Microsoft Surprises With The Surface Pro 3
In a somewhat unexpected twist, Microsoft didn’t announce a Surface Mini at today’s “Small Gathering”. Instead, they announced the Surface Pro 3, a larger 12” tablet designed to be a laptop killer. Building and on the previous two generations of the Surface, Microsoft have improved almost every aspect of the device
In a somewhat unexpected twist, Microsoft didn’t announce a Surface Mini at today’s “Small Gathering”. Instead, they announced the Surface Pro 3, a larger 12” tablet designed to be a laptop killer. Building and on the previous two generations of the Surface, Microsoft have improved almost every aspect of the device. The device is only 9.1mm and 800g (which is lighter than the Macbook Air, as Panos Panay gleefully boasted), but 10% more powerful than the Surface Pro 2.
The Surface Pro 3 is powered by Intel’s 4th generation processors, and will be available in either i3, i5 or i7 configurations. Memory will range between 64 gigabytes and 512 gigabytes of solid state storage. Criticisms of past models such including the trackpad design on the Type Cover and the device’s stability have also been addressed.
Other highlights of the press conference included the announcement of a Surface-optimised version of Adobe Photoshop, making use of the device’s new and improved pen; as well as a docking station, giving the Surface Pro 3 the ability to output 4K video.
The Surface Pro 3 starts at $799 USD with an Intel Core i3 processor. The high-end model with an i7 processor and 512 gigabyte SSD will retail for $1,949 USD. American customers will be able to pre-order the device tomorrow, and Microsoft expects it to launch in Australia and New Zealand by the end of August.
And of course, we still may see a Surface Mini further down the track.
