In almost every manner, the Surface Pro 3 improves on the previous model — Microsoft has ticked all of the boxes. The company even went so far as to compare this combination to both Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Air and the iPad Air, the company’s top-of-the-line tablet.
On the surface, the Surface Pro 3 appears to be in the middle of the pack. The 1.76-pound tablet, which measures 7.93 x 11.5 x 0.36 inches (W x D x H), isn’t quite as thin and light as the iPad Air, but it clearly outperforms the MacBook Air in both categories.
And that’s exactly the point: a device that has enough of each to be able to replace both. The Pro 3 is a reasonably light tablet – but not the lightest – and one of the thinnest and lightest laptops available. However, dimensions are only part of the story. Is the Pro 3 powerful enough to compete with both, and at a reasonable price?
Spec sheet
- CPU: 1.9GHz Intel Core i5-4300U (dual-core, 3MB cache, up to 2.9GHz with Turbo Boost)
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4400
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR3
- Screen: 12-inch, 2160 x 1440 multi-touch (ClearType, 3:2 aspect ratio)
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Ports: One USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, microSDXC card reader (up to 128GB), headphone/mic jack
- Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
- Camera: Two 5MP webcams (1080p HD video)
- Weight: 1.76 pounds
- Size: 7.93 x 11.5 x 0.36 inches (W x D x H)
This is a mid-range Surface Pro 3 setup that will set you back $1,299 (about £772, AU$1,403). The most cost-effective option to get a Surface Pro 3 is to pay $799 (about £475, AU$863). You’ll have to make do with an Intel Core i3 processor, half the RAM, and only 64GB of storage. For $1,949 (about £1,158, AU$2,106), you can get this slate with a Core i7 processor, 8GB of memory, and a massive 512GB solid-state drive.
It’s worth mentioning that there are a number of bargains available to get the Surface Pro 3 at a reduced price. If you’re a student in the United States, for example, you can get the device for $150 less. If you choose the higher-end Core i7 model, you may save an additional 10% off the retail price, which is $195.
Returning to the item in question, Microsoft claims that it is virtually two smartphones in one, and that it is priced accordingly, not to mention with Apple in mind. So, starting with the most recent iPad, it would cost $799 (the Pro 3’s starting price) to only get half of the capacity available on this Microsoft tablet. And this is Apple’s most expensive setup.
A 1.3GHz processor, a 9.7-inch display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536, 802.11a/b/g/n dual-channel Wi-Fi with MIMO, and Bluetooth 4.0 are all included in that price. While it’s difficult to compare their displays due to their differences in size, the iPad Air has a hard time competing on paper with the Surface Pro 3.
Surprisingly, spec for spec, the MacBook Air comparison is easier to make. Apple’s 13-inch thin-and-light laptop, which costs $1,299, takes on the Pro 3 in terms of storage and RAM. The 1440 x 900 screen, on the other hand, appears drab in comparison. While this notebook has Intel’s significantly superior HD Graphics 5000, the Core i5 processor that powers it runs at a much slower 1.4GHz.
At first inspection, the Surface Pro 3 appears to be capable of dancing around both of Apple’s computers at the same time. That is, if you ordered the Type Cover as an option. That’s right: the only thing needed to make this tablet a true laptop replacement isn’t included. In reality, it’ll set you back $130 (about £77, AU$140). Even still, with the Type Cover, this Surface Pro 3 setup costs less than Apple’s entry-level tablet and laptop combined. In terms of pricing, Microsoft may have succeeded in replacing the laptop, but what about performance?