---
product_id: 2000632
title: "Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (256 GB, Intel Core i7, Windows 8.1) - Free Windows 10 Upgrade"
brand: "microsoft"
price: "$1284"
currency: NZD
in_stock: false
reviews_count: 2
category: "Microsoft"
url: https://www.desertcart.nz/products/2000632-microsoft-surface-pro-3-256-gb-intel-core-i7-windows
store_origin: NZ
region: New Zealand
---

# 4th Gen Intel Core i7 - Powerhouse Performance Up to 9 Hours Battery - All-day Mobility 12" 2160x1440 HD Touchscreen - Ultra Crisp Display Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (256 GB, Intel Core i7, Windows 8.1) - Free Windows 10 Upgrade

**Brand:** microsoft
**Price:** $1284
**Availability:** ❌ Out of Stock

## Summary

> 🚀 Power Meets Portability — Own the Future of Work Today!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (256 GB, Intel Core i7, Windows 8.1) - Free Windows 10 Upgrade by microsoft
- **How much does it cost?** $1284 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Currently out of stock
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nz](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/2000632-microsoft-surface-pro-3-256-gb-intel-core-i7-windows)

## Best For

- microsoft enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted microsoft brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Pen-Perfect Precision:** Included Surface Pen delivers a natural writing and drawing experience—ideal for note-taking, sketching, and marking up documents on the go.
- • **Laptop Power, Tablet Freedom:** Experience desktop-grade Intel Core i7 performance in a sleek, ultra-portable 12" touchscreen device that adapts to your workflow.
- • **Stunning Visuals, Every Pixel Counts:** Dive into razor-sharp 2160 x 1440 resolution with vibrant colors and multi-touch support for flawless presentations and creative work.
- • **Lightweight Design, Heavyweight Features:** At just 1.76 lbs and 9.1mm thin, with up to 9 hours of battery life, it’s the ultimate device for professionals who refuse to be tethered.
- • **Seamless Multitasking with Windows 8.1 Pro:** Run up to three apps side-by-side and upgrade free to Windows 10 for enhanced productivity and compatibility with your favorite software.

## Overview

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 combines a powerful 4th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with a stunning 12-inch 2160x1440 HD touchscreen, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD storage. Weighing only 1.76 lbs and boasting up to 9 hours of battery life, it offers the versatility of a tablet with the performance of a laptop. Included Surface Pen enhances creativity and productivity, while Windows 8.1 Pro (with free Windows 10 upgrade) supports multitasking and professional software. Perfect for mobile professionals seeking a sleek, high-performance device that adapts to every work style.

