Surface Pro 3 Review

Microsoft has large goals and a new bulletin for the Surface Pro 3. Instead of attempting to compete with the all-popular iPad from Apple, they're targeting laptop owners and wannabe in-betweeners. Emblazoned everywhere is their new motto: "The tablet that can replace your laptop." So has Microsoft achieved this goal with the redesigned Surface Pro 3?

Subsequently spending four weeks with the Surface Pro 3, I recollect for the most role the respond is a resilient 'yes', only it won't necessarily convince diehard laptop users to switch. Regardless, it's an impressive, category-defining device, even if there's limited adoption past the masses.

Out with the Surface Pro two, in with the Surface Pro three

The Surface Pro 2 was announced by Microsoft back in September of last year, with a street-date the following month, just in time for Halloween. Only seven months afterwards on May 20th, Microsoft held some other Surface event in New York Metropolis, and although a Surface Mini was missing, they instead introduced usa to the Surface Pro 3.

The Surface Pro 2 never fit into my repertoire of become-to devices. I do have the original Surface Pro, which in terms of pattern is coordinating to its second-generation sibling. Don't go me wrong, the Pro machines are tank-similar, real peak-quality devices with superior functioning over the RT variants. Only the black color, thickness and small-scale (in my stance) 10.6-inch brandish was never enough to convince to apply it over my 2 other choices: Surface 2 and my laptop. In fact, I picked up the Surface 2 LTE just to make the Surface two even more useful every bit my leisure tablet that, in a pinch, could exist used to go some real work done.

In my opinion, Microsoft has washed everything correct with the Surface Pro 3's redesign. Let's see what's new, because there'south a lot to list. The Surface Pro 2'southward respective features are in parentheses.

• iii:2 orientation (versus 16:ix)
• 12-inch display (versus 10.half dozen-inch)
• 2160 ten 1440 brandish resolution (versus 1920 10 1080)
• 0.36-inches / nine.1 mm thickness (versus 0.5315-inches / thirteen.50 mm)
• Core i3 and Core i7 variants, in addition to Core i5 (only Core i5)
• one.vii lbs. / 27.2 oz. (versus two lbs. / 32 oz.)
• Matte grayness (versus black)
• N-trig pen (versus Wacom)
• Dual 5 MP 1080P cameras (vs dual 1.two MP 720P)
• 'Connected standby' enabled (versus not supported)

The Surface Pro 3 is a completely dissimilar beast than its predecessor. The above list doesn't even mention all the other subtle changes and improvements, like the thinner glass for the display, less reflectivity in the screen, the new ultra-quiet, low-ability fan, and the other "100 customized parts" that are in the inside. So there'south the new kickstand and keyboard (more than on that below).

As far equally I can tell, Microsoft took all the all-time features of the Surface two, including thinness, the brighter look and lighter weight and combined it with the Pro'due south performance while making the display larger and the device lighter.

At the very to the lowest degree, you have to give credit to the engineering team for creating an astonishing piece of engineering. Non everyone will notice a need for the Surface Pro 3, or fifty-fifty want one, merely it is a marvel, nevertheless.

Personally speaking, the Surface Pro three addresses every issue I had with the Surface Pro ii. It's almost eerie.

New Type Encompass, better trackpad, and a different angle

Microsoft has made some significant improvements to their pioneering Blazon Cover, aka the 1 with the concrete keys and not the less bonny Touch Cover. Although the previous Type Cover had a lot going for information technology, its trackpad was heavily derided due to its pocket-size size and insufficient sensitivity. Trackpads must be the hardest things in the globe to blueprint considering information technology seems like merely Apple tin become information technology right.

Luckily, the Surface Pro 3 gets an improved Blazon Cover, which has a larger bezel to accommodate the bigger display. (Signal of fact, the older Blazon Covers do work, only they don't cover the large Surface Pro 3 display when closed). The new Blazon Comprehend, thankfully, has a newly designed trackpad. It is much better. Microsoft claims that the trackpad is 60%+ larger, fabricated with "embedded drinking glass beads for a smoother feel", and information technology has a mechanical button, which satisfyingly clicks when depressed. Gesture sensitivity is increased likewise, letting you use two-finger scrolling and swipe movements with ease.

