Surface Pro 3
2-in-1 detachable | |
Generation | 3rd |
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Release date | June 20, 2014 |
Introductory price | US$799–1949 |
Discontinued | November 1, 2016 |
Operating system |
|
Xbox Video | |
Dimensions | 11.5 in × 7.93 in × 0.36 in (29.21 cm × 20.14 cm × 0.91 cm) |
Mass | 1.76 pounds (800 g) |
Predecessor | Surface Pro 2 |
Successor | Surface Pro 4 |
Related | Surface |
Website | www |
Microsoft Surface |
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The Surface Pro 3 is the third-generation
History
The older, original
The Surface Pro 3 was announced on May 20, 2014, at a New York City event,[5][6][7] pre-orders were opened on May 21, 2014, and the first models were released on June 20, 2014 in the U.S. and Canada,[5] with the Intel Core i3 and Intel Core i7 models released on August 1, 2014.[8] The Surface Pro 3 was launched in 25 additional markets on August 28.[9]
On October 6, 2015, Microsoft released its successor, the Surface Pro 4 with a bigger screen with a higher resolution and reduced bezels, faster CPU options, a thinner body and improved cooling system.
Features
Hardware
The Surface Pro 3 has a body made of magnesium alloy giving a gray matted finish to the back of the device. The charging port is magnetized and connects securely to the charger.
It comes with an improved kickstand, allowing the device to be set at any angle between 22 and 150 degrees. The kickstand has a high resistance which provides firmness and prevents accidental sliding.
The Surface Pro 3 features a larger 12 inches (30 cm) (screen display area 25.4 cm x 16.9 cm) display over its
Although the Surface Pro 3 has a larger screen than its predecessor, it is both thinner and lighter, weighing 100 grams (0.22 lb) less. Microsoft claims the Surface Pro 3 is capable of up to 9 hours of web browsing.[10]
The Surface Pro 3 is built on the
Surface Pro 3 external display connectivity | |||
---|---|---|---|
CPU model | Display 1 | Display 2 | Display 3 |
i3 | eDP/DisplayPort (2560x1600, 60 Hz) |
DisplayPort (2560x1600, 60 Hz) |
DisplayPort (2560x1600, 60 Hz) |
DVI (2560x1600, 60 Hz) |
DVI (2560x1600, 60 Hz) | ||
VGA (1920x1200, 60 Hz) |
VGA (1920x1200, 60 Hz) | ||
HDMI (4096x2304, 24 Hz) |
WiDi (1920x1080, 60 Hz) | ||
i5/i7 | eDP/DisplayPort (3200x2000, 60 Hz) |
DisplayPort (3200x2000, 60 Hz) |
DisplayPort (3200x2000, 60 Hz) |
DVI (2560x1600, 60 Hz) |
DVI (2560x1600, 60 Hz) | ||
VGA (1920x1200, 60 Hz) |
VGA (1920x1200, 60 Hz) | ||
HDMI (4096x2304, 24 Hz) |
WiDi (1920x1080, 60 Hz) | ||
(maximum resolution and refresh rate shown in parentheses) |
Surface Pro 3 configuration options[12] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Price tier (USD) | CPU | Integrated GPU | RAM | Internal storage |
$799 | Intel Core i3-4020Y (1.5 GHz) | HD 4200 | 4 GB | 64 GB |
$999 | Intel Core i5-4300U (1.9 to 2.9 GHz) | HD 4400 | 128 GB | |
$1,299 | 8 GB | 256 GB | ||
$1,299 | Intel Core i7-4650U (1.7 to 3.3 GHz) | HD 5000 | 128 GB | |
$1,549 | 256 GB | |||
$1,949 | 512 GB |
External display connectivity
Like its
The device itself has a single
In a single external display mode over DisplayPort, the i5 and i7-based models also support a resolution of 3840x2160 at 60 Hz, known as 4K Ultra HD.[13]
Software
The Surface Pro 3 initially shipped with Windows 8.1 Pro, but since the Windows 10 release on July 29, 2015, new devices come with the updated OS pre-installed, eliminating the need to upgrade as is the case on existing devices.[1] The Windows 10 upgrade, among other features, brings a Tablet mode, which can be useful when device is used as a tablet, that is without a keyboard attached.
