Microsoft Surface Pro 3 vs Microsoft Surface 3

Posted on 23 April 2015 by

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and Microsoft Surface 3 are aimed at two different markets. Guess what? The Pro version is targeted at more productive usage scenarios!The screen is larger and the CPU used inside capable of much more processing than the Surface 3 but the Surface 3 is lighter, smaller and more efficient.

In terms of real-world processing power the Surface 3 Pro is capable of giving the user a ‘barrier free’ office working environment. There’s enough processing power for Office usage, for some video editing and light gaming. Storage is also fast enough for very fast transfer speeds internally and over the USB 3.0 connection.  The Surface 3, however, has ‘enough’ processing power for Office but is limited in media creation power and gaming power. There’s enough for most students and the pen, as on the Pro version, adds a lot of value to the student, presenter and for office note-taking and annotations, even when projected on a big screen.

See also: Acer Aspire Switch 10 vs ASUS Transformer Book T100

Both devices have a Type Cover and docking station available. Both device ship with Windows 8.1 Pro.

Take a look at the table below to see all the important differences and use the selection tool below to find out which devices suits you.

 

Surface Pro 3

Click for specs and info

Surface Pro 3

Surface Pro 3

Vs

Surface 3

Click for specs and info

Surface 3

Surface 3

Surface Pro 3

Surface 3

  • More powerful CPU and GPU (Intel Core i3 – Core i7)
  • Larger screen
  • Higher resolution
  • Continuously variable stand
  • Stylus with product
  • Fast SATA SSD storage
  • Mobile-class CPU (Intel Atom X7)
  • Fanless
  • Longer battery life
  • Lighter
  • Cheaper
  • Slightly brighter screen
  • 3-stage adjustable stand
  • Stylus not included
  • Micro USB charging
  • Lower performance eMMC storage

 

Performance

Disk: Highest read rate 433 MB/s

CPU: Cinebench R11.5 multicore 2.82

GPU: 3DMark11 1033

[Source review.]

Performance

Disk: Highest read rate 114 MB/s

CPU: Cinebench R11.5 multicore 1.79

GPU: 3DMark11 562

[Source review.]

 Full specifications and more information in our database. Full specifications and more information in our database.

Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Vs Microsoft Surface 3 Editors Evaluation

Use our editors ratings to find a solution. By rating each criteria based on your requirements you'll find a 'Winner' shown at the bottom of the table. Ratings below based on editor experience. Some ratings may be provisional.

Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Microsoft Surface 3
CRITERIA Adjust your
requirements below
Editors rating Editors Rating
Battery LifeNot important
Important
Very Important
78
ConnectivityNot important
Important
Very Important
77
Screen qualityNot important
Important
Very Important
99
PortabilityNot important
Important
Very Important
78
SensorsNot important
Important
Very Important
88
ProductivityNot important
Important
Very Important
86
A/V/P experienceNot important
Important
Very Important
77
GamingNot important
Important
Very Important
53
Build QualityNot important
Important
Very Important
99
Click images for product information
Result TBC TBC
Latest Amazon.com pricing 1198.99479.00
Notes
Editors Comparison Version: Alpha V3.0 - 29 Feb 2014 (Alpha - Features may change)
Ratings shown are the latest entries entered by an expert/admin
Thanks to Bryan Cryer and Steve Litchfield for interactive code.

Search UMPCPortal

Find ultra mobile PCs, Ultrabooks, Netbooks and handhelds PCs quickly using the following links:

Acer C740
11.6" Intel Celeron 3205U
Acer Aspire Switch 10
10.1" Intel Atom Z3745
Acer Aspire E11 ES1
11.6" Intel Celeron N2840
Dell Latitude E7440
14.0" Intel Core i5-4200U
Acer TravelMate B113
11.6" Intel Core i3
Lenovo Ideapad Flex 10
10.1" Intel Celeron N2806
ASUS Zenbook UX305
13.3" Intel Core M 5Y10a
HP Elitebook 820 G2
12.5" Intel Core i5 5300U
Dell Chromebook 11
11.6" Intel Celeron 2955U
WiBrain B1H
4.8" VIA C7-M