I say the trackpad is better on the Surface Pro 3, merely it'south still not perfect either. Perhaps it never volition be, simply similar other reviewers I institute the trackpad at times still too small for my liking. I don't consider information technology a bargain killer equally I always carry effectually the fantastic Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition ($69). The Arc Touch lays apartment in my purse, has a super long lasting battery and is a joy to employ over whatsoever trackpad out there. Trackpads are always a compromise, fifty-fifty on Macs (I've endemic and used a MacBook Air).

But for routine tasks? I'm okay with the new trackpad. It may be a fleck brusk, but everything on a 12-inch computer is a dash tiny, especially when information technology weighs less than 2 pounds. I should also remind the reader that the Surface Pro 3 has a 12-inch touchpad, namely the screen.

The new Type Embrace also features an extra row of magnets so that the keyboard tin attach directly to the display along the horizontal bottom. Classical technology principals inspires the new characteristic that triangles make the best support structures. Between the kickstand (first bending) and the keyboard against the display (second angle), the Surface Pro 3 is supposed to exist more comfortable in the lap and more stable. I concur with Microsoft's rationale here as I found the Surface Pro 3 easy to use in my lap, and the additional angle makes the keyboard even nicer to type on. I'thousand not certain everyone volition agree with that assessment (and some reviewers apparently don't), but this is where personal preference volition affair.

Equally with the previous generation of Type Covers, this one is also backlit with sensors to detect when your hands arroyo the keyboard, and an ambient-sensor to enable or disable the backlight when needed. Backlit keyboard are a must these days, and I think Microsoft'due south solution works well for the 2022 edition.

Finally, many people have disparaged that the $130 keyboard doesn't come arranged with the Surface Pro three. Microsoft claims that some shoppers but want to use the Pro devices like a tablet, hence the omission. Another reason has to do with the 5 available colors (red, black, cyan, dark blue and plumb) for the keyboard to personalize the user feel. When combined with the v hardware variations of the Surface Pro 3, yous have a compounding problem of complexity in configurations. I'm sure at that place are ways around this spinous concern, but Microsoft is sticking to their guns. For now, I would assume that whichever Surface Pro 3 you pick upwards, you upkeep an additional $130 for the keyboard. Personally, I don't encounter it that differently from having to find a encompass for a tablet, sans the price difference, but I get where the critics are coming from with their complaints.

New kickstand, more angles

On the first generation Surfaces, the flip kickstand was a clever innovation. Up until that point, calculation a kickstand to a tablet-ish device was left to third-political party case manufactures. Microsoft built it right into the device itself, and I have to admit it's one of the primary reasons I love the Surface 2 so much. Indeed, the second generation added ii positions for the kickstand, alleviating some complaints by users on restricted placement. The fact is, laptops have variable brandish positions and Microsoft had to compete with that selling point.

The Surface Pro iii addresses this anticipation by invoking a variable angle kickstand. It'southward quite an astonishing feat, especially with the resistance the kickstand provides after a certain angle to prevent it from shifting during employ. In the four weeks I've had with the Surface Pro 3, the kickstand has held up perfectly with no softening to exist detected.

The kickstand on the Surface Pro 3, when combined with the new keyboard position, greatly enhances the so-called 'lapability' of the Surface. I'yard not saying it's as good as laptop, which due to heavier weight and more ridged design will ever be superior. But information technology's a shut approximation, fifty-fifty if a bit of a compromise.

I really am impressed with the new kickstand. It offers choice to the user, which is never a bad affair. However, while it's an exciting coup of engineering, ane does have to question all the manpower going into re-creating something that laptops do without thought. Of class, that's where the tablet one-half of the Surface Pro 3 comes into the picture show.

