Surface Pro 3: technical specifications, pricing, & details

Surface Pro 3 in canvas mode

Microsoft unveiled to the world Surface Pro 3, a thinner, lighter, and more powerful than the its predecessor Surface Pro 2. And the company touting this tablet as the first device that can actually replace a laptop on every aspect, not only because the hardware Surface Pro 3 packs inside, but also because it can run any type of applications from modern apps to any traditional desktop application (such as Photoshop, iTunes, Chrome, etc.) in a gorgeous 12-inch display. Let’s go through the tech specs and details you probably didn’t know about the new tablet: 

Surface Pro 3 tech specs

FeatureDescription
Dimensions11.5” x 7.93” x 0.3”
(292mm x 201.3mm x 9.1mm)
Weight1.76lbs
(800 grams)
DisplayScreen: 12” ClearType Full HD Plus
Aspect Ratio: 3:2
Touch: Multi-touch
Resolution2160 x 1440 (216 ppi)
External MonitorSurface Pro 3 with Core i5 & i7 can be hooked up to two monitors of 2880 x 1800 pixels.
Surface Pro 3 with Core i3 can be hooked up to two monitors of 1920 x 1200 pixels each.
GraphicsSurface Pro 3 with Core i3: Intel HD4200
Surface Pro 3 with Core i5: Intel HD4400
Surface Pro 3 with Core i7: Intel HD5000
Storage & RAM64GB or 128GB storage with 4GB RAM
256GB or 512GB storage with 8GB RAM

Note: Surface Pro 3 with Intel Core i3 only comes with 64GB.
Available StorageFree disk space after Windows installation:

64 GB of storage: 37 GB of free disk space
128 GB of storage: 97 GB of free disk space
256 GB of storage: 212 GB of free disk space
512 GB of storage: 451 GB of free disk space
Processor4th generation ultra-low-voltage (ULV), dual-core with Hyper-Threading and 22nm die size technology Intel Core i3-4020Y, i5-4300U, and i7 i7-4650U
TPM Chip for enterprise security
Core i3 clock speed: 1.5 GHz
Core i5 clock speed: 1.9 GHz and up to 2.9 GHz with turbo boost
Core i7 clock speed: 1.7 GHz and up to 3.3 GHz with turbo boost

Note: All versions of Surface Pro 3 feature Intel's InstantGo (or Connected Standby), technology that allows fast sleep and resume of the tablet.
NetworkWireless: Wi-Fi 802.11ac/802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy technology
PortsFull-size USB 3.0
microSD card reader
Headset jack
Mini DisplayPort
Cover port
LocationDigital Compass
Cameras, Video and Audio5.0 megapixel rear-facing camera
5.0 megapixel front-facing camera
Stereo microphones
Stereo speakers with Dolby sound
Battery42 watt battery with up to 9 hours of battery life doing web browsing (10% increase from Surface Pro 2)
SensorsAmbient light sensor
Accelerometer
Gyroscope
Magnetometer
Kickstand positionsMultiple, up to 150 degrees
Pen inputPen (included in the box with a "AAAA" battery non-rechargeable)
Pen features 256 levels of pressure sensitivity
Power Supply36w power supply, which also includes 5w USB for charging accessories
Inside the boxSurface Pro 3
Surface Pen
36w Power supply
Quick Start Guide
Safety and warranty documents

Surface Pro 3 details

There is a lot that has changed with Surface Pro 3, for example the new screen is 30% bigger than Surface Pro 2 and at a screen resolution of 2160 x 1400 pixels the new tablet packs 50% more pixels. There is 3:2 aspect ratio with a portrait orientation, users will notice this when they see that Microsoft has moved the Start button to the right side of the bezel. 

The new tablet features a new vent system and single fan to cool things down, though still a little bit noisy at times, for example when installing updates or using an app that needs a lot system resources. However it is quieter than the Surface pro 2. 

The speakers are also louder and located in front of the device at the top-right and top-left side at the edge of the bezel.

Unlike other tablets, Surface Pro 3 features both the front-facing and back 5 megapixel camera. And also are capable of capturing 1080p video. 

Another thing you might not know is that the Surface teams has done something really amazing with the screen this time around. Now the Surface Pro 3 features a Gorilla Glass screen that is fusion together with the LCD that reduces light reflection, allows the device to shave off a few microns and helps for more accurate touch, and decreases the latency or parallax effect while writing, drawing, or marking up a documents, with the Surface Pen. 

Talking about the pen, the Surface Pen comes included when buying the device. It’s a Bluetooth accessory and it’s powered by a “AAAA” battery. It also features a button at the top that allows to open OneNote to note-taking even if the Surface Pro 3 is locked. This is also an “active capacitive” pen that produces an electronic field that can be used as way to control the mouse cursor on the screen by hovering the pen tip over the screen without actually touching the screen. 

The kickstand has been improved dramatically, the new version doesn’t offer the only 2 modes anymore. Now it has multiple positions, so you can go from 0 to 150 degrees angle (or canvas mode) for better lapability.

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 also features a new proprietary charger that unlike previous Surface models, slides inside the slot and works as a high-speed data port too. The new docking station makes use of this high-speed that port to connect to the tablet instead of using the USB port like in Surface Pro 2. 

Another important fact is that Surface Pro 3 is 50% thinner than the MacBook Pro and 30% thinner than the 11-inch MacBook Air. 

Finally, this time around Microsoft will officially release an Ethernet to USB adapter for the tablet. It’s coming soon and it’ll cost $39.99.

For Surface Pro 3 pricing and availability, check out this previous article.

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 15 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 21 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. Email him at [email protected].