Microsoft today debuted their latest tablet at a media event in New York City. The company bills the “Surface Pro 3” as the result of a three-year effort to create a “tablet that can replace your laptop.” The new device sports a larger 12-inch display, with a 3:2 aspect ration, improved stylus, thinner design, and a full-friction kickstand.
MacRumors reports that pricing begins at $799 with pre-orders starting tomorrow and availability of select models coming on June 20 in the U.S. and Canada. Availability will expand with additional models and countries in August.
The Surface Pro 3 measures 9.1 mm thick and weighs 800 grams, making it thiner and lighter than a MacBook Air, a point Microsoft drove home by placing the two devices on a scientific balance scale to demonstrate.
The new tablet comes with a new stylus that offers 256 levels of pressure sensitivity. Microsoft also partnered with Adobe to show a preview of Photoshop optimized for the tablet device, featuring larger icons and support for both the new stylus and touch input.
Surface Pro 3 models include:
- An entry-level $799 Surface Pro 3 model is powered by a Core i3 processor with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage.
- Core i5 models priced at $999 (128 GB storage, 4 GB RAM) and $1299 (256 GB storage, 8 GB RAM).
- Core i7 models boasting 8 GB of RAM, and will be priced at $1549 (for 256 GB storage) and $1949 (w/512 GB storage).
The Surface Pro 3’s battery life is rated at up to nine hours of web browsing.
Microsoft also debut new accessories at the event, including a new, thinner $130 Type Cover with an improved trackpad, a $200 docking station that converts the Surface Pro 3 into a desktop workstation, and includes Ethernet, Mini DisplayPort, USB, and audio ports.