## Description

Product Description Surface Pro 3The tablet that can replace your laptop.Surface Pro 3 is in a category of its own. With a stunning 12" display in a sleek magnesium frame, Surface Pro 3 has all the power and performance of a laptop in an incredibly lightweight, versatile form. It may just be the ultimate device.* The power and performance of a laptopThe razor-sharp clarity of the 12" Full HD Plus screen combined with a multi-position Kickstand, keyboard*, and multiple ports make Surface Pro 3 an exceptional device for getting work done. The 4th generation Intel Core processor gives you the power to run your favorite desktop software like Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop.† The best of a tabletWeighing in at 1.76 lbs and only 9.1mm thin with up to 9 hours of battery life#, Surface Pro 3 is the perfect tablet for taking between classes, meetings, and on the road. The bright, responsive touchscreen, speakers with Dolby audio, and two 1080p cameras make video-conferencing or watching movies better than ever. Runs Windows 8.1 Pro & OfficeWith Windows 8.1 Pro, you can multitask by running up to three apps side by side. Purchase a 1-year subscription to Office 365 Personal and get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook as well as 1TB of OneDrive online storage and 60 world minutes per month of Skype‡. Great Pen experienceWith a Pen that feels like an actual pen, this is the most natural writing experience on a tablet. With the click of the Pen, a blank sheet is available for writing and drawing, even if the device is asleep. Use the Pen to mark up presentations, sign documents, or enjoy art apps. Accessories Surface Pro 3 Type CoverWork the way you’re used to working with the Type Cover designed for Surface Pro 3. Office 365Get your favorite applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote and get work done virtually anytime, anywhere. Plus 1TB OneDrive online storage. Surface Pro 3 Docking StationTransform your ultraportable Surface Pro 3 into a complete desktop workstation in an instant and easily connect to your favorite accessories. CompareSurface 3†Surface Pro 3#Software Windows 8.1 Runs desktop software like browsers, iTunes, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Elements (sold separately). Windows 8.1 Pro Runs desktop software like browsers, iTunes, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Photoshop (sold separately). Screen 10.8” ClearType Full HD Plus Display Resolution: 1920 x 1280 Aspect ratio: 3:2 Touch: 10-point multi- touch 12”ClearType Full HD Plus Display Resolution: 2160 x 1440 Aspect Ratio: 3:2 Touch: multi-touch Battery Life Up to 10 hours of video playback* Up to 9 hours of web browsing‡ Storage Options 64GB or 128GB** 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB** Processor Quad Core Intel Atom x7 processor 1.6Ghz (2.4Ghz burst speed) 4th Gen Intel Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 processors 4GB or 8GB memory optionsTPM Chip for enterprise security Kickstand 3-position Multi-position Surface Pen1 Compatible (sold separately) Included Office Limited time offer§ 1-year of Microsoft Office 365 Personal\\ (included) - a $69.99 value - plus OneDrive cloud storage. Microsoft Office 365 (sold separately) Dimensions & Weight 10.52 x 7.36 x 0.34 in (267.1 x 187 x 8.7 mm) 1.37 lbs (622 g) 7.93 in x 11.5 in x .36 in (201.3 mm x 292 mm x 9.1 mm) 1.76 lbs (800g) Network & Wireless Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy Technology Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy Technology Ports Full-sized USB 3.0 Mini DisplayPort microSD card reader Headset jack Cover port Micro USB charging port Full-size USB 3.0 Mini DisplayPort microSD card reader Headset jack Cover port Camera, Video & Audio 3.5 megapixel front-facing camera 8.0 megapixel rear-facing camera with auto-focus Stereo microphones Stereo speakers with Dolby audio Two 5MP HD cameras, front and rear-facing, with 1080p HD video recording Stereo microphones Stereo speakers with Dolby audio Technical SpecificationsSoftware Windows 8.1 Pro Dimensions Dimensions: 7.93 in x 11.5 in x .36 in (201.3 mm x 292 mm x 9.1 mm)Weight: 1.76 lbs (800g)Casing: MagnesiumColor: SilverPhysical buttons: Volume, Power, Home Display Screen: 12” ClearType Full HD Plus displayResolution: 2160 x 1440Aspect Ratio: 3:2Touch: multi-touch Battery life Up to 9 hours of battery life# Storage Options 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB** CPU & Wireless 4th Gen Intel Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 processorsSystem memory: 4GB or 8GB memory optionsTPM Chip for enterprise securityWireless: Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac)Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy Technology Surface Pen Dimensions: 5.39 in (137 mm) x 0.37 in (9.5 mm)Weight: 0.81 ounces (23 grams) Ports Full-size USB 3.0microSD card readerHeadset jackMini DisplayPortCover port Cameras, Video & Audio Two 5MP HD cameras, front and rear-facing, with 1080p HD video recordingStereo microphonesStereo speakers with Dolby sound Sensors Ambient light sensorAccelerometerGyroscopeMagnetometer What's in the box Surface Pro 3Surface Pen36W Power SupplyQuick Start GuideSafety and warranty documents Warranty 1-year limited hardware warranty*Keyboard and Office 365 sold separately†Keyboard, Office 365, and Photoshop sold separately‡Skype account required. Excludes special, premium, and non-geographic numbers. Calls to mobiles are for select countries only. Skype world minutes available in select countries.§Keyboard and pen sold separately\\Surface 3: Testing consisted of full battery discharge during video playback. All settings were default except: Wi-Fi was associated with a network and Auto-Brightness disabled. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage, and other factors.#Surface Pro 3: Testing consisted of full battery discharge while Internet browsing over Wi-Fi. Internet browsing was tested browsing 25 popular webpages. All settings were default except: Wi-Fi was associated with a network, auto-brightness disabled, and Bluetooth Radio was turned off. Battery life varies with settings, usage, and other factors.**System software uses significant storage space; your storage capacity will be less. See surface.com/storage. 1GB = 1 billion bytes.††Available on Surface 3 with Windows 8.1 purchased prior to December 31, 2015. While supplies last.***Office activation required within 6 months of Windows activation date. desertcart.com

