Surface Pro 3 specs, features, and tips

Surface Pro 3 came out on June 20th, 2014, at the Microsoft Surface event, with a starting price of $799 for the model with Intel Core i3-4020Y, 4GB of 1600MHz LPDDR3 RAM, and 64GB of SSD. It has an entirely new redesign with the new 3:2 aspect ratio display. It’s bigger, thinner, and lighter. It features the new platinum magnesium exterior, a full-friction multi-position kickstand, and much more.

Microsoft introduced the Surface Pro 3, Type Cover, Docking station, and more at the event. You can watch the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 event in the following video.

According to Surface lifecycle documentation, Microsoft Surface Pro 3 reached the end of its driver and firmware updates on November 13, 2021. The company promises to support all Surface devices for at least four years starting from its release date. In this case, the Surface Pro 3 has already received seven years of driver and firmware updates from Microsoft.

After the end of servicing date, Surface Pro 3 devices will continue to receive Windows OS features and security updates as long as it meets minimum hardware requirements for any future Windows OS. Currently, Windows 10 is the latest supported operating system for Surface Pro 3.

Microsoft Surface Pro 3 has the following CPU configurations available:

4th Generation Intel® Haswell Processors (22nm)

• Intel® Core™ i3-4020Y2 cores, 4 threads, 3MB SmartCache, 1.50 GHz, 11.5W
  Intel® HD Graphics 4200 (200 – 850 MHz)
• Intel® Core™ i5-4300U2 cores, 4 threads, 3MB SmartCache, 1.90 GHz up to 2.90 GHz, 15W
  Intel® HD Graphics 4400 (200 – 1100 MHz)
• Intel® Core™ i7-4650U2 cores, 4 threads, 4MB SmartCache, 1.70 GHz up to 3.30 GHz, 15W
  Intel® HD Graphics 5000 (300 – 1100 MHz)

No! All Surface Pro 3 models, including Intel Core i3-4020Y, Intel Core i5-4300U, and Intel Core i7-4650U, come with a single fan for active cooling. It is located next to the CPU and connected to two heat sinks.

No! Unfortunately, the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 doesn’t have a Windows Hello Infrared (IR) camera required for Windows Hello Face Authentication (Face ID) on Windows 10.

However, Microsoft does bring an alternative solution for Surface Pro 3 users by introducing a new Surface Pro Type Cover with Fingerprint ID that works perfectly with Surface Pro 3.

Yes, it does! All Surface Pro 3 models have a standard 3.5mm headphone jack on the device’s left side.

No, it doesn’t! There is no Ethernet (RJ-45) port available on Surface Pro 3. However, you can use a USB adapter, hub, or dock with an Ethernet port to connect to the Surface Pro 4 USB port, so you can plug in the network cable to connect to your local network.

The USB-C 3.0 port has high bandwidth (up to 5 Gbps), so you can opt for a Gigabit Ethernet adapter for higher bandwidth without any issues.

No, it doesn’t! There is no HDMI port available on Microsoft Surface Pro 3. However, you can use a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter to connect to the Surface Pro 3 Mini DisplayPort port.

Yes, it is! Microsoft continues to keep its Surface Type Cover connection interface and design the same across its Surface Pro generations since Surface Pro 3. All original Microsoft Surface Pro Type Covers are backlit. You can control the Surface Pro 3 Type Cover backlit by pressing the F1 and F2 media keys (Next to the Esc key).