Microsoft Surface 3

Overview

The Surface 3 packs a similar design to last year's Surface Pro 3, albeit in a slightly smaller, fanless body. While the 10.8-inch display features the same 3:2 aspect ratio as its larger brother, internally it is getting a new quad-core Intel Atom 'Cherry Trail' SoC and up to 4 GB of RAM, while keeping features like the full-sized USB port that makes the Surface line so versatile.

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 84 expert reviews

Excellent:

22
Good:

45
Average:

14
Bad:

3

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Last revision on March 25, 2018

Reviewers Liked

Immensely versatile machine
Runs full Windows
Good battery life
First-rate build quality
Small and light
Silent

Reviewers Didn't Like

Atom is fast enough, but still not really fast
Keyboard is another $130
Entry model has only 2GB RAM

Direct Competitors and Related Products

Our editors hand-pick these products using a variety of criteria: they can be direct competitors targeting the same market segment or can be similar devices in terms of size, performance, or features.

Expert reviews and ratings

By TechSpot on July 06, 2015 75

Had Microsoft placed the versatile Surface 3 at a more attractive price point, it would be one of the most attractive tablet-laptop hybrids on the market, despite a few minor flaws. Unfortunately, at $630 with the all-important Type Cover, the Surface 3 becomes harder to recommend.

By NotebookCheck on October 26, 2017 85

The wolf in sheep's clothing? Why is there another review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop i7? Is this just a rebranding of the recently released i5-based Surface Laptop, but with an Intel Core i7-7660U instead of the i5-7200U? So it is faster and more...

By GoodHouseKeeping on August 28, 2017 70

You may have heard news recently that made it sound like you shouldn't buy Microsoft Surface products. While this recommendation came from a reliable source, the ensuing headlines may not tell the full story. That's why we're here to help clarify, so...

By eftm.com.au on June 13, 2017 90

Geez Microsoft, slow down on the stunners – I can't keep up. The Surface Laptop is beautiful and I've wanted to get my hands on it since it was first announced and now, I can confirm – it looks great in the flesh too.Kinda allows you to forget the...

By Recombu on December 21, 2015 80

As we inspected the Surface Pro 4 ahead of the Surface 3, despite the latter launching back in the first half of the year, it's more a case of deciding whether or not the stripped back Surface experience of the 3 is still valid as we move into 2016.It...

By ultrabookreview.com on October 12, 2015 60

I've been using the base model of the Surface 3 as my daily driver for the past 3 months. It's beautifully crafted, decent to type on, and won't break the bank. However, the Surface 3, and especially the most basic model, has a few...

By Phone Arena on September 11, 2015 80

Microsoft has done right with the Surface 3, eliminating the sour taste left over from the disappointments and shortcomings of its Windows RT powered Surface tablets. In all fairness, we're not dealing with a tablet here, but instead, it's a tablet on...

By PC Authority on July 20, 2015 80

I t was a long journey for Microsoft to get to this product. You could look at it as the next-gen successor to the Surface RT, and indeed it is. The smaller form factor of previous RT machines was appealing, and sat well with the idea of a transformable...

By Alphr on July 15, 2015 80

From low-cost Chromebooks to high-end hybrids, and the explosion of diverse, different-shaped Windows devices, there's a dizzying amount of choice out there for anyone looking to replace their laptop with something new. Fear not, though. We've reviewed...

By APC Magazine on July 10, 2015 90

So it's perhaps not the best time for Microsoft to be launching this, its third price-conscious Surface tablet, and the official the successor to the Surface RT and Surface 2. If any tablet is going to buck that downward trend, however, the Surface 3...

By What Mobile on June 12, 2015 80

You can do with it as you please, and everything, apart from the low-power processor, has been future proofed for the launch of Windows 10. Of course how many of those naysayers haven’t already bought another tablet to surf on the sofa and stay in...

By dailystar.co.uk on May 29, 2015 80

REVIEW: Microsoft's Surface 3 goes on sale today [MICROSOFT]After a decidedly shaky start, the Surface range from Microsoft is now a serious contender in the tablet market.The US company launched the critically acclaimed Surface Pro 3 last year and now...

By The Inquirer on May 19, 2015 80

MICROSOFT HAS BEEN WORKING HARD to offer buyers an all-in-one device that can work as a tablet and a laptop since it unveiled the first Surface models all the way back in...

By onmsft.com on May 18, 2015 92

The Surface 3 is a beautiful device, it takes a lot of what made the Surface Pro 3 great, and offers it at a fraction of the price. Can it replace the iPad as a media consumption tablet? Yes, but just barely. Modern, touch-friendly apps are aplenty, but...

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Microsoft Surface 3

Overview

Pros & Cons

Reviews

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Price: $349

TechSpot Metascore

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Expert reviews and ratings