Microsoft discounts Surface Pro 3 by up to $150
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 may be a year old at this stage, but it remains one of the best Windows 8.1 devices on the market. Touted as "the tablet that can replace your laptop", it works well in the office and on the go, thanks to a large touchscreen, powerful processors and long battery life.
And if you are interested in getting a Surface Pro 3 -- perhaps in time for Father's Day, as it would make an awesome gift -- then you should know that, for a limited time, Microsoft has discounts of up to $150 on the Intel Core i5 and Core i7 models.
The entry-level Surface Pro 3, which ships with a Core i3 model, isn't discounted, still being offered at $799. That said, there is a free sleeve included with it until October 1. However, the next most-affordable Surface Pro 3 looks like a better deal.
For just $100 more, down $100 from $999, it includes twice as much storage (128 GB, as opposed to 64 GB in the Core i3 model) and a faster, Core i5, processor. My favorite Surface Pro 3 model, the Core i5 version with 256 GB of internal storage and 8 GB of RAM, can now be had for $150 off the standard price, which is $1,299, costing $1,149.
The same $150 discount is also applied to the Core i7 Surface Pro 3 models, which can now be had for $1,399, for the 256 GB version, or $1,799, for the 512 GB version. The current promotion ends June 27.
Of course, no Surface Pro 3 comes with a Type Cover keyboard in the box, so you will have to shell out an additional $129.99 for one. The only other accessory to consider is the docking station, which costs $199.99 and expands the capabilities of Surface Pro 3 while it is used on a desk -- it offers three USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a Mini DisplayPort and a security lock.
Surface Pro 3 highlights include: 12-inch display with a resolution of 2,160 by 1,440 (3:2 aspect ratio); 1.9 GHz Core i5; HD Graphics: up to 9 hours of web browsing; Wi-Fi 802.11n/ac; Bluetooth 4.0; full-size USB 3.0 port; mini DisplayPort; microSD card slot; 5 MP front and rear cameras; stereo speakers; Surface Pen; Windows 8.1 Pro (64-bit). Physical dimensions: 292.10 x 201.42 x 9.14 mm and 790 grams (11.50 x 7.93 x 0.36 in and 1.76 lbs).
Photo Credit: Joe Wilcox