Microsoft reveals the Surface Pro 3

"The tablet that can replace your laptop."

News by Jeffrey Matulef Contributor

Updated on 20 May 2014

Microsoft has revealed its latest tablet, the Surface Pro 3, at a press event earlier today in New York.

Microsoft is really big on the Surface Pro's 3's 'lapability'. Yes, that's the real fake word MS is using.

As reported by The Verge, the Surface Pro 3 features a 12-inch screen with a 2160x1440 resolution and the whole thing is only 9.1mm thick. It's much lighter than previous models too, with the whole thing weighing a floaty 800 grams.

The big innovation here is in its adaptable "full friction" multi-position kickstand and Type Cover that offer far more comfortable options to rest the tablet at. The kickstand has three different settings including a 150 degree angle-based "canvas mode" while the Type Cover magnetically connects to the screen, so it's more adjustable and sturdy than before. It also features a larger trackpad than previous models and Microsoft is touting the Surface Pro 3 as "The tablet that can replace your laptop."

Speakers have been spruced up too, as the device is 45 per cent louder than previous models, while the Surface Pro 3 will be powered by "the latest Core i7 processors", but this appears to be an optional extra with the Core i5-4300U chip the mid-range choice.

UPDATE: The Surface Pro 3 is available on pre-order tomorrow and goes on general sale in North America on June 20, with a worldwide roll-out expected to complete by the end of August. The new hardware starts at $799 for an entry-level Intel Core i3 version with 64GB SSD and 4GB of RAM, with a Core i5 unit with 8GB and a 256GB SSD costing $1,299. At the highest end of the scale, a Core i7/512GB upgrade costs an eye-watering $1,949. Accessories include a new $130 Type Cover, a $200 docking station and a $40 Ethernet adaptor. The complete spec is as follows:

CPU: Core i5-4300U (1.6GHz, turbo up to 2.9GHz) with Intel HD 4400 (Core i3 and i7 options also available)
Display: 12-inch ClearType Full HD Display, 2160x1440, 3:2 aspect ratio
Storage: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB SSDs
Dimensions: 201.4mm x 292.1mm x 9.1mm
Weight: 800g
Ports: Full-size USB 3.0, microSD card reader, headset jack, mini DisplayPort, cover port, charging port
Cameras/AV: 5mp/1080p HD front and rear-facing cameras, built-in front and rear-facing microphones, stereo speakers with Dolby Audio-enhanced sound
Sensors: Ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer
Wireless: WiFi 802.11ac/802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0
Power Supply: 36W, including 5W USB for accessory charging

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