A big just powerful tablet

At 1.7 pounds (27.2 ounces), and featuring a 12-inch display, the Surface Pro 3 is an immense tablet by today'south standards. Nevertheless, when one considers thinness, information technology tells a different story. The Surface Pro 3 (ix.1 mm) is nearly as sparse equally an iPhone 5S (7.6 mm) and considering of that it feels less substantial when you're holding it.

How long you utilize the Surface Pro 3 as a tablet, in addition to your physical size, will best determine if information technology's too much weight. Personally speaking, I'thousand fine with the Surface Pro 3 as a tablet. I apply it in this mode often on the couch and just for short to moderate durations, later on which I toss it on the absorber until it's once again needed. For watching a movie, I'd never concur a device that came with a built in kickstand, and since the Surface Pro 3 has arguably the best one on the market, the same holds especially truthful for that usage scenario.

The 1 caveat to using the Surface Pro three as a tablet may be for reading. If you program on belongings it over your head in bed, you'll probably run across some bug after a certain amount of time. Even the large Amazon Kindle DX with its 9.seven-inch display is a half-pound lighter. While those aren't huge numbers, they do thing for long durations. I can't say I've spent hours at a time reading on the Surface Pro 3, because I withal prefer physical books or my Kindle Paperwhite. But I do regularly read the Economist (which has a fantastic Windows 8 app, by the way), and for that purpose I appreciate the experience. Whether it is property the Surface Pro iii in portrait or landscape orientation, the 12-inch 2160 10 1440 display really pops.

I can't say the Surface Pro 3 is also big as a tablet for my needs. Indeed, when you toss on some high-stop PC games, are wasting time on Wikipedia, or browsing the web, the larger display makes it a more gratifying experience. I'm hundred-to-one everyone volition agree with my preferences though, as I think this will exist a divisive and controversial area. Some people will say it's no big deal, others a deal billow. That's hardly a consensus-building stance, which may be problematic for Surface Pro 3 sales. The thing to consider is that you're getting a PC feel in a tablet with a lot of calculating power. That may be overkill for some, but it also has its advantages over non-PC tablets on the market.

Bigger meliorate display

Equally mentioned earlier, the Surface Pro 3 comes with a 12-inch 2160 ten 1440 display. It also features a taller aspect ratio at three:2.

Microsoft chose that aspect over the previously used 16:9 because they say information technology falls right in between four:3 and 16:9, which are the two most common aspects in books and media. In other words, they're billing it as the best eye of the route solution. Movies aren't totally cropped, but books, magazines and especially OneNote feel more than like real paper. Making the Surface Pro feel similar a digital legal pad, specially with the new N-trig pen, was a master pattern goal.

I think Microsoft has achieved this objective. I greatly prefer the new 3:2 aspect over the past 16:9, which always felt a little too long and especially awkward in portrait manner. The Surface Pro 3 though makes switching betwixt orientations much easier, and I observe myself using portrait much more often. Mission accomplished. Whether information technology's taking notes or reading a digital magazine, the Surface Pro 3 seems more everyday instead of bad-mannered.

At 2160 x 1440 resolution and the resulting 216 ppi, versus the 264 ppi found in the iPad Air, the Surface Pro iii still looks amazing. Of course, the iPad Air only has a 9.7-inch brandish, whereas the Surface Pro three packs 12-inches. Microsoft is also boasting that there is no air-gap betwixt the LCD and the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 layer, unlike other tablets and laptops. They merits this result is less glare and less reflectivity since air gaps create more angles for light to bounce off of, causing a haloing and blurring of cogitating low-cal. Microsoft asserts that the Surface Pro three'due south superior clarity over Apple's wares significantly reduces eye strain. It also has the added do good of increasing accuracy with the N-trig pen to within 750 microns.

What almost real world experience? The stride upwards in resolution, when combined with the new 3:two attribute, is in my opinion, the sweet spot for Windows 8.ane. I have two loftier resolution devices, including a Wide-Quad HD (2560x1440) Dell XPS 27 and the Dell XPS 15 with Quad Hard disk+ (3200 x 1800). Needless to say, I'thousand familiar with loftier resolution devices in 2022. The downside to those computers is the scaling consequence found on the Windows 8.one desktop. Yep, it'due south getting better, but on a 15-inch display at 3200x 1800, information technology's a real eye-strainer in a select few applications.

