Surface Pro 3 vs. Surface Pro 4: a comparison
Microsoft has announced the Surface Pro 4 for November. We show you how the new tablet performs compared to the Surface Pro 3 and when you can expect exactly with the new device.
Surface Pro 4: Improved and new accessories
Microsoft promises with the Surface Pro 4 a thinner and lighter tablet with more performance and better features. In addition, a new and improved accessory should appear, which is also compatible with the Surface Pro 3.
- Type Cover: The distance between the buttons on the new Type Cover has been increased for a better typing experience. Microsoft has also increased the touchpad by 40 percent and equipped it with 5-point multi-touch detection. Cost: 149.99 euros.
- Surface Pen: The Surface Pen has also been completely revised. 1024 pressure levels ensure greater precision and an exchangeable pen tip enables switching between pen and pencil. Particularly practical: You can attach the new pen to the surface of the Surface Pro 4 magnetically. Microsoft also introduced the Cortana button at the end of the pen. According to Microsoft, the pen's battery lasts for one year. Price: 64.99 euros.
- Docking station: The new Surface Dock has four USB 3.0 ports, an Ethernet port, two 4K display ports and an audio port. Cost: 229.99 euros.
Surface Pro 4 vs. Surface Pro 3: size, display, weight
- Screen: Microsoft has increased the display and resolution of the Surface Pro 4. Instead of 2160 x 1440 pixels on a 12 inch diagonal, the new model has 12.3 inches and a whopping 2736 x 1824 pixels.
- Size: In spite of everything, the surface has not gotten bigger, since the display edge is five percent narrower in the new model. It remains at a size of 29 x 20 centimeters. At just 8.45 millimeters, the Surface Pro 4 is significantly thinner than its predecessor (9 millimeters).
- Weight: The Surface Pro 4 is also lighter than its sister model. The m3 model weighs 766 grams, the i5 and i7 versions weigh 786 grams. The difference suggests that Microsoft has omitted a fan for the smallest model. For comparison: The Surface Pro 3 weighs 798 grams, 22 grams more than its successor.
Surface Pro 3 or 4? The performance in comparison
According to Microsoft, the new Surface is 30 percent faster than its predecessor thanks to Intel's new Skylake technology. The i7 version is said to be 50 percent faster than the MacBook Air. The test will show whether the new Surface is really so powerful. As with the Surface Pro 3, you can choose three different versions of the Pro 4 processor and graphics:
- Entry-level model: The smallest processor on the Surface Pro 3 is an Intel Core i3 with Intel HD 4200 graphics. For the successor, Microsoft relies on the Intel Core m3 with Intel HD graphics 515. This means that both models should be roughly on par in terms of performance and are therefore suitable for office applications and for surfing. With demanding programs like Photoshop you have to expect weaknesses.
- Standard model: An Intel Core i5 is installed in the middle models. The Surface Pro 3 is the fourth generation with Intel HD 4400 graphics, the successor is the sixth generation with Intel HD graphics 520. This means that Adobe applications run smoothly on these tablets.
- High-end version: The largest version is equipped with an i7 processor. Here, too, Microsoft uses the latest generation of i7 Intel Iris graphics for the Surface Pro 4, which should bring a significant performance boost. It remains to be seen whether this is really the promised 50 percent compared to the MacBook Air, which still has to do without Skylake.
- However, all three models of the new Surface can already be expected to work more efficiently than the predecessor. However, since Microsoft is going back a step with the battery, there is probably no improvement in runtime.
Surface Pro 3 and 4: The storage capacity of the Microsoft tablets
There are also several options available for the SSD hard disk and RAM for both Surface series:
- The entry-level model of the Surface Pro 4 is available with 128 GB SSD storage and 4 GB RAM. The Surface Pro 3 only has 64 GB of memory and 4 GB of RAM.
- You get the standard model of both Surface series with i5 processor with 128 GB SSD storage and 4 GB RAM or with 256 GB storage and 8 GB RAM.
- For the high-end model, Microsoft offers the Surface Pro 3 with up to 512 GB of memory and 8 GB of RAM. The Surface Pro 4 should even appear with a 1 TB SSD and 16 GB RAM.
Surface Pro 4 brings improved cameras
Microsoft has also significantly improved the cameras compared to its predecessor:
- The Surface Pro 3 has two 5 MP HD cameras (front and rear). The tablet was not really equipped at this point.
- The Surface Pro 4 was built with a 5.0 megapixel HD front camera and an 8.0 megapixel auto focus camera with 1080p HD video recording on the back.
- The new Surface also supports Windows Hello login with the high-resolution front camera.
Surface Pro 3 or 4? The price comparison
Microsoft can pay for the improvements to the new Surface accordingly. The delivery includes the tablet and the surface pen; the cover will cost you another 149.99 euros. In Germany, sales start on November 12, 2015. However, you can already pre-order the Surface Pro 4.
- The smallest version with a m3 processor and 128 GB SSD goes on the market for 999 euros, the smallest Surface Pro 3 currently costs around 800 euros.
- With the i5 processor, the new Surface with 128 GB of memory costs 1, 099 euros, with double memory 1, 449 euros. The Surface Pro 3 is available in the medium configuration from around 1, 000 euros or 1, 300 euros.
- It gets really expensive with an i7 processor: Microsoft requires 1, 799 euros for 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage space, and 1, 999 euros for an upgrade to 16 GB of RAM. The top version with 512 GB and 16 GB of RAM costs an impressive 2, 449 euros. What the 1 TB version will cost is not yet known.
- The Surface Pro 3 with i7 processor, 128 GB SSD and 8 GB RAM, on the other hand, is available from around 1, 500 euros. You pay around 2, 000 euros for double the storage space.
Surface Pro 3 vs. Surface Pro 4: conclusion
Microsoft has improved a lot on the Surface Pro 4. But is the higher price really worth it?
- The Surface Pro 4 has a larger screen with a higher resolution, the latest Intel processors with Skylake technology and a mega version with 1 TB SSD storage.
- The new accessories are also compatible with the Surface Pro 3. Microsoft has improved the surface pen in particular, but the new keyboard also convinces with the enlarged touch pad and higher typing comfort.
- If you are looking for a powerful Windows tablet, then it is worth investing in the new Surface Pro 4. If you already own a Surface Pro 3, you do not have to change immediately, but you should take a look at the new accessories.
The compact and cheaper alternative to the Pro devices is the normal Microsoft Surface 3. With the Surface Book, Microsoft is also launching a notebook on the market.
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