The Surface Pro 3 has recently been unveiled in all its touchscreen glory. Reviews praise it for the way it integrates laptop and tablet features into one seamless package.
While it is improved upon from its predecessors in basically every way, Microsoft still has its work cut out before the public at large truly embraces it as the tablet to buy. Maybe the third time will be the charm.
Here are the best three features Surface Pro 3 offers over predecessor Surface models and why it is worth picking it up.
1. The Display
The Surface Pro 3 has a ClearType HD display that truly stands out from the pack. The screen is 12 inches this time around and not just 10 inches, like most tablets on the market, nor 10.6 inches, like the previous Surface models. It offers resolution support of 2160x1440 pixels with a 3:2 aspect ratio. This makes it very usable in both landscape and portrait mode as compared with previous models' 16:9 aspect ratio. Productivity apps, such as the Office suite, can feel more intuitive and akin to those on laptops or PCs.
It is important for the display in a tablet to be useful for both personal entertainment, such as watching movies or playing games, as well as for more serious work or productivity. Microsoft seems to have nailed it and the extra screen real estate with the latest model helps with this task.
2. Digital Ink and Stylus Support
This time around, Microsoft wanted to add a feature to the Surface that would make it stand out from any laptop or PC. This is none other than digital ink and the support of a stylus pen. Previous models did have stylus support, but not to the effect of the Surface Pro 3. Microsoft has implemented a display stack where the digital ink is close to the pen tip and it feels almost like drawing on paper, it is that direct and precise. Users who use Photoshop and Wacom tablets specific for the task of drawing may feel right at home with the Surface Pro 3 in this regard.
There is even the option to tap on the pen to launch into Microsoft's OneNote application for note taking. Adobe has revealed plans to release a touch-optimized version of its Photoshop image editing app with this in mind. In total, the new Surface Pro 3 pen can sense 256 different levels of pressure. Even when the tablet is asleep it will directly wake into OneNote when users touch the pen to the display.
3. Better and More Versatile Kickstand
Microsoft has improved the previous Surfaces' kickstands in all aspects for the Surface Pro 3. It is more versatile and useful for a wide range of purposes with the angles it offers users. The first Surface model's kickstand supported only one position and was generally difficult to hold on one's lap. The second model improved things a bit with a two-lock kickstand (two angles only to choose from), but it still left a lot to be desired. This kickstand trumps both of them.
Any angle is supported between 22 degrees and 150 degrees with the newest Kickstand. It is also well-tuned, as described by The Verge's review, "giving just the right amount of firmness as you move it." The kickstand stands out even among the whole tablet market as it is versatile for drawing, note taking, lap movie watching, and more.
As readers can see, the latest Surface model really brings many new things to the tablet market that were needed. It nicely integrates the benefits of both tablets and laptops. And it offers a wide range of features from Microsoft's ecosystem of apps, software and Windows into a hardware package designed to make use of it all. Check out what reviewers have to say about efforts this time around to create a full-powered computer in a touchscreen tablet.
