Today it is more than possible that Microsoft officially present the new Surface Pro 4 at the event it has organized in New York City for this afternoon, but these days we have been testing and analyzing the new Surface 3 in depth, the predecessor to the device that we will see today and that has left us great sensations.
I know you might be wondering how it took us so long to get our full review of the Surface 3 (the Redmond company has given time to introduce the Redmond-based company a new member of the Surface family), but in Sometimes not everything works as fast as we would like. Luckily, and even if it's a little late, today it's time to fully enjoy the Surface 3.
In case there is someone who still does not know for sure what this device is, we can tell them that all Surface devices are a hybrid between a laptop and a tablet, presenting itself as the perfect solution for all those who need to use both devices on a daily basis. Unfortunately, you have to bear in mind that this Surface 3 does not have the power of a laptop, nor the lightness of a tablet. Of course, Microsoft has managed to combine in a single device some of the best features of a laptop and a tablet.
Design, a continuous commitment by Microsoft
Since Microsoft launched the first Surface device, we have seen very little design change. It is true that the finishes with premium materials have been improved, the spectrum of positions in which we can use the Surface has been expanded and accessories are increasingly sold in greater numbers, but the essence remains intact.
Finished in a gray metal this Surface 3 has become a little narrower and lighter than the previous Surface 2, although these changes go completely unnoticed by any user.
Many voices have criticized the designs of Surface devices, but gray is a very elegant and above all discreet color since let's not forget this is a device that is largely oriented to the business sector. In addition, whenever we want, we can give it a touch of color with the keyboards, which also act as a cover and are sold in very cheerful colors.
Characteristics and specifications
Next and before we go into talking about the processor and some technical aspects of this Surface 3, we are going to review the main ones features and specifications of this device;
- Screen: 10 inches with 1920 × 1280 resolution, 3: 2 aspect ratio with up to 256 levels of pressure for the pen and protection for the palm
- Processor: Intel Atom X7 Cherrytrail
- RAM: there are currently two different versions on the market, one with 2 GB and the other with 4 GB of RAM
- Storage: 64 GB and 128 GB SSD, 32 GB version although only for the educational field
- Battery: up to 10 hours of video playback
- Connectivity: Mini DisplayPort, USB, WiFi, optional LTE
- OS.: Windows 8.1 upgradeable to Windows 10 with drivers for 32/64 bits completely free of charge
Processor and power
Inside this Surface 3 we can find a processor Atom X7, manufactured by Intel and offering us a quad-core structure that work at a speed of 1,6 GHz. and that the truth has left us both good and bad feelings. Good because any user could perform most of the activities we do on a daily basis without any problem. We have tested it with several tabs open in the browser, with Microsoft Office running at full capacity and with music playing thanks to Spotify and it has passed the exam with a very good mark.
However there are things this Surface is not ready for, and that was something we expected. For example, it is not prepared to let us enjoy some of the latest games that are coming to the market and it is that after installing the NB2K14 for hours we could not even start it. The games that we were able to start were slow and sometimes it was impossible to play them.
Let us remember that we are facing an outstanding device, but that it does not reach the height of some of the best laptops on the market where you can enjoy the best games on the market. We can play, hundreds of games, but not ask this Surface 3 impossible.
Positive aspects of this Surface 3
Without a doubt one of the most positive points of this Surface 3 is that it allows us carry the device in any backpack or bag and use it in the most unexpected places. With a weight greater than that of a tablet, but much less than that of a laptop, it can easily become your inseparable companion to go to class.
Another of the great advantages that I have found when working with this Microsoft device is the simplicity it offers us when working thanks to the fact that we can use the stylus or the keyboard and also connect a mouse with which we are accustomed to work.
Negative aspects of this Surface 3
Unfortunately, the space of negative points is not going to be empty on this occasion and is that due to the lack of power to be able to enjoy some applications or last generation games, we must also point a finger at the Surface 3 in some aspects.
The design of the keyboard and in general of this Surface 3 makes it impossible for us to work with it anywhere. For example, it is impossible to cover an event, sitting in a chair without having to resort to a table or something to lean on. For those who do not believe it, I can tell you about the terrible experience I went through at an event, precisely from Microsoft, to be able to write an article while balancing with the Surface placed on my lap.
Its price that we will talk about later is another of the aspects that I liked the least about this Surface 3. And it is that after spending more than 600 euros to acquire it you realize that having a keyboard or a stylus will mean spending 200 euros more, which makes this device a luxury available to very few users.
Can it do the e-book functions?
This answer has an easy answer and is a resounding no. Being this a blog related to digital books, I should try to read with the Surface and it is not that it is not possible since we can perfectly read any eBook and even install some of the multiple reading applications that are available. The big problem comes from its weight and especially from the brightness of the screen, something that happens in almost all tablets.
The Surface 3 is a hybrid between a tablet and a laptop, but does not bear any resemblance or similarity to an eReader.
Personal opinion
Since Microsoft introduced the first Surface, I have been a great lover of these devices, and I have been lucky enough to be able to try several that, although they have left a very good taste in my mouth, have never pushed me to buy one for my day-to-day work. . Perhaps its price, for me exaggerated, or its differences with a laptop have been some of the reasons why I still do not have a Surface.
I have loved and fallen in love with this Surface 3 in equal parts, although I do not stop recognizing that it is a very expensive device and that it is also not capable of offering me everything I am looking for in a device of this type, but I am not a user any dedicating myself to writing day after day.
Price and availability
The Surface 3 has been on the market for a long time with a price of 599 euros in its most basic version. Unfortunately, this price is not too real since we must add the price of accessories to it, in most cases essential. For example, the keyboard is priced at 149,99 euros and the stylus at 49,99 euros. These two accessories make the price of the Surface skyrocket to a price that few users unfortunately can afford.
If you want to buy a Surface 3 you can do it in a comfortable and fast way through Amazon, for which you can make use of the following link.
What do you think of this Surface 3 after the analysis that you have been able to read?.