Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (8GB + 512GB) Review | 168 Data compared

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is lauded for its premium, sturdy build and a 3:2 aspect ratio screen ideal for displaying photography, according to Photography Life. Highly portable for travel, it features a functional kickstand and a versatile Type Cover, though its i5 processor is best suited for lighter editing tasks. Significant cons include the lack of a full-size SD card slot and excessive heat and fan noise during intense Lightroom usage.

The BSN Voices review characterizes the Surface Pro 3 as a sleek, premium-built hybrid featuring a versatile, angled keyboard and a convenient, functional USB port. While the device remained cool during testing, it exhibited significant performance limitations, including slow startup times, sluggish web browsing, and noticeable typing lag. Despite finding it useful for schoolwork, the reviewer, who rated it 32/50, ultimately preferred an iPad due to these speed issues, app limitations, and noisy keyboard, noting it is less efficient than modern alternatives.

The TechWalls review of the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 highlights a premium, lightweight hybrid with a stunning 12-inch, high-resolution display and a versatile, sturdy kickstand. It excels at daily, casual tasks with zippy performance, while the Surface Pen offers smooth, integrated note-taking. TechWallsKey advantages include the comfortable, magnetic Type Cover and a design that remains cool on the lap. However, drawbacks include limited port selection—lacking a full SD slot—and the device becoming hot during tablet-mode usage. Additionally, the Pen Loop attachment is considered a poor design choice, and the device is not suitable for heavy, intensive tasks.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is a versatile 12-inch 2-in-1 hybrid featuring a high-resolution screen, premium magnesium casing, and a flexible friction-based kickstand that tilts up to 150 degrees. Powered by Intel Core processors, the device acts as a true laptop replacement for creative professionals, though it requires a separate, costly purchase of the Type Cover keyboard and feels heavy as a handheld tablet. While performance is strong, the Surface Pro 3 is limited by a six-hour battery life and a single USB 3.0 port, making it a powerful, though flawed, Windows 8.1 device.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (Core i5) acts as a high-performance 2-in-1, featuring a 12-inch 3:2 aspect ratio screen that enhances productivity over previous models. Key strengths include a lightweight magnesium design, a versatile continuous friction hinge, and improved Type Cover stability, paired with solid performance from the Intel Core i5 processor. However, the device requires an additional $130 for the necessary Type Cover, offers limited connectivity with only one USB 3.0 port, and can experience thermal throttling under heavy use. For more details, visit Reviewed.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is lauded as a viable laptop replacement, featuring a 12-inch, 2160 x 1440 resolution display in a 3:2 aspect ratio, alongside a significantly improved multi-position kickstand. Powered by 4th Gen Intel Core processors, it offers strong, "zippy" performance suitable for business, complemented by a precise N-Trig stylus. Pros include the versatile, high-quality display and improved keyboard, while cons focus on persistent lap-use awkwardness, fan noise under load, and a high cost, especially with the optional $129 Type Cover.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is a versatile 12-inch 2-in-1 device featuring a high-resolution 2,160 x 1,440 display and a flexible friction-based kickstand that improves on previous models. It offers exceptional build quality, a highly responsive pressure-sensitive Surface Pen, and strong performance capabilities with Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processors. Key drawbacks include the necessity of purchasing the Type Cover keyboard separately and a limited selection of ports, featuring only a single USB 3.0 port. Additionally, while functional, the battery life is moderate compared to dedicated tablets, and the device can become warm during heavy, sustained, or graphical tasks. For more details, visit Expert Reviews.

IGN's 2014 review described the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 as a highly capable, thin, and light "tablet in a laptop’s clothing" featuring a 12-inch 3:2 display and a versatile, multi-angle kickstand. Pros included fast performance, a premium build, and improved pressure-sensitive pen input, though significant cons centered on poor "lappability" and the added cost of the necessary Type Cover, which featured a sub-par trackpad. Ultimately, the review concluded that while it is an excellent hybrid for creative tasks, it remained an imperfect laptop replacement for traditional computing, according to IGN.

