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==Design==
==Design==
The Surface Pro 3 features a larger 12-inch display over it's [[Microsoft Surface Pro 2|predecessor]], but at the same time is both thinner and lighter. It comes with an improved high friction kickstand, capable of opening up to 150 degrees.<ref name="Anand"/><ref name="Verge"/> New accessories include a redesigned type cover and a battery-powered [[Bluetooth]] [[Active pen]].<ref name="CNET"/> The battery life can support up to 9 hours of web browsing, and can last up to 1 year in [[sleep mode]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Microsoft's Panos Panay on why the Surface Pro 3 beats your tablet and laptop |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCn9-pYwhj8 |date=May 2014}}</ref>
The Surface Pro 3 features a larger 12-inch display over its [[Microsoft Surface Pro 2|predecessor]], but at the same time is both thinner and lighter. It comes with an improved high friction kickstand, capable of opening up to 150 degrees.<ref name="Anand"/><ref name="Verge"/> New accessories include a redesigned type cover and a battery-powered [[Bluetooth]] [[Active pen]].<ref name="CNET"/> The battery life can support up to 9 hours of web browsing, and can last up to 1 year in [[sleep mode]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Microsoft's Panos Panay on why the Surface Pro 3 beats your tablet and laptop |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCn9-pYwhj8 |date=May 2014}}</ref>


==Models==
==Models==

Revision as of 03:52, 24 August 2014

Surface Pro 3
Image of Surface Pro 3 without Type Cover
Surface Pro 3 without Type Cover
DeveloperMicrosoft
Product familySurface
TypeTablet computer, laplet
Generation3rd
Release dateJune 20, 2014
Introductory price$799–1949
Operating systemWindows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
CPUDual-core Intel Haswell low-power processor:
i3-4020Y (3 MB cache, 1.5 GHz, 11.5 W)
i5-4300U (3 MB cache, up to 2.9 GHz, 15 W)
i7-4650U (4 MB cache, up to 3.3 GHz, 15 W)[1]
Memory4/8 GB DDR3 RAM[2]
Storage64/128/256/512 GB[2]
Removable storagemicroSD up to 128 GB
Display12.0 inches (30 cm) 2160x1440 px (216 ppi) ClearType HD screen with 3:2 aspect ratio,[2][3][4] up to two additional external displays[1]
Graphicsintegrated into CPU, Intel HD Graphics GPU:
HD4200 in i3 CPU
HD4400 in i5 CPU
HD5000 in i7 CPU
[1]
SoundDual front facing speakers
Inputtouchscreen,[5] Surface Pen (included),[6] Surface Pro Type Cover (sold separately)[7]
CameraFront: 5 MP, 1080p HD
Rear: 5 MP, 1080p HD[2]
Touchpadon the Surface Pro Type Cover (sold separately)[7]
ConnectivityWi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, Headset jack
Dimensions11.5 inches (29 cm) (width)
7.93 inches (20.1 cm) (height)
0.36 inches (9.1 mm) (depth)[2]
Mass1.76 pounds (800 g)[8]
PredecessorMicrosoft Surface Pro 2
RelatedSurface
Websitewww.microsoft.com/surface
File:SurfacePro3-2.JPG
Surface Pro 3 at Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is a Surface-series Windows 8.1 tablet-hybrid (sometimes referred to as a laplet) produced by Microsoft. It was announced on May 20, 2014, at a New York City event,[4][9][10] and the first models were released on June 20, 2014 in the U.S. and Canada.[4] The Surface Pro 3 will be launched in 25 additional markets on August 28.[11]

Design

The Surface Pro 3 features a larger 12-inch display over its predecessor, but at the same time is both thinner and lighter. It comes with an improved high friction kickstand, capable of opening up to 150 degrees.[2][4] New accessories include a redesigned type cover and a battery-powered Bluetooth Active pen.[3] The battery life can support up to 9 hours of web browsing, and can last up to 1 year in sleep mode.[12]

Models

The Surface Pro 3 is built on the 4th generation Intel Core processor with TPM chip for enterprise security. There are five configurations available.

Surface Pro 3 Configuration Options[13]
Price Tier (USD) CPU and Integrated GPU RAM Internal Storage
799 Intel i3 with HD4200 4 GB 64 GB
999 Intel i5 with HD4400 128 GB
1299 8 GB 256 GB
1549 Intel i7 with HD5000
1949 512 GB

The internal storage and memory of Surface Pro 3 tablets are not user upgradeable. There is a hot swap microSD slot on the back of the device, allowing for memory cards up to 128 GB.

InstantGo

The Surface Pro 3 is one of the first 64-bit Windows devices that features InstantGo (formerly Connected Standby)[14], allowing for smartphone-type power management capabilities. This allows for Windows Store apps to update info (such as email) while the device appears off, and for the operating to system to run automatic maintenance when connected to AC.[15] The Surface will enter Hibernation after four hours (by default) of no activity, to further conserve battery power.[16]

InstantGo is currently not supported when Hyper-V is enabled, instead the device will enter hibernation.[17]

External display connectivity

The Surface Pro 3 is capable of connecting up to two external displays. Maximum supported resolutions varies across tablet configurations according to CPU model. The i3-model can drive up to two WUXGA (1920x1200 at 60 Hz) displays, while the i5 and i7 models support up to two external monitors with maximum resolution of 2880x1800 at 60 Hz. The maximum resolution of a single external display is 2560x1600 at 60 Hz for i3-based model and 3200x2000 at 60 Hz or 3840x2160 at 30 Hz (known as 4K Ultra HD) for i5 and i7-based models.[18]

Accessories

The Surface-series tablets feature an optional Surface Pro Type Cover, available in five colors.[7] The Surface Pro 3 type cover is thinner and has an improved touchpad over it's predecessors. It also has an additional magnetic strip which binds to the front bezel of the display for additional stability.[19]

Microsoft also offers a Surface Pro 3 Docking Station, adding 5 USB ports (including 3 USB 3.0), a Gigabit Ethernet port, an additional Mini DisplayPort (which can be used simultaneously with one on a tablet itself) and two 3.5 mm mini jacks for audio input/output.[20]

Some of Microsoft's touch-enabled mice were redesigned to match Surface devices style, added a Bluetooth connectivity and appended a Surface Edition to the name. There are two of such mice available at this moment, Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition[21] and Wedge Touch Mouse Surface Edition.[22]

Release

Pre-orders for the Surface Pro 3 were opened on May 21, 2014, and the device was released on June 20, 2014 in the US and Canada; with the Intel Core i3 and Intel Core i7 models released on August 1, 2014.[5] By the end of August 2014, the Surface Pro 3 will be available in 25 additional markets.[23]

Reception

The older, Surface RT and Surface 2, with their ARM-based processors and Windows RT operating system, are pitched against the iPad and other tablet computers. The Surface Pro 3 (like the preceding Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2), with its Intel CPU and Windows 8 OS, is a full-fledged PC that competes against Ultrabooks (particularly those "convertible" laptops with touchscreens for tablet functionality, flexible hinges, detachable keyboards, or sliders) and other high-end subnotebooks (that don't compromise performance or battery life) such as the MacBook Air.[24][25][26]

Despite its hardware, which makes it capable of running all x86 Windows programs, the Surface Pro 3 is still considered a tablet by the FAA and TSA which is advantageous in air travel (a tablet can be used during takeoff or landing, and a tablet can be left in a bag when going through a TSA scanner machine, neither of which apply to a laptop). Reviewers, such as David Pogue, have suggested "The upshot is that, with hardly any thickness or weight penalty, the kickstand and the Type Cover let you transform your 1.8-pound tablet into an actual, fast, luxury laptop". Pogue said that the Surface Pro 3's form factor works well as a tablet, in contrast to the Surface Pro 2, whose bulk and weight limited its appeal as a tablet. Pogue also stated that the new multi-stage kickstand, 3:2 screen aspect ratio, and new Type Cover 3 detachable keyboard made it a competent laptop. It has been suggested that the Surface Pro 3 comes closest to the Microsoft Tablet PC concept that company founder Bill Gates announced in 2001.[24][25][26]

Known issues

There are isolated overheating and noise fan issues.[27] Newer models are also affected.[28] On August 11, 2014, Microsoft started investigating this issue.[29]