The Surface Pro three though feels just right. Even on the desktop, things never get too small. On the Windows 8.1 Modern Kickoff screen, icons and graphics are bold, clear and have excellent color rendition. While the 2160 x 1440 resolution of the Surface Pro 3 is significantly less than the Dell XPS xv, information technology works much better for real life applications.

If you lot want to button it, you can even snap up to 4 applications on the Surface Pro iii at 1 fourth dimension.

Overall I accept no complaints about the display, only I do take a lot of praises. Information technology'south easily one of the standout features, and I'thou doubtful anyone will find any weakness in the pattern choices made by Microsoft.

The pen

I'm almost hesitant to wade into the discussion of N-trig versus Wacom. I've quickly learned that these digital pens are the way of life for some people, and novice items for others. I'm agape I'm the latter, with footling utilise of the pen on the Surface Pro three, so my approval or criticism of the N-trig comes from the perspective of an average consumer who may putter or accept a note on occasion.

I will say I like the overall design and build quality of the new N-trig pen over the previous Wacom one, which felt too low-cal, thin and cheap. The Surface Pro'southward Wacom pen also had the contemporary magnet connector, and I'm shocked subsequently 18 months I haven't lost it still. I will concede that the N-trig pen is a niggling bad-mannered for storage, just considering it's thicker than the Surface Pro 3, I'yard not sure what else Microsoft could practise. I have also been fine with the loop connector equally so far I accept never misplaced the pen.

On a side note, if you're looking for more than tricks for the storing the Surface Pen, read our related how-to article for more information.

The ability to click the N-trig pen, even when the Surface is off (and locked), to jump into a quick OneNote is shrewd. It makes me desire to use OneNote due to how cool information technology is to enable and use. Even if the device is locked, you can have a note without inbound in a passcode. But if you need to do more, you will have to enter your security countersign, should you have ane enabled. Likewise with the ability to double-click the North-trig pen to "instantly capture and salvage screen grabs", it'due south merely ingenious. In any app or browser, just double click the pen and you lot can 'clip' a piece of the screen, which is and then saved to OneNote.

Whether or not you use these features on a regular basis, I don't know, but it is 100% something other tablets and laptops simply cannot exercise and for students, artists, note takers, architects, etc. I can see it every bit significant selling point.

Whether or not Wacom is better than N-trig, or how much more than Microsoft can improve upon N-trig, we will accept to wait and come across. I'll confess that this area is beyond my pay grade as even my doodles are awful, meaning I accept piffling in the way of making a proper judgment.

Battery life is good, just not astonishing

Considering what the Surface Pro 3 packs, including that impressive brandish, it should not be too surprising that it doesn't quite reach the stellar results of its smaller kin the Surface Pro two when information technology comes to battery usage.

In using the Surface Pro iii at 50% brightness, using Wi-Fi and doing my regular run of typing in Word, web browsing, email and Twitter, I had more than enough power to make it through the mean solar day. After about three.5 hours of constant use, I was down to just over 50%. In other words, yous should be able easily to go vii to eight hours on a single accuse. Those numbers fall well short of a new MacBook Air, but for most professionals you should be just fine. Another way of putting that is from my usage over the terminal month, I was quite pleased and never fretted nearly leaving the charger behind.

Reportedly, the Cadre i7 and Cadre i3 versions will become the same rated nine-hours of bombardment life. While I doubt they will accomplish nine hours, they should be coordinating to the Core i5 option. We will need to perform more testing when those products become available, only if accurate, the Core i7 version has certainly become more than attractive.

Combined with the new low-power 'Continued standby' standard from Microsoft, the Surface Pro 3 turns on and off instantly now, but it will automatically go into a deeper, low-power state after four hours of standby. When in this mode, users will have to agree downward the power button for a few seconds to wake up the device.