Review: Excellent Product, needs some adjustments - I was on the fence for a long time about purchasing the SP3. I wanted a suitable replacement for my 5 pound laptop, but not sacrifice the power or utility that it provided, plus I wanted to have the option of using it as a digital drawing pad like I do with my Wacom Cintiq. I finally made the purchase and very happy I did so. Essentially, I combined two pieces of hardware, I lightened my load by 8 lbs, removed the need for a nest of power and adapter cables, freed up several square inches of space in my bag, and extended my battery life by several hours all with one purchase. I don't feel like "that guy" that takes several minutes to unpack an entire work station anymore, since all that is required is the removal of the SP3 from my bag and I can go straight to work. And, it works just as efficiently as slapping the keyboard closed and stashing it into my bag before walking out the door. There is so much fuss removed simply by owning a SP3. Simple conveniences aside, it performs beautifully. I'm a graphic designer, so I spend a good amount of time in photoshop, but I'm also a hobbyist illustrator that likes to paint or create conceptual work. So removing the keyboard, I can quickly get to painting while using the RadiualMenu extension, which allows me to program my own commands and activate them just like as if I were on my Wacom. Photoshop has an experimental mode that allows for the UI to scale up and use on the SP3's high resolution screen. Both of these features are musts to have if you're an illustrating and thinking about using the SP3. Same could be said for Unity and Blender, as I use these two programs frequently, but I tend to keep the keyboard connected since they are so hotkey heavy. A quick word to the digital artist using the SP3, it will take getting used to, it did for me. I'm a traditional artist and it took me some time to make the leap to the Cintiq. Then it was another leap to the SP3 since Wacom is passive tech and the SP3 uses N-trig tech, which is active. If you're a quick sketch artist you may not notice it as much, but it you're slow and methodical with your penmanship, the SP3 may frustrate you a bit since it may waggle your straight lines if you hover in one spot too long. Don't be discouraged! Find a floor model some place and doodle to your heart's content to get a feel for it. Microsoft also has a incorporated an ability to set the pen pressure curve, which is helpful. I'm just waiting for them to give us the option to swap out the function of pressing the button on the back of the pen to something other than OneNote. Any heavy rendering drains the battery pretty quickly and you'll get a couple hours of use before you'll need to plug it in. Netflixing could give you about 3 to 4 hours. For light browsing, or gaming, you can get several more hours on top of that. Once you know the machines limitations you really don't feel inconvenienced since the power brick is the only thing in addition to the SP3 you might be carrying around with you. You may notice while using the SP3 that it may sit a little precariously on your lap with the kickstand since there are only the two points of contact. I purchased a "MoKo Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Case - Ultra Slim Lightweight Shell" along with my SP3 primarily because it utilizes the SP3's very versatile kick stand, but it also creates more surface area for the hardware to rest on your lap with the addition of the cover flap. It's more comfortable this way, and being able to adjust it so freely is very nice as, depending on your eye level or where a light source is coming from, you can adjust it to your comfort. The shell provides excellent protection, however I question the slot made for the stylus as a blocking a heat port. It's easy enough to pop that top cover off, but I'd recommend drilling holes into the Moko Shell to provide adequate venting. Otherwise it fits the SP3 perfectly and gives you a little extra confidence that you won't break it while handling it, or while resting it on your lap. I mentioned prior that I had a keyboard, and I'm not sure how you can have the SP3 without one, unless you strictly only want a tablet. If that's the case, I think you may need to reconsider your needs versus what you'll actually use. SP3 is a very powerful, well balanced machine that provides