Microsoft's lightest tablet yet - but it's lightweight in other ways too
Microsoft’s latest tablet laptop hybrid, the Surface 3. Is both a trimmed-down version of the Surface Pro 3 and the successor to the Surface 2. Whereas the Surface 2 only ran Windows RT. and was thus limited to running apps downloaded from the Windows Store, the Surface 3 runs the full Windows 8.1. so in theory you can run any Windows program you want.
Performance
Running Windows 8.1 is now possible because Microsoft has switched from the ARM processor used in the Surface 2 (and similar to the processors used in smartphones) to the new Intel Atom x7 78700 quad core processor. We’ve been hugely underwhelmed by the slow performance of older Atoms in other Windows tablets and laptops, so we weren’t expecting much from this new processor.
The x7-Z8700’s performance during our test was much quicker, closer to that of a Core i3 processor than to older Atoms. But it was still noticeably slower than any comparably priced Core i3 laptop. Even though the x7 7.8700 is paired with 4GB of memory, it sometimes slowed down when running multiple programs or web apps simultaneously. Sometimes it was even so slow, it began to have a negative effect on what is otherwise a flawless touchscreen, causing it to become unresponsive. For this reason, we would never consider the cheaper £419 version of the Surface 3 which comes with less memory -just 2GB.
This Hawed performance makes the Surface 3's ability to run software not downloaded from the Windows Store a less attractive proposition, because there’s no guarantee it will run smoothly. It's adaptability is still useful for installing the drivers needed to use printers and scanners connected to the tablet’s full size USB 3.0 port, for example.
Stand and keyboard
Like other Surfaces, the Surface 3 is made of metal and feels robust. There’s a built in stand offering the choice of three viewing angles (compared to the Surface 2's two angles). And yet this falls short of the Surface Pro 3's stand, which can be adjusted to almost any angle you want. It’s baffling that the Surface 3 doesn’t use this stand.
It means that a comfortable viewing angle can be hard to come by - we found ourselves getting neck ache constantly when using the Surface 3.
You can attach a keyboard to the bottom of the Surface3 and thereby use it like a laptop. The keyboard snaps magnetically into place and doubles as a screen cover. Although a couple of the keys, such as the left shift and # keys, are smaller than we’d expect it’s still makes for a comfortable typing experience. The keys are large with plenty of feedback and travel, so touch typists will be able to work far faster than if they used the onscreen keyboard. Annoyingly, the cramped touchpad is fiddly to use.
One big problem comes when you try to use the Surface and its keyboard on your lap. The keyboard is rigid enough and provides firm support when working from your lap in most situations, but not if you like to rest it on crossed legs. Another problem is that the keyboard adds 250g of weight to the 600g tablet. Although this is the lightest Surface yet and would be considered featherweight for a laptop, it makes an already hefty tablet even trickier to hold for long periods of time. Even so. the keyboard is so crucial to making best use of the Surface that we think it should be included by default. It actually costs an extra £110, which is a bit steep.
Screen and stylus
Another accessory that costs extra (£44) is the stylus. It's useful for sketching and jotting down quick notes. You can press the button at the cap end of the stylus to open Microsoft's OneNote app - even if the tablet is asleep. However, there’s always a slight lag between pen movement and the stroke being registered on screen, which can be exacerbated by the performance and responsiveness problems mentioned above. It’s therefore not best suited for fine, detailed artwork that requires very precise strokes.
Like the Surface Pro 3, the Surface 3 has an aspect ratio of 3:2 instead of the 16:9 more common on other Windows tablets and laptops. Although this means widescreen videos will be be framed in larger black bars at the top and bottom, this aspect ratio is more suitable for magazine or book pages, so reading feels more natural. The screen is very bright with good colour accuracy and contrast, although viewing angles were tighter than we expected. Text looks sharp, although not quite as crisp and print like as on tablet screens with resolutions that exceed the Surface 3’s 1920x1280 pixels.
Battery life
I he battery lasted around 11 hours, both when playing videos on a loop and scrolling through a long text document. These are good scores, compared to other tablets and most laptops. Unlike other Surfaces, the Surface 3's charger uses a micro USB connector, which brings it in line with other tablet chargers. Ibis means you can also use USB power banks if you run out of battery while out and about. The charger could be better designed however. The bulk of it hangs downwards and its USB port faces downwards too. This made it a very tight fit in wall sockets located above potential obstructions such as skirting boards and kitchen worktops.
Conclusion
Because the Surface 3 has evolved from previous Surfaces, it’s no surprise that it continues to feel like a series of half measures and ill considered compromises. The average performance of the Atom processor and the design of the keyboard cover and stand greatly limit its usefulness as a laptop. Meanwhile, performance and responsiveness problems drag down the stylus (one of the features intended to set the Surface apart from other tablets). Its heavy weight and the poor selection of touchscreen apps available from the Windows Store diminishes the Surface’s appeal as a tablet. The Surface 3’s USB port and ability to run multiple apps onscreen simultaneously are great features, but they would have to be very important to you to put up with all the numerous flaws that come with them.
VERDICT
Despite welcome features and improvements, the latest Surface is still far from the perfect laptop-tablet hybrid Microsoft claims it is.
SPECIFICATIONS
10.8in 1920x1280-pixel touchscreen • Intel Atom x7-Z8700 quad-core processor • 4CB memory • 128GB SSD • Windows 8.1 • 600g (850g including keyboard) • 267x187x9mm (HxWxD) • One-year warranty