True to its promise, Microsoft Malaysia has brought its ‘notebook replacement’ Surface Pro 3 tablet to Malaysian shores. The third generation Surface product was first announced in the US in May and Microsoft subsequently opened doors for pre-orders in July.
The hyped launch at The Gardens, Kuala Lumpur last week saw Microsoft Malaysia Managing Director, Carlos Lacerda, officiating the event.
While it is marketed as a tablet, I tend to consider Surface a 2-in-1 device – one more appropriately compared to notebooks or ultrabooks than tablets. Microsoft has openly compared the Surface Pro 3 to the iPad Air, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
Tablet or 2-in-1, it’s clear what Microsoft wants consumers to do though – replace your notebooks (or MacBook Pro/Air) with the Surface Pro 3.
The Surface Pro 3 is built like a tank – magnesium alloy body weighing just over 1kg with the attached Surface Type keyboard. A new convenient multi-angle kickstand is one of its many tricks.
The device is packed with top-of-the-line features – from its 12-inch Clear Type Full HD Plus (2160 x 1440 display, 4th generation Intel Core processor options (i3, i5, i7), up to 512GB SSD storage, USB 3.0, microSD reader, Mini DisplayPort, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, 5.0MP front and rear cameras and a 36W battery that lasts up to 9 hours.
Optional accessories include the excellent, much improved Surface Pro 3 Type Cover and Surface Pen.
According to Sunny Ooi, Microsoft Malaysia Head of Consumer Sales, pre-orders of the Surface Pro 3 in Malaysia has exceeded all expectations. He also revealed that order fulfillment for first and second batches of pre-orders were already on the way.
Pricing and availability
- Intel Core i3, 64 GB and 4 GB of RAM: RM2,729
- Intel Core i5, 128 GB and 4 GB of RAM: RM3,299
- Intel Core i5, 256 GB and 8 GB of RAM: RM4,199
- Intel Core i7, 256 GB and 8 GB of RAM: RM4,999
- Intel Core i7, 512 GB and 8 GB of RAM: RM6,779
Surface Pro 3 Type Cover: RM409
The Surface Pro 3 is available through eight (8) participating retail partners as below:
- Aone Plus Supplies & Services
- Harvey Norman
- Machanics Sdn Bhd
- PC Image Sdn Bhd
- Senheng Electric & senQ Digital Station
- SNS Network
- Thunder Match Technology
- Viewnet Computer System
Initial thoughts
The Microsoft Surface Pro 3, IMHO, is one-of-its-kind and has no direct competitor. Having had some hands-on time with the device at Computex 2014 in June, and later again in July, I’m convinced that the third generation Surface is a winner at all counts.
Impeccably built and packed with the best hardware, it’s both premium and practical. Perhaps the only stumbling block may be its premium pricing and positioning. I’d consider it more notebook than tablet, and Microsoft should seriously relook into bundling the keyboard together with the main device.
Otherwise a compelling ‘notebook replacement’ and should bring you plenty of productive hours, and some envious stares.
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