Tech specs

Key Features
What's new
  • New Design It’s now thinner (9.1mm), lighter (800g), and new platinum magnesium exterior.
  • Better display New 3:2 aspect ratio, bigger and better 2K 12” ClearType pixel-free display.
  • Better performance It’s now 10% faster than Surface Pro 2 with the new range of 4th Gen Intel processors up to Core i7.
  • New Inking Supports It now supports a new Surface Pen with 256 pressure sensitivity, tail eraser, and remote Bluetooth activation.
  • Better Battery It has 20% more battery life than Surface Pro 2 up to 9 hours.
  • More Better 5.0MP front and rear-facing camera, new Surface Connect Port (charging and docking), new type cover with two typing angles.
What's missingReplace old charging connector with new Surface Connect port
AvailabilitySurface Pro 3
Released2014
Release Info
  • Introduced: May 20, 2014
  • Pre-ordered: May 20, 2014
  • Released: June 20, 2014
PricingStarting at 799$
Surface Pro 3 Price
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (128 GB, Intel Core i5) (Renewed)
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (128 GB, Intel Core i5) (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$195.00
$224.00 13% OFF
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Tablet (1631) Silver - 256GB, 12in, Windows 8, Intel Core i5 - Renewed
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Tablet (1631) Silver - 256GB, 12in, Windows 8, Intel Core i5 - Renewed
By Microsoft
$276.00
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Tablet (12-inch, 128 GB, Intel Core i5, Windows 10) + Microsoft Surface Type Cover (Renewed)
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Tablet (12-inch, 128 GB, Intel Core i5, Windows 10) + Microsoft Surface Type Cover (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$299.00
Microsoft Surface Go 3 - 10.5" Touchscreen - Intel® Pentium® Gold - 4GB Memory - 64GB eMMC - Device Only - Platinum (Latest Model)
Microsoft Surface Go 3 - 10.5" Touchscreen - Intel® Pentium® Gold - 4GB Memory - 64GB eMMC - Device Only - Platinum (Latest Model)
By Microsoft
$429.99
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Tablet PC - Intel Core i5-4300U 1.9GHz 4GB 128GB SSD Windows 10.1 (Renewed)
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Tablet PC - Intel Core i5-4300U 1.9GHz 4GB 128GB SSD Windows 10.1 (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$183.00
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Tablet (12-Inch, 128 GB, Intel Core i3, Windows 10) (Renewed)
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Tablet (12-Inch, 128 GB, Intel Core i3, Windows 10) (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$219.99
$249.89 12% OFF
DisplaySurface Pro 3
Size12 Inches
Info
  • Resolution: 2160 x 1440 (3.1M Pixels)
  • Density: 216 PPI
  • ClearType Display
  • Aspect ratio: 3:2
  • Touch: 10 point multi-touch
  • Surface Pen support
ExteriorSurface Pro 3
Dimensions11.50” x 7.93” x 0.36” (292 mm x 201.3 mm x 9.1 mm)
Width: 11.50” (292 mm)
Height: 7.93” (201.3 mm)
Thickness: 0.36” (9.1 mm)
Weight
  • 1.76 lbs (800 g)
Colors
Silver
Keyboard and Trackpad
  • Surface Type Cover
    • Not included
  • Keyboard:
    • Activation: Moving (mechanical) keys
    • Layout: QWERTY, full row of function keys (F1-F12)
    • 4 directional keys; Windows and Media Controls Keys;
    • LED backlighting
  • Trackpad:
    • Precision glass trackpad.
    • Supports up to three-finger multitouch gesture.
Ports
  • 1 x Full-size USB 3.0
  • 1 x Mini DisplayPort
  • 1 x Surface Connect™
    Supports charging and docking station.
  • 1 x Headset jack
  • 1 x microSD™ card reader
  • 1 x Type Cover port
Internal SpecsSurface Pro 3
Processor
  • 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-4020Y
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.50 GHz, 3MB SmartCache, 11.5W
  • 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4300U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.90 → 2.90 GHz, 3MB SmartCache, 15W
  • 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4650U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.70 → 3.30 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 15W
Integrated Graphics
  • 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-4020Y
    Intel® HD Graphics 4200
    20 Execution Units, 200 → 850 MHz
  • 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4300U
    Intel® HD Graphics 4200
    20 Execution Units, 200 → 1100 MHz
  • 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4650U
    Intel® HD Graphics 5000
    40 Execution Units, 200 → 1100 MHz
Memory
4GB 8GB
1600 MHz LPDDR3 RAM
Storage
64 GB 128 GB 256 GB 512 GB
SSD
ConnectivitySurface Pro 3
Wi-Fi
  • Wi-Fi 5: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compatible.
Bluetooth
  • Bluetooth Wireless 4.0 technology
BatterySurface Pro 3
Size42.2 Wh
Battery LifeUp to 9 hours of web browsing
Power Supply
  • 36W proprietary power supply
    • USB-A output: 5W
    • Surface Connect: 31W
SoftwareSurface Pro 3
OSWindows 8.1 Pro
Free upgrade to Windows 10
Built-in AppsMicrosoft Office 30-days trial
Camera & AudioSurface Pro 3
Camera
  • 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p Skype HD video
  • 5.0MP rear-facing camera with 1080p Skype HD video
Audio
  • Front and rear-facing microphones
  • Front-facing stereo speakers with Dolby® Audio enhanced sound
MiscSurface Pro 3
InkingSupports Surface Pen
256 levels of pressure
N-trig Active Pen technology
Sensors
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Magnetometer
Security
  • HW TPM 2.0 chip for enterprise security
In the box
  • Surface Pro 3
  • Surface Pen
  • Power supply
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Safety and warranty documents
Warranty
  • One-year limited hardware warranty
More
  • Mechanical features: Signature unibody magnesium design with hidden perimeter venting
  • Kickstand with a full-friction multiposition hinge to 150 degrees
  • Magnetic attach for keyboard fold stability
  • Physical buttons: volumes, power

