The Surface 3 is the baby brother of the Surface Pro 3. Unlike previous Surface tablets, the
newcomer runs the full version of Windows, just as the Pro models have always done. This
means you can run any Windows program you like.
Microsoft Surface 3 review: design and build One reason why the Surface 3 is cheaper than
the Pro is because it has an Intel Atom processor instead of a Core i5 or i7. It's much less
powerful, but capable of handling light-duty tasks such as office work, web browsing and
watching videos. One of the great things about the Atom is
that it doesn't require a fan which means the Surface 3 is completely silent.
There are no vents around the magnesium casing, and although it's quite thick for a tablet
by modern standards, you still get a useful full-size USB 3 port.
There's also a microUSB port for charging, so you can charge the Surface 3 just about
anywhere. But if you want fast charging, you should use the bundled power supply.
There's a mini DisplayPort output for connecting a second screen, and you can buy an optional
docking station to make it easier to swap from desktop to tablet use.
The screen is smaller than the Surface Pro 3. Instead of 12.1in, the Surface 3 has a
10.8in display with an unusual resolution of 1920x1280. The aspect ratio of 3:2 means
it's nice to use in both landscape and portrait, but Windows doesn't scale well. This makes
some controls a little too small, not only to see but also to prod with a finger.
And prod you'll have to as the Surface 3 doesn't come with a keyboard or pen: both are optional
extras. The backlit keyboard comes in various colours and costs a hefty £110, while the
stylus isn't cheap either at £45. There are other disappointments, too. One
is the hinge, which has only three positions unlike the Surface Pro 3 which can be adjusted
to precisely the angle you want. Another is performance. The Atom processor
struggles when running demanding programs, and we wouldn't recommend trying to edit video
on the Surface 3. Thankfully the stereo speakers didn't get
downgraded: they sound good and you can hardly see them in the screen bezel.
It's hard not to see the Surface 3's screen as a step backwards. It's smaller than any
laptop or Chromebook and while it's possible to use a sub-11in screen for work. It's just
not that pleasant The pen is the same as the one you get with
the Surface Pro 3. One tap on the button launches OneNote, even if the tablet is in standby.
A double-press takes a screenshot, after which you can select just the portion you want and
then annotate it before quickly sharing it. The keyboard is physically smaller than the
Surface Pro 3's but the keys are the same size, so it's still possible to touch type.
You get a 3.5Mp front camera and an 8Mp rear camera. Both offer adequate quality, but nothing
exceptional. There are two capacities on offer, 64 and
128GB. 64GB models have 2GB of RAM, while the 128GB version we tested has 4GB. Both
models will also be available with LTE shortly, and these are the only ones which have GPS,
just like iPads. You can add storage via the microSD slot,
or by connecting a USB hard drive. A small incentive to buy a Surface 3 is that
you get a year's free subscription to Office 365 Personal, which would otherwise cost around £60.
The Surface 3 is the best compromise between a laptop and tablet. It's a highly portable
gadget which can run full Windows programs and it costs less than the Surface Pro 3.
But ultimately, it is a compromise. The base price looks good value, but it quickly
gets expensive if you want both the keyboard and pen. The Surface 3 is a better work tool
than an iPad and Bluetooth keyboard, but if you can stretch your budget a little more
you could buy a great Windows laptop such as the Asus ZenBook UX305F which, although
lacking a touchscreen, is more powerful and a much better productivity device.
We award 3.5 stars.