a lot of options and utility to tasks that you might only consider capable on a traditional PC or Laptop. Because of the versatility, it gives you more options as to what you can accomplish while on the move, which for me is a blessing since I am hardly home enough to do the work I need to do. If you're looking for something light and fun to while away your free time, I'd consider another tablet since the Window Store is not yet up to snuff with the likes of the Android or Apple stores in regard to quality apps. The SP3 can run full-fledged programs and you should already have some in mind when purchasing an SP3 to justify the cost. The complaints I have had are mainly software related, like Netflix freezing the unit for some reason during playback or occasionally the touch screen doesn't want to register some of my touches. These are things I'm still trying to iron out. Simply getting used to the SP3 in general will require patience to anyone new to that analog. It requires some adaptation and maybe sacrifices depending on how you look at it. If you're used to one way of working, you'll most definitely need to alter your work flow to accommodate for the size of the keyboard for instance. Either get a different full keyboard, or make your movements more streamlined. Need a mouse, get a mouse! Things like that. The SP3 is not perfect and it may require some 3rd party extensions, like the RadialMenu for any artist, or f.lux, so that the super bright screen doesn't burn out your retinas in the dead of night. And not really a complaint for me, but it may be for some, running multiple process will kick on the fan and it can get quite toasty in the upper most corner. Even with my I7 version. Figured it was worth mentioning since it might be a deal breaker for some. Overall however, I think Microsoft has gotten this product to an excellent point of versatility, and has combined the advantages (and disadvantages) of a laptop/tablet hybrid to an acceptable level where you're not sacrificing anything. I'm satisfied and carry mine around with me everywhere.
Review: It's okay. Some nice features, but some very bad flaws. - On the positive side: 1. small / portable 2. decent performance 3. I upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, which is okay However, after 2 years of this as my main computer, here are the negatives: 1. The keyboard leaves a lot to be desired (and the new keyboard as well) - my big problems i. No dedicated Home/End/PgUp/PgDn keys. Fn+Caps really slows you down. I know the new Surface 4 keyboard corrects some things with the key spacing, but I think they didn't go far enough in improvements. Namely, the fact that the Function keys are shared with the Home/End/PgUp/PgDn keys. In this day of smart phones and tablets, where not as many people are savvy to touch typing (most useful class I had in High School!), maybe the designers felt they didn't need to waste space to mimic the classic IBM PC keyboard (Windows, US layout). However, I've been using computers for a long time and there's nothing - NOTHING - equal to the speed you get with that keyboard and an optical mouse. As is, you have to press Fn+Caps to switch between the top row of keys being function keys, and being the Home/End/PgUp/PgDn. Which is a real pain because anyone who is handy with the awesome standard Windows keyboard shortcuts likely regulary uses F2 to rename (or to quickly copy a filename to the clipboard for example), F5 to search, F1 for help, etc., and Home/End/PgUp/PgDn, all in the same flow. To have to look down at your keyboard to press Fn+Caps really breaks up that flow and slows you down. For touch typists, to not have the home/end/pgup/pgdn in the expected place on the keyboard really slows you down. The designers probably felt they had to compromise the keyboard to make room for the touchpad, but if you look at the keyboard itself, there is room on the top, left, right and bottom that could be given to adding a few more dedicated keys - even if they are narrow or small. I would gladly trade the space given to the touchpad and around the borders of the keyboard to get the dedicated keys... I would probably not even mind a wider tablet, or smaller keys, to get the familiar layout, because the functionality saves me so much time. ii. No rigid hinge between keyboard & computer that holds the screen up and lets you use the