In a July 2014 review for Time, the Surface Pro 3 is described as a refined, sophisticated, yet flawed attempt at a device that bridges the gap between tablets and laptops. Key strengths highlighted include the 12-inch 3:2 screen, a versatile multistage friction hinge, and a thinner, lighter magnesium chassis that feels more natural than its predecessors. While praised for its, the device is criticized for "lapability" issues and software constraints. Significant drawbacks stem from the "split identity" of Windows 8.1, which causes friction between touch-based and desktop environments. Specific, smaller issues, such as browser tabs opening blank and poor app scaling, detract from the premium experience. Additionally, the high cost is noted, particularly because the essential Type Cover is sold separately and top-tier models approach $2,000. Ultimately, the review argues that for many, the Surface Pro 3 is the best 2-in-1 hybrid, despite not perfectly replacing separate devices. It concludes that the advantages of having one powerful, pen-enabled device often outweigh the software bugs and ergonomic compromises. TIME

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3, featured in a May 2014 hands-on by The Verge, is framed as a viable laptop replacement boasting a 12-inch, 3:2 aspect ratio display in a thinner, lighter magnesium chassis. Key design improvements include an adjustable "friction hinge" kickstand and a redesigned Surface Pen with low-latency N-trig technology for a better writing experience. While featuring a new magnetic, angled Type Cover, limitations include the separate $130 accessory cost and only one USB 3.0 port. Furthermore, the larger 12-inch footprint diminishes its comfort as a casual handheld tablet compared to smaller rivals.

PCMag highlights the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 as an ambitious hybrid featuring a vibrant 12-inch, 2160-by-1440 display and a flexible, infinitely adjustable kickstand that leans up to 150 degrees. The device, which supports the pressure-sensitive Surface Pen, acts as a functional laptop replacement due to its full Windows 8.1 Pro capability. However, the review cites significant drawbacks, noting the unit is heavy and bulky to hold as a tablet and requires the Type Cover to be purchased separately for $130, adding to the total cost. Additionally, the device features limited connectivity with only one USB 3.0 port and, while improved, the ergonomics can still be uncomfortable when used on a lap. Performance-wise, the Surface Pro 3 is considered a mixed bag, with benchmark results that do not significantly surpass the previous Surface Pro 2, despite its improved form factor. While it is deemed a more capable 2-in-1 than its predecessors, the review concludes that it still requires compromises in both tablet and laptop modes. For more details, visit PCMag.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 review by CNET highlights a significant evolution in Microsoft’s 2-in-1 design, creating a device that feels like a viable primary PC. The device features a larger 12-inch, 2,160x1,440 resolution screen, a versatile friction-based kickstand, and is both thinner and lighter than previous models. Pros include a superior 3:2 aspect ratio for productivity, a more stable, angled Type Cover, and a comfortable Surface Pen, all driven by strong Intel Core processor performance. However, cons persist as the essential Type Cover is sold separately, and while the trackpad is improved, it still lacks the responsiveness of a traditional laptop. Furthermore, the device can feel awkward on the lap for some, and Windows 8.1 still presents a jarring split between desktop and tablet interfaces. Despite these issues, the Surface Pro 3 is considered a matured, high-performance hybrid.