What’s new

New 4th Gen Intel processors

ProcessorIntel Core i3-4020YIntel Core i5-4300UIntel Core i7-4650U
Base Frequency1.5 GHz1.9 GHz1.7 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency 2.9 GHz3.3 GHz
TDP11.5 watt15 watt
Level 1 Cache128 KB
Level 2 Cache512 KB
Level 3 Cache3 MB4 MB
Max Memory Size16 GB
GraphicsIntel HD Graphic 4200Intel HD Graphic 4400Intel HD Graphic 5000
Graphics Frequency200 – 850 MHz200 – 1100 MHz
Graphics Max Memory2 GB
Graphics DirectX11.2/12
Graphics OpenGL4.3
# Display Supported3
Surface Pro 3 processor options

Tips and tricks

Discover how to get the most out of your Surface Pro 3 with our tips and tricks. Our comprehensive guide will help you optimize battery life, enhance performance, boost productivity, and troubleshoot effectively.

Update History

Catch up on the latest information about the new Surface Pro 3 features and fixes introduced via driver and firmware updates from Microsoft. Here are the last five releases:

2019
Jul
11
  • Surface Pro 3 Image
    Resolve potential security vulnerabilities, including Microsoft security advisory 190013.
    View
May
16
  • Surface Pro 3 Image
    Improve system security.
    View
Mar
07
  • Surface Pro 3 Image
    Improve battery stability and system stability and prepare for future updates.
    View
2018
Nov
15
  • Surface Pro 3 Image
    Improve system stability and help ensure that future updates go smoothly on your device.
    View
Nov
07
  • Surface Pro 3 Image
    Improve system security and system stability and resolves the Device Manager error state.
    View

For a complete driver and firmware update release timeline, please visit our Surface Pro 3 update tracker page.

FAQs

A thorough understanding of the device you intend to buy is crucial before purchasing. To help you with this, we have prepared an all-inclusive, frequently asked question that will answer all your queries.

The FAQ covers all aspects of the new Surface Pro 3, including display, battery life, performance, software, and design, ensuring you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

1When did the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 come out?

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.

2How long will Microsoft support Surface Pro 3?

According to Surface lifecycle documentationMicrosoft 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.

DeviceRelease DateEnd of Servicing Date
Surface Pro 3June 20, 2014November 13, 2021
Last checked: February 19, 2024.

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.

3What processors are used in 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)
Surface Pro 3 Processors
Credit: iFixit
4Is Surface Pro 3 fanless?

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.

Surface Pro 3 Fanless
Credit: iFixit
5Does Microsoft Surface Pro 3 support Windows Hello Facial Recognition?

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.

Surface Pro 3 Fingerprint Sensor
6Does the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 have a headphone jack?

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

Surface Pro 3 Port Left
A headphone jack on Surface Pro 3.
7Does the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 have an Ethernet (Wired Network) port?

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.

Surface Pro 3 Ethernet Port
Surface Pro 3 USB to Ethernet adapter.

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.

8Does the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 have an HDMI port?

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.

Surface Pro 3 HDMI
Surface Pro 3 Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter.
9Is the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 keyboard backlit?

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).

Surface Pro 3 Backlit Keyboard
Backlit control keys on Surface Pro 3.

Surface Family

Surface Duo
Surface
Surface Pro
Surface Pro X
Surface Laptop
Surface Laptop Go
Surface Laptop SE
Surface Laptop Studio
Surface Book
Surface Studio
Unreleased Surface

Here are the most frequently requested comparisons for Surface Pro 3: