Microsoft Surface 3 review
Will it be third time lucky for Microsoft's Surface?
The Microsoft Surface 3 is comfortably the best of the lower-cost Surface hybrids to date. The sum of improvements made to the hardware, both in the tablet part and the keyboard, and full Windows 8.1’s flexibility make it a very workable portable companion to a more powerful desk-bound laptop or desktop.
-
+
Good screen quality; greatbattery life; strong removable keyboard
-
-
Low CPU and storage performance; limited RAM; Fiddly to use on lap
The design does not lend itself to lone tablet use, which makes Microsoft's website marketing of the device as a solo tablet a little confusing. Clearly the draw of being able say the Surface 3 sells From 419' was too strong to resist.
However, the 529 bundle actually offers far better value. It includes a Type Cover keyboard, plus effectively free' upgrades from 64GB storage to 128GB and from 2GB to 4GB RAM. Any buyers picking the entry-level 419 version have made the wrong choice.
Hardware
Both have the same external features, though. The frame is metal, and a kickstand holds the screen at three different positions. It gives a laptop-like setup with the keyboard attached, or something closer to the world's smartest picture frame without.
The combination of multi-angle hinge and removable magnetised keyboard base still offers a form of flexibility not offered elsewhere, though. Not even in most other hybrids tablet-laptops.
The more expensive Surface Pro 3 has the edge here, though, with a stand designed to hold the screen at almost any angle. It uses a more advanced, stronger hinge, one that would presumably be too expensive or difficult to incorporate in a tablet this size and weight.
-
A sneaky cyber espionage campaign is exploiting IoT devices and home office routers – here's what you need to knowNews Researchers at SecurityScorecard have issued a warning about a new China-linked threat campaign, dubbed 'LapDogs', targeting IoT devices and home routers.
-
AI-generated code is in vogue: Developers are now packing codebases with automated code – but they’re overlooking security and leaving enterprises open to huge risksNews While AI-generated code is helping to streamline operations for developer teams, many are overlooking crucial security considerations.
-
Data (Use and Access) Act comes into forcenews Organizations will be required to have an effective data protection complaints procedure and fulfil new requirements for online services that children are likely to use