InstantGo
The Surface Pro 3 is one of the first 64-bit Windows devices that features
With InstantGo active there is only one power plan available with a limited options.[17] InstantGo is currently not supported when Hyper-V is enabled, instead the device will enter hibernation each time it is put into sleep mode.[18]
Accessories
The Surface-series devices feature a Type Cover accessory, an attachable protective keyboard, which is sold separately, yet has continually appeared in every Surface ad since the launch of the original
The Surface Pro 3 is the first Surface device to feature an improved version of the
Microsoft also offers a docking station, which adds five USB ports (including three USB 3.0), a Gigabit Ethernet port, an additional Mini DisplayPort (which can be used simultaneously with the port on the Surface Pro 3) and a 3.5 mm audio socket for audio input/output.[20]
Some of Microsoft's wireless touch mice were restyled to match the Surface-series devices design, added where applicable a Bluetooth connectivity and relaunched as Surface Edition series mice: Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition[21] and Wedge Touch Mouse Surface Edition.[22]
Reception
The Surface Pro 3 has received positive reviews. David Pogue suggested "The upshot is that, with hardly any thickness or weight penalty, the kickstand and the Type Cover let you transform your 1.8-pound tablet into an actual, fast, luxury laptop". Pogue said that the Surface Pro 3's form factor works well as a tablet, in contrast to the Surface Pro 2, whose bulk and weight limited its appeal as a tablet. Pogue also stated that the new multi-stage kickstand, 3:2 screen aspect ratio, and new Type Cover 3 detachable keyboard made it a competent laptop.[23]
It has been suggested that the Surface Pro 3 comes closest to the Microsoft Tablet PC concept that company founder Bill Gates announced in 2001,[2][3][4] being the first Surface to become a credible laptop replacement.[24] Time magazine included Microsoft Surface Pro 3 in the list of the 25 best inventions of 2014.[25]
The Surface Pro 3 received a repairability score of 1/10 from iFixit because of the use of a strong adhesive material throughout and the difficulty in removing the display.[26]
Timeline
Timeline of Surface devices |
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Sources: Microsoft Devices Blog Microsoft Store
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References
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b Pogue, David (May 22, 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 2014-05-23. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
- ^ a b Bohn, Dieter (May 23, 2014). "Microsoft Surface Pro 3 review". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
- ^ a b Eadicicco, Lisa. "POGUE: The Surface Pro 3 Is The One Time Windows 8 Isn't A Disaster". Business Insider. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
- ^ a b Warren, Tom (May 20, 2014). "Microsoft announces the Surface Pro 3". The Verge. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
- ^ "Microsoft introduces Surface Pro 3: the tablet that can replace your laptop" (Press release). New York: Microsoft. May 20, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ^ "Surface Pro 3: Microsoft's new tablet aims at laptop market". CBC News. May 20, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
- ^ "Surface Pro 3 Product Page". Microsoft. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ^ Thurrott, Paul (Aug 6, 2014). "Surface Pro 3 Launch 25 Additional Markets August 28". Winsupersite. Retrieved Aug 11, 2014.
- ^ "Microsoft Store — Surface Pro 3: tech specs". microsoftstore.com. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
- ^ "World's Highest Capacity microSD™ Card". SanDisk.com. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ "Surface Pro 3 tablet models". June 2, 2014. Archived from the original on December 9, 2014.
- ^ "Quick Reference Guide to 4th Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Graphics (formerly codenamed Haswell)". Intel.com. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
- ^ "Windows 8.1 x64 Connected Standby Support".
- ^ "Introduction to connected standby". 29 January 2016.
- ^ "Surface Pro power states: On, off, sleep, and hibernate". Microsoft.
- ^ "Power plans: frequently asked questions". Microsoft.com. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
- ^ "Surface Pro 3 Tip: Hyper-V vs. Connected Standby".
- ^ "Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Review".
- ^ "Surface Pro 3 Docking Station Product Page". Microsoft.
- ^ "Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition Product Page".
- ^ "Wedge Touch Mouse Surface Edition Product Page".
- ^ "Smart, Versatile Surface Pro 3 Can Do It All — Maybe Even Lift the Windows 8 Curse". Retrieved 2017-02-02.
- ^ O'Rourke, Patrick (May 27, 2016). "Microsoft's Panos Panay talks about the death and rebirth of the Surface". MobileSyrup. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- ^ "The 25 Best Inventions of 2014". Time.com. 20 November 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ "Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Teardown". iFixit. Retrieved 2014-08-28.