Dubbed by Microsoft as "the tablet that can replace the laptop", the Surface Pro 3 was launched yesterday at a New York press event.
The 12-inch slate packs a full HD display, various options of 4th generation Intel Core processors and up to 8GB of RAM.
Panos Panay, corporate VP of Microsoft, said: "Surface Pro 3 is the tablet that can replace your laptop – packing all the performance of a fully powered laptop into a thin, light and beautifully designed device. You’ll love being able to carry a single device for your next class, workday or weekend getaway knowing you have all the power you need."
The Surface Pro 3’s screen is 38% larger than the Surface Pro 2, and at just 9.1mm thick, it has become one of the thinnest PCs.
Microsoft Chief Satya Nadella said: "Our goal is to create new categories and spark new demand for our entire ecosystem. That’s what inspires us and motivates us with what we are doing in our devices and hardware."
Apple, Samsung, Asus, Lenovo and Amazon have all outsold Microsoft in the tablet category for the last two years.
Research firm IDC shows that the Surface tablet range took just 1.5% of global tablet shipments in the first three months of 2014.That’s just 640,000 units, down 1.8% from the same time last year.
Nadella branded the Surface Pro 3 as the "laptop replacement" – and compared to it Apple’s lightweight Macbooks rather than a tablet.
Surface Pro 3 specifications:
The Surface Pro 3 has a 12-inch ClearType Full HD display with a 2,160 x 1,440 resolution, and comes with the option of an Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processor. 4GB or 8GB RAM variants are available, with storage options coming in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB 512GB.
A 5MP camera comes with the Surface Pro 3, and it has a battery life of nine hours at reasonable usage. Ports on the tablet are USB 3.0, microSD card reader, mini DisplayPort, and of course headphone jack and a charging port.
Accessories include exclusive colours in purple, blue, red, cyan, and black, that each cost around £77. A docking station which converts the tablet into a computer costs £119.
Size
292mm x 201.3mm x 9.1mm
Weight
800 grams
Display
Screen: 12" ClearType Full HD Plus
Resolution: 2160 x 1440
Aspect Ratio: 3:2
Battery Life
Up to 9 hours of web browsing
Storage/RAM
64GB or 128GB storage with 4GB RAM
256GB or 512GB storage with 8GB RAM
Processor
4th generation Intel Core i3, i5 or i7
TPM Chip for enterprise security
Network
Wireless: Wi-Fi 802.11ac/802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetooth® 4.0 Low Energy technology
Ports
Full-size USB 3.0
microSDcard reader
Headset jack
Mini DisplayPort
Cover port
Software
Windows 8.1 Pro
Cameras, Video and Audio
5.0 megapixel rear-facing camera, 5.0 megapixel front-facing camera
Stereo microphones
Stereo speakers with Dolby sound
Price: Starts at £639
iPad Air
The iPad Air is far lighter than the Surface Pro 3, weighing in at just 469 grams. However, this is mostly because the iPad Air does not have a full USB port, SD card reader and a stand. The iPad’s screen size is 9.7-inch, with 2,048 x 1,536 pixel resolution.
Still living up to its name, the iPad Air is also thinner than the Surface Pro 3, coming in at 7.5 mm.
The iPad Air offers more of a pure tablet experience than the Surface Pro 3, touting portability with barely any compromise on functionality. However, the Surface Pro 3 is close to a laptop replacement, so buyers should be aware of what they want out of their device.
You can’t use the iPad Air as a desktop, unlike the Windows 8.1-running Surface Pro 3, but the 64-bit A7 processor on the iPad does its best to give optimum processing power for size.
In conclusion, the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 offers better performance and functionality, but at the cost of portability and size. If you want to replace either your tablet or laptop, and can afford to splash out some cash, go with the Surface. Apple offers a purer tablet experience with the iPad Air, with an ultra-portable, lightweight model, that still ahs the processing power and memory options to carry out all tasks you can expect to do on a tablet.
Size
169.5mm x 240mm x 7.5mm
Weight
469 grams
Display Retina display
9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Multi‑Touch display with IPS technology
2,048×1,536 resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi)
Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
Battery Life
Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video or listening to music
Storage/RAM
1 GB RAM
16, 32, 64 or 128 GB flash memory
Processor
A7 chip with 64-bit architecture and M7 motion coprocessor
Software
iOS 7
Cameras, Video and Audio FaceTime HD Camera
1.2MP photo
720p HD video
FaceTime video calling over WiFi or a mobile network
Face detection
Backside illumination
Tap to control exposure for video or still images
Photo and video geotagging
Video Recording
1080p HD
video recording
Video stabilisation
Face detection
Tap to focus while recording
Backside illumination
3x video zoom
Price: Around £399