DisplayMate rated the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 display as exceptional, highlighting its 2,160x1,440 resolution and highly accurate color calibration as a significant achievement. The 12-inch screen is noted for utilizing efficient sub-pixel rendering (ClearType) for sharp text and a 3:2 aspect ratio that improves productivity. Despite these advancements, the display's 371-nit peak brightness is lower than competitors like the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9, which may affect outdoor visibility. For the full report, visit DisplayMate.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is presented as a viable "laptop replacement" featuring a larger 12-inch, 3:2 aspect ratio display (2160×1440 resolution) that is thinner and lighter than its predecessors. Key improvements include a versatile, multi-position kickstand and a redesigned, magnetically attached Type Cover that enhances ergonomic typing. Performance-wise, the device competes with premium laptops, offering Intel Core processor options and approximately 9 hours of battery life for web browsing. Despite these advancements, the review highlights that the device remains challenging to use comfortably on a lap compared to traditional laptops. Additional drawbacks include a trackpad that, while improved, is still less responsive than dedicated laptop alternatives, along with a high total cost due to the keyboard being sold separately. Furthermore, the experience is occasionally hindered by the limitations of Windows 8.1 in tablet mode.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is lauded as an excellent, productive device that finally delivers on the promise of a tablet replacing a laptop, featuring a stunning 12-inch, 3:2 aspect ratio display, a thin magnesium alloy body, and an improved, infinitely adjustable kickstand. Performance from the 4th-gen Intel Core i5 is strong, while battery life impresses with all-day endurance, supported by a more rigid, optional Type Cover and a functional, click-to-launch Surface Pen. Conversely, the device suffers from Windows 8.1 DPI scaling issues on external monitors, a less-than-ideal trackpad, and a lap-unfriendly form factor, alongside lacking a second USB port and a built-in GPS.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is presented as a highly versatile "laptop replacement" featuring a 12-inch 2160x1440 display, a 3:2 aspect ratio, and a robust magnesium chassis with a flexible, multi-position kickstand. It offers strong performance with 4th-gen Intel Core processors, outperforming some contemporaries in benchmarks, while including improved speakers, a superior Type Cover, and the functional Surface Pen. However, the device's larger size hampers its comfort as a tablet, the cameras are only adequate, and the "lappability" still feels awkward to some users despite design improvements.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 marks a significant hardware overhaul, delivering on the promise of a tablet that can replace a laptop through its 12-inch, 3:2 aspect ratio display and a versatile "friction hinge" kickstand. Key improvements include superb build quality, an enhanced Surface Pen for natural writing, and a new Type Cover that significantly boosts usability on the lap, addressing previous stability concerns. Despite these advancements, the review notes that the essential Type Cover is still sold separately. The device also faces compromises regarding fan noise and heat under heavy loads, and while battery life is decent, it does not match that of a dedicated MacBook Air. Ultimately, the Surface Pro 3 stands as the best model to date, though it still navigates the limitations of Windows 8.1 in bridging tablet and desktop environments.

The Surface Pro 3 aims to replace laptops with a redesigned 12-inch, 3:2 aspect ratio display and an improved friction hinge that allows for a wide range of angles. The device is thinner and lighter than its predecessor, featuring a 2160 x 1440 resolution screen and the N-trig Surface Pen with a quick-note feature. Despite these improvements, the mandatory purchase of the Type Cover separately remains a significant drawback for a device positioned as a premium laptop replacement. Performance is solid with the Intel Core i5 processor, but the review notes potential for thermal throttling and fan noise under heavy loads. While battery life has improved to around seven hours, it still lags behind traditional laptop competitors like the MacBook Air.

The HuffPost UK review praises the Surface Pro 3 as a "very impressive piece of kit" that successfully merges tablet portability with laptop performance. Key design highlights include a 9mm magnesium frame, a crisp 12-inch display, and an improved, highly versatile kickstand. Performance is a major strength, with Intel i3/i5/i7 options running full Windows 8.1, complemented by a responsive Surface Pen and a vastly improved, albeit separate, Type Cover. The device is lauded as a legitimate, powerful work machine for on-the-go professionals. However, the review notes significant cons, including the device heating up quickly during heavy usage and failing to consistently reach its advertised nine-hour battery life. Additionally, the high cost, combined with the extra expense of the essential keyboard, makes it a premium, expensive investment.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is positioned as a capable laptop-tablet hybrid featuring a high-resolution 12-inch display and a versatile, highly adjustable kickstand. While offering strong performance for demanding tasks, the device is considered heavy for comfortable handheld tablet use and requires purchasing the Type Cover keyboard separately, increasing the overall cost. Ultimately, PCMag rates it as a significant, yet not entirely perfect, advancement in the Surface lineup.