Gadget Review: Microsoft Surface Pro 3 - Spec Analysis

We are living in exciting times it seems. In about a decade, smartphones and tablets have changed our experience with technology. The lines between mobile devices (traditionally reserved for smartphones and tablets) and PCs (meaning the desktops and laptops) are blurring fast. After all, an average premium smartphone today packs about the same computing power as an entry or mid-level notebook PC. These distinctions may blur yet further. Microsoft, has long been on a quest to merge tablets with PCs; provide a truly PC experience on a tablet. Unfortunately, the Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2, didn't get the job done. They embodied the worst of both worlds - not quite as versatile as tablets and not as powerful as PCs. It seems, however, Microsoft Surface Pro 3 has got the job done and the company has got one step closer to achieving its dream. Since this awesome device has not graced our island shores just yet, this review will be a specs review.

Pros

·    High-resolution Screen
·    Thin and light (best of both worlds here)
·    Kickstand with full range of motion
·    High-tech cooling system means little/no noise

Cons

·    Price is relatively high
·    Battery could be better
·    No full SD card slot
·    Only 1 USB port
·    Type cover must be bought separately

Design

First things first, the Surface Pro 3 is looks amazing. Encased in magnesium body, featuring clean lines, this is one of the most beautiful devices to come out this year. So good looking, in fact, that Microsoft has gone out of its way to compare it with MacBooks, which are more like works of art (personally, I don't appreciate its OS though). At the unveiling, Microsoft gleefully, weighed the surface pro 3 against the 13-inch MacBook air, which tilted the scales downward on account of being at-least a pound heavier.  Now, compared to the iPad Air, this device is heavier (about a pound) but Microsoft chose the MacBook Air for the stunt because it wanted to emphasise that this is fully-fledge PC replacement and not just a tablet.

On the downside, the clean design also means that it doesn't come with a full array of ports and access points. In fact, it only has 1 USB 3.0 port, a mini display port, headset jack and a micro SD slot. The coolest design feature, in my opinion, is not at the surface (excuse the pun) at all. Underneath, runs an advanced fan design that Microsoft devoted a great deal of nerdy attention. It is thinner and more efficient than previous designs. Early reviews suggest that it is not noiseless as Microsoft claims   but comes pretty close without compromising the usability of the device.

Another major upgrade is the kickstand at the back of the device. The Surface Pro 3, unlike its predecessor, allows users to adjust to any angle between 22 degrees and 150 degrees. I've watched people use this on their laps but it doesn't seem nearly as convenient as a standard laptop and I would feel more comfortable with a metal keyboard attachment. But that doesn't mean it looks impossible to use.

Display and performance

The Surface Pro 3 features a 12" display, with a 216[0 X 1440 resolution (the iPad Air comes with 2048 x 1536 and the MacBook Pro with Retina features 2560 X 1600). Sharp display aside, the device also feature a 3:2 aspect ratio, which is a major improvement from the 16:9 aspect ratio of its predecessors. Why is this important? Because the display looks less cramped and works quite well in portrait mode. In the raw performance arena, Microsoft plans on releasing four different versions of the Surface Pro: 64GB i3 (~LKR 104,000), 128GB i5 (~LKR 130,000), 256GB i5 (~LKR 169,000), 256GB i7 (~LKR 202,000) and the 512GB i7 (~LKR 254,000). Of course about 30-40GB of this memory is not really usable (already occupied for the OS and other apps). If you are going to use this to replace your laptop, then you'll need to get your hands on at-least a 256 GB version and don't forget the Type Cover, which is about $129.99 (about LKR 17,000).

In terms of memory, the 64GB and 128GB options feature 4GB of RAM while the 256GB and 512GB variants, feature 8GB of RAM. Microsoft claims the battery allows for 9 hours of web browsing but most tests reveal that the Surface Pro barely scratches 8 hours. That's not bad but it is also average by today's standards (the MacBook Air can keep going for 12 hours).

Accessories

The Surface Pro 3 also comes with a pen. Early reviews suggest that it is great to hold, accurate and very responsive. The pen also features a shortcut key that takes users directly to One Note. Like the Surface Pro, I’m surprised how much attention Microsoft devoted to the pen.
The final essential piece is the Type Cover. It features a larger keyboard compared to that of its predecessor, back-lit keys, and a small but effective mouse pad. The cover attaches itself to the Surface Pro 3 via a magnetic strip, folding to provide better balance. Unfortunately, this does not come with the device itself, which is a problem because the Surface Pro 3 is not really a computer without a keyboard.

Should You Buy It?

The Surface Pro 3 is truly a fully-fledged PC rather than a laptop. In my opinion, the Surface Pro (and similar variants) are the only type of devices that deserve touchscreens. On traditional laptops and notebooks, they are more gimmicky than useful. Microsoft's thin and light design also means you don't have to compromise on the mobility when choosing the Surface Pro. It also leaves the closest competition - i.e. the MacBook Air - in the dust. The latter is heavier and does not feature a touch-screen. There are downsides, however, and to me, the pricing and expensive accessories (especially the Type Cover) are a bit of a turn-off. Another issue is the limited number of ports and access points but as some have pointed out, they are less necessary with a touchscreen device like this. If you are willing to pay the price and wait patiently for a little while long, the Surface Pro 3 would be your best hybrid PC experience yet. This really is the future.

By Navam Niles