Microsoft introduces the lightest Surface 3

This came without warning. Microsoft introduces Surface 3. In my opinion, it is an entry level tablet that I think Microsoft is positioning it against iPad and Android tablets. It comes with optional built-in LTE (not sure how we can opt for this option though) and is just 622 grams.

Surface3

The tablet does not come with the Pen or the keyboard. You will have to purchase them separately. Microsoft has added more colors to the Pen though. I am thinking that they are positioning this tablet for students and light users.

I suggest that you compare all the devices (Surface Pro 3, Surface 3) before you decide which is suitable for you.

Click Here to compare the devices

It will be available in May but you can pre-order from today.

Press Release

Microsoft introduces Surface 3: The thinnest and lightest Surface yet

Pre-order begins April 1 in Singapore

Singapore— March 31, 2015 — Microsoft Corp. is introducing a new Surface, the Surface 3. Like Surface Pro 3, it’s a tablet that can replace your laptop but is thinner, lighter and even more affordable. Powerful and efficient, Surface 3 is optimised to run full Windows and Office and features long battery life. The ability to run Windows apps and the versatile pen experience1 — great for taking notes or marking documents — make Surface 3 ideal for students, schools and anyone looking for a portable device to get things done. Starting at just a suggested retail price of S$748, Surface 3 packs performance and value into an elegant, lightweight design.

“Surface 3 brings what customers love about Surface Pro 3 to more people, delivering the premium design and productivity of Surface in a more affordable device,” said Ian Tan, Surface Lead for Consumer, Microsoft Singapore. “We’ve taken everything we learned making Surface Pro 3 and poured that innovation into this newest Surface. It’s beautiful, versatile, powerful and productive, and our customers are going to love what it lets them do.”

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Productivity and portability

Powered by the new quad-core Intel® Atom™ x7 processor,2 Surface 3 is quick and responsive but designed to maximise efficiency with up to 10 hours of video-playback battery life.3 A range of storage and memory configurations gives people choice in power and capacity. The beautiful 10.8-inch ClearType HD multi-touch display featuring 3:2 aspect ratio, stereo speakers with Dolby®Audio-enhanced sound, and the elegant and durable magnesium design are just a few of the benefits of Surface 3 that customers will recognise from Surface Pro 3. The three-position kickstand is ideal for using Surface 3 while working at a desk, sitting on a couch or holding in the palm of a hand as a natural writing surface.

Free upgrade to Windows 10

To help people get even more done, Surface 3 ships with full Windows 8.1 and can be upgraded to Windows 10 for free when available.4 They also come complete with a one-year subscription of Microsoft Office 365 Personal, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, plus OneDrive cloud storage5. Full device specs are available here.

Built for business

And with Surface 3, businesses and schools will now enjoy a broader array of options. Even before its availability, companies such as Prada, BASF and Emirates have committed to purchasing and deploying Surface 3 across their organisations because they see the value Surface 3 can bring to their employees and students. “Having explored multiple platforms, we are confident that the Surface 3 meets the expectations of our experienced and professional flight crew,” said Captain Alan Stealey, Divisional Senior Vice President, Flight Operations, Emirates. “The device’s innovative design and functionality proves to be the choice for our EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) initiative.”

Surface accessories

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Surface 3 can be paired with new accessories6: In Singapore, the Surface 3 Type Cover is available in bright blue, red and black, and features an improved trackpad and responsive keyset for fast, accurate typing, alongside four vibrant Surface Pen colors — silver, black, blue and red. The Surface 3 Docking Station lets people easily connect to an external monitor and all their desktop devices, and Surface 3’s full-size USB 3.0 port, Mini DisplayPort, microSD™ card reader and Micro USB charging port make it compatible with the Surface Pro line of adapters and ready for quick and easy connections to a variety of accessories. Surface accessories specifics can be found here.

Pre-order and availability

Surface 3 and accessories will be available for pre-order starting April 1 through Microsoft Online Store. Select retailers includingChallengerHarvey Norman and Newstead will also begin pre-orders in April. Commercial customers should contact their authorised reseller for pre-order information.

Microsoft Singapore also announced four additional authorised resellers to its Microsoft Devices Programme: Innocomm Technologies Pte LtdInsight Technology Solutions Pte LtdJK Technology Pte Ltd and Jardine OneSolution (2001) Pte Ltd.  This brings the total number of authorised resellers to seven – including AsiaPac Distribution Pte LtdSoftwareOne Pte Ltd, and UIC Asian Computer Services Pte Ltd. In addition to offering Microsoft’s extended warranty and accidental damage, resellers bring a variety of value-added services to the Surface family such as asset tagging, custom imaging, kitting, onsite service and support, device recycling, and data protection.

Starting May 5 through those same retailers and resellers, customers can begin purchasing Surface 3, Surface 3 Type Cover, Surface Pen, Surface 3 Docking Station and Surface 3 Screen Protector.

Surface 3 will be available in 25 additional markets at launch, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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More information on Surface can be found at http://surface.com/sg

surface-3-promo

Local pricing, availability and promotions

1 Surface Pen sold separately.
2 Intel, Intel Atom and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.
Testing conducted by Microsoft in March 2015 using 128GB and 64GB units with 4 GB of RAM. Testing consisted of full battery discharge during video playback. All settings were default except Wi-Fi was associated with a network and Auto-Brightness was disabled. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage and other factors.
4 Free upgrade to Windows 10 for qualified Windows 8.1 devices that upgrade in the first year. More information and additional offer terms available in the coming months. See http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/about?ocid=WIN10_0_WOL_Hero_Home_Windows-10_Null_01 for more information.
Available on Surface 3 with Windows 8.1 purchased prior to Dec. 31, 2015. While supplies last. Office activation required within six months of Windows activation date.
6 Accessories sold separately.

Some information relates to a pre-release product, which may be substantially modified before it is commercially released. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the information provided here.

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