Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Specifications and information

Review
Benchmarks
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 alternatives

Information from 20 May 2014.

Microsoft have taken the Surface 2, increased the screen size an reduced the weight making it a leading example of tablet engineering. The 12-inch, 800 gram tablet won't be aimed at casual users but with the included digitizer it will appeal to creative types. Pricing matches its pro-level specifications. Starting at $799 it's 'accessible' but if you're looking at 8GB RAM, Core i5 and 128GB of SSD you'll be forced to take the 256GB model at $1299. Great engineering and a perfect device for a lot of creatives but not exactly your mainstream laptop-replacement, especially as similar performance can be had in an Ultrabook for a much lower price.

Aso available in Core i3 (with 64GB storage) and Core i7 versions, 128, 256 or 512GB storage and 8GB RAM. Digitizer uses N-Trig technology. No GPS or NFC on the Surface Pro 3. Available end of June (USA, Core i5 version) to end of August (other countries, variants.) Not fanless.

Microsoft Surface Pro 3 videos


Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Specifications

Manufacturer Microsoft
Model name Surface Pro 3
CPU Intel Core i5 4300U
Detailed info
CPU speed 1900 Mhz
Graphics Intel HD 4400
OS Microsoft Windows 8.1
Display Size
12" 2160 X 1440
Screen Type
LED-Backlit LCD
Touchscreen type
Touch with Digitizer
RAM 4096 MB
SSD 128 GB
Battery capacity 42 Wh
Weight (Minimum) 800gm / 1.76 pounds
Size 292/201/9.1 mm
Size 11.5/7.9/0.4 inches
Physical Interfaces DC-in
Displayport (Mini)
Docking connector
Headset i/f (Mic+Line)
SD slot (Micro)
USB 3.0 (x1)
Wireless Interfaces802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BT 4.0
4G Option
AdditionalAccelerometer
Ambient light sensor
Camera 5.0mp
Digital pen
Dolby Advanced Audio
Gyroscope
IPS / Wide-View Display
Mic array
Stand
Stereo speakers
WebCam 1.3Mp
Compass (Digital)
Optional Specs and Accessories (can vary)
Docking station
Intel VPro Management and Security
*Specifications can vary
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (Intel Core i5 4300U) Benchmarks
Sunspider 1.0.2 (Chrome): 214.5

Octane 2.0 (Chrome): 23592
Cinebench R11.5 Multi CPU: 2.77
Cinebench R11.5 Single CPU: 1.12
PCMark7: 5066

Microsoft Surface Pro 3 alternatives

Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2, 12.2 inch, 749 grams (1.65 lbs)
This particular variant of Samsung's Galaxy Note Pro 12.2, an Android tablet with stylus pen, has an Exynos 5 octa core processor (model 5420) at 1.9GHz and a Mali T628 graphics coprocessor (@ 533MHz). To remind you the device has an enhanced Android UI with multi window interface where you can multi task in each. There's a nice looking keyboard/cover as an accessory option.
Apple iPad Pro, 12.9 inch, 713 grams (1.57 lbs)
Apple have launched the iPad Pro a monster 12.9 inch tablet with 2,732x2,048 resolution screen powered by an A9X processor they claim is 80% more powerful than existing laptops - we don't know how they calculated this! Clearly influenced by Microsofts Surface line and pricing starts at $799.
HP Pro Slate 12, 12.3 inch, 850 grams (1.87 lbs)
The HP Pro Slate 12 is a 12.3 inch Android Lollipop tablet with an unusual screen resolution of 1600x1200 and a 4:3 ratio screen, good for full page reading, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad core CPU. An HP Duet Pen is included to work with the HP suite of productivity apps as well as those yo can get from the Google store.
Cube i7 Remix, 11.6 inch, 720 grams (1.59 lbs)
Chinese manufacturer Cube's Remix i7 is a large (for Android) 11.6 inch IPS screen full HD tablet with the modified Android 'Remix OS' that has some windows-like enhancements. This is much cheaper alternative to the Jide Remix tablet but does not come with a keyboard at the price (about US$160 converted).
Jide Remix ( Ultra), 11.6 inch, 860 grams (1.9 lbs)
Jide was founded last year by 3 ex-Google software engineers the Remix Ultra tablet has some similarities to the Sureface 3. It has been supported by a Kickstarter campaign and Foxconn as well as the owners own money. the tablet has a magnetically attached keyboard and a custom ROM based on Android 4.4.4 but with adjustments to operate a touch more like Windows (multipane windows for instance).
Dell Venue 11 Pro 7140 (7140-6150), 10.8 inch, 770 grams (1.7 lbs)
The Dell Venue 11 Pro is a 10.8" Windows 8.1 Tablet running on Intels Core-M 5Y10 SoC platform. The 10.8" display features a Full HD (1920x1080 pixels) resolution and offers good viewing angles due to the IPS screen. It has a 10 finger multitouch screen and comes with an additional digitizer. Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi a/b/g/n and NFC make for some good wireless connectivity. In terms of ports it offers 1x USB 3.0, 1x microUSB 2.0, a microSDHC port and an miniHDMI port. We like the fact that the battery is user replaceable. A frontfacing 1.3MP as well as a backfacing 8MP camera should be enough for all your tablet needs. Note that there are multiple options like LTE available.
Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 Pro, 13.3 inch, 948 grams (2.09 lbs)
The Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 Pro is an Android 4.4 Kitkat 13.3" tablet running on Intels Atom Z3745 processor. It comes with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of Storage. The 13.3" screen packs a 2560x1440 pixels resolution and offers 10 point multitouch capabilities. With Bluetooth 4.0 and WiFi a/b/g/n it has standard wireless connections. We would have liked it to have WiFi 802.11ac to be a little bit more future proof. The device has a built in projector to mirror the screen to a wall. Batterylife is claimed up to 15hrs.
Sony Vaio Tap 11, 11.6 inch, 780 grams (1.72 lbs)
The Sony Vaio Tap 11 is, at launch, the lightest 4th-Gen Core-based tablet available although models start with a slightly cut-down Pentium version. Great screen, included keyboard, 3G/LTE options and a good entry-level price.
Microsoft Surface Pro 2, 10.6 inch, 907 grams (2 lbs)
Toshiba WT310, 11.6 inch, 825 grams (1.82 lbs)
The Toshiba WT310 is an 11" Windows 8 Pro Tablet with optional HSPA+ / LTE support. No notes on the CPU yet and no info on SSD size. It is likely to be based on the Intel Ivy bridge Y models. The pen can be used for additional stylus-input.
Click to compare