Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Puts Onus On Apple To Get Real Professional Grade iPad To Market

The Surface Pro 3 12-inch tablet PC Microsoft unveiled this week means that both Android and Windows tablet competitors have beaten Apple to market with seriously enterprse and content creation oriented machines.

With a full HD display, 4th-generation Intel Core “Haswell” processor, up to 8 GB of RAM and offering up to nine hours of battery charge life, Surface Pro 3 combine3s the power, performance and mobility of a laptop in a lightweight, thin, versatile form factor.

Surface Pro 3 is intended to be a player in both tablets and laptop categories, offering multiple processor, RAM and storage options intersect to with a simple snap or click, transform the device from a thin and light (0.36 inches thick and 1.76 pounds) stylus-optimized touchscreen tablet to a full-functioning laptop, and back again, in a package 30 percent thinner than Apple’s 11-inch MacBook Air with a 12-inch display and new, continuous kickstand to provide the screen real estate and multiple viewing angles content creator users need for work and play.

A new Surface Pen stylus — completely redesigned with a solid, polished aluminum finish, and designed to look and feel like an actual fountain pen, to optimize form and function — delivers precise drawing and note-taking capabilities. You can use Surface Pen to organically mark presentations, sign documents or create art in apps like Fresh Paint. A click of Surface Pen opens OneNote for capturing thoughts instantaneously automatically saved. Double-click the back of Surface Pen to instantly capture a screenshot of whatever’s on your screen. And with MIcrosoft’s Palm Block technology, you can rest your hand as you write without unintended inputs and marks.

The backlit Surface Pro Type Cover is one of the thinnest mechanical keyboards available, featuring QWERTY keyboard, a full (laptop) row of Function keys (F1–F12), Windows shortcut keys, media controls and an improved touchpad. Flip the cover back and convert Surface Pro 3 from laptop to tablet in seconds. When closed, the Surface Pro Type Cover shuts down your display to preserve battery life, and features a double-fold hinge that magnetically locks to the display’s lower bezel, keeping everything steady for working comfortably on your lap

Surface Pro 3 buyers will be able to choose from five colors — purple, red, blue, cyan and black.

While it’s the thinnest and lightest member of the Surface Pro family, Surface Pro 3 features a 12-inch 2160×1440 resolution 2K color-calibrated screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio and multitouch input, so you can tap, swipe, pinch, and drag via digit. With a full-size USB 3.0 port, microSD card reader and Mini DisplayPort, you can quickly transfer files and easily connect peripherals like external displays and mice. Order the optional Surface Ethernet Adapter and you can instantly connect to a wired Ethernet network supporting transfer rates of up to 1 Gbps.

Surface Pro 3 features Dolby Audio-enhanced sound and doubled Wi-Fi speeds, and its front-facing loudspeakers are now 45 percent louder. Surface Pro 3 also features two 5 MP resolution cameras capable of capturing 1080p HD video.

Since it runs full Windows 8.1 Pro, Surface Pro 3 can run virtually all standard and mission critical Windows software Windows Store apps, including custom line-of-business apps for enterprises and business owners,, and use them multitasked in side-by-side windows side by side with the Snap View feature.

“So many people carry both a laptop and a tablet but really want just one device that serves all purposes,” says Panos Panay, corporate vice president, Microsoft Surface. “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.”

Coupled with additional optional accessories, including a new Docking Station for Surface Pro 3 and a Surface Ethernet Adapter, Surface Pro 3 has all the features and capabilities of a complete laptop.

To take productivity to the next level with Docking Station for Surface Pro 3, click it into the dock to go from tablet to full desktop PC. With a gigabit Ethernet port for up to 1Gbps wired network speeds, Mini DisplayPort for HD video of up to 3840×2600 resolution, and five USB ports — three USB 3.0 ports and two USB 2.0 ports — you have everything you need to attach an HD monitor, wired network connection, audio system, external mouse and keyboard, printer, and more. With its 48W charging system, MIcrosoft says you can work and run or charge accessories and still have ample power to charge Surface Pro 3.

Starting at $799 or $300 more than the base 9.7-inch iPad Air, Surface Pro 3 is available with an Intel Core™i3, i5 or i7 processors up to 512 GB of flash storage, and up to 8 GB of RAM.

Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro Type Cover and Surface Pen will be available for pre-order starting May 21 at 12:01 a.m. EDT through Microsoftstore.com, Microsoft retail stores and select third-party retailers. Commercial customers should speak to their authorized reseller.

Beginning June 20 in Canada and the United States, customers can visit Microsoftstore.com, Microsoft retail stores, select third-party retailers and commercial resellers to purchase Intel Core i5 Surface Pro 3 and select accessories. Additional configurations will become available during August, and more accessories will be available in the next few months.

By the end of August, Surface Pro 3 and select new accessories will become available for purchase in 26 additional markets, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

More information on Surface can be found at:
http://www.microsoft.com/surface