Microsoft’s line of powerhouse Surface Pro slates let you take all your work on the go, and boast stylus skills that put the iPad to shame, and now the Redmond giant is aiming to replace your laptop completely with its latest Surface Pro 3. It’s even bigger than before, but it’s actually lighter and even more powerful. We got our hands on one before its upcoming launch – read on for our take!
Meet the Surface Pro 3, the latest model in Microsoft’s laptop-replacement line: this time it’s been supersized and given enough power to rival even full desktops. Up-front is the gorgeous 12-inch, better-than-full-HD 2160×1440 display, which is not only larger that the 1080p 10.6-inch screen on its predecessor, but it looks sharper and brighter too – even capable of being readable in sunlight. The screen ratio has also been improved, as before you’d have to deal with a movie-style 16:9 display, which is cumbersome in portrait mode, while on the Surface Pro 3, it’s now 3:2, making it easier to enjoy reading magazines, news and comics in portrait mode.
While the Surface Pro 3 is bigger in screen-size, it’s actually lighter, all thanks to its slick, MacBook Air-style aluminium chassis which measures up at a svelte 9.1mm and weighs just 800g. It’s easier to carry in one hand thanks to its much more evenly distributed weight, and if you found the kickstand on the previous models more of a hindrance, the latest model fixes many problems we’ve had in the past. For starters, you can position the stand at almost any angle you want up to 150 degrees, from upright to a near flat position, making it easier to position on your lap or on your desk. Even with its slim chassis, Microsoft has packed in all the ports you’ll need from a Windows machine: you’ll find room for a microSD card, a full-sized USB 3.0 port, a mini Display Port output and a headphone jack too – and if you opt for the Docking Station for when you’re at home, you’re given even more ports, including 4K output. The Start button has also been moved around, and can now be found on the right-hand side of the Surface when placed in landscape mode, meaning you won’t be hitting it accidentally any more.
Microsoft has also redesigned the Type Cover for the Surface Pro 3, and with a larger screen comes a bigger keyboard. There’s a larger trackpad built-in to the case, which gives you more feedback when you’re left or right-clicking, while touch and swipe gestures have also been improved. It can also magnetically clip onto the Pro 3 in two different ways: flat, as usual, or with a slope for slightly more ergonomic typing. You can also handily attach the new and improved Surface Pen to the the side of the cover in any position you want, which works wonders with the machine and Microsoft’s OneNote software too. There’s 256 levels of pressure sensitivity to play with, its latency has also been reduced, while palm detection has been packed in too so you can focus on the notes or drawings you’re making. There are also two buttons popped onto the stylus too, letting you erase with one or change settings on the other, while another button on top of the stylus can launch OneNote right away for you to get your notes down quick.
While taking a photo with a tablet is certainly considered more of a sin than anything else, you’ll be pleased to hear that the Surface Pro 3 is actually capable of shooting semi-decent 1080p shots. Two five-Megapixel cameras are strapped to the latest slate, with the front-facing cam serving perfect duty for Skype calls, while the rear will do if you’ve (somehow) misplaced your cameraphone or point-and-shoot.
When it comes to speed, the Surface Pro 3 is certainly quick. The prototype version we had our hands on was equipped with a fourth generation Intel Core i5 processor, which proved to be nippy when swiping through the Windows 8.1 Start screen, diving through intensive websites in Internet Explorer. Microsoft is offering plenty of different configs to suit every need when it launches in August, ranging from a £639 model that’s equipped with an Intel Core i3 processor and 64GB of storage, right up to a blazing-fast Intel Core i7 CPU with a 512GBSSD for £1,649 – making it capable of being your complete workhorse for more than just web browsing, including intensive Photoshop work and video editing. Microsoft has also claimed that you’ll be able to squeeze out around nine hours of battery life from video playback, which should last you through a day in the office if you forget your charger – but we’ll be sure to bring you full figures when we get our hands on a review model.
Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 is certainly promising, and when it launches at the end of August, it looks like it’ll fix plenty of what’s plagued previous models. While its size might not be as portable as its smaller predecessors, it’s certainly light enough to scoot around in your bag, and it definitely has potential to fully replace your current laptop. In the meantime, stay tuned for our full review on Microsoft’s latest slate closer to launch.
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