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Surface Pro 3
By Anca Gagiuc on Jun 6, 2014 in Technology
“A tablet that can replace your laptop” was the catchphrase that introduced Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 at its launch event.
The world was waiting for Microsoft to enter the 8-inch tablet fray and launch a pure consumer device, without the Windows 8 interface (Desktop and Metro). Instead, the company went in the opposite direction. They decided t
o transition from tablets to notebooks via a device that runs on hardware too powerful for a tablet, but with a much thinner profile than a laptop.
“Everything we’ve done up to this point is manifested in this product. This is our best device — we’re super proud of it,” said Steven Bathiche, in charge of the Applied Sciences Group at Microsoft. The shiny Surface Pro 3 has a few impressive features as well as some less positive aspects.
The hardware – a roaring 4th generation Intel Core processor ranging from i3 to the mighty i7, 4 to 8GB of RAM, and storing options that go from 64GB to 512GB;
The display – the screen aspect ratio closer to 3:2 compliments the tablet-face, being much better than the 16:10 that most Android tablets chose, and adds to web usage (16:9 and 16:10 are more suited to video) also on the tablet side Surface has the multi-touch feature and a vivid resolution of 2160 x 1440;
Windows RT excused – removing this confusion is constructive;
Battery life – the nine-hour battery life (on paper) puts it in the “all day device” category;
Weight and thickness – we like our devices light and thin these days and Surface Pro 3 holds the award for the thinnest Intel Core product so far – 11.5” x 7.93” x 0.3”; it weighs 2.42lbs with keyboard attached;
Target market – Surface Pro 3 doesn’t want to be seen as just a tablet, it wants to sit next to the MacBook Air and other ultramobile systems.
Features that dim the brightness of Microsoft’s newest baby:
The price – $799 to $1,949 is a staggering range, not only for a tablet but for a notebook as well. Considering that a 15-inch 2.0GHz MacBook Pro is $1,999 it’s unlikely to pay as much for the Intel chip (if that’s what’s placing the price so high). Following Microsoft’s proposal, Surface Pro 3 is more expensive than a highly trimmed MacBook Air (Core i7, 8GB of RAM, 512GB SSD) which is $1,749;
The keyboard – adds another $130 to the price and this somehow doesn’t make sense since the company strives to compare SP3 with a laptop, not a tablet; under this premise, it should be bundled with the tablet and the new Type Cover should be brilliant;
The thermals – the processors generate so much heat that Microsoft had to place a fan inside. Even though they built it so that its fan ridge is unnoticeable (unlike the one used on Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2), it still raises worries that the tablet would get hot during use, especially when using demanding applications like Photoshop CC – how will this heat feel when the device is hold in the hand?
No LTE – Wi-Fi is needed for connectivity, even though Microsoft delivered an LTE Surface 2 model in March, Surface Pro 3 doesn’t have it, and the company didn’t say when or if it might happen. To compensate, they sell an external Ethernet Jack ($39.99) which plugs into the USB 3.0 port;
Cameras – both of them max out at 5 megapixels – it adds on the productivity side, but fails to reach Air’s 720p FaceTime HD;
The pen – the Odyssey continues with Microsoft and pens and styli. Not necessarily a negative trait, it still creates a bit of a hassle with needing the tablet, the pen and the optional keyboard;
Short lifespan – the tablet it replaces was launched only eight months ago; furthermore, Microsoft didn’t make any announcements whether it will be compatible with Windows 9, or if it the OS upgrade will be free;
Budget version – seems futile as i3 lacks important features for business (the Trusted Execution Technology) and they are pushed to the higher-priced Core i5 versions;
Possible long wait time – some variants will start shipping only in late August, a bit too far in the future for an industry so time-sensitive as the technological one;
Apple will soon take the spotlight – Worldwide Developer Conference is approaching, Microsoft’s media time is pretty limited.
By the looks of it, Surface Pro 3 is a splendid niche product, but it doesn’t feel like one that will sell in large quantities, not for this price anyway; as for the laptop replacement desire, I’ll quote Charles Arthur from the Guardian “The last time I looked in the family shower, there were separate bottles of shampoo and conditioner.”
What’s your opinion?
