Microsoft Surface 3 WiFi (4GB + 128GB) Review | 168 Data compared

The Microsoft Surface 3 functions as a compact, affordable tablet-laptop hybrid featuring a 10.8-inch display, a premium magnesium alloy chassis, and the ability to run full Windows desktop applications. Key advantages include a fanless, silent design, a high-resolution 1920x1280 screen, and respectable battery life suitable for light productivity. However, the Intel Atom processor lacks power for intensive tasks, the essential keyboard cover and stylus are sold separately, and the micro-USB charging is slow.

The Microsoft Surface 3, as reviewed by UltrabookReview.com, is a portable, fanless tablet featuring a high-quality magnesium chassis and a 10.8-inch, 3:2 aspect ratio display. Key improvements include micro-USB charging and a premium build, though the kickstand is limited to three positions compared to the Pro model. Performance from the Intel Atom x7-Z8700 is adequate for light tasks, but the 64GB eMMC base model is restrictive compared to the 128GB SSD option. Pros include excellent build quality, portability, and a full Windows experience, while cons include slow charging and the necessity of purchasing the keyboard/pen separately, which hurts overall value.

The Microsoft Surface 3 is a highly portable, premium magnesium-built 10.8-inch tablet with a 3:2 aspect ratio screen, front-mounted speakers, and a full-size USB 3.0 port, making it a strong hybrid for productivity. While it runs full Windows software, the Intel Atom x7 processor limits it to lighter tasks, struggling with heavy multitasking, gaming, or video editing. Key drawbacks include the necessary Type Cover and Pen being sold separately, adding significant cost, and a limited three-position kickstand. The Surface 3 serves as a capable portable work tool for students or travelers needing Windows on the go, though for higher performance, the Surface Pro 3 is recommended.

The Microsoft Surface 3 is a versatile 10.8-inch 2-in-1 featuring a premium magnesium-alloy design, a vibrant 1920 x 1280 display, and a fanless, silent operation. Pros include long battery life (8+ hours), quality audio, and a functional kickstand, though the Intel Atom processor and slow eMMC storage limit performance compared to Core i5 alternatives. While offering full Windows 8.1 capabilities, the high cost of essential accessories makes it a premium, rather than budget, option. Laptop Mag

The Microsoft Surface 3 is positioned as an affordable, premium-built alternative to the Pro 3, featuring a high-quality magnesium body, a bright 10.8-inch display, and full Windows 8.1/10, making it a capable, portable device. Key advantages include the 3:2 aspect ratio screen, standard Micro-USB charging, and a functional, though less flexible, three-position kickstand. However, the device is limited by its lower-power Intel Atom x7 processor, which hinders performance in demanding tasks, alongside a decent but not class-leading battery life of around 7 hours and 41 minutes. These performance limitations, coupled with a kickstand that lacks the continuous hinge of the Pro model, define its role as a secondary device rather than a primary workstation. A significant drawback is the added cost of essential accessories, as the Type Cover and Surface Pen are sold separately, substantially increasing the total investment. CNET concludes that while the base price is attractive, the total cost for a functional laptop replacement makes it better suited for lighter use rather than as a primary PC.

The PCMag review highlights the Microsoft Surface 3 as an affordable, portable tablet with a premium magnesium-alloy build, a high-quality 10.8-inch 3:2 screen, and impressive battery life exceeding 9 hours. Driven by an Intel Atom x7 processor, it excels at daily tasks and offers full Windows capabilities, though it struggles with heavy workloads compared to higher-end models. Notable drawbacks include the added costs for the necessary Type Cover and Pen, a limited three-position kickstand, and stiff competition once accessories are factored into the price.