computer as a true "laptop". I know you can't have everything, but this REALLY limits the usefulness of this computer. iii. Plastic under the touchpad is kind of flimsy, and results in uneven or inaccurate tracking. But I prefer a mouse anyway. Which leads to the other major MS Surface flaw... 2. Only one USB port - I still don't know what I was thinking when I agreed to buy a computer with a single USB port, but I will not make that mistake again! It SO limits the usefulness of this computer. To begin with, I like my desktop PC's full keyboard and wired optical mouse. If your keyboard has a couple of USB ports in it, you can plug in the keyboard and mouse to the computer. Even if you use a bluetooth keyboard, you only have a port for a single thumb drive or USB drive out of the box. I have not one but several hard drives, and often need to connect two at a time, in addition to my keyboard, mouse and thumb drive, so I am going to just have to buy a powered USB 3 hub, and use that instead. But as hard drives get bigger, USB 3.0 is not enough, which leads to another flaw... 3. No high speed expansion ports like an ExpressCard slot mean that this can't ever be upgraded to USB 3.1 and beyond. 4. Slightly too big to really work as a tablet - I still have my iPad 2 after 6 years, and the form factor for that is perfect. The MS Surface Pro 3 is a little too long/wide to really be comfortable using as a tablet while laying in your back in bed. While on the subject of tablets... 5. Tablet mode is not so great - I was excited to have a tablet that would be running full Windows and let me overcome all the frustrating limitations that limit the iPad so much. Unfortunately, the tablet mode's interface just isn't as friendly / usable as the iPad. The Windows "metro" style interface is a confusing attempt at copying Apple. I don't know what the answer is, but the old school Windows "WIMP" interface is a lot more intuitive for a full computer. 6. I haven't figured out how to really make great use of the pen. I just want to be able to use the tablet as a simple replacement for a paper pad, but it just seems like the apps around this are too complicated and the pen isn't intuitive enough (like being able to turn it around to use the other end as an eraser). I use Microsoft OneNote, but mainly with a keyboard. This one may be my fault for not really taking the time to learn to use the apps, but I just wish they had a simple built-in pen & paper notebook that you could use out of the box without any learning curve. 7. You can't just turn it off and on instantly like with the iPad. Can you? It seems like the Surface Pro has the standard Windows "Sleep", "Hibernate", and "Shut down" options. Even Sleep mode doesn't wake up the computer instantly like with an iPad. And you can turn the iPad off, and not use it for days and days, and it still keeps its charge when you turn it back on. Come on, Microsoft! On the subject of power... 8. Turns off and on when you don't want it to - I've had a lot of headaches trying to stop the computer from turning back on inside my bag after I hibernated it, just because the keyboard opened slightly (and the reverse, where the computer hibernates when you close the keyboard). I followed Microsoft's instructions on turning off the "turn on/off computer when keyboard is opened", and it STILL does this when I don't want it to from time to time. Ay yay yay! 9. No full-size SD card slot. MicroSD is better than nothing, but come on. And it's in a hard to reach place. 10. Horribly low resale value - out of curiosity, I went to the Microsoft Trade-in site, to find out that the most they will give me for my Surface Pro 3 is $110. $110!!! I paid over $1300 for this computer not two years ago, with 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM and 4th gen core i7 processor! I know that with a car, driving it off the lot reduces the price, but $110 is ridiculous... You'd be hard pressed to find an old i3 laptop on craigslist for $110, much less a maxed out Surface Pro 3. I am shocked and offended. In sum, the Surface Pro 3 is a nice try at a full Windows tablet, but there are some major flaws that limit its usefulness and expandability. Maybe I need something closer to a full laptop, but I think Microsoft could have a device that perfectly fills the gap between laptop and tablet if they made the changes I outlined above.

