Microsoft Launches the Lighter, Thinner Surface 3
Microsoft today introduced its thinnest and lightest model to date of its Windows 8.1 tablet. The new Surface 3, which will appear at Microsoft's retail stores tomorrow, will weigh just 1.37 pounds and a paper-thin .34 inches.
The new $499 device will include a one-year Office 365 subscription and, in keeping with its free Windows 10 upgrade offer, it will be eligible for the new operating system once Microsoft releases it this summer. Powered with Intel's latest system-on-a-chip, quad-core Intel Atom x7 processor, Microsoft makes clear this device is not aimed at those engaging in compute-intensive tasks. It's more suited for everyday productivity such as e-mail, Web browsing and other traditional office purposes.
"If you do very demanding work -- things like editing and rendering video or complex 3D modelling -- then the power and performance of a Surface Pro 3 is for you," said Panos Panay, corporate VP for the Surface product line at Microsoft, in a blog post announcing the Surface 3. "If the majority of your work is less intense -- working in Office, writing, using the Internet (using IE, Chrome, or Firefox!), and casual games and entertainment, then you'll find that Surface 3 delivers everything you need."
Microsoft claims that the new Surface 3 will get 10 hours of battery life even when running video and the company also has eliminated its proprietary charger, instead offering support for a Micro USB charger. The Surface 3 comes with a 3.5 megapixel camera in front and its 8 megapixel rear-facing camera comes with a new autofocus feature.
Though running the low-power system-on-a-chip processor, Paney emphasized it can run 64-bit version of Windows 8.1. Pro, making it suitable for business users in addition to students. It will work with the Surface Pen, though that will cost extra, Microsoft said. Paney emphasized the Surface 3's appeal to enterprise users, noting customers including BASF, Prada and the University of Phoenix.
Posted by Jeffrey Schwartz on 03/31/2015 at 1:12 PM