Microsoft Announces Surface 3: 10.8-inch 2-in-1 with Atom x7 on 14nm from $499
by Ian Cutress on March 31, 2015 9:52 AM EST
The next element of Microsoft’s Surface line is here, and the anticipated Surface 3 throws up a couple of (nice) surprises. Starting at $499, the Surface 3 will complement the Surface Pro 3 by offering a 10.8-inch device in a 1920x1280 resolution. That sounds a little odd being a bit more than full-HD, but offers a 3:2 resolution like the larger Surface Pro 3. Under the hood is Intel’s new Atom x7 which we discussed briefly during the Atom re-naming launch earlier this year, which means a 14nm class device featuring Airmont cores and the direct upgrade from Silvermont and Bay Trail. The release states that this is the high end model, which would suggest a quad-core Atom design running above 2 GHz. Microsoft/Intel are not directly calling this Cherry Trail, and our discussions with Intel seem to avoid the Cherry Trail nomenclature, but the SoC will be partnered with 64GB or 128GB of storage, plus a 4G ‘LTE Ready’ version will be coming later.
The Surface 3 is being billed by Microsoft as the thinnest and lightest Surface device, and will run the full Windows 8.1 inside which can be upgraded to Windows 10 later this year for free. The price will include a 1-year subscription to Office 365, as well as 1TB of OneDrive storage. On the device will be a full-size USB 3.0 port, a mini-DisplayPort and a microSD card reader to supplement storage. Charging comes via a bundled fast-charging micro-USB, although it can also be charged with a standard smartphone micro-USB as well. Battery life is listed as 10 hours for video playback, with the screen being described as having ‘incredibly accurate colors’ – here’s hoping for a calibrated display out of the box. Front and rear cameras (3.5MP / 8MP) are designed to both capture 1080p, with an auto-focus feature on the rear camera.
The device on its own will be 8.7mm thin, weighing in at 622 grams (1.37 pounds), and seems to not feature the kickstand that Anand liked in his Surface Pro 3 review. Instead we get a standard 3-position stand. Accessories start with the standard Type Cover but also include a Docking Station with more USB ports as well as ‘The Surface Pen’. The new digital pen will be available in red, blue, black and silver with 256 levels of pressure sensitivity - we presume this is an N-Trig design although we’re waiting for official confirmation.
The Surface 3 and accessories are now available for pre-order in the US, shipping on May 5th. Resellers and partners should have availability on May 7th, although from 1st April users should be able to head into a Microsoft Store in Canada, Puerto Rico and the United States for some hands on time before full launch.
We’ve already put in our request for a review unit.
Source: Microsoft
| Microsoft Surface 3 | ||
| Size | 10.52 x 7.36 x 0.34-inch 267 x 187 x 8.7-mm |
|
| Weight | 1.37 lbs - 622 g | |
| Display | 10.8-inch ClearType Full HD Plus 1920x1280 resolution, 3:2 ratio 10-point multi-touch Surface Pen Support |
|
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours (video playback) | |
| Storage/DRAM | 64GB / 2GB | 128GB / 4GB |
| CPU | Atom x7-Z8700 Quad Core 14nm 1.6 GHz Base Frequency 2.4 GHz Burst Frequency |
|
| WiFi | 802.11ac + BT 4.0 LTE Models at a later date |
|
| Ports | USB 3.0, Mini-DisplayPort, microSD, Micro USB charging, 3.5mm Headset Jack |
|
| Software | Windows 8.1 Office 365 Personal with 1TB OneDrive (1-year) |
|
| Front Camera | 3.5 MP | |
| Rear Camera | 8.0 MP with Autofocus | |
| Operating System | Windows 8.1 64-bit | |
| Warranty | 1-year limited | |
| Price | $499 | $599 |
Edit: This news post originally stated that the kickstand was the same as the Surface Pro 3. This error has been adjusted due to new information.
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MikeMurphy - Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - link
Except for those PCIe 2.0 lanes that would allow for an m.2 format SSD.kyuu - Friday, April 3, 2015 - link
From Intel's slides it appears the intention is that the PCIe lanes will be used for WiGig. Since they are apparently unused in the S3, though, I wonder if there will be any way to utilize them for something else, like adding storage.Laxaa - Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - link
I'm tempted. Throw in some "back to school" discounts and perhaps I'll bite.Looking forward to seeing what kind of performance it packs. As a designer I want as good performance as possiel, but I have a decently specced computer at home(and one at work as well) to do all the heavy task, so something light and reasonably specced for metings and travel would be right up my alley(I'm seeing people quoting that Geekbench has it at around Core M levels in multithreading. It's four cores vs two, but it's still pretty impressive at that price point)
NewMC - Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - link
My education discount shows $50 of each model through the MS store. I'd like to see another $50 to really drive people to purchase. I have been planning on purchasing an SP3 but have enough powerful clamshell and portable devices in my lift right now that I can't justify it. With this though, I think I could probably sell my personal Surface tablet and my older Asus 2-in-1 Android tablet and break even on a Surface 3 with stylus and keyboard. My main draw to the SP3 was the stylus for school notes after all. With 64-bit WIn8.1 I can install any necessary x86 software, use a USB port replicator/dock, and still do everything that I would have with the SP3. I'm really like the idea of this!CSMR - Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - link
It's a mistake. Microsoft already has a flagship hybrid tablet/laptop in the Surface Pro models.Microsoft needs to stay in the pure tablet market until it succeeds. It's a huge market and giving a customer who wants a touch-only tablet a device with a hybrid OS is giving him a substandard and hard-to-use product.
Until Microsoft creates an os that can has desktop only/hybrid/tablet modes there will be a need for a pure tablet os (Windows RT) and a pure desktop OS (Windows 7) as well as the hybrid one (Windows 8.1).
domboy - Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - link
Speak for yourself... I have no interest in a tablet only device, so when the Surface line came out I had to have one. I love my Surface RT and have run desktop apps on it since day one. I actually use the desktop more than modern ui, but I like having both. Sure I'd love a Prod3 but I can't really afford one, but now that there is an Atom-based Surface I seriously hope I can get one sometime. It would fix everything wrong with an RT-based Surface, even one with the jailbreak.The Pro 1 and 2 weren't really interesting due to weight and battery life.
theNiZer - Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - link
This Surface 3 could be very usefull as a student. New innovation is always welcome. Continue the effort MS!sonofgodfrey - Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - link
I wonder if the LTE version will have GPS? With a bluetooth headset this thing could replace all my carry-around electronics :) (phone, laptop, mp3 player, camera...)kyuu - Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - link
Well, unless you're going to use Skype exclusively, it'd have a hard time replacing your phone. Besides, carry a cheap phone and use it for calls and tethering your wifi-only S3. Then you don't have to wait and save money.kyuu - Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - link
Oh, also, the camera is ok but not in the same league as good smartphone cameras, so it wouldn't be great for replacing your camera either. Again, better off with your phone for that (not as awkward as taking pics with your tablet either).