REVIEW: Surface Pro 3 in 2023 - Still Usable? - Now Budget 2-in-1 Tablet PC!

Revisited review of the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 // 2-in-1 Touchscreen PC
Find it here: amzn.to/3JpRKWJ
Other models: amzn.to/3pfdltX
Details:
Surface Pro 3: The tablet that can replace your laptop. Surface Pro 3 is in a category of its own. With a stunning 12" display in a sleek magnesium frame, Surface Pro 3 has all the power and performance of a laptop in an incredibly lightweight, versatile form. It may just be the ultimate device.
Everyday computing just got easier with the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 .Fully loaded with an Intel Core i5 1.90 GHz processor and 8 GB of memory. The 256 GB hard drive provides ample space to store all crucial data safely.
Specs:
- 4th generation Intel Core i5-4300U 1.90 GHz (with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.9GHz) with Intel HD Graphics 4400
- 5MP and 1080p HD front- and rear-facing cameras
- Built-in front- and rear-facing microphones
- Front-Facing Stereo speakers with Dolby Audio-enhanced sound
- 256GB solid state drive (SSD)
- 1.9GHz Intel Core i5-4300U Dual-Core CPU
- 12in ClearType LED Touchscreen DIsplay, 2160 x 1440
- 8GB System Memory (RAM)
- WiFI 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; Bluetooth 4.0 + HS
- 9 Hours Battery Life; Windows 10 Pro
- 36W Power Supply and Surface Pen Stylus Supported
Microsoft combines the portability of a tablet and the performance of a laptop with the Surface Pro 3 128GB 12" Multi-Touch Tablet. Weighing just 1.76 pounds and measuring just 0.36" thin, the Surface Pro 3 packs 4th-gen Haswell Intel Core processing power into a magnesium casing with a silver finish.
The Surface Pro 3 features a 12" ClearType 2K widescreen display with a 4:3 aspect ratio. The display is also a touchscreen so you'll be able to take full advantage of the multi-touch gestures incorporated into Windows. If you want to output video to an external display, you can use the mini DisplayPort.
Runs Windows, Office, desktop apps and browsers
Surface Pro 3 comes with Windows 10, so you can use all your favourite touch apps and desktop software, like Office, and even ask Cortana† to remind you about important events.
Multitask with ease
Use up to three touch apps while running programs on the desktop and switch between them seamlessly.
Great for families
Multiple user accounts let each family member personalise their space on the same device. Family Safety features help protect your children when they're online.
One click to OneNote
With the click of the Pen, a blank sheet is available for quick notes or sketches, even if Surface is asleep.
Premium Pen
Surface Pen writes and erases naturally and works with every Surface.
Palm Block technology
Rest your hand as you write without leaving a trace.
Light and thin
Weighs just 1.76 pounds and only 0.36 inches thin. It's the perfect tablet to take with you wherever you go.
Enhanced battery life
With up to 9 hours of battery life for web browsing, you can focus on being productive for longer.
HD cameras
Take crisp and clear videos and photos with the 5MP HD cameras on the front and back of your Surface Pro 3.
Accessories:
Upgrade your Surface Pro with the black Surface Pro / Pro 4 Type Cover from Microsoft. This ultra-thin type cover features an improved backlit mechanical QWERTY keyboard with slightly spread out keys for a more familiar and efficient typing experience. Additionally, its two-button glass trackpad has been enlarged for precision control and navigation. It still retains functions of the previous model, such as a full row of function keys, Windows shortcut keys, and media controls.
History (Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Tablet (12-Inch)) -
The Surface Pro 3 was announced on May 20, 2014, at a New York City event, pre-orders were opened on May 21, 2014, and the first models were released on June 20, 2014 in the U.S. and Canada, with the Intel Core i3 and Intel Core i7 models released on August 1, 2014.
The Surface Pro 3 has a body made of magnesium alloy giving a gray matted finish to the back of the device. The charging port is magnetized and connects securely to the charger.
It comes with an improved kickstand, allowing the device to be set at any angle between 22 and 150 degrees. The kickstand has a high resistance which provides firmness and prevents accidental sliding.
The Surface Pro 3 features a larger 12 inches (30 cm) (screen display area 25.4 cm x 16.9 cm) display over its predecessor. The screen has a 3:2 aspect ratio which Microsoft claims allow the device to be used more comfortably in the portrait orientation. Because the touch screen digitizer and the pen digitizer are combined into a single layer, the screen is physically thinner than that of its predecessors, which improves viewing angle.
The Surface Pro 3 has a TPM chip for enterprise security. It includes a USB 3.0 port and a Mini DisplayPort on the right, an audio jack on the left, and a hot swap microSD slot on the back of the device. The microSD slot supports memory cards up to 200 GB.

[@aantonio17]

I’ve had mine since 2015 and in 2024 it still works fine 😌

[@kevinbarr2910]

This is exactly the kind of video I was looking for!!!!

[@ronspi]

Still love my Surface Pro 3 (i7, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 1TB Micro SD, MS Curve Mouse, Blue keyboards, and a Pen). Microsoft had a buyout program where they would buy your older device and apply the credit to a newer Surface Pro. They offered me $50. LOL!!!!

[@pblair6591]

has the battery life shown any deterioration? I'm planning to get a used one that was previously owned for 3 years

[@ronspi]

@@pblair6591 At Performance setting mode, I get about two hours. In Balance mode, I get about five hours. Overall, this is an i7 machine. One point to mention, when it runs updates, it is VERY hot in the back of the unit. I never lay it flat when it runs Windows updates. Always on the kickback.

