14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has started shipping a new firmware update for Surface Pro 3 tablets, but as compared to what people expect, this new version does not address any of the issues reported by buyers, which include overheating and excessive fan noise.
The new update, which is labeled as System Firmware Update – 8/19/2014 in Windows Update, includes Surface Pro UEFI version 3.9.150.0, which adds features to display BIOS password state and asset tag information, as well as improving boot times in some scenarios, as Microsoft has revealed today.
As usual, this update is being delivered in stages, so it could take a while until you see it on your Surface Pro 3 tablet.
“When Surface updates are provided via the Windows Update service, they are delivered in stages to Surface customers. As a result, not every Surface will receive the update at the same time, but the update will be delivered to all devices. If you have not received the update then please manually check Windows Update later,” Microsoft explains.
Users whose devices were suffering from limited Wi-Fi connectivity, overheating and excessive fan noise explain that Microsoft staff from official stores recommends them to deploy the latest updates because they might actually fix all these problems.
This isn’t the case however, and many have already confirmed that, despite the new firmware, Surface Pro 3 tablets are still affected by a number of problems, including those mentioned above.
“I visited the Microsoft Store yesterday and they told me to apply all the updates. I did just that, but it did not remedy the problem. SP3 still becomes scalding hot while performing minor tasks. The fan comes on and it's seriously the most menacing thing I've ever heard to come out of an electronic device. I can no longer use this in class to take notes since it's so disruptive,” a Surface Pro 3 buyer said.
The Surface Pro 3 was officially introduced in May this year and is the most advanced tablet rolled out by Microsoft to date. It features a 12-inch screen, CPUs ranging between Intel Core i3 and i7, while storage space goes up to 512 GB.
Pricing however is the most important setback of this tablet, as the top of the range model can be yours in the United States for no less than $2,000 (€1,500). Here are the full pricing details in the US:
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)