Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (Archived Report)



Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (Archived Report)










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Archived Report:
Microsoft
Surface Pro 3

Brady Hicks

Copyright 2016, Faulkner Information Services. All Rights Reserved.

Docid: 00021014

Publication Date: 1604

Report Type: PRODUCT

Preview

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is a hybrid personal computing device that
combines the features of a laptop and a tablet. The unit is designed to
satisfy the needs of business customers who require the functionality of a
laptop with the simplified Web interface of a tablet – all within a single piece
of hardware. This report looks at the Surface Pro 3 in greater detail.

Report Contents:

Description

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Microsoft’s Surface Pro line was created to offer an alternative to Apple’s
popular iPad tablet computer, which offers features for browsing the Web,
sending and receiving e-mails, viewing photos, streaming media, playing games,
and reading e-books.

 


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Billed as "the tablet that can replace your laptop," the Surface Pro 3 offers
a "detachable" computer with a touchscreen that can be separated from the unit
and used as a de facto tablet. Additionally, this 12" device can run Office
desktop apps and features a slim keyboard cover and built-in stand. In addition,
the Surface Pro is equipped with four sensors
– an ambient light sensor,
an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a magnetometer – which can be leveraged by
software developers. Since the time of its release in June 2014, the Surface Pro
has been well received. In fact, Mark Hachman of PCWorld
said,

“Surface Pro 3 can legitimately cover your notebook and tablet needs in a single
package.”1

A next-gen Surface Pro 4 also soon followed (June 2015).


Vendor
Name:
Microsoft
Headquarters
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-7329
(425) 882-8080
Fax: (425) 706-7329
Web: http://www.microsoft.com/
Type of Vendor: Operating System and Application Software Provider
Founded: 1975
Service Areas: Global
Stock Symbol: MSFT (NASDAQ)

Components

The Surface Pro 3 includes:

  • Touchscreen – A 12" touchscreen
    with a 3:2
    aspect
    ratio
    and a 2160×1440
    resolution.
  • Surface Pen – A pen for recording
    notes
    in
    OneNote,
    even
    while
    the
    Surface
    is locked.
  • Kickstand – A

    kickstand
    to permit customers to work
    or
    play
    at any angle.

  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth – Surface
    supports
    standard
    Wi-Fi
    protocols
    (802.11a/b/g/n/ac)
    and
    Bluetooth
    4.0 Low Energy
    technology.
    This
    means
    customers
    can
    connect to a wireless network and use Bluetooth
    devices
    such
    as
    keyboards,
    mice,
    printers,
    and
    headsets.
  • Two Cameras and Two Microphones – Two
    5-megapixel cameras for recording videos and taking pictures. Also, two noise-canceling microphones for making
    calls and recording video with sound.
  • Stereo Speakers and Headset Jack – Stereo
    speakers
    with
    Dolby
    enhanced
    sound and a headset jack for plugging
    in headphones.
  • Full-Size USB 3.0 Port – For connecting USB accessories – like a mouse, printer, or Ethernet adapter.
  • microSD Card Reader – For
    extra
    storage
    or
    transferring
    files.
  • Mini DisplayPort 1.2
    – For transferring the
    display to
    an HDTV,
    monitor,
    or
    projector
    (video adapters
    are
    sold
    separately).
  • Charging Port and 36-Watt Power Supply – For connecting the included 36-watt power supply when the battery is low.

These elements are illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1.  Microsoft Surface Pro 3

Figure 1. Microsoft Surface Pro 3

Source:  Microsoft

It should be noted that the biggest deficiency of the Surface Pro 3 is its the lack of an optical drive like a CD or DVD reader. If
needed, customers can buy and attach an external drive but, unlike a modern
laptop, an optical drive is not standard.

Applications

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The Surface Pro 3 comes with built-in apps Microsoft apps
such as Skype, OneDrive, and Bing Smart Search, with additional apps
conveniently available from the Windows Store. Importantly, Office is
available, which is sold separately in some countries or regions and comes
pre-installed in others.

Environment

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The Surface Pro 3 is designed to run at least Windows 8.1 Pro. It includes an
Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processor, and is available with 64GB or 128GB (4GB
RAM) or 256GB or 512GB (8GB RAM) storage.

Support

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Microsoft
offers business customers two extended hardware service plans:

  • Extended Hardware Service – Extends the standard warranty for Surface Pro 3 (from one to two
    years depending on country) up to three years. This plan also provides
    repair or replacement through Advanced Exchange (not available in all regions).
  • Microsoft Complete for Business – Includes
    everything that’s covered in the Extended Hardware Service plan plus additional
    coverage for damage due to drops, liquid, electrical surge,
    battery failure, or other accidental breakage.

Pricing

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Microsoft’s sales staff or authorized resellers should be contacted for all
price inquiries.

Competitors

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Aside from Apple’s iPad Pro, the Surface Pro 3 also competes with offerings from
Toshiba, ASUS, Lenovo, HP Inc, Dell, and VAIO.

References


1
Mark Hachman. “Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Review: A
Legitimate Work
PC in Tablet Clothing.” PCWorld.
May 27, 2014.

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About the Author

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Brady Hicks is an
editor with Faulkner Information Services. He writes about computer and
networking hardware, software, communications networks and equipment, and the
Internet.

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