Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Mobile
    • PC Hardware

    Surface Pro 3: A PC in Tablet’s Clothing

    By
    Pedro Hernandez
    -
    May 21, 2014
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin
      Surface Pro 3

      Microsoft had something big in store for its “small gathering” on May 20. During the press event, instead of unveiling the widely anticipated Surface Mini, the company took the wraps off the Surface Pro 3, an even bigger version of the company’s tablet with PC-based internals.

      Microsoft’s target: notebook PCs.

      “Surface Pro 3 is the tablet that can replace your laptop—packing all the performance of a fully powered laptop into a thin, light and beautifully designed device,” said Panos Panay, corporate vice president of Microsoft Surface. “You’ll love being able to carry a single device for your next class, workday or weekend getaway knowing you have all the power you need.”

      Taking aim at both bulky laptops and underpowered tablets, the Redmond, Wash.-based tech giant squeezed an x86 PC into a tablet form factor.

      Surface Pro 3 is both larger and slimmer than its predecessor, the Pro 2. It measures 11.5 by 7.93 inches, compared with the 10.81 by 6.81 inches that the Pro 2 occupies. Without a Touch Cover, the Pro 3 is 0.3 inches thick versus over just half an inch (0.53 inches) for the Pro 2.

      The Surface Pen, a pressure-sensitive aluminum stylus, is included for pen input and digital inking. A new kickstand, which features a new “friction hinge,” can now prop the device at practically any angle (versus two predetermined angles previously).

      The new Surface Pro takes less effort lift. Whereas the Pro 2 weighs in at 2 pounds, the Pro 3 shed nearly a quarter of a pound to come in at 1.76 pounds.

      New to the Surface Pro is a bigger 12-inch touch screen with a resolution of 2,160 by 1,440 pixels and a 3:2 aspect ratio. By comparison, the Surface Pro 2 sports a 1080P display (1,920 by 1,080 pixels) with a widescreen, HDTV-like aspect ratio of 16:9.

      Inside, Microsoft’s latest tablet is powered by an Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 “Haswell” processor. (The Surface Pro 2 is only available with an i5.) Buyers can opt for configurations that feature 64GB or 128GB of internal flash storage with 4GB of RAM, or 256GB or 512GB of storage with 8GB of RAM.

      Like its predecessor, the Surface Pro 3 supports WiFi at 802.11 a, b, g and n speeds. However, due to design changes and hardware tweaks, the new slate can deliver “twice the [WiFi] speed,” said Microsoft’s Jason Graefe, senior director of channel partnerships, during an interview. Further, the company “tripled the front-side bus,” enabling the Pro 3 to shuttle data between its components faster for more snappy performance.

      Accessories include a new docking station that can output video to a 4K display. An updated Surface Pro Type Cover features a larger, more responsive touchpad and a backlit keyboard. Graefe told eWEEK that instead of developing the Type Covers as a separate add-on, Microsoft “actually engineered the keyboard with the device.”

      Expect more Surface accessories to wend their way to market as the company engages with hardware and channel partners with new programs and outreach, said Graefe. He pointed to stands and cases from ArmorActive and charging carts from Anthro as evidence of a growing accessories ecosystem.

      Graefe also revealed that his company is “launching a series of new programs” for channel partners. “We rapidly iterated based on their feedback,” he said.

      Pedro Hernandez
      Pedro Hernandez is a contributor to eWEEK and the IT Business Edge Network, the network for technology professionals. Previously, he served as a managing editor for the Internet.com network of IT-related websites and as the Green IT curator for GigaOM Pro.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Android

      Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: Durability for Tough...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 5, 2020 0
      Have you ever dropped your phone, winced and felt the pain as it hit the sidewalk? Either the screen splintered like a windshield being...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×