When tablets first came out they were basically just a larger version of your smartphone. They all ran on either iOS or Android, and their main focus was on entertainment such as games, renting movies, digital photography, ebooks, podcasts and audiobooks.
But things sure have changed since then. The advent of such tablets as the Surface Pro line has seen Microsoft apply their Windows operating system to a little 12-inch touchscreen tablet.
This way you can access all your favorite Microsoft Windows apps on a handy little tablet. And all you have to do to convert it to a laptop, is to attach a compatible keyboard.
The Surface Pro 3 product description states that this tablet offers the power and performance of a laptop. But the question is whether this is really true, and whether it is good enough to replace your old laptop entirely.
This is what we’re going to explore in this article today, looking at each aspect of the device in turn. At the end of the article we’ll be wrapping up with a brief conclusion.
Please feel free to scroll ahead to any section that grabs your attention.
Operating System & Apps
Of course, one of the great things about the Surface Pro 3 is how it runs on the Microsoft Windows operating system.
And that’s exactly what makes it such a big consideration for replacing your laptop with, because you will be able to access and use all the same apps that you use on your Windows laptop.
These apps include the entire Microsoft Office, which includes the likes of Word, Excel and Teams. Familiar apps that you’re already accustomed to.
The Surface Pro 3 comes with Windows 8 already built in, but you can upgrade it via updates to Windows 10, which we would recommend.
CPU
The CPU is basically the brain of the machine, the part that actually processes the data. The Surface Pro 3 is available with different types of CPU, namely the Intel core i3, the Intel core i5, and the Intel core i7.
The Intel core i3 is the slowest, but it ranges in speed between 3.6 to 4 GHz, which is sufficient for the large majority of Windows apps, including some really graphic intense ones such as Photoshop.
The Intel core i5 is even better again, and the Intel core i7 is better still – good enough for even high end gaming.
So, in short, the Surface Pro 3 comes with an excellent choice of CPU and in that respect they can match or beat the performance of your old laptop.
RAM
The RAM of the device is basically how much data it can work with at any one time. It determines how much multitasking you can do in terms of how many apps you have open. The RAM of the Surface Pro 3 is quite generous at 8 GB, which is really all you need.
Screen Size
One of the more obvious differences between the Surface Pro 3 and a traditional laptop is the size. The screen of the Surface Pro 3 is 12 inches diagonally, whereas a traditional laptop is significantly larger at 15 inches.
Most people care more about screen resolution than they do about screen size. But a small screen size can be a hindrance if you’re using Excel and need to be able to see a lot of columns at once.
Display Resolution
The display resolution is actually very good, and you will be able to see all your apps in crisp and clear Full High Definition.
Keyboard
It’s important to note at this point that the Surface Pro 3 does not always come with a detachable keyboard, but you can buy them separately.
But because of the small screen size, the keyboard is also small to match. And because of this, it does not feature a numerical keypad on the right hand side. This is quite a drawback if you use your laptop for accounting purposes, but if not then it’s not much of a hindrance.
Webcam Capability
We can confirm that you can use the likes of Zoom on the Surface 3 Pro, thanks to the two on-board cameras and integrated microphone.
On-Board Storage
Now, on board storage is where most handheld devices tend to let themselves down. Even on the high end smartphones, you often find yourself having to remove old apps altogether so that you have room to install updates on the apps you use the most.
It’s possible to buy the Surface Pro 3 with different levels of on board storage. The smallest option is 64 GB, which is enough for storing personal documents and photos. As for storing music, how much music you can store will depend on the audio quality.
You can also get it with 128 GB, which is twice as much. Or you can buy it with 256 GB, which is 4 times as much.
But it’s still not enough for storing a large music collection or for downloading lots of graphic intensive games.
But you have to weigh that up against the fact that most web based apps these days allow you to use free online storage.
Advantages Of The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Over A Laptop
There are some clear advantages that the Surface Pro 3 has over a traditional laptop. First off, there’s the fact that it’s a touchscreen, which in itself is a big plus. You don’t have to bother with a mouse, which means that you don’t need to have it on a desk or table to use it.
It’s also significantly more portable than a laptop. Whereas most laptops tend to weigh around 4 pounds, give or take, the Surface Pro 3 weighs a mere 1.76 pounds. You could even forget that you’re carrying it.
Newer Models In The Surface Pro Line
If you’re looking for a device that can run Windows 11 or later, then the Surface Pro 3 won’t quite cut it, and you should be looking at the Surface Pro 6 or newer instead.
Wrap Up
We can safely conclude that for most people, the Surface Pro 3 can replace your old laptop. And in fact it can really rival most of the laptops on the bestseller lists today.
The crucial factor in determining whether the Surface Pro 3 is for you comes down to how much on board storage you’re looking for.
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