Microsoft Corp has unveiled the new Surface 3, a tablet that can replace a laptop, but is thinner, lighter and more affordable.

Powerful and efficient, Surface 3 has been optimised to run full Windows and Office and features long battery life, said a statement.

The ability to run Windows apps and the versatile pen experience — great for taking notes or marking documents — make Surface 3 ideal for students, schools and anyone looking for a portable device to get things done, it said.

A 4G LTE-ready version, Surface 3 (4G LTE), will offer even more mobility,  performance and value into an elegant, lightweight design.

Panos Panay, corporate vice president, Microsoft Surface, said: “Surface 3 brings what customers love about Surface Pro 3 to more people, delivering the premium design and productivity of Surface in a more affordable device.

“We’ve taken everything we learned making Surface Pro 3 and poured that innovation into this newest Surface. It’s beautiful, versatile, powerful and productive, and our customers are going to love what it lets them do.”

The device is powered by the new quad-core Intel Atom x7 processor. It is quick and responsive but designed to maximise efficiency with up to 10 hours of video-playback battery life.

A range of storage and memory configurations gives people choice in power and capacity. The 10.8-inch ClearType HD multi-touch display featuring 3:2 aspect ratio, stereo speakers with Dolby Audio-enhanced sound, and the elegant and durable magnesium design are just a few of the benefits of Surface 3 that customers will recognise from Surface Pro 3.

The three-position kickstand is ideal for using Surface 3 while working at a desk, sitting on a couch or holding in the palm of a hand as a natural writing surface.

Meanwhile, the Surface 3 and Surface 3 (4G LTE) ship with full Windows 8.1 and can be upgraded to Windows 10 for free when available.

They also come complete with a one-year subscription of Microsoft Office 365 Personal, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, plus OneDrive cloud storage.

The devices can be paired with new accessories including the Surface 3 Type Cover, Surface Pen and Surface 3 Docking Station. - TradeArabia News Service