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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milkod2001 - Thursday, April 2, 2015 - link
Agreed, let's wait for Anandtech to review it first. My prediction for conclusion section is : Atom based windows 8.1 tablet with $120-150 extra for keyboard (which Surface 3 is) gives user the very same experience as any $200 Android ips tablet.The only difference is windows os itself but for even half serious work on the go when windows apps are used Atom simply does not cut it.For that i5 or i7 comes in play where premium price could be justified but not for Atom.
MS is probably getting Atoms from Intel for free.Even if MS made only $50 per unit
but sold 7-10 million units easily ($399 including keyboard) it would be a huge success. With current pricing plans MS will not sell that many and what is worse people don't get hear about Surface at all. Surface lives on IT sites like this one, sits on tables of very few IT enthusiasts or businesses only. And that is not enough.
Michael Bay - Thursday, April 2, 2015 - link
Did you even use anything on Baytrail?It is completely sufficient for usual ofice tasks.
Sure, for Photoshop or CAD work you`d want something more powerful, but those aren`t for tablets anyway.
digiguy - Thursday, April 2, 2015 - link
You better look at Surface pro 3 sales for the last quarter of 2014. Having said that, MS is not interested to be in competition for the low-end. And this product is far from a $200 Android tablet. According to the first tests, this new Atom chip has 90% of the power of the I3 in SP3. And the i3 (which I have) can run a lot of professional software. You are not very up-to-date concerning Atom. The top of the line is no longer a netbook CPU.V900 - Friday, April 3, 2015 - link
Microsoft would be digging their own grave, if they released a fully featured Surface, like what you're describing, for 500$ or less.All the OEMs would immediately react with what is MS's nightmare scenario, and one of the only big threats to their desktop dominance: Going all in on Chrome OS.
For every laptop or desktop they release running Windows, they'd release a version running Chrome for 1-200$ less.
V900 - Friday, April 3, 2015 - link
The Windows RT fiasco has probably ruined the Surface brand for Microsoft.Out of all the Surface models released, only the Surface 3 Pro has been a moderate success, so it's doubtful whether this will be any more of a smash hit
V900 - Friday, April 3, 2015 - link
What a fundamentally flawed device.For casual users its overpriced, though most of those would be better off with an iPad anyways.
For the professional users who need a keyboard, an ultrabook (or MacBook Air) gives you a better and more powerful experience in the same price range.
And if you're a professional who insists on a tablet, the huge iOS ecosystem make the iPad the obvious choice. Sure, there are a plethora of old Windows programs that'll run on the Surface, but using mouse based apps on a tablet, is a pretty awful experience.
kyuu - Friday, April 3, 2015 - link
Oh look, all the same arguments that have been presented since the Surface line was first introduced, and which totally ignores that the Pro line has been very popular with professionals since its inception. The SP3 has been particularly well received.Desktop apps are actually quite usable, even on an 8-inch screen, actually. I use them on my DV8P. And there are plenty of Metro apps if you want a touch-oriented experience.
And professionals using iPads? That's pretty funny.
kyuu - Friday, April 3, 2015 - link
Oh, and please show me the $500 ultra book that offers a good tablet experience.In reality, this competes price-wise with the iPad, but gives you a lot more for your money unless you're already heavily invested in the iOS ecosystem.
Alexvrb - Saturday, April 11, 2015 - link
Also if you really want to run mouse-heavy software that can't be done with either touchscreen or touchpad, you can just use a mouse. It runs Windows. It has a USB port. Wired, wireless, mini or full size. Whatever you want, done.aden64 - Sunday, April 5, 2015 - link
Waiting on the LTE version.