Microsoft Targets Laptop Users with Surface Pro 3 Tablet

Surface Pro 3 with Keyboard

Microsoft unveiled today the Surface Pro 3 Windows-based tablet. With its keyboard accessory, kickstand on the back, and a larger 12″ display than the 10.6″ on the Pro 2, the new device targets the traditional laptop users. At the same time, you’re getting a quite portable tablet despite the bigger screen. It only 0.36″ inches thin and weighs 1.76 pounds.

“The thinnest and lightest member of the Surface Pro family, Surface Pro 3 features a large and beautiful 2160×1440 2K color-calibrated screen and 3:2 aspect ratio with multitouch input, so you can swipe, pinch and drag whenever you need. The improved optional Surface Pro Type Cover and more adjustable, continuous kickstand will transform your device experience from tablet to laptop in a snap. Surface Pro Type Cover features a double-fold hinge enabling you to magnetically lock it to the display’s lower bezel, keeping everything steady so you can work just as comfortably on your lap as you do at your desk. With a full-size USB 3.0 port, microSD card reader and Mini DisplayPort, you can quickly transfer files and easily connect peripherals like external displays. And with the optional Surface Ethernet Adapter, you can instantly connect your Surface to a wired Ethernet network with transfer rates of up to 1 Gbps”, Microsoft explains.

As same as the Pro 2 precursor, the Surface Pro 3 is based on the Intel Core processors from the 4th Generation Haswell family. These i3, i5, and i7 branded chips are more frequently used in laptops than in usually under-powered tablets. That’s another argument in Microsoft’s bold and highlighted claim that the Surface Pro 3 is a “tablet that can replace your laptop”. Microsoft also points out that the Surface Pro 3 is twice lighter than the Apple MacBook Pro 13 and offers touchscreen and detachable keyboard which are missing on the Mac.

Available internal storage options are 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB. Windows 8.1 installation and other software take up 32GB out of that.

The battery life is up to nine hours, according to the Surface maker.

Pricing ranges from $799 for a 64GB / Intel i3 version to $1,949 for a 512GB / Intel i7 edition. The device itself, Surface Pro Type Cover and Surface Pen will be available for pre-order starting May 21 at 12:01 a.m. EDT through the Microsoft official website at microsoftstore.com, their retail stores and select third-party retailers. Some models (128GB / Intel i5 and 256GB Intel i5) are marked with “ships by 6/20/2014”. The remaining models (64GB / Intel i3, 256GB / Intel i7, and 512GB / Intel i7) are expected to arrive by the end of August.

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