Microsoft on Tuesday unveiled a low-
cost version of its Surface tablet
computer, cutting the screen size of the
device which starts at $499.
The Microsoft Surface 3 will cost less
than the $799 starting price for the
Surface Pro 3 introduced last year, but
will also have a less powerful processor
and lack some other features. The tablet
is also being called the thinnest and
lightest Surface ever, weighing 622
grams and sporting a 8.7mm thickness.
The new Microsoft tablet comes with a
10.8-inch full-HD display, making it
smaller than the earlier 12-inch screen
versions of Surface, and gives Microsoft
a new tablet that aims to compete with
Apple's iPad Air. The firm will also be
launching a Microsoft Surface 3 (4G
LTE) variant. Both run Windows 8.1, wit
a free upgrade to Windows 10.
Two built-in storage models will be
available, with the 64GB model featuring
2GB of RAM, and the 128GB model
featuring 4GB of RAM.
"Surface 3 brings what customers love
about Surface Pro 3 to more people,
delivering the premium design and
productivity of Surface in a more
affordable device," said Panos Panay,
who heads the Surface division for
Microsoft.
The Surface 3 features a full-size USB
3.0 port, a Mini DisplayPort and a
microSD card reader. The Surface 3 will
have an optional dock with four USB
ports, Ethernet jack, and a Mini
DisplayPort. Microsoft touts the Surface
as a tablet that can replace a laptop.
Also new is the Surface 3 Type Cover.
The Surface 3 will also include a free
one-year subscription to Office 365
Personal, including full versions of Word,
Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote
as well as 1TB of OneDrive storage. It
also supports the Surface Pen.
Pre-order is available starting Tuesday i
the US through Microsoft Stores,
microsoftstore.com and select retailers,
and it will be on sale beginning May 5,
with availability in 26 markets by May 7.
With sales topping $1 billion for the first
time in the last quarter of 2014, analysts
said the tablet appeared to be swinging
to profitability.
http://m.gadgets.ndtv.com/tablets/news/microsoft-surface-3-with-108-inch-display-windows-81-launched-676574
