small_358137-surface-pro-3-penThe new Surface Pro 3 has gotten a lot of attention in the last couple of weeks, mainly because it raises hopes that a tablet can actually replace a laptop. With the Surface Pro 3, Microsoft’s aim is to replace not the iPad, but the MacBookAir. The jury is still out on whether it can live up to that expectation, but it is a significant improvement over the previous Surface Pro and can accomplish more than most tablets. The idea of a tablet that is as good as a laptop is especially appealing in the summer months when a tablet comes in handy for travel and mobility.

At the $799 starting price, this tablet is a good buy when thinking of replacing a laptop. It is also incredibly light, about 6.5 ounces with the Type Cover and pen. In addition, it has a 12-inch display with a 2160 x 1440 native resolution, a big improvement from the Surface Pro 2. Still, the Surface Pro 3 does weigh more than an iPad, which is about 1 pound in weight. This makes it more cumbersome for holding it while reading for a length of time.

The included digital pen is a plus and the handwriting recognition is good. As a computer, the Surface Pro 3 has high power ability, including a Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The new Type Cover keyboard converts the tablet into a laptop. A recent review in the WSJ (“Surface Pro 3: A Tablet Wants to Be a Laptop,” May 28, 2014) criticized the user friendliness of the new Type Cover, although it has improved over the previous models. The backlit Type Cover clicks into the bottom of the tablet, but it now has a magnetic strip along the top of the keyboard that allows it to be propped against the screen. Since it lacks support, the keyboard does tend to bend. another complaint in the WSJ article is that the Type Cover is a $130 add-on and the keyboard is still not as good as laptops.

Is the Surface Pro 3 a laptop? It is not quite there, yet, but it comes close. It stands up pretty well in its hardware and capabilities, and it is a great choice for those who need lightweight mobility and power.