Surface 3 Review: Finally, a Decent Windows Tablet for Consumers

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Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has an excellent Windows tablet for professionals in the Surface Pro 3. The device can even take on traditional laptops when it comes to meeting the needs of road warriors.

While the Surface Pro has succeeded from day one in staking out that Windows “prosumer” turf — although it did take three generations to get the formula just right — the Surface has had a much rockier road.

Surface 3 review, intro
Source: Microsoft

Released at the same time as the Surface Pro and looking like a slightly smaller clone (right down to the magnesium-alloy case, kickstand, and Touch and Type covers), the Surface RT was meant to be the consumer Windows tablet that took on Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad.

Instead, the Surface tablet was a failure. The next Surface dropped the “RT” from its name, but it still ran the hobbled Windows RT as its operating system. It also failed to appeal to consumers.

Now Microsoft has released the Surface 3, dropping RT for the same Windows 8.1 running on PCs and the Surface Pro. Did Microsoft get it right this time? Will the Surface 3 finally give the consumer market a shot?

Read our Surface 3 review to find out.

Surface 3 Review: Ditching RT Makes Everything Better

In hindsight, it’s hard to imagine why Microsoft thought Windows RT — a mobile version of its Windows operating system — made sense.

Windows RT couldn’t run Windows software; it required apps. Apple does the same thing, of course, but it makes the distinction between between iOS (mobile) and OS X (PC) clear.

Surface 3 review, surface 3 runs windows
Source: Microsoft

By sticking Windows in the name, Microsoft confused consumers. And lacking the mobile developer support that Apple and Google Inc’s (NASDAQ:GOOG, NASDAQ:GOOGL) Android enjoy, software for the Surface RT tablet was severely lacking.

The single biggest change with the new Surface 3 tablet is that it now runs the same Windows 8.1 operating system as PCs. That means no specialized software confusion and no lack of dedicated apps.

That makes the Surface 3 more intuitive to use and offers the familiarity of running the PC software to which so many people are already accustomed.

This move alone makes the new Surface tablet worth considering.

Surface 3 Review: A Few Concessions, Still Gets Expensive

The Surface 3 is aimed at appealing to consumers of the iPad and other tablets, such as the Nexus 9 or Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) Kindle Fire HDX.

Microsoft would also like to see this Surface tablet take on those pesky Chromebooks in the education market.

Surface 3 review, still has a kickstand
Source: Microsoft

The company has held the base price at a competitive $499, but to do this it had to make a few concessions.

The CPU is an Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) Atom, which is more battery friendly but doesn’t have the power of the Intel Core chips in the Surface Pro 3. RAM is just 2 GB — technically enough to run Windows 8, but things get slow when multiple programs are open. Upgrading the RAM and storage makes for a much more pleasant experience.

While the basic design remains the same, the kickstand has been limited to just three preset positions. That will be sufficient for most people, but it’s tougher to get the perfect angle if you try using the tablet on your lap.

By the time you equip a Surface 3 to really become the type of tablet a student might carry around (including the optional Touch or Type cover and stylus Microsoft almost always depicts the Surface 3 as having), the price tag creeps close to $800.

Throw in the Surface 3 dock Microsoft is pitching to prosumers, and you’re near $1,000.

Surface 3 Review: Specs

  • 10.8-inch ClearType Full HD Plus display
  • Quad-core Intel Atom x7-78700 CPU
Surface 3 review, surface tablet specs
Source: Microsoft
  • 2 GB RAM, 64 GB storage (4 GB/128 GB optional)
  • 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
  • USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, microSD card reader, microUSB charge port
  • 8 MP rear-facing camera, 3.5 MP front-facing camera
  • Stereo speakers with Dolby Audio
  • Battery rated at 10 hours
  • Optional Surface Pen, Surface 3 Type Cover, Surface 3 Dock
  • 10.52 x 7.36 x 0.34 inches, 1.37 pounds
  • Runs Windows 8.1 (free update to Windows 10)
  • Includes free one-year subscription to Office 365 Personal
  • MSRP $499 to $599 (goes on sale May 5)

Surface 3 Review: Conclusion

With the Surface 3, Microsoft finally has a Windows tablet that can appeal to the consumer market.

It’s bigger, thicker and heavier than the casual-use competition, but at $499 it’s priced the same as the popular iPad Air 2 and has the advantage of running the same software a PC does.

Surface 3 review, conclusion
Source: Microsoft

The more compelling market for the new Surface tablet is education and casual business users — people who carry a tablet for the usual reasons but would also like to get a bit of work done on occasion.

The problem is that by the time you equip the Surface 3 to really address the needs of this market — more RAM and storage as well as the Type Cover — the Surface 3 gets expensive. As in, you could buy an 11-inch MacBook Air or several Chromebooks instead.

With the Surface 3 expected to hit store shelves on May 5, we’ll soon find out if the newest Windows tablet hits the mark with consumers. If there’s one thing you can be sure of, it’s that the Surface 3 will be more successful than the Surface RT.

As of this writing, Robert Martin did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.

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Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2015/04/surface-3-review-decent-windows-tablet-consumers/.

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