Apple iPad Killer, Microsoft Surface 3, Shows Up At Microsoft Store

If you want to understand why people are calling the Microsoft Surface 3 an iPad killer, head over to the Microsoft Store. The new device, at least at the Microsoft Store at the Century City Mall in Los Angeles, is right next to the Surface Pro 3. It is certainly smaller than the Surface Pro 3, but that’s what the target audience who Microsoft is aiming for wants.

The Surface 3 will be available for purchase on May 5. However, the Microsoft Store is taking pre-orders for the device and you are not held to the purchase of the device if you don’t show up. At least, that’s what they said at the Century City Microsoft Store, who claims pre-orders for the device have been through the roof.

Brent Rose of Gizmodo was able to spend some time with the Surface 3.

“Overall, my impressions of the Surface 3 were positive. It just feels so much smaller and lighter than the Pro 3 or a typical ultrabook. It still feels big for a tablet, though. Compared to, say, an iPad, Google’s Nexus 9, or Sony’s Xperia tablets, it’s definitely big and heavy. But still you could easily toss it into a backpack and forget it’s there.”

CNN Money says the Surface 3 is a tiny PC that gets the job done.

“Microsoft’s new PC-tablet is just a hair bigger and heavier than Apple’s iPad Air, yet it is a full PC that runs all the Windows software you’re accustomed to — including iTunes, Chrome, Office, and the slew of applications your company makes you download to work from home. Combine that with the fact that the Surface 3 has a beautiful screen, day-long battery life, booming speakers, a stand-out design — and costs just $628 — and you have a device that would have been unthinkable in 2014.”

The 64GB/2GB RAM version of the Surface 3 will run you $499, while the 128GB/4GB RAM version will cost $599. Keep in mind that this doesn’t include the price for the Type Cover or digital pen. At that price, some people believe you are better off just investing in the Surface Pro 3, or even the Surface Pro 4.

There is conflicting information available for the Surface Pro 4. Some sources think it will be released within the next couple of months (the one-year anniversary of the Surface Pro 3 is in mid-June) and others think Microsoft will wait until the release of Windows 10 in October. Just when everyone counted Microsoft out, they have proven themselves again. Will you buy the Surface 3 or wait for the Surface Pro 4? Tell us in the comments section.

[Photo Credit: Daryl Deino]