Surface Pro 3 review in pictures

Surface Pro 3 on desk

Surface Pro 3 is a realized dream for Microsoft, after a few tries the company is finally bridging the gap between a tablet and laptop with a single device that does it all quite well. This is the best device ever built by a company that is best known to build software and it’s impressive what they have achieved with this new version of the tablet.

Surface Pro 3 has the best hardware ever shipped on a tablet. The device only weighs 800 grams (1.76 pounds), 9.1 mm (.36 inches) thick, and it is really fast thanks to the 4th generation Intel Core (i3, i5, i7) processor inside of the device. But Surface Pro 3 isn’t just thin, light, and fast, perhaps one of the best hardware features is the gorgeous screen. The display is a 12-inch packing 2160 x 1440 pixels, which makes images, text, and videos look really crisp and clear at almost any angle.

The Surface Pen is a great addition that many will appreciate as you can take notes easily and naturally, thanks to the palm block technology and the 256 levels of pressure sensitivity support. Also OneNote integration makes things a lot easier, just click the pen and you’re instantaneously writing on OneNote without having to search and open the app.

The Type Cover, which doesn’t come included, has also been redesigned, it’s bigger than previous versions, it features an improved trackpad, and a new magnetic strip above the functions keys attaches to the bezel of the tablet to add more stability when writing.

Gallery

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Surface Pro 3 is larger than its predecessor, now it features a 12-inch display with a 2160 x 1440 screen resolution at 216 ppi.
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The tablet only weighs 800 grams without the new Type Cover.
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Although there isn’t a garage to park the Surface Pen inside the tablet, Microsoft added a pen holder to the Type Cover.
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The Surface Pen comes included with Surface, it connect via Bluetooth and it runs with one AAAA battery.
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As in previous versions, you can add extra storage to Surface Pro 3. The microSD slot is located in the back, behind the kickstand.
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The kickstand hinge has been redesigned and now uses friction to hold itself on place, and now you can position the tablet between 22 and 150 degrees.
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A second shot of the new hinge design.
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Surface Pro 3 features an USB 3.0 and mini Display port in the right side.
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Surface Pro 3 features a front and back facing camera, both are 5 mega pixels cameras.
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This is the power button… You also can notice the new vent design that improves air flow to keep Surface cool.
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Surface Pro 3 features a silver color with matte finish. It scratch very easily.
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The new hinge design allows Surface Pro 3 sit at 150 degrees or what Microsoft calls “canvas mode”.
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The device is beautiful any way to look at it, with or without the kickstand.
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This is new power slot, it’s different from the previous design as it also serves as a high-speed data port. Details TBA…
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The Start button now has shift to the right side of the screen.
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The new Type Cover really makes a difference to work with the tablet.
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On the left side you’ll find the audio jack and volume rocker.
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This is how you’ll carry around the Surface Pen.
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The Surface Pro 3 Type Cover has improved dramatically, it’s glass-based, and 68% larger than the previous version.
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The tablet has improved “lapability” (made up word by Microsoft). Now the tablet sits better on your lap thanks to the new magnetic strip in the Type Cover that elevates the keyboard and makes things more stable.
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The Surface Pen supports 256 levels of pressure sensitivity.
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The kickstand positioned at 55 degrees.
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Surface Pro 3 fully setup.
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The new power brick is small, high-quality build and features an USB charger.
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Surface Pro 3 speakers are discretely position at font. They are loud and good enough for a tablet. Don’t expect surround sound though…
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This is the new power connector that magnetically slides in to charge the device. Typically it can take up to 3.5 hours to fully charge the battery.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.