In a 2015 review for The Verge, the Microsoft Surface 3 is described as a, "shrunken-down" version of the Surface Pro 3 that swaps the limited Windows RT for a full version of Windows 8.1. Pros include a high-quality 10.8-inch display, a premium, fanless design, and a standard Micro-USB charging port for added convenience. However, the device has notable cons, with the Intel Atom x7 processor causing performance issues during intensive tasks, and the three-position kickstand restricting versatility compared to the Pro model. Ultimately, the review finds the Surface 3 is a compelling, but limited device, as its essential keyboard and pen accessories are sold separately and performance is best suited for "light duty" tasks rather than full laptop replacement.

Douglas Black’s three-month review of the Microsoft Surface 3 highlights it as a durable, well-crafted hybrid suitable as a daily driver, featuring a premium magnesium chassis and a high-quality 10.8-inch, 3:2 display. While praised for its mobility and build, the device is criticized for the high cost of essential accessories like the Type Cover and the limited performance of the base model's 2GB of RAM. Despite fanless, efficient operation, users may face slow SSD speeds and limited I/O ports, making it better suited for light, mobile tasks rather than heavy, desk-bound computing. Ultrabookreview.com

The Microsoft Surface 3 is a premium-feeling, versatile Windows tablet featuring a high-quality 10.8-inch PixelSense display with excellent color accuracy and a durable, fanless magnesium design. It operates efficiently for daily tasks using an Intel Atom x7-Z8700 processor, though performance lags behind full laptops and it struggles with heavy multitasking or 3D gaming. Notable pros include the convenient micro-USB charging and a 7-9 hour battery life, while cons include a limited three-angle kickstand and the requirement to purchase the keyboard and pen separately.

The Microsoft Surface 3, reviewed by MobileTechReview, is positioned as an affordable, highly portable alternative to the Pro 3, finally replacing Windows RT with full Windows 8.1 to support standard desktop applications. Featuring a premium magnesium chassis, the device employs a three-position kickstand rather than the Pro's, along with a 10.8-inch, high-brightness 3:2 display. A major advantage is the Intel Atom x7-Z8700 processor, which proves snappy for daily tasks and supports digital pen input, though a significant drawback is that the Type Cover and Pen are sold separately. While capable for light productivity, the Surface 3's performance is limited for heavy editing or gaming, and the 2GB RAM base model is less recommended than the 4GB version, notes the review. Charging via micro USB offers convenience but is slower than dedicated proprietary connectors. Despite these trade-offs in power and accessories, the device is considered a strong, portable option for students and professionals.

The Surface 3 is presented as a major improvement over the Surface RT, featuring full Windows 8.1, a fanless Intel Atom processor, and a highly portable, lighter 622g chassis with a versatile 3:2 aspect ratio screen. Key pros include a high-quality, accurate display, silent operation, and a comfortable optional Type Cover, making it an excellent, portable productivity tool. However, cons include limited performance from the Atom processor under heavy loads and a significantly higher total cost once essential, separately sold accessories are added. Furthermore, the device is limited by a small trackpad and a three-position kickstand rather than the continuous hinge found on the Pro models. For more details, visit Trusted Reviews.

The Guardian describes the Microsoft Surface 3 as a top-tier, affordable tablet-laptop hybrid featuring a durable magnesium build, a vibrant 10.8-inch display, and the ability to run full desktop Windows applications, including Microsoft Office. Key advantages include its fanless, silent design, decent seven-hour battery life, and a full-size USB 3.0 port for easy peripheral connection. However, performance limitations, higher costs for the essential Type Cover keyboard, and reduced "lappability" compared to traditional laptops are cited as significant drawbacks.

The Microsoft Surface 3 is positioned as a portable, affordable alternative to the Pro 3, featuring premium magnesium-alloy construction, a 10.8-inch Full HD display, and the ability to run full Windows 8.1. Key pros include its lightweight design and improved battery life (nearly 10 hours in testing), while the Intel Atom x7 processor offers adequate performance for basic tasks. However, significant cons include the added cost of essential accessories like the Type Cover and Surface Pen, limited kickstand positions, and a micro-USB charging port.