Microsoft is really pushing the “laptop
replacement” concept with the new Surface Pro 3. The device should appeal to
business users preferring to remain in a Windows environment while on their
tablet, rather than using Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android. Of course, as we
shall see, the Surface Pro 3 is much more than just a tablet.
Image Source: Microsoft.com |
The first quality to note about the Surface Pro 3 is that it is both thinner and lighter than the previous two editions. Microsoft have also increased the display to 12 inches, and improved the screen resolution to 2160 x 1440. Built into the thin body you'll find a full-size USB 3.0 port, a microSD card reader and a Mini DisplayPort. The device features two 5-megapixel cameras (one for the front and one on the back) as well as stereo speakers with Dolby sound. Other hardware specs include SSD storage (from 64GB to 512GB), 802.11ac Wi-Fi and TPM 2.0 for enterprise security.
Image Source: Microsoft.com |
Microsoft are keen to develop the ‘laptop’
side of the product, with the clip-on keyboard (known as the Surface Pro Type) also
receiving an upgrade. The Type Cover acts as a screen protector, full keyboard
and touchpad interface. The new Type Cover is larger than its predecessors; although
the older versions will still work, they won't cover the entire screen when the
flap is closed. It feels like the best add-on tablet keyboard you can buy, but
still falls short of a decent laptop keyboard. Additionally, it is sold
separately for £110, despite the fact that anyone buying a Surface Pro will
want this as part of their package.
The Surface Pro 3 starts at £639 for the Intel
Core i3/64GB SSD model. Buyers can also upgrade to either a Core i5 or Core i7
and select a larger SSD (up to 512GB).
While the new Surface Pro 3 is Microsoft's
best mobile device to date, it's more successful as a tablet than as a replacement
for your laptop. In short, it won’t replace your laptop but it is a great
alternative to the iPad and will work very well indeed for business users.
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