Microsoft announces Surface 3 tablet

Microsoft has announced the Surface 3 tablet, which it claims to be the thinnest, lightest and most cost-effective model to date. The new tablet apparently takes all of the good bits from the Surface Pro 3, which launched last year, and puts them in a cheaper package.

The Surface 3 will set you back £419, while the Surface Pro 3 comes in at a painful £639. “Like the Surface Pro 3, it's a tablet that can replace your laptop but is thinner, lighter and even more affordable,” said Microsoft in a press release. “Powerful and efficient, Surface 3 is optimized to run full Windows and Office and features long battery life.”

The Surface 3 has a slightly smaller 10.8 inch screen but it is still the same ClearType HD Multi-touch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, stereo speakers and Dolby audio drivers.

The very popular three position kickstand also makes a return in the new model. However, the main difference between the two is that the Surface 3 is powered by the new Intel Atom x7 processor, which was announced at the Mobile World Congress earlier this year.

Obviously the Surface 3 is not as powerful as the pro version, but it does come with a full version of Windows 8.1, dropping Windows RT entirely and allowing buyers to upgrade to Windows 10 later this year.

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KitGuru Says: It took a couple of generations but Microsoft has finally found its stride with the Surface tablets. What do you guys think of Microsoft’s Surface range? I’m sure they’ll be more popular now that a full, proper version of Windows is packed in.

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