Microsoft's Surface 3 Specs Review: Lower Price Device Performs 'Better Than You'd Expect'

Microsoft has come up with an alternative to its pricy Surface Pro 3 that offers a lower price tag while operating on full Windows 8.1.

If Microsoft tagged Surface Pro 3 as the "tablet that can replace your notebook," the Surface 3 offers the same, only that its features are smaller, according to PCWorld.

Its performance is "better than you'd expect," PCWorld said. After running it on tests, the Surface 3 outpaced all comparable devices, including the iPad Air 2, given the Surface 3's 1.6GHz Intel Atom X7-Z8700.

The Surface 3's battery life lasts 10 hours, according to Microsoft.

The Surface 3 has a 10.8-inch display and a 1920x1280-pixel resolution, while its earlier counterpart showcases a 12-inch display with a 2160x1440 display-pixel resolution.

Its movement is limited compared to Surface Pro 3. It includes a kickstand with three fixed positions, compared to the "nearly infinite range" of options with the latter.

The Surface 3 dock provides ethernet, two USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 ports, miniDisplayPort, and a headphone jack. It does not have the power brick like other docks have. Its Atom processor only requires minimum juice so a 13-watt microUSB charger comes with it.

A red flag has been raised on Surface 3's unresponsiveness to mouse, keyboard, or touch. PCWorld said it may be due to thermal issues linked to the dock. "The Surface 3 is completely sealed, relying on passive heat conduction. Yet Microsoft's dock encases the rear of the tablet nearly to the top. A Microsoft spokesman said the company hasn't run into similar problems with other Surface 3 tablets," the tech website said.

The Surface 3 starts at $499 with 2 GB of memory and 64 GB of storage. The $599 version offers double these two specs: 4 GB of memory and 128 GB of storage.

However, everything else is separately purchased, PCWorld pointed out. The separate type cover keyboard will have users shell out $130. This is "partially offset" by the subscription to Office 365, which is free for a year. This saves the users $70 initially.

Another downside cited by PCWorld from the $599 version of Surface 3: the 128 GB of storage immediately drops to about 93 GB after setup. Installing Office will further reduce the storage, leaving users about 88.8 GB.

The verdict? PCWorld's senior editor Mark Hachman said he is "not convinced that long-term use of the Surface 3 will be as enjoyable as the Surface Pro 3, primarily for ergonomic reasons."

"It's just harder to be productive on a smaller machine," he said.

"The Surface 3 has overcome the biggest problems (with the operating system and performance). The result is a basic, (hopefully) reliable performer for students and office workers who just want an Office machine that fits their budget. Those with a bit more coin will upgrade to the Surface Pro 3," Hachman said.