Surface Pro 3
|
Surface Pro 3 with Type Cover | |
| Developer | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Pegatron[1] |
| Product family | Surface |
| Type | Tablet computer, laplet |
| Generation | 3rd |
| Release date | June 20, 2014 |
| Introductory price | $799–1949 (USD) |
| Operating system | Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit |
| CPU |
Intel Haswell low-voltage dual-core:[2] i3-4020Y 1.5 GHz, 3 MB cache, 11.5 W[3] i5-4300U 1.9 up to 2.9 GHz, 3 MB cache, 15 W[4] i7-4650U 1.7 up to 3.3 GHz, 4 MB cache, 15 W[5] |
| Memory | 4 or 8 GB LPDDR3 1600 MHz RAM[6] |
| Storage | 64, 128, 256 or 512 GB[6] |
| Removable storage | microSD slot, up to 128 GB |
| Display |
12.0 inches (30 cm) 2160x1440 (216 ppi) eDP ClearType HD screen with 3:2 aspect ratio,[6][7][8] Support up to three external displays[9] |
| Graphics |
Intel integrated HD Graphics[2] HD 4200 in i3 CPU HD 4400 in i5 CPU HD 5000 in i7 CPU |
| Sound | Dual front facing speakers |
| Input |
Multi-touch touchscreen[10] Bluetooth active pen, with underlying N-trig DuoSense technology,[11] with 256 levels of pressure sensitivity (included)[12] Surface Pro Type Cover detachable keyboard with touchpad (sold separately)[13] Sensors:[14] Dual microphones Ambient light sensor 3-axis accelerometer 3-axis gyroscope Digital compass |
| Camera |
Front: 5 MP, 1080p HD Rear: 5 MP, 1080p HD[6] |
| Touchpad | On the Surface Pro Type Cover (sold separately)[13] |
| Connectivity |
Wireless: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Bluetooth 4.0 LE Ports: Full size USB 3.0 Mini DisplayPort 3.5 mm audio socket Cover port (proprietary) Charging/Docking port (proprietary) |
| Power |
Built-in rechargeable 42 W·h (150 kJ) lithium-ion battery[6] 36 W proprietary external power supply with integrated USB charging port |
| Online services | Windows Store, OneDrive, Xbox Music, Xbox Games, Xbox Video |
| Dimensions |
11.5 inches (29 cm) (width) 7.93 inches (20.1 cm) (height) 0.36 inches (9.1 mm) (depth)[6] |
| Weight | 1.76 pounds (800 g)[15] |
| Predecessor | Surface Pro 2 |
| Related articles | Surface |
| Website |
www |
| This article is part of a series on the |
| Surface Family |
|---|
The Surface Pro 3 is the third-generation Surface-series 2-in-1 tablet/laplet, designed, developed, marketed, and produced by Microsoft. It is shipped running the 64-bit version of Windows 8.1 Pro. The Surface Pro 3 was announced on May 20, 2014, at a New York City event,[8][16][17] and the first models were released on June 20, 2014 in the U.S. and Canada.[8] The Surface Pro 3 was launched in 25 additional markets on August 28.[18]
History
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.[10] At the end of August 2014, the Surface Pro 3 was available in 25 additional markets.[19]
Design
The Surface Pro 3 has a body made of magnesium alloy giving a gray matted finish to the back of the device. The charging port is magnetized and connect securely to the charger.
It comes with an improved continuous kickstand, allowing the device to be set at any angle between 22 and 150 degrees. The kickstand has a high resistance which provides firmness and prevent an accidental sliding.
The Surface Pro 3 features a larger 12 inches (30 cm) display over its predecessor. The screen has a 3:2 aspect ratio which Microsoft claims allow the device to be used more comfortably in the portrait orientation. Because the touch screen digitizer and the pen digitizer are combined into a single layer, the screen is physically thinner than one of earlier models, which improves viewing angle.