I did feel multiple wake-up problems with the Surface Pro iii during my testing, like to what other reviewers had reported. Such instances include moments where the device would non wake upward and other abnormalities when charging. On June 19th, Microsoft pushed out a new firmware update that was supposed to address this (and other) reported problems and then far, it does seem much improve.

I'm yet not liking the power on-off states though for Windows viii.1. I observe it odd that sometimes I hit the ability button and the device wakes, where other times I demand to keep information technology down for a few seconds. Throw in the occasions where information technology just doesn't wake, and it becomes a weird guessing game of how enable my tablet.

I take an iPad Mini Retina, which I rarely use, and that'southward the impressive role: I can go a week or two without even turning it on, but when I practice, information technology'due south always instant with no delays. Even more notable, after ten days, I still volition have 75% battery left. I accept nonetheless to see a Surface do that, and it bothers me a chip (my Surface 2 will dice after two days of standby). Yes, I empathise an Intel Core i5 has unlike ability requirements than what Apple tree uses, only that tablet-experience is what a lot of people will compare information technology to, and I think Microsoft can do amend.

Finally, I have already written about the new pattern for the AC ability adapter. I'chiliad a large fan. It is much easier to employ, while nevertheless keeping the magnets to prevent accidents when tripping over cords.

Odds and ends

The Surface Pro three has two forepart facing speakers that are positioned near the tiptop of the device on each side. The placement of the speakers is achieved through lilliputian slits at the edge of the display, and it's a fantastic design. If you lot are keeping the Surface Pro 3 in mural mode in your hands, you won't block the audio. Likewise, if you're holding in portrait. With the speakers on each side, y'all can experience real stereo sound and with them facing you, movies, games and music are much more immersive. Nokia did this with the Lumia 2520, and I'thousand excited to see Microsoft doing the equivalent with the Surface Pro 3. Microsoft too claims the speakers are 45% more than powerful than the previous ones on the Surface Pro 2. All I know is I like what I hear.

Microsoft as well shifted the Windows Offset key to the right hand side of the Surface Pro 3 from the bottom on all other Surfaces. In guild to provide the new keyboard position, which would have blocked the button, Microsoft had to motility information technology. I'g okay with this change. When holding the device in landscape mode, I don't need to lift my paw off the device to use that key, and considering the Surface Pro iii falls into the two-handed device category, that's an first-class feature.

The cameras are adequate on the Surface Pro 3. Both the rear and front-facing cameras are 1080P 5 MP shooters, and while they are certainly better than the previous iterations, they're not category defining. Although I will say when using the front end photographic camera for a Skype call with a good internet connection, the upshot is a meaning advancement over the Surface Pro ii. The forepart-facing camera for video is something I want to use for calls.

Although an Intel Core i5 processor tin produce a significant amount of oestrus, the Surface Pro 3 gets around this through a customized internal fan reportedly built by Microsoft over three years. Microsoft promises that the new fan will be repose, you won't experience the air and its battery friendly.

Microsoft was non fibbing.

In social club to get the fan to enable on the Surface Pro3, yous demand to fire up some graphic-intensive games. But then can you lot hear the balmy hissing sound from the fan and y'all can most (almost!) feel a faint air-alter from the sides of the device. Once the Surface Pro three turns off, the fan shuts immediately downward too. When information technology comes to daily utilise for email, web browsing, Twitter, Discussion, etc. you'll never hear the fan at all.

In terms of warmth, the Surface Pro three can get warm to the touch. Not hot, simply warm, normally in the upper left corner (on the back). It'due south not uncomfortable, and I never one time worried about it. All I can say is Microsoft has managed to keep the Core i5 processor cool, and it does feel fanless 90% of the time, although your mileage may vary. I'g real curious to see if the Cadre i7 performs any differently.

Finally, in terms of build quality I've always been impressed by the Surface squad'southward piece of work. The Surface Pro 3 falls into that category, perhaps even more so, as I haven't institute whatsoever design flaws. The Surface Pro 3 feels every bit as premium every bit the price it commands.

