Surface Pro 3 with red Type Cover

The Surface Pro 3 is the third-generation Surface-series 2-in-1 detachable, designed, developed, marketed, and produced by Microsoft, which runs the Windows 10 Pro operating system (OS).
Best price Microsoft Pro 3 in Amazon US

Surface Pro 3
Developer	Microsoft
Manufacturer	Pegatron
Product family	Surface
Type	2-in-1 detachable
Generation	3rd
Released date	June 20, 2014
Introduction price	US$799–1949
Operating system	Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit Windows 10 Pro
CPU	Intel Haswell low-voltage dual-core: i3-4020Y 1.5 GHz, 3 MB cache, 11.5 W i5-4300U 1.9 up to 2.9 GHz, 3 MB cache, 15 W i7-4650U 1.7 up to 3.3 GHz, 4 MB cache, 15 W
Memory	4 or 8 GB LPDDR3 1600 MHz RAM
Storage	64, 128, 256 or 512 GB[6] (37, 97, 212 or 451 GB respectively are user-available)
Removable storage	microSD slot, up to 200 GB
Display	12.0 inches (30 cm) 2160x1440 (216 ppi) eDP ClearType HD screen with 3:2 aspect ratio, Support up to three external displays
Graphics	Intel integrated HD Graphics HD 4200 in i3 CPU HD 4400 in i5 CPU HD 5000 in i7 CPU
Sound	Front-facing stereo speakers
Input	Multi-touch touchscreen Bluetooth active pen, with underlying N-trig DuoSense technology, with 256 levels of pressure sensitivity (included) Surface Pro Type Cover detachable keyboard with touchpad (sold separately) Sensors: Dual microphones Ambient light sensor 3-axis accelerometer 3-axis gyroscope Digital compass
Camera	Front: 5 MP, 1080p HD Rear: 5 MP, 1080p HD
Touchpad	On the Surface Pro Type Cover (sold separately)
Connectivity	Wireless: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Bluetooth 4.0 LE Ports: Full size USB 3.0 Mini DisplayPort 3.5 mm audio socket Cover port (proprietary) Charging/Docking port (proprietary)
Power	Built-in rechargeable 42 W·h (150 kJ) lithium-ion battery 36 W proprietary external power supply with integrated USB charging port
Online services	Windows Store, OneDrive, Xbox Music, Xbox Games, Xbox Video
Dimensions	11.5 inches (29 cm) (width) 7.93 inches (20.1 cm) (height) 0.36 inches (9.1 mm) (depth)
Weight	800 g (1.76 pounds)
Predecessor	Surface Pro 2
Successor	Surface Pro 4
Related articles	Surface
Website	www.microsoft.com/surface

History

The older, original Surface and Surface 2, with their ARM-based processors and Windows RT operating system, are pitched against the iPad and other tablets. The Surface Pro 3 (like the preceding Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2), with its Intel CPUand Windows 8 OS, is a full-fledged PC that competes against Ultrabooks (particularly those convertible laptops with touchscreens for a tablet functionality, flexible hinges, detachable keyboards, or sliders) and other high-end subnotebooks (that don't compromise performance or battery life) such as the MacBook Air.

The Surface Pro 3 was announced on May 20, 2014, at a New York City event, pre-orders were opened on May 21, 2014, and the first models were released on June 20, 2014 in the U.S. and Canada, with the Intel Core i3 and Intel Core i7 models released on August 1, 2014. The Surface Pro 3 was launched in 25 additional markets on August 28.

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 continuous 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) display over its predecessor. The screen has a 3:2 aspect ratio which Microsoft claims allow the device to be used more comfortably in the portrait orientation. Because the touch screen digitizer and the pen digitizer are combined into a single layer, the screen is physically thinner than one of earlier models, which improves viewing angle.

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.

The Surface Pro 3 is built on the 4th generation Intel Core processor with TPM chip for enterprise security. It includes a USB 3.0 port and a Mini DisplayPort on the right, an audio jack on the left, and a hot swap microSD slot on the back of the device. The microSD slot supports memory cards up to 200 GB. The internal solid-state drive and system memory are not user upgradeable.

Surface Pro 3 configuration options
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
1299			8 GB	256 GB
1299	Intel Core i7-4650U (1.7 to 3.3 GHz)	HD 5000		128 GB
1549				256 GB
1949				512 GB

External display connectivity

Like its predecessor, the Surface Pro 3 is capable of connecting up to three external displays. To connect a third display the 2-in-1's own screen should be turned off.

The device itself has a single Mini DisplayPort output and in order to connect two external displays one can additionally use a secondary Mini DisplayPort on a docking station accessory (sold separately). To attach three (or fewer) displays, an aftermarket DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport hub can be used or a daisy chaining feature of compatible displays. One of external displays can be attached over-the-air utilizing Intel Wireless Display (WiDi) technology.