Although the Surface Pro 3 has a larger screen than its predecessor, it is both thinner and lighter, weighing 100 grams (0.22 lb) less. Microsoft claims the Surface Pro 3 is capable of up to 9 hours of web browsing.[20]
Hardware
The Surface Pro 3 is built on the 4th generation Intel Core processor with TPM chip for enterprise security. It includes a USB 3.0 port and a Mini DisplayPort on the right, an audio jack on the left, and a hot swap microSD slot on the back of the device. The microSD slot supports memory cards up to 128 GB. The internal solid-state drive and system memory are not user upgradeable.
| Surface Pro 3 Configuration Options[21] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price Tier (USD) | CPU | Integrated GPU | RAM | Internal Storage |
| 799 | Intel Core i3-4020Y | HD 4200 | 4 GB | 64 GB |
| 999 | Intel Core i5-4300U | HD 4400 | 128 GB | |
| 1299 | 8 GB | 256 GB | ||
| 1549 | Intel Core i7-4650U | HD 5000 | ||
| 1949 | 512 GB | |||
External display connectivity
Like its predecessor, the Surface Pro 3 is capable of connecting up to three external displays. To connect a third display the tablet's own screen should be turned off.
The tablet itself has a single Mini DisplayPort output and in order to connect two external displays one can additionally use a secondary Mini DisplayPort on a docking station accessory (sold separately). To attach three (or fewer) displays, an aftermarket DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport hub can be used or a daisy chaining feature of compatible displays. One of external displays can be attached over-the-air utilizing Intel Wireless Display (WiDi) technology.
| Surface Pro 3 External Display Connectivity[9]
(maximum resolution and refresh rate shown in parentheses) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU model | Display 1 | Display 2 | Display 3 |
| i3 | eDP/DisplayPort (2560x1600, 60 Hz) | DisplayPort (2560x1600, 60 Hz) | DisplayPort (2560x1600, 60 Hz) |
| DVI (2560x1600, 60 Hz) | DVI (2560x1600, 60 Hz) | ||
| VGA (1920x1200, 60 Hz) | VGA (1920x1200, 60 Hz) | ||
| HDMI (4096x2304, 24 Hz) | WiDi (1920x1080, 60 Hz) | ||
| i5/i7 | eDP/DisplayPort (3200x2000, 60 Hz) | DisplayPort (3200x2000, 60 Hz) | DisplayPort (3200x2000, 60 Hz) |
| DVI (2560x1600, 60 Hz) | DVI (2560x1600, 60 Hz) | ||
| VGA (1920x1200, 60 Hz) | VGA (1920x1200, 60 Hz) | ||
| HDMI (4096x2304, 24 Hz) | WiDi (1920x1080, 60 Hz) | ||
In a single external display mode over DisplayPort, the i5 and i7-based models also support a resolution of 3840x2160 at 60 Hz, known as 4K Ultra HD.[22]
InstantGo
The Surface Pro 3 is one of the first 64-bit Windows devices that features InstantGo (formerly Connected Standby),[23] 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 system to run automatic maintenance when connected to AC.[24] The Surface will enter hibernation state after four hours of no activity, to further conserve battery power.[25]
With InstantGo active there is only one power plan available with a limited options.[26] InstantGo is currently not supported when Hyper-V is enabled, instead the device will enter hibernation each time it is put into sleep mode.[27]
Accessories
The Surface-series tablets feature a Type Cover accessory, an attachable protective keyboard, which is sold separately, yet has continually appeared in every Surface ad since the launch of the original Surface. The Type Cover for Surface Pro 3 features backlit keys, is thinner and has an improved touchpad over its predecessors. It also has a magnetic strip which binds to the front bezel of the display for additional stability. The magnetic strip can also be used to elevate the position of the keyboard, which can help to comfortably use a Type Cover on a lap.[13][28]
A surface pen is included with each Surface Pro 3 device. In contrast to the pen included with a predecessor, with an underlying Wacom technology, the Surface Pen of Surface Pro 3 features N-trig DuoSense technology with 256 levels of pressure sensitivity.
