14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft officially launched the new Surface Pro 3 tablets at a press event in New York on May 20, but the company has only today unveiled full details about the processor hiding underneath the Vapor Magnesium cover protecting the device.
The Surface Pro 3 is available in three different CPU configurations, namely Intel Core i3, i5, and i7, with pricing obviously growing bigger as you opt for a more powerful version.
Microsoft told ZDNet that the entry-level Surface Pro 3, which is only available with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage space, comes with an Intel i3-4020Y processor with a clock speed of 1.5 GHz and featuring an Intel HD4200 video card.
The next model is the middle-range Surface Pro 3 (offered in two flavors with 4GB of RAM + 128 GB of storage or 8 GB of RAM + 256 GB of storage) that features an i5-4300U processor with a clock speed of 1.9 GHz and a maximum speed in Turbo mode of 2.9 GHz. An upgraded HD4400 video card is also being offered.
Of course, the top-of-the-range model comes with an i7-4650U CPU offering a clock speed of 1.7 GHz and Turbo speed of 3.3 GHz. Intel HD5000 graphics are also available on this top version, along with 8GB of memory and either 256 or 512 GB of storage space.
Additionally, the same source also reveals that the Surface Pro 3 comes with a 42 watt-hour battery and support for multiple monitors depending on the version you choose. For example, the i3 models can handle two full HD displays (1920x1080), while the i5 and i7 tablets can go for resolutions of up to 2880x1800.
These specifications are undoubtedly impressive, but the Surface Pro 3 continues to be a very expensive tablet, as the top model is available for around $2,000 (1,500 euros).
Here are the full pricing details for the Surface Pro 3 lineup:
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 64 GB with Intel i3 – $799 (585 euros) Microsoft Surface Pro 3 128 GB with Intel i5 – $999 (730 euros) Microsoft Surface Pro 3 256 GB with Intel i5 – $1,299 (950 euros) Microsoft Surface Pro 3 256 GB with Intel i7 – $1,549 (1,130 euros) Microsoft Surface Pro 3 512 GB with Intel i7 – $1,949 (1,425 euros)
The tablets can already be pre-ordered from Microsoft's online store, but deliveries will only begin in the United States and other markets in late July or August, depending on the version you choose.