## Features

- Intel 4th Generation Core i7 Processor
- 12-Inch HD (2160 x 1440) Touchscreen Display
- 8 GB RAM; 256 GB Storage Capacity (212 GB Available)
- Windows 8.1 Pro
- 36W Power Supply and Surface Pen Included; Keyboard sold separately (Currently on the detail page)

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B00KHQWRZS |
| Average Battery Life (in hours) | 9 Hours |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. |
| Battery Type | Up to 9 hours |
| Brand | Microsoft |
| Card Description | Integrated |
| Chipset Brand | Intel |
| Color | Silver |
| Computer Memory Type | Unknown |
| Customer Reviews | 3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars (290) |
| Date First Available | May 30, 2014 |
| Flash Memory Size | 256 GB |
| Graphics Coprocessor | Intel HD Graphics |
| Hard Drive | 256 GB |
| Hardware Platform | Windows |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 11.5 x 0.36 x 7.93 inches |
| Item Weight | 1.98 pounds |
| Item model number | 5D2-00001 |
| Max Screen Resolution | 1920x1080 Pixels |
| Memory Speed | 1.6 GHz |
| Number of Processors | 1 |
| Operating System | Windows 8.1 Pro |
| Processor | 3.3 GHz core_i7 |
| Processor Brand | Intel |
| Product Dimensions | 11.5 x 0.36 x 7.93 inches |
| Rear Webcam Resolution | 11 MP |
| Screen Resolution | 2160 x 1440 |
| Series | Microsoft Surface |
| Standing screen display size | 12 Inches |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Wireless Type | 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Microsoft
- **Display Resolution Maximum:** 1920x1080 Pixels
- **Memory Storage Capacity:** 256 GB
- **Model Name:** Microsoft Surface
- **Screen Size:** 12 Inches