As of July 13, 2014, there have been some reports of high CPU load from sleep resume.[30]

As of June 16, 2014, there are issues with the pen pressure sensitivity and lag that Microsoft is attempting to fix.[31]

As of July 28, 2014, reports of Wi-Fi connectivity issues remain despite a promise of a fix in a July 16 update.[32]

The Surface Pro 3 has been criticized for the difficulty to undertake repairs on the device because of the use of a strong adhesive material throughout.[33]

The capacitive start button can sometimes be accidentally triggered due to its placement on the side of the device, despite the use of palm rejection. Microsoft is working to fix this issue by possibly disabling the capacitive button while the pen is in contact with the screen.[34]

References

  1. ^ a b c "ZDNet Surface Pro 3 Detailed Specs".
  2. ^ a b c d e f Lal Shimpi, Anand (May 20, 2014). "Microsoft Surface Pro 3: Hands On, Display & Performance Preview". AnandTech. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  3. ^ a b Goldman, Joshua (May 20, 2014). "Surface Pro 3: 12-inch 3:2 screen, starts at $799, preorders start May 21 (hands-on)". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d Warren, Tom (May 20, 2014). "Microsoft announces the Surface Pro 3". The Verge. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Surface Pro 3 Product Page". Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  6. ^ "Surface Pen Product Page".
  7. ^ a b c "Surface Pro Type Cover Product Page".
  8. ^ Wollman, Dana (May 20, 2014). "Microsoft announces its biggest tablet yet, the 12-inch Surface Pro 3". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  9. ^ "Microsoft introduces Surface Pro 3: the tablet that can replace your laptop" (Press release). New York: Microsoft. May 20, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  10. ^ "Surface Pro 3: Microsoft's new tablet aims at laptop market". CBC News. May 20, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  11. ^ Thurrott, Paul (Aug 6, 2014). "Surface Pro 3 Launch 25 Additional Markets August 28". Winsupersite. Retrieved Aug 11, 2014.
  12. ^ "Microsoft's Panos Panay on why the Surface Pro 3 beats your tablet and laptop". May 2014.
  13. ^ "Surface Pro 3 tablet models". June 2, 2014.
  14. ^ "Windows 8.1 x64 Connected Standby Support".
  15. ^ "Introduction to connected standby".
  16. ^ "Surface Pro power states: On, off, sleep, and hibernate".
  17. ^ "Surface Pro 3 Tip: Hyper-V vs. Connected Standby".
  18. ^ "Quick Reference Guide to 4th Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Graphics (formerly codenamed Haswell)".
  19. ^ "Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Review".
  20. ^ "Surface Pro 3 Docking Station Product Page".
  21. ^ "Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition Product Page".
  22. ^ "Wedge Touch Mouse Surface Edition Product Page".
  23. ^ Panay, Panos (May 20, 2014). "Announcing Surface Pro 3". Surface Blog. Microsoft. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  24. ^ a b Pogue, David (May 22, 2014). "Smart, Versatile Surface Pro 3 Can Do It All — Maybe Even Lift the Windows 8 Curse". Yahoo Tech. Yahoo. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
  25. ^ a b Bohn, Dieter (May 23, 2014). "Microsoft Surface Pro 3 review". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
  26. ^ a b Eadicicco, Lisa. "POGUE: The Surface Pro 3 Is The One Time Windows 8 Isn't A Disaster". Business Insider. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
  27. ^ Readers Confirm Surface Pro 3 Overheating and Fan Noise Issues
  28. ^ Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Overheating Issues Continue, i7 Models Also Affected
  29. ^ Microsoft Starts Investigating Surface Pro 3 Overheating Issues
  30. ^ Surface Pro 3 issues still present: High CPU load from sleep resume
  31. ^ Microsoft Brings Penny Arcade Artist To An Engineering Team To Work Out Surface Pro 3 Issues | TechCrunch
  32. ^ Surface Pro 3 Wifi issues still continue despite 16th Update
  33. ^ Surface Pro 3 as hard to repair as predecessors, iFixit says - CNET
  34. ^ Microsoft News | Microsoft Already Working To Fix The Home Button Issue For Artists In Surface Pro 3
Preceded by Surface Pro 3
2014
Succeeded by