Surface Pro 3

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 x64 Intel CPU and 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 sub notebooks such as the MacBook Air.{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/tech/microsoft-surface-pro-3-review-if-you-had-to-be-a-86496376264.html |title=Smart, Versatile Surface Pro 3 Can Do It All — Maybe Even Lift the Windows 8 Curse |last=Pogue |first=David |date=May 22, 2014 |work=Yahoo Tech |publisher=Yahoo |access-date=2014-05-24 |archive-date=2014-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523233330/https://www.yahoo.com/tech/microsoft-surface-pro-3-review-if-you-had-to-be-a-86496376264.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/5/23/5743416/microsoft-surface-pro-3-review |title=Microsoft Surface Pro 3 review |last=Bohn |first=Dieter |date=May 23, 2014 |work=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=2014-05-24}}{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/surface-pro-3-david-pogue-review-2014-5 |title=POGUE: The Surface Pro 3 Is The One Time Windows 8 Isn't A Disaster |last=Eadicicco |first=Lisa |publisher=Business Insider |access-date=2014-05-24}}

The Surface Pro 3 was announced on May 20, 2014, at a New York City event,{{cite web |first=Tom |last=Warren |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/5/20/5734102/surface-pro-3-features-pricing-announcement |title=Microsoft announces the Surface Pro 3 |publisher=The Verge |date=May 20, 2014 |access-date=May 20, 2014}}{{cite press release |title=Microsoft introduces Surface Pro 3: the tablet that can replace your laptop |url=http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2014/may14/05-20surfacepr.aspx |date=May 20, 2014 |location=New York |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=May 21, 2014}}{{cite news |title=Surface Pro 3: Microsoft's new tablet aims at laptop market |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/surface-pro-3-microsoft-s-new-tablet-aims-at-laptop-market-1.2648243 |work=CBC News |date=May 20, 2014 |access-date=May 20, 2014}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/products/surface-pro-3 |title=Surface Pro 3 Product Page |website=Microsoft |access-date=May 21, 2014}} The Surface Pro 3 was launched in 25 additional markets on August 28.{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/mobile-devices/surface-pro-3-launch-25-additional-markets-august-28 |title=Surface Pro 3 Launch 25 Additional Markets August 28 |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |date=Aug 6, 2014 |publisher=Winsupersite |access-date=Aug 11, 2014}}

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.

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 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 {{convert|12|in|cm}} (screen display area 25.4 cm x 16.9 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 that of its predecessors, which improves viewing angle.

Although the Surface Pro 3 has a larger screen than its predecessor, it is both thinner and lighter, weighing {{convert|100|g|lb}} less. Microsoft claims the Surface Pro 3 is capable of up to 9 hours of web browsing.{{cite web|title=Microsoft Store — Surface Pro 3: tech specs|url=http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Surface-Pro-3/productID.300190600|website=microsoftstore.com|access-date=10 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209202626/http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Surface-Pro-3/productID.300190600|archive-date=9 December 2014}}

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.{{cite web|title=World's Highest Capacity microSD™ Card|url=http://www.sandisk.com/products/memory-cards/microsd/ultra-premium-edition/|website=SanDisk.com|access-date=12 May 2015}} The internal solid-state drive and system memory are not user upgradeable.

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.

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.{{cite web|title=Quick Reference Guide to 4th Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Graphics (formerly codenamed Haswell)|url=https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/quick-reference-guide-to-intel-processor-graphics|website=Intel.com|access-date=17 September 2014}}

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.

The Surface Pro 3 is one of the first 64-bit Windows devices that features InstantGo (formerly Connected Standby),{{cite web |url=http://www.anandtech.com/show/8038/windows-81-x64-connected-standby-support |title=Windows 8.1 x64 Connected Standby Support}} 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.{{cite web|title=Introduction to connected standby | date=29 January 2016 |url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/dn481224(v=vs.85).aspx}} The Surface will enter hibernation state after four hours of no activity, to further conserve battery power.{{cite web |title=Surface Pro power states: On, off, sleep, and hibernate |website=Microsoft |url=http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-au/support/hardware-and-drivers/surface-power-sleep-and-wake-pro}}

With InstantGo active there is only one power plan available with a limited options.{{Cite web|url = http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/power-plans-faq#1TC=windows-8|title = Power plans: frequently asked questions|access-date = December 1, 2014|website = Microsoft.com}} InstantGo is currently not supported when Hyper-V is enabled, instead the device will enter hibernation each time it is put into sleep mode.{{cite web |title=Surface Pro 3 Tip: Hyper-V vs. Connected Standby |url=http://winsupersite.com/mobile-devices/surface-pro-3-tip-hyper-v-vs-connected-standby}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.anandtech.com/show/8077/microsoft-surface-pro-3-review/2 |title= Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Review}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/accessories/pro3-docking-station |title=Surface Pro 3 Docking Station Product Page|website=Microsoft }}

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{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Arc-Touch-Mouse-Surface-Edition/productID.286866800?WT.mc_id=surface_RTM_arcmouse |title=Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition Product Page}} and Wedge Touch Mouse Surface Edition.{{cite web |url=http://surface.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Wedge-Touch-Mouse-Surface-Edition/productID.264828000?WT.mc_id=surface_RTM_WedgeMouse |title=Wedge Touch Mouse Surface Edition Product Page}}

The Surface Pro 3 has received positive reviews. 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/tech/if-you-had-to-be-a-tragic-mythological-figure-86496376264.html|title=Smart, Versatile Surface Pro 3 Can Do It All — Maybe Even Lift the Windows 8 Curse|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-02}}

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.{{cite web | url=http://mobilesyrup.com/2016/05/27/surface-head-panos-panay-talks-the-death-and-rebirth-of-laptoptablet-hybrid/ | title=Microsoft's Panos Panay talks about the death and rebirth of the Surface | publisher=MobileSyrup | date=May 27, 2016 | access-date=June 27, 2019 | author=O'Rourke, Patrick }} Time magazine included Microsoft Surface Pro 3 in the list of the 25 best inventions of 2014.{{Cite web|url = https://time.com/3594971/the-25-best-inventions-of-2014/|title = The 25 Best Inventions of 2014|date = 20 November 2014|access-date = 19 January 2015|website = Time}}

The Surface Pro 3 received a repairability score of 1/10 from iFixit because of the use of a strong adhesive material throughout and the difficulty in removing the display.{{cite web|title=Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Teardown|url=https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Microsoft+Surface+Pro+3+Teardown/26595|website=iFixit|access-date=2014-08-28}}

{{Surface timeline}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://www.support.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/surface-pro-3-features-4c142a41-134f-f22b-0142-a5cf073b56ee Surface Pro 3 features]
• [https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/install-update-activate/pro-3-update-history Surface Pro 3 update history]

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{{Succession box

| title = Surface Pro

| years = 3rd generation

| before = Surface Pro 2

| after = Surface Pro 4

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{{Windows tablets}}

{{Microsoft hardware}}

{{Microsoft}}

Category:Microsoft Surface

Category:Tablet computers introduced in 2014

Category:Products and services discontinued in 2016

Category:2-in-1 PCs