Microsoft starts to sell mid-priced Surface 3 model in Europe

by Mark Tyson on 21 May 2015, 13:01

Tags: Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Surface

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Microsoft has started to make available a mid-priced Surface 3 computer model in Europe. At launch, and currently in the UK, the Surface 3 was sold in just two base configurations; 64GB of internal storage with 2GB of RAM fitted, and 128GB of internal storage with 4GB of RAM pre-installed (with the additional choice of Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi plus LTE connectivity). Now customers in Germany are seeing another option: a model with 64GB of internal storage but with 4GB of RAM fitted. From now on we will refer to this model as the 'mid-range Surface 3'.

As reported by BetaNews, the mid-range Surface 3 model sits neatly between the entry level, priced at €599, and the top of the range version priced at €719 (we are comparing non-LTE versions here, as priced at Misco.de). The mid-range model is priced at €659 or just €10 more with a Surface Pen included.

Interestingly, the new model is said by BetaNews to be designed for commercial clients so it doesn't include a free year of Office 365. That could make this Surface 3 less appealing to some would-be buyers who find it for sale at a third party retailer. US buyers have been able get the mid-range Surface 3 model for some time already, not from Microsoft but from retailers like CDW and MacMall. Over that side of the pond it sells for $549.

The Surface 3 was launched by Microsoft less than two months ago. It was the first non-Pro Intel-based Surface tablet. Its core specs include; a 10.8-inch Full HD display, a quad-core Intel Atom x7 processor, 2-4GB of RAM, 64-128GB of fixed storage, 3 position kickstand, Windows 8.1 operating system, up to 10 hours battery life, full-size USB 3.0, mini DisplayPort, microSD card reader, headset jack, micro USB charging port and a weight of 622g. In the UK it costs £419 inc VAT for the 2GB RAM/64GB storage model and £499 inc VAT for the 4GB RAM/128GB storage model. LTE models aren't yet sold by Microsoft in the UK. Pens and keyboard covers cost extra.



HEXUS Forums :: 7 Comments

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Still to expensive for what it is IMO.
Surface 3 will always irritate me as doesn't support the Surface Pro 3 dock nor charger.

The Surface team needs to stop, look in the mirror, see they aren't HP/Dell/Lenovo and bring there products in line so any Surface works with any Surface accessory and charger and dock and etc etc AND open source the dock port so when other OEMs decide to not be A-holes no longer ALL PC class devices and perhaps other can use ONE dock port. Or just focus on USB3.1 Type C and Displayport.
Denis_iii
Or just focus on USB3.1 Type C and Displayport.
Which is precisely what they've done with the 3, that you are complaining about no?
Denis_iii
Surface 3 will always irritate me as doesn't support the Surface Pro 3 dock nor charger.

The Surface team needs to stop, look in the mirror, see they aren't HP/Dell/Lenovo and bring there products in line so any Surface works with any Surface accessory and charger and dock and etc etc AND open source the dock port so when other OEMs decide to not be A-holes no longer ALL PC class devices and perhaps other can use ONE dock port. Or just focus on USB3.1 Type C and Displayport.

Yeah, wouldn't that be great! A unified dock connection made of a USB 3.1 port and DP/Thunderbolt at a defined separation between so you can use one or both, with optional locking lugs a defined distance either side.

Problem is nobody wants to give up the £100 keyboard gravy train - an accessory that should be bundled free so the Surface actually matches the marketing promise a little bit. The real cost of a Surface is tablet+keyboard+stylus - tablet only is just a pointless pleb of a tablet IMHO.
Denis_iii
Surface 3 will always irritate me as doesn't support the Surface Pro 3 dock nor charger.
Dock maybe, but why would you want a proprietary charger?