawing small precise details, like small circles or squares. It's very difficult to get good accuracy at a small size, making fine pen work impossible.

    I'd just like to know if this can be fixed so I can stick with it or move on.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-08-24T23:42:30+00:00

    unfortunately, my solution was to return the device.  It seems like it is a known flaw with the technology (Ntrig) used in the surface pro 3, and I don't see it being something that can be fixed.  I waited as long as I could, hoping for a patch, but nothing happened.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-07-22T23:37:01+00:00

    Hi eth777,

    Thank you for your kind reply!

    One more thing, have you changed the Surface Pen battery since you acquired your Surface or tested this?. When drawing with a new AAAA battery, does performance improve?.

    Please let us know. We will be looking forward to your reply!

    Cheers,

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-07-17T00:02:34+00:00

    Hi eth777,

    Just checking in to see if you were able to resolve this issue.

    Keep us posted!

    We appreciate your feedback and we are always here to help!

    Best Wishes,

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