Pricing and availability

For this review, the Core i5 version with eight GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage was used for testing. Starting on June 20th, both Core i5 versions listed beneath are available to purchase, with the Cadre i7 and i3 versions due at the end of August.

• Intel Core i3 / 64 GB / 4GB of RAM / $799
• Intel Core i5 / 128 GB / 4GB of RAM / $999
• Intel Core i5 / 256 GB / 8GB of RAM / $1299
• Intel Core i7 / 256 GB / 8GB of RAM / $1549
• Intel Core i7 / 512 GB / 8GB of RAM / $1949

Microsoft Stores and Best Buy are the all-time locations to purchase a Surface Pro iii, including the $130 Type Covers. Best Buy has an exclusive on the dark blue Blazon Cover, while Microsoft Stores have an exclusive on the burgundy cherry.

Surface Pro 3 – Laptop replacement?

Microsoft is positioning the Surface Pro three as a tablet that replaces your laptop. I think that's an ambitious but tough sell, at least for some segments of the population. For tech enthusiasts, including myself, I tin can't say the Surface Pro three will supervene upon my Dell XPS xv for work trips. The idea of dropping from four USB ports to one, giving up dedicated NVidia graphics and that large 15-inch display is but too much. In that regard, I tin can meet a lot of people in the tech press disagreeing with Microsoft.

Just that's non to say they're not onto something here. I have been happily taking the Surface Pro three whenever I exit the house. The Surface Pro 3, weighing less than ii pounds, fits in my fashionable Ultrabook shoulder bag with room to spare. Pack in the Arc Bear on mouse and an AT&T LTE hotspot, and I now accept everything I demand to do my job when mobile.

The Surface Pro 3 has given me a newly found liberty by allowing me to take a full-fledged PC everywhere. There is no way I'yard going to lug around at fifteen-inch computer or even 13-inch Ultrabook for simple 24-hour interval trips, run to the coffee shop or when visiting a friend. The Surface Pro 3 though easily goes everywhere. And considering it's a full PC, I tin can run my required VPN for work and all my other x86 desktop apps that I may demand, something my Surface 2 sadly could not. In an ideal earth, the Dell XPS fifteen would be everywhere, but in reality, I'll have the Surface Pro three when I can.

From that viewpoint, Microsoft has succeeded. I'm buying ane, and I desire to have the Surface Pro iii for going out for the solar day, or fifty-fifty taking the night off on the burrow. It truly does experience – and act – like a total PC but with a tablet-esque pattern.

Simply I'k non necessarily convinced that information technology'southward the one computer to replace everything for everyone. Or rather, how much utilise you get out of the Surface volition depend heavily on your lifestyle and budget. For instance, if you have a vanquish upward laptop and yous desire to get a tablet, the Surface Pro 3 could probably adapt your needs. If, notwithstanding, you already have a tablet and a decent laptop, then it'south nigh justifying the extra toll for what is a luxury estimator. I'm not certain that's a death knell for Microsoft. Apple's (at the time) expensive iPad was as a tool "nice to accept but non necessary." Fast forward a few years and many people now own tablets, with laptop purchases dropping as a result.

I can't say I'm confident that the Surface Pro 3 volition sell similar gangbusters. Merely that's due to the toll, not the desire to own it. I remember if given the chance, a lot of people would gladly jump to own and comprise a Surface Pro 3 into their professional or leisure life. It's peradventure unfortunate that the cost is prohibitive for a lot of people, but premium hardware commands big bucks, and I don't feel that Microsoft is overcharging for what they evangelize. What I do hope for though is that the careful attention to item, the enquiry into what users' want, the meticulous planning of features of the Surface Pro iii, will trickle downwardly to other Microsoft products and their OEM partners.

The Surface Pro 3 is in many means the idealized vision of 'Surface' as a make from Microsoft. I want 1 and will become one. I'm just not sure the Surface Pro three will exist able to escape its niche categorization, even if information technology deserves too.

Additional video and photo credit to Marker Guim who assisted with this review

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