In a short time Microsoft will almost certainly present the new Surface Pro 4 that could be available on the market, but in recent days we have had the opportunity to test the Surface 3, the last device to hit the market before the launch of the long-awaited Windows 10. As is usual, this device has not disappointed almost anyone and of course neither us.
Like previous devices in the Surface family, this Surface 3 tries to be a hybrid device between a laptop and a tablet and be the ideal resource for the many who need to have the best of both gadgets in one. Of course not all the positive aspects and it is that it still lacks something to be a perfect hybrid device and also its price makes this Surface once again very far from the reach of most users.
Next we are going to analyze this Surface 3 in depth, reviewing several of its most important aspects. We are also going to offer you what in our opinion are the positive and negative aspects of this Microsoft device. Ready to enjoy our analysis of this Surface?.
Design, a commitment to continuity
Since the first Surface hit the market, Microsoft has made very few changes to the design of these devices. Of course, this Surface 3 is lighter, a little more compact and can also boast some more small details. With dimensions of 267 x 187 x 8,7 millimeters and a weight of 622 grams we can say that it is a thinner and lighter device than the previous Surface 2.
However, the essence of the device has changed very little and of course the already characteristic color remains identical. The finished in premium materials continues to give a more than interesting aspect to the Microsoft device, which everyone usually likes, do you know someone who has not liked the design of any of the Microsoft Surface devices?
Characteristics and specifications
Next we are going to review the main features and specifications of the Microsoft Surface 3;
- Screen: 10 inches with 1920 × 1280 resolution, 3: 2 aspect ratio with up to 256 levels of pressure for the pen and protection for the palm
- Processor: Intel Atom X7 Cherrytrail
- RAM: there are currently two different versions on the market, one with 2 GB and the other with 4 GB of RAM
- Storage: 64 GB and 128 GB SSD, 32 GB version although only for the educational field
- Battery: up to 10 hours of video playback
- Connectivity: Mini DisplayPort, USB, WiFi, optional LTE
- OS.: Windows 8.1 upgradeable to Windows 10 with drivers for 32/64 bits completely free of charge
Processor
If we take a look inside this Surface 3 we find a Atom X7 processor, manufactured by Intel and offering us a quad-core structure They operate at a speed of 1,6 GHz. One of the main characteristics is that it does not need any type of ventilation, which prevents this Microsoft device from having the noisy fans that we can see in most laptops.
Unfortunately from this processor perhaps we expected something more and that is that although it is not a bad brain for this Surface 3, it does not allow us to do anything we can imagine. One of those things that we will not be able to do, at least in a normal way, is to enjoy the latest generation video games.
For example in our tests it was impossible for us to enjoy NBA 2K14, since after hours of installation we could not get it to work. Also some other games we tested were quite slow.
Some applications cannot be used in a normal way on this Surface 3 either, and that is, for example, the popular Photoshop, it took more than 50 minutes to install, and then it won't work.
The power of accessories
When we buy a Surface 3 we find that in the box there is only the device, which as we have said before is a hybrid between a laptop and a tablet. However, unless we acquire the accessories we will not have that device halfway between those two.
On the one hand we can acquire the essential keyboard, that allows us to turn the Surface 3 into the closest thing to a laptop and that also acts as a cover. Its price is of course not too cheap and more if we take into account that we have already paid a high price for the Surface. The keyboard that we can find in any specialized store, in different colors and with the keys in different models, can be purchased for a price of $149,90 which undoubtedly raises the final price of the Surface very much.
We can also purchase another series of accessories, among which a stylus would stand out, which depending on the type of users that we are we will use more or less frequently.
What I like about the Surface 3
After testing this Microsoft Surface 3 for a few weeks, I have to say that this device, like all the previous ones of this same family, I still fall in love with its dimensions, its lightness and the facilities it offers us to transport it and use it almost anywhere.
Although its price seems quite high to me, its keyboard is still a very important accessory that offers us hundreds of possibilities.
In general, I could say that this Surface 3 has convinced me in many things, being what it claims to be, that hybrid device halfway between a tablet and a laptop. Of course, unfortunately in my modest opinion it is far from being any of the devices, which can sometimes be a problem for many users.
What I don't like about the Surface 3
If you have read what I like about the Surface 3 you will have already realized perfectly what I do not like about this Microsoft device. Without a doubt, this Surface is an outstanding device, but it is indicated, in my opinion, for a small group of users. In many cases it is neither a laptop nor a tablet, which is a major problem.
Its price is undoubtedly another of the negative aspects of this Surface 3 And it is that to be able to acquire it we will have to spend about 600 euros to which we will have to add another good handful of euros for the accessories, which in most cases become essential.
Finally I want to point out in this section that this Surface 3 for someone who like me is dedicated to writing articles is a device that will not be able to replace a laptop. Although I have tried on more than one occasion to work with this device it is necessary to place it on a rigid surface. This makes working with the device on your lap anywhere completely impossible.
Personal opinion
Since Microsoft officially presented the first device in the Surface family, many users have fallen in love with this type of device. The Surface 3 has not been an exception for almost anyone, although for most users, including myself, it is more a whim than a necessity.
And is that there's no question that this Surface 3 is an outstanding gadget, but it is specifically dedicated for users who need to combine design, power in certain aspects and also be able to move and transport it in an easy and simple way.
In my opinion I think we are facing a device that is too expensive for any normal user.. For practically half the money this Surface 3 is worth, we can buy a laptop or a tablet, or even both that perfectly meet our needs. To this day, having a Surface does not solve, in my humble opinion, the problems of having a tablet and a laptop. It is a hybrid device, which can offer us perfectly the same as a tablet, but I think it is far from being the closest thing to a laptop.
Price and Availability
The Microsoft Surface 3 has already been available on the market for a few months and anyone can buy it for a price of 599 euros in its most basic version.
Of course later we will have to buy the keyboard, which is totally essential for any user and which has a price of 149,90 euros. The stylus can be purchased for a more affordable price, set at 49,99 euros. Buying these two accessories the price of the Surface shoots up to almost 800 euros.
If you want to buy the Surface 3 you can do it from the following link that will take you directly to Amazon.
What do you think of this Surface 3 after reading our review?. You can give us your opinion in the space reserved for comments on this post or through any of the social networks in which we are present.
no mamen surface 3? if the surface 4 is already around the corner