Microsoft also offers a docking station, which adds 5 USB ports (including 3 USB 3.0), a Gigabit Ethernet port, an additional Mini DisplayPort (which can be used simultaneously with the port on the Surface Pro 3) and a 3.5 mm audio socket for audio input/output.[29]
Some of Microsoft's wireless touch mice were restyled to match the Surface-series laplets design, added where applicable a Bluetooth connectivity and relaunched as Surface Edition series mice: Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition[30] and Wedge Touch Mouse Surface Edition.[31]
Reception
The older, original Surface 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.[32][33][34]
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.[32][33][34] The Surface Pro 3 received a reparability score of 1/10 from iFixit because of the use of a strong adhesive material throughout and the difficulty to remove the display.[35]
Time magazine included Microsoft Surface Pro 3 in the list of the 25 best inventions of 2014.[36]
Known issues
Some users have had Wi-Fi issues. Microsoft has tried multiple times to fix them with no success.[37]
References
- ↑ "Manufacturer of Surface". The Register. January 22, 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "ZDNet Surface Pro 3 Detailed Specs".
- ↑ "ARK Intel Core i3 Specifications".
- ↑ "ARK Intel Core i5 Specifications".
- ↑ "ARK Intel Core i7 Specifications".
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Lal Shimpi, Anand (May 20, 2014). "Microsoft Surface Pro 3: Hands On, Display & Performance Preview". AnandTech. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Warren, Tom (May 20, 2014). "Microsoft announces the Surface Pro 3". The Verge. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Configuration 3-Displays FAQ". Intel.com. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Surface Pro 3 Product Page". Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ↑ "N-trig Windows-based Devices". N-trig's Official Website. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- ↑ "Surface Pen Product Page".
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "Surface Pro Type Cover Product Page".
- ↑ "Surface Pro 3 Fact Sheet".
- ↑ Wollman, Dana (May 20, 2014). "Microsoft announces its biggest tablet yet, the 12-inch Surface Pro 3". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
- ↑ "Microsoft introduces Surface Pro 3: the tablet that can replace your laptop" (Press release). New York: Microsoft. May 20, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ↑ "Surface Pro 3: Microsoft's new tablet aims at laptop market". CBC News. May 20, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
- ↑ Thurrott, Paul (Aug 6, 2014). "Surface Pro 3 Launch 25 Additional Markets August 28". Winsupersite. Retrieved Aug 11, 2014.
- ↑ Panay, Panos (May 20, 2014). "Announcing Surface Pro 3". Surface Blog. Microsoft. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ↑ "Microsoft Store — Surface Pro 3: tech specs". microsoftstore.com. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
- ↑ "Surface Pro 3 tablet models". June 2, 2014.
- ↑ "Quick Reference Guide to 4th Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Graphics (formerly codenamed Haswell)". Intel.com. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
- ↑ "Windows 8.1 x64 Connected Standby Support".
- ↑ "Introduction to connected standby".
- ↑ "Surface Pro power states: On, off, sleep, and hibernate".
- ↑ "Power plans: frequently asked questions". Microsoft.com. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Surface Pro 3 Tip: Hyper-V vs. Connected Standby".
- ↑ "Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Review".
- ↑ "Surface Pro 3 Docking Station Product Page".
- ↑ "Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition Product Page".
- ↑ "Wedge Touch Mouse Surface Edition Product Page".
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 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.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 Bohn, Dieter (May 23, 2014). "Microsoft Surface Pro 3 review". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 Eadicicco, Lisa. "POGUE: The Surface Pro 3 Is The One Time Windows 8 Isn't A Disaster". Business Insider. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
- ↑ "Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Teardown". iFixit. Retrieved 2014-08-28.
- ↑ "The 25 Best Inventions of 2014". Time.com. 20 November 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ↑ Surface Pro 3 firmware patch solves some glitches, but Wi-Fi problems persist | InfoWorld
External links
| Preceded by Surface Pro 2 |
Surface Pro 3 3rd generation |
Succeeded by |
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