Mobile Technology

Microsoft Surface 3 is no "Pro," but still runs full Windows

Microsoft Surface 3 is no "Pro," but still runs full Windows
The Microsoft Surface 3 is a smaller (and scaled-back) variant of the Surface 3 that starts at US$500 – not including pen or keyboard
The Microsoft Surface 3 is a smaller (and scaled-back) variant of the Surface 3 that starts at US$500 – not including pen or keyboard
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The Microsoft Surface 3 is a smaller (and scaled-back) variant of the Surface 3 that starts at US$500 – not including pen or keyboard
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The Microsoft Surface 3 is a smaller (and scaled-back) variant of the Surface 3 that starts at US$500 – not including pen or keyboard
Surface 3 with (optional) Docking Station
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Surface 3 with (optional) Docking Station
Surface 3 (left) with Surface Pro 3
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Surface 3 (left) with Surface Pro 3
Type Covers for Surface 3
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Type Covers for Surface 3
New color options for the Surface Pen
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New color options for the Surface Pen
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For its first two generations, Microsoft released "Pro" and standard (RT) versions of the Surface. You also may have noticed that Microsoft ditched the RT and focused exclusively on the Pro with last year's Surface Pro 3. Today the company is revisiting the cheaper model, but without resurrecting Windows RT from its early grave.

The Surface 3 runs full Windows (including the desktop) with an Intel processor on the inside. With this model the company cut cost corners by making the machine smaller, with a lower-resolution screen (and cheaper Atom CPU) than its Pro counterpart, as well as fewer adjustments options on its kickstand.

This is the first non-Pro Surface to include pen input, as it supports the same Surface Pen from the SP3 (which it will now sell in multiple color options). The only catch is that, unlike with the Pro 3, the Surface 3's pen is sold separately.

New color options for the Surface Pen
New color options for the Surface Pen

The Surface 3's specs are in line with what you'd expect from a cheaper model. It uses an Intel Atom x7 processor, which runs full 64-bit Windows but has power (and power management) that inches a bit closer to what you'd expect from ARM-based mobile devices. Its screen shrinks down from the SP3's 12 inches to 10.8 inches, and its resolution drops down to 1,920 x 1,280 (214 PPI, nearly the same as its Pro sibling).

Microsoft estimates 10 hours of battery life for the Surface 3 (based on "video playback") and switches from the SP3's proprietary charger to a ubiquitous microUSB connector. It has an 8 MP rear camera and 3.5 MP front camera.

One of the nicest upgrades in the Surface Pro 3 was its dynamically adjusting kickstand (the first two generations could only stand up in either one or two positions). The Surface 3 straddles those lines, locking into any of three different angles.

Surface 3 (left) with Surface Pro 3
Surface 3 (left) with Surface Pro 3

On other fronts, the budget Surface weighs 622 g (1.37 lb) and is 8.7 mm (0.34-in) thick. For comparison's sake, that's 42 percent heavier and 43 percent thicker than the iPad Air 2 (just keep in mind that it's typical for x86 machines like the Surface to require more bulk than the ARM-based iPad).

The Surface 3 is also Microsoft's first x86 Surface to include an LTE option.

Microsoft is charging $500 and up for the Surface 3, but that doesn't include its keyboard or pen. The device goes on sale with limited availability on May 5, and adds new markets on May 7. Microsoft will take your pre-order starting today.

Source: Microsoft

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1 comment
1 comment
Mike Williams
I think MS has noticed Asus success with the T100. This machine seems targeted at that device more than anything. It looks really nice but I still prefer the new T100 Chi which is lighter, thinner, and comes with a full keyboard for $100 less.