iTnews

Microsoft unveils Surface Pro 3

By Juha Saarinen on May 21, 2014 4:31AM
Microsoft unveils Surface Pro 3

Is it a tabtop or a laplet?

Microsoft unveiled the new Surface Pro 3 in New York this morning, showing that it isn't giving up on building a combined portable PC and tablet.

The company, which has so far not had a look-in on a tablet market dominated by Apple's iPads, has a new sales mantra for the Surface Pro 3: it's the converged device to replace laptops and tablets.

It remains to be seen if the new Surface Pro 3 will improve on the lacklustre sales achieved by its two predecessors. Success in this area is one of the major challenges that new Microsoft boss Satya Nadella faces.

Panos Panay shows off the Surface Pro 3 in New York. All images source Microsoft

Surface vice president Panos Panay, who along with chief executive Satya Nadella took the covers off the new device, said people will love having just the one device for all their portable computing needs.

To this end, Microsoft has made the Surface Pro 3 extra light, at approximately 800 grams, and a mere 9.14 millimetres slim, with a magnesium case.

Side view of the Surface Pro 3 with Touch Type cover

There is a 256 pressure level sensitivity pen for drawing and handwriting just as with earlier Surface Pro models, plus Microsoft's Touch Type keyboard cover.

New in the Surface Pro 3 is continuous Kickstand rear support which can be set at any angle now, instead of just one for earlier models.

Continuous kickstand provides multiple angles of support

Despite a large 12-inch ClearType Full HD display with 3:2 ratio and 2,160 by 1,440 pixel resolution and Intel Core processors, Microsoft promises up to nine hours of "web-browsing battery life" for the Surface Pro 3.

Laptop-style connectors for the Surface Pro 3 include a full-size USB 3.0 port, microSD memory card slot, Mini DisplayPort for monitors and headset jack.

The Surface Pro 3 has two high-definition cameras, with the rear one sporting five megapixel resolution.

Surface Pro 3 back-view

Wireless support includes the latest 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard, and the low-energy Bluetooth 4.0 protocol. There is no LTE 4G cellular broadband for the Surface Pro 3 however.

In the United States, the Surface Pro 3 starts at US$799 (AUD$865) for the low-end model with an Intel Core i3 processor, 64GB of storage and 4GB RAM.

Upping the processor to a faster Core i5 model and 128GB storage pushes the Surface Pro to US$999 (AUD$1080) and US$1,299 (AUD$1404) which buys 256GB flash drive and 8GB RAM.

At the top of the range, Microsoft offers two models with the Core i7 processor: a 256GB storage model for US$1549 (AUD$1675) and a 512GB model for US$1949 (AUD$2107), both with 8GB of system RAM.

The docking station in use.

Accessories such an improved Type cover (US$129.99), docking station (US$199.99) and Ethernet network adapter (US$39.99) are also available for the Surface Pro 3.

The Surface Pro 3 will be available for pre-ordering in the United States from tomorrow and hit the physical and online Microsoft stores on June 20.

Prospective Australian and New Zealand Surface Pro 3 customers will have to wait until end of August however, along with the rest of the world.

Got a news tip for our journalists? Share it with us anonymously here.
Copyright © iTnews.com.au . All rights reserved.
Tags:
hardware laptops microsoft mobility pcs surface pro 3 tablets windows

Partner Content

Putting cyber security basics in place
Partner Content Putting cyber security basics in place
New Intel NUCs advancing mini-PC possibilities for business
Partner Content New Intel NUCs advancing mini-PC possibilities for business
Apathetic leadership remains cybersecurity barrier in Australia
Promoted Content Apathetic leadership remains cybersecurity barrier in Australia
Why companies fail at picking cloud modernisation partners
Promoted Content Why companies fail at picking cloud modernisation partners

Sponsored Whitepapers

Empowering workforces in the new environment
Empowering workforces in the new environment
Is the technology refresh dead?
Is the technology refresh dead?
DevSecOps: A framework for digital innovation
DevSecOps: A framework for digital innovation
Encryption: Protect your most critical data
Encryption: Protect your most critical data
Overcoming data security challenges in a hybrid, multicloud world
Overcoming data security challenges in a hybrid, multicloud world

Events

  • On-Demand Webinar: How Poly and Microsoft are Embracing Future Work Environments
  • [Webinar] - Transformation versus compliance – a guide for CXOs
  • Masters of Microsoft Licensing
By Juha Saarinen
May 21 2014
4:31AM
0 Comments

Related Articles

  • Microsoft cuts Windows unit revenue outlook on coronavirus impact
  • SA firies, SES trial vehicle tracking ahead of state-wide rollout
  • Vietnam gives Foxconn unit licence for US$270 million plant
  • Legacy protocols used to bypass Microsoft 365 MFA
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Whatsapp Email A Friend

Most Read Articles

Aussie Broadband says some customers are switching providers to get high-speed NBN discounts

Aussie Broadband says some customers are switching providers to get high-speed NBN discounts

Aussie Broadband to white label its services

Aussie Broadband to white label its services

Swinburne University data breach exposes details of 5000 staff, students

Swinburne University data breach exposes details of 5000 staff, students

ATO loses its cyber security chief

ATO loses its cyber security chief

You must be a registered member of iTnews to post a comment.
Log In | Register
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorisation.
Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of nextmedia's Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.