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
It's worth the extra. The pen is well-constructed, feels natural and features two mouse-like buttons on its shaft for extra functionality. Inbuilt palm rejection means that when the stylus is used, the touchscreen is automatically disabled, allowing the scrawler to scribble away on the screen freely.
Continuing the theme of packing in extras generally not seen in more affordable models, the Surface 3 also comes in a 4G version.
Conclusion
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.
It does seem more a companion to a more powerful laptop than something to rely on all day, every day, though. While the Intel Atom CPU provides respectable performance for light tasks, it's not up to all that much more and the poor storage speeds only add another bottleneck.
However, with great battery life and a flexible design, it's a good choice for many.
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.
Processor: Intel Atom x7 1.6GHz quad-core
GPU: Intel HD Graphics
Memory: 2GB or 4GB RAM
Storage: 64GB or 128GB SSD
Connectivity: Dual-band 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0
Ports: 1 x USB 3, microSD slot, 3.5mm headset jack, 1 x Mini DisplayPort
Dimensions: (WxDxH): 267mm x 187mm x 8.7mm
Weight: 622g
-
Salesforce says ‘Microsoft’s anticompetitive tying of Teams' harmed business in triumphant response to EU concessions agreementNews Microsoft has agreed to make versions of its Office solutions suite available without Teams – and at a reduced price
-
Healthcare organizations report rampant email security failures – and Microsoft 365 is often the weakest linkNews IT leaders say they're drowning in security alerts and missing real threats, thanks to limited resources, expanding attack surfaces, and weak security strategies
-
Is the honeymoon period over for Microsoft and OpenAI? Strained relations and deals with competitors spell trouble for the partnership that transformed the AI industryAnalysis Microsoft and OpenAI are slowly drifting apart as both forge closer ties with respective rivals and reevaluate their long-running partnership.
