Microsoft has introduced a new tablet to its line up with the Surface 3, a lighter, thinner and more affordable option for business travellers looking to keep weight to a minimum. Powerful and efficient, the Surface 3 is optimized to run full Windows and Office, making it essential for corporate road warriors, especially thanks to a promised longer battery life. A versatile new pen experience will offer even more mobility and a price tag of US$499, with an option for a 4G LTE-ready version, ensure Windows stay in the compeditive tablet game.

“Surface 3 brings what customers love about Surface Pro 3 to more people, delivering the premium design and productivity of Surface in a more affordable device,” says Panos Panay, corporate vice president at Microsoft Surface. “We’ve taken everything we learned making Surface Pro 3 and poured that innovation into this newest Surface. It’s beautiful, versatile, powerful and productive, and our customers are going to love what it lets them do.”

Powered by the new quad-core Intel Atom x7 processor, the Surface 3 is quick and responsive but designed to maximize efficiency with up to ten hours of video-playback battery life. A range of storage and memory configurations gives people choice in power and capacity. The beautiful 10.8-inch ClearType HD multi-touch display featuring 3:2 aspect ratio, stereo speakers with Dolby Audio-enhanced sound, and the elegant and durable magnesium design are just a few of the benefits of Surface 3 that customers will recognize from Surface Pro 3. The three-position kickstand is ideal for using Surface 3 while working at a desk, sitting in an airplane, or holding in the palm of a hand as a natural writing surface. And with Surface 3 4G LTE option, anyone who needs connectivity on the go can get internet access wherever their tasks take them.

The Surface 3 and Surface 3 (4G LTE) can be paired with new accessories including the Surface 3 Type Cover, which is offered in a variety of colors and features an improved trackpad and responsive keyset for fast, accurate typing; four vibrant Surface Pen colors — silver, black, blue and red; and the Surface 3 Docking Station, which lets people easily connect to an external monitor and all their desktop devices. The Surface 3’s full-size USB 3.0 port, Mini DisplayPort, microSD card reader and Micro USB charging port make it compatible with the Surface Pro line of adapters and ready for quick and easy connections to a variety of accessories. www.microsoft.com/surface