News & Reviews:   Microsoft Surface Pro 3

Microsoft Malaysia recently and officially launched their new Microsoft Surface 3 tablet. While it is the thinnest and lightest Surface tablet to date, it is also the most affordable, starting at RM1989 for the version with 2GB RAM and 64GB storage while the version with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage retails for RM2389. Designed as the tablet that can work like a laptop, the Surface 3 tablet will be available in Malaysia from 9 May 2015 at authorized retailers like Aone Plus Supplies & Services, Harvey Norman, All IT Hypermarket, PC Image Sdn Bhd, Senheng Electric, senQ Digital Station, SNS Network, Thunder Match Technology, Viewnet Computer System, Hello Station at Suria KLCC, and Style Vision. Stand out tech specs and features include a 10.8-inch ClearType HD multi-touch display, Surface Pen stylus, Dolby Audio-enhanced sound and built-in three-position kickstand. The durable magnesium case only weighs 622g and it comes with the full Windows 8.1 experience with free upgrade to Windows 10 and one-year subscription to Microsoft Office 365 personal. Here's what Microsoft had to say about it:

“When we first envisioned Surface years ago, we challenged ourselves with an ambitious goal: to build a perfect product, a tablet that can replace your laptop. It wasn’t something we would achieve overnight and we couldn’t do it alone. So we went on that journey with our customers – listening and learning – and that desire to build something that people will love is what drives us. We are extremely thrilled with the enthusiastic response from Malaysians when we began our Surface journey in Malaysia – beginning with Surface RT and Pro in 2013, which continued with Surface 2 and our big hit release Surface Pro 3 last year. The feedback we have been receiving consistently shows us that when people try Surface, they love it. So our next challenge became how we get Surface into more people’s hands – and the result is Surface 3. Surface 3 is the best of a tablet yet works like a laptop – offering productivity and design people love about Surface Pro 3 in a thinner, lighter, more affordable package.” Rukmani Subramanian, Chief Marketing and Operations Officer, Microsoft Malaysia. 

In Microsoft's recent "small gathering" the company went on to reveal the largest Surface tablet to date with the official announcement of the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet. While we thought the "small gathering" hint was pointing at a Surface Mini tablet it was in fact about the Surface Pro 3, which is probably the thinnest tablet in the Surface range. Going for a magnesium casing like the Surface Pro 2, this super thin tablet features a 12-inch display but is 100g lighter than the Surface Pro 2. The bigger screen has a resolution of 2160 x 1440 resulting in 216ppi pixel density. 

While Microsoft's upcoming event still hasn't happened yet, quite a few rumours about what could be coming to the event have popped up. This includes the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and Surface Mini tablets. Estimated pricing for the tablets have the Surface Mini coming at $799 (RM2569) with an Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM and and 64GB of storage. The Surface Pro 3 may come from $1949 (RM6268) and sport an Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. New tech specs and features that have appeared indicate that the Surface Pro 3 could have a larger 12-inch screen as opposed to the 10.6-inch display on the current Surface Pro 2, perhaps suggesting that the Surface Pro 3 isn't a replacement but a new model in the Surface range of tablets. Rumours also indicate that the Surface Pro 3 will be thinner than the Surface Pro 2. The Surface mini on the other hand is expected to pack in a 7.5-inch display with 1080 x 1440 pixel resolution with a 4:3 aspect ratio. The Surface mini will also have Active Pen support and instead of the earlier reported built-in kickstand, will have an accessory cover for that purpose. With the unveiling set for tomorrow, stay tuned for more developments.