Is Microsoft Surface 3 an Alternative to Apple’s iPad Air 3?

For those looking to buy a new tablet, now seems to be a good time. With Apple’s competitive c already in the market, Microsoft announced its new Surface 3 tablet will also become available soon. Consumers can only wonder which one is better.

First of all, it has to be said that Microsoft Surface 3 is a net improvement over anything else the Windows giant had offered before. While it retains the same basic design as Pro 3, its predecessor, the new tablet is faster, lighter and smaller. And cheaper, nonetheless.

In terms of display, Apple seems to hold the advantage, since the iPad Air 2 comes with a 9.7-inch screen, smaller than the Surface 3 10.8 inches. Display quality is also better on the Apple tablet, where 0.24-inch depth means clearer images than the 0.34-inch depth Microsoft came up with. The iPad Air’s 2048×1536 screen resolution is only marginally better than the 1920×1280 resolution on the Surface 3.

The two devices go almost head to head when comparing the cameras or the storage capabilities. The rear main camera is identical on both platforms – 8 megapixels – but the Surface 3 does come with a slightly better 3.5 megapixel front camera. However, with Apple preparing to launch its new iPad Air 3 version, things might change in the future.

The similarities between the two platforms continue when looking at basic hardware characteristics. The Surface 3 comes with up to 4 GB of RAM, and the iPad Air 3 is expected to field the same. The Microsoft tablet has a storage capacity of either 64 or 128 GB, and while the Apple device would probably have a lower basic capacity, tech experts believe it could be upgraded up to 128 GB as well.

While people choose tablets because they are lighter to carry around than laptops, they still expect them to do pretty much the same as a regular PC. It terms of applications, the Surface 3 has an excellent score, being able to run practically any software available for Windows 8.1. The tablet can then be immediately upgraded to Windows 10 once the operating system comes out.

What Microsoft couldn’t do is manufacturer a tablet that is lighter that Apple’s iPad Air. While still “the thinnest and lightest Surface we’ve ever shipped,” according to Microsoft, the Surface 3 doesn’t come anywhere near the lightness of the iPad Air 2.

There are certain pros and cons for each of the tablets, both expected to be priced around $499. The Surface 3 is certainly a pleasant surprise from the Windows developer, offering stiff competition for Apple. Consumers can only benefit from the battle between the two giants.

Image Source: PC Advisor

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Anne-Marie Jackson

Anna grew up on a steady diet of 20th century literature, science-fiction movies and Viking lore. Unsurprisingly she turned into a technology geek with an inclination for history & fantasy.