Surface 3 for Point of Sale
By: POSGuys - 3/31/2015

<center>![enter image description here][1][400][]</center>

On April 5th 2015 Microsoft is set to release the [new Surface 3 tablet][2].  The big change with the Surface 3 vs. the two previous versions of the Surface tablet is the operating system.  The Surface 3 runs full Windows 8.1 (w/ Windows 10 upgrade when available) NOT the RT operating system that required app store purchases instead of full Windows programs. So, as long as your software supports the specs on the Surface 3, you could potentially use it as your point of sale station.

Is that a good idea?

In a word, yes! The Surface 3 has a few things going for it that most Windows tablets don't. 
These features include:

**- Full Size USB 3.0 Port
 - 1920 x 1280 screen resolution
 - Full Windows 8.1
 - Keyboard**

The problem with using most tablets for a point of sale system is the lack of ports.  While they almost all have bluetooth that lets the tablet to pair directly with a [bluetooth barcode scanner][3] for doing barcode entry, there are not quite the same options when it comes to adding additional point of sale peripherals such as a [receipt printer][4] and [cash drawer][5].  Having a full size USB port gives you the ability to plug in a USB Hub allowing you to run a much lower cost USB Barcode Scanner, a thermal receipt printer, and a traditional printer driven cash drawer that are all connected to your tablet at the same time. Another option is to go without the hub and run a manual cash drawer, a USB printer and a bluetooth barcode scanner. In any case the full USB port is a welcomed addition.

The screen resolution is also very promising, but it does have some limitations.  With the 1920 x 1280 height and width it will fit the point of sale program without any fear of the bottom being cut off.  However, the buttons and menus may be a little small considering that many POS Programs are still written with the expectation that they would be running on an [All-In-One-PC][6] that has a 4:3 screen resolution. This means that the program will be stretched when in full screen, in a window smaller then the screen, or you will have to play with the scaling features in windows to make it all fit.  While the screen may not be optimal for a lot of [point of sale programs][7] it will be usable.

Full Windows and NOT Windows RT!  This was a deal breaker.  RT versions of the tablet just couldn't install the POS Software, now it can.  To combat this issue there were "PRO" versions of the Surface running full Windows however these PRO tablets were significantly more expensive than the standard version of the Surface.  Now that the base version of the Surface also runs Windows 8.1, high cost is no longer a barrier.  The processor is an Atom based processor so make sure your software supports it.  For instance, [Aldelo for Restaurants][8] no longer supports Atom based processors so unfortunately you would need the PRO version of the Surface to run this popular restaurant software.

The keyboard is also a nice addition when it comes to working with your inventory. Most onscreen keyboards are fine for activities such as web browsing or social media, but when its time to do a lot of data entry, having a regular keyboard is a great feature.

If you find that you need mobility with a touchscreen and are on a very tight budget, tablets can be very appealing. Out of all the tablets that are out there for under $500 the Surface 3 stands out as one of the most viable options. Don't need the mobile option but still want a touch screen? A traditional all-in-one pc with an Atom processor is not much more of an investment being as it's actually built for point of sale and may be a better fit.  However look at your budget and look at your needs.

<h3>Recommended Point of Sale hardware and software for use with a Surface 3:</h3>

- **Software:** [PC America Cash Register Express][9].  The software can go full screen and has restaurant and retail modes.  Those looking to not do printed receipts but have a wifi connection can use the email a receipt function to go paperless.

- **USB Barcode Scanner:** [Symbol LI2208][10].  This scanner has a low power draw, great scan engine, and can scan off of phones.

- **Bluetooth Barcode Scanner:** [Symbol CS3070][11] - Laser Scanner with good battery life and easy pairing.

- **USB Receipt Printer:** [Epson TM-T200II][12] Ready Print - Compatible with CRE and most POS Software.

- **Cash Drawer:** [POS-X ION 16" Cash Drawer][13] - All metal drawer, popular 16" size with 5 bill holders.  Comes with the cable for connecting it to an Epson or POS-X Receipt Printer

[1]: https://posguys.blob.core.windows.net/content/images/blog/33/surface-pro3-pos.jpg
  [2]: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/productID.314885500
  [3]: /mobile-barcode-scanner_67/
  [4]: /receipt-pos-printer_12/
  [5]: /cash-drawer_32/
  [6]: /pos-computer_42/
  [7]: /point-of-sale-software_35/
  [8]: /point-of-sale-software_35/Aldelo-POS-Pro_1320/
  [9]: /point-of-sale-software_35/PC-America-Cash-Register-Express_1047/
  [10]: /barcode-reader-scanner_3/Motorola-LI2208_1328/
  [11]: /mobile-barcode-scanner_67/Motorola-CS3070_1262/
  [12]: /receipt-pos-printer_12/Epson-TM-T20II_2360/
  [13]: /cash-drawer_32/POS-X-ION_1278/

Surface 3 for Point of Sale By: POSGuys - 3/31/2015

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Surface 3 for Point of Sale
By: POSGuys - 3/31/2015