## Images

![Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (256 GB, Intel Core i7, Windows 8.1) - Free Windows 10 Upgrade - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51to2ISNzqL.jpg)
![Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (256 GB, Intel Core i7, Windows 8.1) - Free Windows 10 Upgrade - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61QpyNcrZvL.jpg)
![Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (256 GB, Intel Core i7, Windows 8.1) - Free Windows 10 Upgrade - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61gY8IJIMUL.jpg)
![Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (256 GB, Intel Core i7, Windows 8.1) - Free Windows 10 Upgrade - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71KLsSkpFIL.jpg)
![Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (256 GB, Intel Core i7, Windows 8.1) - Free Windows 10 Upgrade - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71QsxdA8E+L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent Product, needs some adjustments
*by M***W on April 6, 2015*

I was on the fence for a long time about purchasing the SP3. I wanted a suitable replacement for my 5 pound laptop, but not sacrifice the power or utility that it provided, plus I wanted to have the option of using it as a digital drawing pad like I do with my Wacom Cintiq. I finally made the purchase and very happy I did so. Essentially, I combined two pieces of hardware, I lightened my load by 8 lbs, removed the need for a nest of power and adapter cables, freed up several square inches of space in my bag, and extended my battery life by several hours all with one purchase. I don't feel like "that guy" that takes several minutes to unpack an entire work station anymore, since all that is required is the removal of the SP3 from my bag and I can go straight to work. And, it works just as efficiently as slapping the keyboard closed and stashing it into my bag before walking out the door. There is so much fuss removed simply by owning a SP3. Simple conveniences aside, it performs beautifully. I'm a graphic designer, so I spend a good amount of time in photoshop, but I'm also a hobbyist illustrator that likes to paint or create conceptual work. So removing the keyboard, I can quickly get to painting while using the RadiualMenu extension, which allows me to program my own commands and activate them just like as if I were on my Wacom. Photoshop has an experimental mode that allows for the UI to scale up and use on the SP3's high resolution screen. Both of these features are musts to have if you're an illustrating and thinking about using the SP3. Same could be said for Unity and Blender, as I use these two programs frequently, but I tend to keep the keyboard connected since they are so hotkey heavy. A quick word to the digital artist using the SP3, it will take getting used to, it did for me. I'm a traditional artist and it took me some time to make the leap to the Cintiq. Then it was another leap to the SP3 since Wacom is passive tech and the SP3 uses N-trig tech, which is active. If you're a quick sketch artist you may not notice it as much, but it you're slow and methodical with your penmanship, the SP3 may frustrate you a bit since it may waggle your straight lines if you hover in one spot too long. Don't be discouraged! Find a floor model some place and doodle to your heart's content to get a feel for it. Microsoft also has a incorporated an ability to set the pen pressure curve, which is helpful. I'm just waiting for them to give us the option to swap out the function of pressing the button on the back of the pen to something other than OneNote. Any heavy rendering drains the battery pretty quickly and you'll get a couple hours of use before you'll need to plug it in. Netflixing could give you about 3 to 4 hours. For light browsing, or gaming, you can get several more hours on top of that. Once you know the machines limitations you really don't feel inconvenienced since the power brick is the only thing in addition to the SP3 you might be carrying around with you. You may notice while using the SP3 that it may sit a little precariously on your lap with the kickstand since there are only the two points of contact. I purchased a "MoKo Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Case - Ultra Slim Lightweight Shell" along with my SP3 primarily because it utilizes the SP3's very versatile kick stand, but it also creates more surface area for the hardware to rest on your lap with the addition of the cover flap. It's more comfortable this way, and being able to adjust it so freely is very nice as, depending on your eye level or where a light source is coming from, you can adjust it to your comfort. The shell provides excellent protection, however I question the slot made for the stylus as a blocking a heat port. It's easy enough to pop that top cover off, but I'd recommend drilling holes into the Moko Shell to provide adequate venting. Otherwise it fits the SP3 perfectly and gives you a little extra confidence that you won't break it while handling it, or while resting it on your lap. I mentioned prior that I had a keyboard, and I'm not sure how you can have the SP3 without one, unless you strictly only want a tablet. If that's the case, I think you may need to reconsider your needs versus what you'll actually use. SP3 is a very powerful, well balanced machine that provides a lot of options and utility to tasks that you might only consider capable on a traditional PC or Laptop. Because of the versatility, it gives you more options as to what you can accomplish while on the move, which for me is a blessing since I am hardly home enough to do the work I need to do. If you're looking for something light and fun to while away your free time, I'd consider another tablet since the Window Store is not yet up to snuff with the likes of the Android or Apple stores in regard to quality apps. The SP3 can run full-fledged programs and you should already have some in mind when purchasing an SP3 to justify the cost. The complaints I have had are mainly software related, like Netflix freezing the unit for some reason during playback or occasionally the touch screen doesn't want to register some of my touches. These are things I'm still trying to iron out. Simply getting used to the SP3 in general will require patience to anyone new to that analog. It requires some adaptation and maybe sacrifices depending on how you look at it. If you're used to one way of working, you'll most definitely need to alter your work flow to accommodate for the size of the keyboard for instance. Either get a different full keyboard, or make your movements more streamlined. Need a mouse, get a mouse! Things like that. The SP3 is not perfect and it may require some 3rd party extensions, like the RadialMenu for any artist, or f.lux, so that the super bright screen doesn't burn out your retinas in the dead of night. And not really a complaint for me, but it may be for some, running multiple process will kick on the fan and it can get quite toasty in the upper most corner. Even with my I7 version. Figured it was worth mentioning since it might be a deal breaker for some. Overall however, I think Microsoft has gotten this product to an excellent point of versatility, and has combined the advantages (and disadvantages) of a laptop/tablet hybrid to an acceptable level where you're not sacrificing anything. I'm satisfied and carry mine around with me everywhere.

