Surface 3
2-in-1 detachable | |
| Generation | 3rd |
|---|---|
| Release date | 5 May 2015 |
| Introductory price | $499–599 (USD) |
| Discontinued | late 2016[1] |
| Operating system | |
4G LTE (with cellular model) | |
| Power | Battery 3.78V 27.5Wh/7270mAh charger 5.2V 2.5A (13W) |
| Online services | Xbox Video |
| Dimensions | 10.51 inches (267 mm) (width) 7.36 inches (187 mm) (height) 0.34 inches (8.6 mm) (depth) |
| Mass | 1.37 pounds (620 g) 0.58 pounds (265 g) (add for Type Cover)[4] |
| Predecessor | Surface 2 |
| Successor | Discontinued, replaced by Surface Go |
| Related | Surface |
| Website | www |
| Microsoft Surface |
|---|
Surface 3 is a
History
The older, original
Released prior to Surface 3, the Surface Pro 3 – featuring a more powerful Intel Core processor, and running the standard version of Windows 8 – became a profitable product for Microsoft in late 2014.[6] It had a starting price of $799, featuring a larger display, and competed with high-end ultraportable laptops.[7][8][9]
With the introduction of the Surface 3, Microsoft aimed to make a product more affordable than the Surface Pro 3, at the expense of screen size and performance, while retaining the broad software compatibility.
The Surface Pro 3 was replaced by the Surface Pro 4, but the Surface 3 was discontinued after a year and a half, with no similar successor. Another year and a half later, the Surface Go – with similar characteristics, but improved performance – was introduced, followed by successor models.
Features
Hardware
The Surface 3 share a similar design to the
Surface 3 has the
Software
Unlike its predecessors, the Surface 3 is the first device in the non-Pro line to feature the full Windows desktop OS as opposed to
Surface 3s purchased before 29 July 2015 come with Windows 8.1 but were upgradeable to Windows 10 for free.[13] After the Windows 10 release, consumer models of the Surface 3 shipped with Windows 10 Home, unlike the devices of the Surface Pro line, which shipped with Windows 10 Pro. Business models of the Surface 3 shipped with Windows 10 Pro.[14][13]
Accessories
The Surface 3, as with its predecessors and Surface devices of a Pro line, features an optional Type Cover accessory—an attachable keyboard, which is also a protective cover for the screen, with an announced price of 129 USD.[15]
The Surface 3 is the first non-Pro Surface to support the Surface Pen. Unlike Surface Pro 3, however, it is not included with purchase, but is available for purchase separately.
Various aftermarket USB or Bluetooth peripheral devices, such as keyboards and mice can be connected to the Surface 3.
Reception
Surface 3 received generally positive reviews from computer critics. They praised Microsoft's shift from
The most common downsides are relatively low battery life, slower performance compared to devices with Intel Core processors[17][18] and a high price since accessories like Surface Pen and Type Cover are not included.[17][19][16]
Timeline
| Timeline of Surface devices |
|---|
Sources: Microsoft Devices Blog Microsoft Store
|
References
- ^ Statt, Nick (24 June 2016). "Microsoft to end production on the Surface 3 by late 2016". The Verge. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
- ^ ARK | Intel® Atom™ x7-Z8700 Processor (2M Cache, up to 2.40 GHz). Ark.intel.com. Retrieved on 2015-10-31.
- ^ a b "Surface storage". Microsoft.com. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
- ^ "Surface Accessories: Tablet Accessories, Keyboards, Cases & More - Microsoft Store". www.microsoftstore.com. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
- ^ "Microsoft's Surface 3 is a $499 tablet that could be a full Windows laptop". The Verge. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ Keizer, Gregg (27 January 2015). "Microsoft's Surface line-up posts 2nd straight profitable quarter". computerworld.com. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
- ^ Pogue, David (22 May 2014). "Smart, Versatile Surface Pro 3 Can Do It All — Maybe Even Lift the Windows 8 Curse". Yahoo Tech. Yahoo. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
- ^ Bohn, Dieter (23 May 2014). "Microsoft Surface Pro 3 review". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
- ^ Eadicicco, Lisa. "POGUE: The Surface Pro 3 Is The One Time Windows 8 Isn't A Disaster". Business Insider. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
- ^ a b Keizer, Gregg (3 April 2015). "Benchmark scores show performance gap between Surface 3 and Surface Pro 3, iPad Air 2". ComputerWorld.com. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
- ^ "Intel Atom x7 microprocessors". CPU-World.com. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
- ^ "Introducing Surface 3". Microsoft.com. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
- ^ a b Panay, Panos (31 March 2015). "Announcing Surface 3". Archived from the original on 24 July 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
- ^ Callaham, John (4 August 2015). "Windows 10 is now pre-installed when you buy Surface 3 and Surface Pro 3 tablets". Windows Central. Mobile Nations. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
- ^ Lendino, Jamie (31 March 2015). "Microsoft unveils $499 Surface 3 tablet running real Windows". Retrieved 2 April 2015.
- ^ a b Hardawar, Devindra (15 April 2015). "Surface 3 review: Finally, a cheap Surface you'd actually want". Engadget.com. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
- ^ a b c Smith, Matt. "The new Surface 3 runs full-blown Windows 8.1 just like its Pro sibling". DigitalTrends.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
- ^ Martin, Jim (12 May 2015). "Microsoft Surface 3 review: cheaper but not better than the Surface Pro 3". PCAdvisor.co.uk. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ^ Howse, Brett (4 May 2015). "The Surface 3 Review". AnadTech.com. Retrieved 8 June 2015.