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)

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.

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. 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.

Instant Go

The Surface Pro 3 is one of the first 64-bit Windows devices that features InstantGo (formerly Connected Standby), allowing for smartphone-type power management capabilities. This allows for Windows Store apps to update info (such as email) while the device appears off, and for the operating system to run automatic maintenance when connected to AC. The Surface will enter hibernation state after four hours of no activity, to further conserve battery power.

With InstantGo active there is only one power plan available with a limited options. InstantGo is currently not supported when Hyper-V is enabled, instead the device will enter hibernation each time it is put into sleep mode.

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 Surface. The Type Cover for Surface Pro 3 features backlit keys, is thinner and has an improved touchpad over its predecessors. It also has a magnetic strip which binds to the front bezel of the display for additional stability. The magnetic strip can also be used to elevate the position of the keyboard, which can help to comfortably use a Type Cover on a lap.

The Surface Pro 3 is the first Surface device to feature an improved version of the Surface Pen, which is included with each device. In contrast to that from the earlier devices of the Pro line, which was based on Wacom technology, the Surface Pen of the Surface Pro 3 features N-trig DuoSense technology with 256 levels of pressure sensitivity.

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.

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 and Wedge Touch Mouse Surface Edition.

Reception

The Surface Pro 3 has received positive reviewers. 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. Another advantage of the Surface Pro 3 is that it is considered a tablet by the FAA and TSA, despite its hardware which makes it capable of running all x86 Windows programs. This is advantageous in air travel, since a tablet can be used during takeoff or landing, and a tablet can be left in a bag when going through a TSA scanner machine, neither of which apply to a laptop.

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, being the first Surface to become a credible laptop replacement. Time magazine included Microsoft Surface Pro 3 in the list of the 25 best inventions of 2014.

The Surface Pro 3 received a reparability score of 1/10 from iFixit because of the use of a strong adhesive material throughout and the difficulty in removing the display.

Timeline

Source: Microsoft Devices Blog


Last updated on 30 May 2016 at 14:18.


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Microsoft Surface Pro 3, a prominent 2-in-1 detachable

A 2-in-1 PC is a category of portable computers, containing devices that combine elements of tablets and laptops. Different variants of the term exist, such as 2-in-1 tablet, 2-in-1 laptop, 2-in-1 detachable, laplet, or simply 2-in-1.

Before the emergence of 2-in-1s, the terms convertible and hybrid were already being used in the computer industry and by technology journalists. Convertibles typically feature some type of keyboard concealment mechanism, in some cases allowing the user to rotate or slide the keyboard behind the back of the chassis, while the hybrid's keyboard is completely detachable without interrupting the running system. Both convertibles and hybrids are crossover devices, combining features of both a tablet and a laptop, however, the 2-in-1 is a sibling class of both these categories, dubbed the 2-in-1 convertible or 2-in-1 detachable respectively, but distinct from other convertibles and hybrids by the support of a full-featured desktop operating system, such as Windows 10 and featuring a number of I/O-ports for extra connectivity to various standard PC peripheral devices.

2-in-1 is an example of a technological convergence. It is built using a standard portable PC components, yet have a light and thin chassis, which can transform 2-in-1 into a slate tablet form. Therefore, 2-in-1s are convenient for a media consumption and typical non-intensive tablet tasks, such as web browsing, in one position, and in another they are useful for resource intensive content production activities, such as a photo editing.

Forms

Lenovo Yoga, 2-in-1 convertible with a keyboard that can be rotated at any angle

Sony VAIO Duo, 2-in-1 convertible with a sliding keyboard

HP Spectre x2, a modern 2-in-1 detachable

2-in-1 convertible

2-in-1 convertibles are devices with the ability to hide the keyboard, rotating, folding or sliding it behind or within a chassis. They tend to differ by the type of hinge used. On most devices it is situated near the display and keyboard junction, while on others (like the Dell XPS Duo) there is the additional hinge in the middle of the display, so that the display can be flipped horizontally within its frame. Some 2-in-1 convertibles incorporate a sliding mechanism, allowing the user to slide the keyboard behind or within the display.

2-in-1 detachable

After the inception of 2-in-1 convertibles, many manufacturers looked for ways to further decrease the size and weight of their touchscreen-enabled hybrid laptop devices. 2-in-1 detachables emerged - devices with detachable keyboards. In most cases the keyboard part provides few, if any, additional features (most often a touchpad, as in the HP Spectre x2). However, some manufacturers equip the keyboard part with some features of a docking station: additional I/O-ports, battery, etc. (like the Dell Latitude 13 7000 Series). Some models of the Surface Book have a discrete graphics adapter in the keyboard part, with the ability to automatically connect and disconnect (switching to the integrated graphics in the display part), without the interruption of the running operating system.