### ⭐⭐⭐ It's okay. Some nice features, but some very bad flaws.
*by A***O on April 11, 2017*

On the positive side: 1. small / portable 2. decent performance 3. I upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, which is okay However, after 2 years of this as my main computer, here are the negatives: 1. The keyboard leaves a lot to be desired (and the new keyboard as well) - my big problems i. No dedicated Home/End/PgUp/PgDn keys. Fn+Caps really slows you down. I know the new Surface 4 keyboard corrects some things with the key spacing, but I think they didn't go far enough in improvements. Namely, the fact that the Function keys are shared with the Home/End/PgUp/PgDn keys. In this day of smart phones and tablets, where not as many people are savvy to touch typing (most useful class I had in High School!), maybe the designers felt they didn't need to waste space to mimic the classic IBM PC keyboard (Windows, US layout). However, I've been using computers for a long time and there's nothing - NOTHING - equal to the speed you get with that keyboard and an optical mouse. As is, you have to press Fn+Caps to switch between the top row of keys being function keys, and being the Home/End/PgUp/PgDn. Which is a real pain because anyone who is handy with the awesome standard Windows keyboard shortcuts likely regulary uses F2 to rename (or to quickly copy a filename to the clipboard for example), F5 to search, F1 for help, etc., and Home/End/PgUp/PgDn, all in the same flow. To have to look down at your keyboard to press Fn+Caps really breaks up that flow and slows you down. For touch typists, to not have the home/end/pgup/pgdn in the expected place on the keyboard really slows you down. The designers probably felt they had to compromise the keyboard to make room for the touchpad, but if you look at the keyboard itself, there is room on the top, left, right and bottom that could be given to adding a few more dedicated keys - even if they are narrow or small. I would gladly trade the space given to the touchpad and around the borders of the keyboard to get the dedicated keys... I would probably not even mind a wider tablet, or smaller keys, to get the familiar layout, because the functionality saves me so much time. ii. No rigid hinge between keyboard & computer that holds the screen up and lets you use the computer as a true "laptop". I know you can't have everything, but this REALLY limits the usefulness of this computer. iii. Plastic under the touchpad is kind of flimsy, and results in uneven or inaccurate tracking. But I prefer a mouse anyway. Which leads to the other major MS Surface flaw... 2. Only one USB port - I still don't know what I was thinking when I agreed to buy a computer with a single USB port, but I will not make that mistake again! It SO limits the usefulness of this computer. To begin with, I like my desktop PC's full keyboard and wired optical mouse. If your keyboard has a couple of USB ports in it, you can plug in the keyboard and mouse to the computer. Even if you use a bluetooth keyboard, you only have a port for a single thumb drive or USB drive out of the box. I have not one but several hard drives, and often need to connect two at a time, in addition to my keyboard, mouse and thumb drive, so I am going to just have to buy a powered USB 3 hub, and use that instead. But as hard drives get bigger, USB 3.0 is not enough, which leads to another flaw... 3. No high speed expansion ports like an ExpressCard slot mean that this can't ever be upgraded to USB 3.1 and beyond. 4. Slightly too big to really work as a tablet - I still have my iPad 2 after 6 years, and the form factor for that is perfect. The MS Surface Pro 3 is a little too long/wide to really be comfortable using as a tablet while laying in your back in bed. While on the subject of tablets... 5. Tablet mode is not so great - I was excited to have a tablet that would be running full Windows and let me overcome all the frustrating limitations that limit the iPad so much. Unfortunately, the tablet mode's interface just isn't as friendly / usable as the iPad. The Windows "metro" style interface is a confusing attempt at copying Apple. I don't know what the answer is, but the old school Windows "WIMP" interface is a lot more intuitive for a full computer. 6. I haven't figured out how to really make great use of the pen. I just want to be able to use the tablet as a simple replacement for a paper pad, but it just seems like the apps around this are too complicated and the pen isn't intuitive enough (like being able to turn it around to use the other end as an eraser). I use Microsoft OneNote, but mainly with a keyboard. This one may be my fault for not really taking the time to learn to use the apps, but I just wish they had a simple built-in pen & paper notebook that you could use out of the box without any learning curve. 7. You can't just turn it off and on instantly like with the iPad. Can you? It seems like the Surface Pro has the standard Windows "Sleep", "Hibernate", and "Shut down" options. Even Sleep mode doesn't wake up the computer instantly like with an iPad. And you can turn the iPad off, and not use it for days and days, and it still keeps its charge when you turn it back on. Come on, Microsoft! On the subject of power... 8. Turns off and on when you don't want it to - I've had a lot of headaches trying to stop the computer from turning back on inside my bag after I hibernated it, just because the keyboard opened slightly (and the reverse, where the computer hibernates when you close the keyboard). I followed Microsoft's instructions on turning off the "turn on/off computer when keyboard is opened", and it STILL does this when I don't want it to from time to time. Ay yay yay! 9. No full-size SD card slot. MicroSD is better than nothing, but come on. And it's in a hard to reach place. 10. Horribly low resale value - out of curiosity, I went to the Microsoft Trade-in site, to find out that the most they will give me for my Surface Pro 3 is $110. $110!!! I paid over $1300 for this computer not two years ago, with 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM and 4th gen core i7 processor! I know that with a car, driving it off the lot reduces the price, but $110 is ridiculous... You'd be hard pressed to find an old i3 laptop on craigslist for $110, much less a maxed out Surface Pro 3. I am shocked and offended. In sum, the Surface Pro 3 is a nice try at a full Windows tablet, but there are some major flaws that limit its usefulness and expandability. Maybe I need something closer to a full laptop, but I think Microsoft could have a device that perfectly fills the gap between laptop and tablet if they made the changes I outlined above.

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