Microsoft Surface 3 review

Will it be third time lucky for Microsoft's Surface?

IT Pro Verdict

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.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Good screen quality; greatbattery life; strong removable keyboard

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Low CPU and storage performance; limited RAM; Fiddly to use on lap

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This is one of the few premium' looking laptops whose storage performance can actually be improved with an SD card. The Surface 3 has a microSD card slot hidden under the kickstand, and there are models with both 64GB and 128GB internal storage.

Battery Life

Every part of the Surface 3's hardware is geared for low-level tasks, not just the CPU. Other than the relatively low price, this comes with battery life benefits.

The Surface 3's stamina is very good. It'll last for eight hours 20 minutes of video playback, and even longer with very light use and low screen brightness. When using email and a word processor 9-10 hours is achievable. Consequently, lasting through the work day should not be an issue if light duties are going to be 90 per cent of the workload.

Unusually good stamina is not the end of the Surface 3's calling cards either. Like the Surface Pro 3, it also has an n-Trig digitiser layer, which can interact with a custom stylus pen. While supplied with our review unit, it appears to be sold separately, for 35.

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