Microsoft Surface 3 Review: Capability And Compromises
Introduction and Specifications
![surface 3 main](https://hothardware.com/ContentImages/Article/2336/content/surface_3_main.jpg)
![surface 3 photos 4785](https://hothardware.com/ContentImages/Article/2336/content/small_surface_3_photos_4785.jpg)
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Model | Surface 3 |
Processor | Intel Atom x7 Z8700 (1.6GHz; 2MB cache) |
Graphics | Intel HD Graphics |
Operating System | Windows 8.1 64-bit |
Display | 10.8-inch Full HD (1920x1020) Touch Panel |
Camera | 3MP front-facing camera; 8MP rear-facing camera |
Memory & Storage | 2GB or 4GB of RAM (DDR3-1600) 64GB or 128GB eMMC Flash storage microSD card slot |
I/O Ports | 1 x Full-size USB 3.0 1 x Mini Display port Headset jack microUSB charging port |
Wireless | 802.11ac Wi-Fi Bluetooth 4.0 |
Battery | Up to 10 hours |
Weight | 1.37 pounds (without Type Cover) |
MSRP | Base Price: $500 / As Tested: $730 |
The Surface 3 is no doubt super light, and very versatile, with it's convertible approach and stylus pen support, but there's a premium placed on these features. Microsoft knows that you can save money by buying a single device rather than two, and its pricing does bare that out. Still, there are indeed niceties and conveniences that come with consolidating your computing usage onto one ultra-mobile device. The question is, is the Surface 3 the device to do it? Let's find out in the pages ahead.