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Cheaper Surface Pro 3 Arrives

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Microsoft shocked the world when it unveiled its Surface Pro 3 convertible earlier this year with its thinness, powerful processor and good looks. Its launch price tag also shocked the world, costing $999 for anyone wanting to pick up the 2-in-1 computer. Now the company is finally selling the other variants of the Surface Pro 3, pushing down the entry-level cost of the device to just $799.

Starting today, that $799 version of the Surface Pro 3 will become the most affordable current generation all-in-on Microsoft sells. Joining it will be two other versions; a model with 256GB of storage and an Intel Core i7 processor for $1,549.99 and another Surface Pro 3 with an Intel Core i7 processor and 512GB of storage for $1,949. Microsoft will continue to sell the $999 Surface Pro 3 that comes with an Intel Core i5 processor and 128GB of storage.

microsoft surface pro 3 and two other laptops

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 effectively replaced a Windows 8 laptop and a MacBook Pro.

Microsoft first announced a Surface Pro 3 with 64GB of internal storage and an Intel Core i3 processor along with the Surface Pro 3 that it’s been selling for around a month. This new variant of the Surface Pro 3 costs $799 because it’s a bit less powerful than the $999 version. It also has less storage meaning buyers won’t be able to keep as many pictures, television shows and home videos on it as they would other Surface Pro 3 2-in-1s.

This cheaper Surface Pro 3 couldn’t come at a better time for Microsoft or potential buyers. Today marks the official start of the Back to School shopping season. Many local school districts head back to class this month and parents are going to be looking for a new personal computer that the entire family can use to browse the internet on and create projects. It doesn’t hurt that some states are even holding tax free weekends, making it the best time to make an expensive school-related purchase like the Surface Pro 3. Joining grade school students in classrooms around the country are college students. This new cheaper Surface Pro 3 could be the machine those students are looking for.

Every Surface Pro 3 comes with a 12-inch high-definition display. With a keyboard accessory, the Surface Pro 3 might look like a laptop, but its touchscreen allows buyers to use it as a way to stay productive or enjoy some downtime. There’s a single USB port too. That means users can just print documents without the hassle that printing from an iPad requires. A pen allows users to navigate Windows 8 and instantly take notes in Microsoft’s OneNote app.

Buyers of Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 tablets had a hard time typing with the Surface Pro’s covers in their lap. Microsoft addressed that issue by adding a row of magnates that allow users to lock their Surface Pro 3 Type Cover into place. The Surface Pro 3’s kickstand can now adjust to just about any angle too, fixing a huge issue that kept the first two Surface Pro 2-in-1s from being usable in all situations.

Read: Surface Pro 3 Impressions Has Microsoft Succeeded Where Apple Failed?

This new $799 Surface Pro 3 is more affordable and Microsoft has addressed some key issues, but it hasn’t done anything to address the entire Surface line’s biggest flaw. These new models still don’t include the Type Cover accessory. That’s despite Microsoft continually advertising the Surface Pro 3 with the Type Cover, leaving potential buyers to assume that the Surface Pro 3 comes with it. The Surface Pro 3’s Type Cover costs an extra $129.99, making even this more affordable Surface Pro 3 a very expensive laptop and tablet altnernative. To be clear, the Surface Pro 3 can be used without the Type Cover thanks to Bluetooth wireless technology and its USB Port.

The Surface Pro 3 is available locally too. Best Buy is now showing stock in many of its stores. Microsoft’s own retail stores also sell the 2-in-1.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. eric

    08/01/2014 at 1:50 pm

    So the biggest flaw is easily fixed by clicking a button at check out to purchase a OEM cover of your choice? That’s an amazingly small flaw.

  2. Roger Faucher

    08/04/2014 at 4:42 pm

    Travis, they’re ‘magnets’, not magnates.

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