rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Business » Surface 3 may replace laptops, says Microsoft
This article was first published 10 years ago

Surface 3 may replace laptops, says Microsoft

May 21, 2014 13:48 IST

Image: Satya Nadella, Microsoft Corp chief executive, attends the unveil event of the new Microsoft Surface Pro 3 in New York May 20, 2014.
Photographs: Brendan McDermid/Reuters Seema Hakhu Kachru in Houson

Technology giant Microsoft has unveiled its third- generation Surface Pro 3 device with a larger surface area than its previous model but weighing lighter than a MacBook Air and expects it to replace laptops.

The launch of the 12-inch Surface Pro 3 in New York city on Tuesday comes less than a year after Microsoft brought out the Surface Pro 2, which received positive reviews for being a powerful PC inside a tablet form factor but has struggled to gain traction in the market.

The company announced the launch at its ‘small’ Surface event, but didn't launch the Surface Mini rumored to debut at the presentation.

. . .

Surface 3 may replace laptops, says Microsoft

Image: An attendee photographs the new Microsoft Surface Pro 3, during the event in New York May 20, 2014.
Photographs: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

"This is the tablet that can replace your laptop," said Panos Panay, corporate VP of Microsoft.

Microsoft has its eyes set on getting business professionals on board with its new design.

"Surface Pro 3 is a tablet and a laptop: multiple processor, RAM and storage options intersect with a sleek design that, with a simple snap or . . .

Surface 3 may replace laptops, says Microsoft

Image: An attendee wearing Google glass uses the new Microsoft Surface Pro 3, during the event in New York May 20, 2014.
Photographs: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

"We designed it in thinness around every corner. This is faster than the Surface Pro 2 you've loved to date and is much thinner."

The Surface Pro 3 has a 12-inch display, up from 10.6 inches, which Microsoft hopes will increase users' productivity.

It weighs 1.76 pounds without a keyboard and measures in at just 9.1 mm, making it the "thinnest Intel Core product ever made," according to Microsoft. It comes with a 2160x1440 screen, microSD card reader and a USB 3.0 port.

It also comes with an updated trackpad.

"We got no praise for our (last) trackpad. We heard you," Panay said.

. . .

Surface 3 may replace laptops, says Microsoft

Image: Panos Panay, Corp. Vice President for Surface Computing at Microsoft Corp, unveils the latest models of the Surface tablet in New York May 20, 2014.
Photographs: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

"In addition to an improved hinge, users can now tilt the screen to an angle of up to 150 degrees. And the SP3 keyboard is now designed to capitalise on how it sits in your lap, cutting down on shaking that occurs when you type."

The device also features a pen which during the on-stage demo seemed to work seamlessly when writing letters into a New York Times crossword puzzle. On . . .

Surface 3 may replace laptops, says Microsoft

Image: A surface tablet.

Panay made it clear that the Surface Pro 3 aims to be both a tablet and laptop -- saying it has ‘lap-ability’ -- and thereby getting rid of the confusion for consumers deciding which one to buy.

"(Tablets) are designed for you to sit back and watch movies, browsing the web and snacking on apps.

“Laptops are designed to do something . . . editing and making. Sometimes they come out clunky or beautiful, but that is a design point and they are made for that reason," he said.

Panay said that 96 per cent of people who own an iPad also own a laptop, but the Surface Pro 3 promises both functions.

 

© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.