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Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Launched, Retail Availability in August

By Vijay Anand - on 21 May 2014, 2:25am

Microsoft Upgrades Sufrace Pro 2 with Version 3

Meet Microsoft's new Surface Pro 3.

Microsoft has just announced a refresh to its Surface Pro 2 with a larger, sleeker and more enticing Surface Pro 3.

Dubbed as the tablet that can replace your laptop, it posses several key updates that might just deliver its marketing tag line. While its internal hardware still relies upon the Intel 4th generation Core processors (Haswell) and comes with up to 8GB memory and storage capacities that range from 64GB to 512GB, the following have been improved upon the Surface Pro 2:-

  • 12-inch ClearType Full HD display - The multi-touch screen size has been bumped up from a 10.6-inch 1080p screen to a more comfortable 12-inch , 3:2 aspect ratio screen with a resolution of 2160 x 1440 pixels! Now you can get more work done and enjoy the expanded screen real estate.
     
  • Ultra thin magnesium build - Moving on from its VaporMg dark titanium colored cased on the Surface Pro 2, the new version 3 is built around a silver colored magnesium case. Best of all, it's ultra thin at just 9.1mm. This is a vast improvement from the chunky 13.5mm thick chassis of the Surface Pro 2 and brings it almost on par with the Tegra 4 based Surface 2 (which measures 8.9mm).  Factoring in the 12-inch screen, the overall dimensions of the Surface Pro 3 are 292 x 202 x 9.1mm.
     
  • Multi-position Kickstand - Improved to adapt to any usage angle and need, the dual-position kickstand of the Surface 2 and Surface 2 Pro has now advanced to a full friction based adjustable, continuous kickstand (adjusts from zero to 150 degrees of movement). Now you don't have to adapt to the device; the Surface Pro 3 can adapt to your usage style.

 

  • Louder Audio - Speakers are now 45% louder and are Dolby Audio enhanced.
     
  • Ultra Light at 800 grams - Even with all the enhancements, the Surface Pro 3 is actually a full 100 grams lighter than the Surface Pro 2!


Price

The new Surface Pro 3 will be available in multiple hardware configurations ranging from an Intel 4th generation Core i3 / i5 / i7 processor, 4GB or 8GB RAM, and storage options of 64GB, 128GB, 256GB and 512GB editions. Microsoft states that the based model will retail from US$799. This definitely compares a lot more favorably to the Surface Pro 2 launch price. Here's the full configuration and pricing details:-

  • Intel Core i3, 64GB storage and 4GB RAM - US$799
  • Intel Core i5, 128GB storage and 4GB RAM - US$999
  • Intel Core i5, 256GB storage and 8GB RAM - US$1,299
  • Intel Core i7, 256GB storage and 8GB RAM - US$1,549
  • Intel Core i7, 512GB storage and 8GB RAM - US$1,949

All versions of the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 come bundled with a new Surface Pen. Encased in aluminum and supporting 256 levels of pressure sensitivity with Palm Block technology (basically palm input rejection), it interfaces with the Surface Pro 3 via Bluetooth 4.0. Additional pens cost US$49.99.

Microsoft's acclaimed Surface Pro Type Cover that converts the tablet into a full fledged notebook is still optional, but is available for US$129.99. This is similar to the version sold currently with the Surface 2 series, except that it's larger to accommodate the bigger screen of the Surface Pro 3. If you have older Surface covers, it will also work with the new Surface Pro 3 as it uses the same magnetic click interface.

 

Availability

Locals who've been displeased by the extremely late local availability of the NVIDIA Tegra 4 powered Surface 2 and the void of Surface Pro 2 availability to-date - you would be pleased to note that it's slated to be available in Singapore by the end of August!

Roll-out begins from the pre-order phase that begins in the US on 21 May, 12.01am EDT on Microsoftstore.com, Microsoft retail stores and selected third party retailers.

On 20th June, customers living in the US and Canada can purchase it via the above mentioned channels.

By the end of August, Surface Pro 3 and select new accessories will become available for purchase in 26 additional markets, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

 

Source: Microsoft (1, 2, 3, 4).

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