[@javierdelgado3915]

People always talk about the newest surface models all the time, the older ones seem to get phased out. I feel like people under appreciate the longevity of these products. I still use my surface pro 5 (2017) i5 8GB almost every day and sure its a bit cosmetically worn, but it still does the job i originally got it for

[@JohnSmith-pn2vl]

how is that long lol

[@javierdelgado3915]

@@JohnSmith-pn2vl 6.5 years is pretty long for a laptop, batteries usually give out

[@Angel-Azrael]

I was using Surface pro 3 until now, with win 11. Switched to a ZenBook 14. It was usable but already struggling.

[@loki4171]

does pro 3 support windows 11 ? i am thinking to buy from someone weirdly they still on windows 10 @@Angel-Azrael

[@Angel-Azrael]

@@loki4171 technicaly no. But I used the Windows Insider OS builds and it installed and worked fine. Current Surface devices are way overpriced. MS will launch new devices with Arm and AI chips. Wait for a while even if you want to buy an older pc the prices will fall after the new ones come out

[@evelynbeltran1355]

Thank you so much for this video !!!! 💜💜💜

[@RBFPlayer]

Thanks for the video!

[@miguelangelgonzalezlara3611]

Is good idea for design and photoshop, corel? For 120$?

[@Clemme]

Just bought one used for 90$. Seems like a great tablet for browsing and YT. I also use the app Fresh Paint and do drawings with my finger. Will it, Fresh Paint, work on this machine?

[@lel2015]

Got an i7 Model with 8gb ram and 256 storage with the type cover for $80 unfortunately the battery life is dreadful but still good nonetheless.

[@josuerafaelcelioalamilla2552]

Amazing video good content

[@MobileDecay]

Were you playing Nail'd on this?

[@Bandoubor]

I have one and I don't know why its screen flickers and has interference, it doesn't look like a hardware defect, it looks like some power management incompatible with OS

[@sorafromgenshin]

Can i use clip paint studio on it?

[@grabejud]

its a powerhouse, im using the i7 surface pro 3 as well as an 8gen i7 gaming laptop and the surface pro feels still as strong as it was. im glad its easier to service the battery for a new ones and just a 30 minute wait from a local repair house.

[@Daniel-vu4qu]

Bro a Surface Pro 3 is literally one of the hardest devices to service

[@itsme-kr5qr]

I have an MS Surface Pro 3. The original charger is 12V 2.58Amp (36W). Can I charge the computer with the charger from the MS Surface 7, which has a 15V 4Amp (65W) charger? Won't the difference in voltage cause damage? Has anyone tried charging like this before?

[@BlueSky-zq5ob]

Voltage is the main factor as far as I know, I think 3 percent difference max acceptable. Did you actually try?

[@user-tm8es7je8o]

Is there a way to get the keyboard working again? It always says to update keyboard drivers…don’t really know how

[@BlueSky-zq5ob]

Did you check their website for the latest driver?

[@vuly-]

so i cant video edit in 1080p?

[@akanar_1924]

Windows holds back how great this would be in 2023/2024. This thing would fly on Linux or Bliss OS (Android).

[@Bagrat257]

May I ask which version of Windows 10 you recommend running with this model?

[@novoavern]

it may seem counterintuitive but use pro, home has more bloatware and "cosmetic" features that will slow down the device to a painful crawl

[@Orca115]

i use LTSC IOT because i need all the ram i can get

[@skylerbbbruh]

I'd highly recommend keeping it on windows 8/8.1 but if you really can't stand the start menu, there's always the classic shell mod.

[@Digitalmedia4less]

I'm still rocking my Surface Pro 3 500GB with Windows 11 installed on it and it works great. Gets a little hot if I'm streaming videos on KZbin for a while. But other than that, I will continue to use it instead of purchasing a new one.

[@zkyy9159]

How you get window 11? Mine doesn't meet the requirements

[@paullastnamehere3295]

Still useable, yes. Mine is on almost all day. If my child is not using it for school work, I am using it for streaming. Never had an issue other than storage (64GB version) thanks to Microsoft's bloated OS. If I were to get another one, I would get the Surface Pro 6 as it has the same connections before Microsoft started changing everything.

[@loki4171]

u facing any issue with pro 3? my budget is limited someone is selling the pro 3 for like 200$ so debating to buy it

[@fahad7775]

This channel are for poor ppl like me

[@tomaszmiskuniec1951]

I hear ya brother 🎉

[@e__b956]

Cheers to us

[@josuerafaelcelioalamilla2552]

😂 poor things 😢❤

[@sorafromgenshin]

Yea

[@saadkhurram1817]

Be grateful some people don't even have a phone to watch this video on

[@Jam3z7]

How comes this layout is totally different to mine? I don't have the same task bar etc.

[@Jam3z7]

Ah, I have just looked into it, I have windows 11 Pro and this is Windows 10.

[@JKordero]

I just bought one on ebay but only for youtube and netflix

[@dandixon7]

Where can I find one for under $100?

[@BlueSky-zq5ob]

Ebay or local reseller shop

[@mitchellkurtz7092]

Feeling the same thing. I'm in Canada but even so The cheapest I see it for refurbished or just used is 400

[@aboudaymane8195]

💯💯

[@makaveli559m]

I have a Surface Pro 4 for sale.

[@Happinesshub_]

How much pls?

[@tonyamocha5365]

I have a 6 and the price they’re willing to pay to sell it it laughable …..its still in excellent condition…. I’d never sell it

[@MichaelDeMarois]

man there is nothing lower than close to 3x the price point you are talking about

[@kevinbarr2910]

Yeah the 8gb one with the keyboard included is kinda expensive for an older piece of tech

[@LvUhcX]

@@kevinbarr2910I got one of these for cheap a few month ago …

[@tubztergaming5700]

Can it play Fortnite?

[@ImJustSomeoneNamedLucas]

Unless you want to look at the minimum settings no. It barely passes the minimum requirements but will prob get 20-40 fps