Microsoft Adds Cheaper i7 Core Model To Its Surface Pro 3 Lineup; Offers Faster CPU But Reduces Storage Capability

Microsoft has some good news for consumers looking at buying a two-in-one device that would assure better performance. The Redmond based software giant recently announced the addition of the sixth variant to its Surface Pro 3 lineup, according to reports.

The new variant features a 1.7GHz Intel Core i7 processor with 8GB of memory and 128 GB of onboard storage and will be available at a price tag of $1,299, reports CNET. The Core i5 model with 8GB of memory and 256 GB of storage is also available at the same price and previously, the i7 edition was available either with 256GB or 512GB of storage, reports CNET. It implies that, Microsoft is offering a faster CPU at a price as that of the i5 version but cuts down in terms of storage.

The Surface Pro 3 lineup offers three choices of processors i.e. Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 of which the i7 is the most powerful one and comes with Turbo Boost Technology that can hike the processor’s speed to upto 3.3 GHz, as per the CNET report, which also mentions that the i7 edition includes Intel's HD Graphics 5000 chipset for faster video performance.

According to a report on The Inquirer, with the launch of Surface Pro 3 in August 2014, Microsoft aimed to give tough competition to Apple’s iPad lineup. The Surface Pro 3 is 9.1 mm thick and weighs just 800 grams and features a full HD 12-inch screen. It is considerably thinner than the 17 mm MacBook Air, reports The Inquirer.

The Surface Pro 3 lineup features a 2,160 x 1,440-pixel resolution and comes equipped with Windows 8.1 Pro that will be upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, free of cost from July 29, as per the CNET report. The Surface Pro 3 also features Bluetooth 4.0, latest version of Wi-Fi, namely Wi-Fi 802.11ac, full-size USB 3.0 port, a headphone jack, microSD card reader, a kickstand, a Mini DisplayPort, a stylus and the full Microsoft Office Suite, reports CNET.

Going by Microsoft’s Q1 financial results in October 2014, the company witnessed a 47 percent revenue growth to $10.96 billion from its Devices and Consumer division during the three month tenure, reports The Inquirer.

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