Microsoft announces the new Surface 3 tablet with full 64-bit Windows 8.1

The Thinnest and the lightest Surface tablet with a full-blown Windows 8.1 Operating System inside

✎ CJ Magowan | 🕑 04.01.2015

Microsoft surprised us today with the announcement of the new Surface 3. The new Surface was already rumored a few weeks ago but everyone didn’t expect Microsoft to announced the new device as early as today. As the Windows-RT powered Surface 2 fades into the closets of someones past and Microsoft shelving the OS off, the new Microsoft Surface 3 will be running a full version of Windows 8.1 which opens more possibilities and productivity in a small and lightweight package.

The new Surface 3 is currently the thinnest and the lightest version of its kind to date with just 8.7 mm in thickness and only weighing 1.37 pounds or just around 622 grams. It also features an 10.8-inch display with 3:2 aspect ratio with a 1920 x 1280 resolutions that works beautifully. Inside is an Intel Atom-based Quad-Core processor running at 1.6 GHz and up to 2.4 GHz using Intel’s burst mode. It pairs with an Intel Gen 8 for graphics and with either 2 GB or 4 GB of RAM configuration. Depending on user preference and configurations, the Surface 3 comes in two internal storage space options with either 64 GB and 128 GB of space of your choice.

Like the Surface Pro 3, the new Surface 3 will also support the Surface Pen but unfortunately it wont be coming with one but users can get one separately. There’s also a full range of standard tablet and laptop features which includes full-size USB 3.0 and a microUSB port, mini DisplayPort interface, microSD card reader, docking support and dual cameras with one on the front at 3.2 Megapixel and one on the back with 8 Megapixel sensor.

Basically, the new Surface 3 is a Surface Pro 3 in a small package and like its bigger sibling, it comes pre-loaded with a full version of Windows 8.1 and is fully upgradable to Windows 10 when available. Additionally, the Surface 3 also comes with a 1 year subscription to Office 365 Personal as well as a full version of Microsoft Office essentials like Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook and OneNote with 1 TB of cloud storage via Microsoft OneDrive.

Docking the new Surface 3 is straightforward, clicking the Type Cover in, the once tablet mode Surface 3 device will now become full-blown Notebook PC will all the capabilities of a regular Laptop. whether you’re at work, home or just somewhere to relax, the Surface 3 will surely keep you entertain at it comes with a built-in stereo speakers and coupled with an HD display for a rich user experience.

Microsoft Surface 3

Build:

Magnesium alloy with ceramic finish

Display:

10.8-inch HD ClearType technology | 3:2 Aspect ratio | 1920 x 1280 | 210 ppi

System-on-a-Chip:

Quad-core Intel® Atom™ x7 processor | 1.6 GHz (w/ Intel Burst up to 2.4 GHz)

Graphics Processor:

Intel Gen 8

System RAM:

2 GB | 4 GB

Storage:

64 GB | 128 GB

Expansion:

microSD slot

Camera:

8 Megapixel back camera | Auto Focus

3.5 Megapixel front camera

Connectivity:

4G/LTE (TBA)

Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Bluetooth 4.0

USB 3.0

mini DisplayPort

Operating System:

Windows 8.1 (free upgrade to Windows 10)

Battery:

Estimated 10 hours battery life

Thickness:

8.7 mm

Weight:

1.37 pounds

As we can see from the above specs, the new Surface 3 will have two configurations to choose from with one of which having 2 GB of RAM and 64 GB on internal storage space and the other one is with 4 GB of RAM and a roomy 128 GB internal memory. Both devices comes with a memory expansion slot that supports microSD cards.

New to Surface 3 is charging the device via the new micro USB port with the included 13W fast charger that can also accept your regular microUSB chargers from phones (if you missed to bring your charger with you). Also as an improvement over the Surface 2 or the Surface Pro 3 is the new kickstand design. For the Surface 3, the kickstand is now much sturdier along with 3 positions which gives the user more freedom of view.

For students, business and everyone that is into a more mobility in computing, users should be more productive and creative this time as the Surface 3 is now running a full 64-bit version of Windows 8.1 and that means that all your apps from your laptop or desktop can also be installed and run seamlessly on the new Surface 3 tablet with no more worries of compatibility issues. And also the support for the click-in Surface 3 Type Cover gives a full-range notebook experience together with the added support for the Surface Pen which will do a lot for users with the new Surface 3.

Microsoft is already accepting pre-orders for the new Surface 3 starting March 31 through Microsoft Store, microsoftstore.com and to the following selected retail stores in these markets: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States. As for the price, the 64 GB variant is coming in at $499.00 while the 128 GB variant runs around a hundred dollars more. Out of the box however, the Surface 3 won’t be coming with either the Type Cover or the Surface Pen as these accessories are sold separately.

Customers who prefers to get the device through a selected retail stores within the 26 key markets can purchase the device along with its accessories starting on May 5 with full availability of the device in 26 key markets by May 7. Later in June, Microsoft will also be releasing a LTE version of the Surface 3. It will launch on T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless in the US but should also be expected to become available in other markets gradually. Pricing for the LTE version of Surface 3 still haven’t been discussed but Microsoft will have more on that later.