But a high-end Core i7 model exacts more than $2,000 after sales tax, and any future 4G connectivity options will boost prices even further. The low-end Core i3 model will cost $800, a price that’s competitive with a slew of perfectly respectable full-fledged laptops. ( Check out our earlier story for the exact details.) Our eval unit, a core i5 with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, costs $1,300. Microsoft will ship the Surface Pro 3 in Core i3, i5, and i7 configurations, with either 4GB or 8GB of RAM and storage options up to 256GB. Unfortunately, the price you pay is, well… the price you pay. Internally, Microsoft moved to the faster 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard, increasing potential wireless throughput.

The slimmed-down Surface Pro 3 feels like a proper modern-day tablet. Microsoft also improved the kickstand and complementary Type Cover, enhancing their ergonomics considerably. Viewed on edge, the Surface Pro 3 looks and feels like a tablet.