After the release of the original Surface, which first made use of a kickstand supporting the main part of the tablet while it stands on a flat surface, a number of other manufacturers incorporated their own versions of a supporting mechanism for their products. For example, the HP Spectre x2's case features a bending frame with a locking mechanism.

Notably, the keyboard parts of some 2-in-1 detachables, while providing essential features, are sometimes deemed an "optional" accessory by some manufacturers in order to minimize the starting price of a device. Nevertheless, in such cases the device is often displayed with its keyboard part in most ads and promotional materials. This is true for all devices of the Surface and Surface Pro lines.

Distinction from traditional tablets and laptops

Even while being considered tablets, 2-in-1s fall in the category of hybrid or convertible tablets, but distinct from other members of this group in the following ways: they run a full-featured desktop operating system, feature a CPU that supports it and have I/O ports typically found on laptops, such as USB and DisplayPort. The most prominent element is the keyboard, which transforms the 2-in-1 into a full-fledged laptop.

When a 2-in-1 is being classified as a laptop, it loosely falls in the Ultrabook device category, sharing with it such traits as a light and thin chassis, a power-efficient CPU, and a long battery life. It is distinguished from a traditional Ultrabook by the inclusion of a touchscreen display and a concealable or detachable keyboard.

Devices similar to 2-in-1s

Some aspects of 2-in-1s are found in devices using ARM processors. Such devices are not classified as a 2-in-1s as they usually run mobile operating systems (iOS, Android, Windows RT etc.) instead of a desktop OS (Windows 10, Ubuntu, etc.) and typically have fewer industry-standard I/O-ports.

Devices whose form factors resemble 2-in-1s but are not classified as such include the Surface RT and Surface 2, whose design and appearance are similar to the Surface Proand Surface Pro 2, the iPad Pro and ASUS Transformer Pad series devices. They all have optional detachable keyboards, but are still considered as hybrid tablets due to their use of a mobile operating system.

Notable devices

The first device which can be considered a 2-in-1 detachable is the Compaq TC1000 from 2002. It features a 1 GHz Transmeta Crusoe CPU, Nvidia GeForce 2 Go GPU, Windows XP Tablet PC edition, detachable keyboard, and a stylus.

The mainstream public attention was not achieved until the late 2013, when tablet-sized laptops with detachable keyboards, mainly running the Windows 8 operating system onIntel Atom processors, started to appear in the mass market.

Among the first devices from this era were the Asus VivoTab series by Asus, with models with 10.1 inches (26 cm) or 11.6 inches (29 cm) screens. They began to arrive in stores in October 2012, and were succeeded by the ASUS Transformer Book series in October 2013.

Microsoft started its own line of 2-in-1s with the introduction of the Surface Pro series, the first of which was released in February 2013. It had a 10.6 inches (27 cm) display,Intel Core i5 CPU, and a detachable keyboard, which also doubles as a protective screen cover.

A number of prominent laptop manufacturers, such as Lenovo, Dell, Samsung, Acer, HP and others have also begun releasing their own 2-in-1s.

Criticism

In April 2012 Apple's CEO Tim Cook, answering to the question of the researcher Anthony Sacconaghi about a possible hybrid of iPad and MacBook, compared a 2-in-1 to "a hybrid of a toaster and a refrigerator" that "doesn’t please anyone":

“	I think, Tony, anything can be forced to converge. But the problem is that products are about trade-offs, and you begin to make trade-offs to the point where what you have left at the end of the day doesn’t please anyone. You can converge a toaster and a refrigerator, but those things are probably not going to be pleasing to the user … you wouldn’t want to put these things together because you wind up compromising in both and not pleasing either user. Some people will prefer to own both, and that’s great, too. But I think to make the compromises of convergence, so — we’re not going to that party. Others might. Others might from a defensive point of view, particularly. But we’re going to play in both.	”
— Tim Cook, Apple's CEO

As of 2015, the only pre-installed operating systems specifically supporting 2-in-1's are Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Although some Linux distributions do support some touch features of 2-in-1s, they are generally unsupported by hardware vendors. Apple's OS X operating system does not support touch features due to the lack of touch-enabled devices, powered by OS X being produced as of yet.

Compared to Google Android and Apple iOS mobile operating systems the touch-oriented features of Windows intended for tablet use are often criticized as less convenient, more confusing to use and for the lack of quality apps in the Windows Store. It is, however possible to run Android apps in Microsoft Windows through the use of emulator software, such as BlueStacks' App Player or American Megatrends' AMIDuOS.

Last updated on 17 July 2016 at 22:42.

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