The world was shocked when Microsoft introduced its line of Surface Pro tablets. The company was considered behind the trend in mobile devices and technology. But, the Surface Pro changed all that, and Microsoft conveyed their desire to stay in line and even ahead of the trends. Several iterations later, and only within a matter of months, we now have the Surface Pro 2 and the Surface Pro 3. Both offer a wide array of admirable features, and we compare the two below.
Check out our latest article on The Surface Pro 3 Vs. the Surface Pro 4 to have a comparison on all the three.
Hardware
The similarities between the Surface Pro 2 and the Surface Pro 3 end at the accessories port, detachable keyboard and kickstand. From there, it is as if they are made by two different companies. To illustrate, the Surface Pro 2 is dark with sharp edges. On the other hand, the Surface Pro 3 has a premium feel to it with an unpainted metal design. Also, the Surface Pro 3 has a new power-port. And, both Surface Pro models have a Mini Display Port you can use to connect a second monitor. Not to mention, the Surface Pro 2 has a 10-inch display, but the Surface Pro 3 comes with a larger 12-inch display.
Surface Pro 2
Surface Pro 3
Internals
When it comes to resolution, the Surface Pro 3 offers 2160 x 1440 pixels compared to the Surface Pro 2 at 1920 x 1080 pixels. This means pictures and videos look even sharper on the Surface Pro 3. It also gives the Surface Pro 3 a 3:2 aspect ratio.
Moreover, the Surface Pro 3 was designed as a laptop replacement. With the Surface Pro 3, you still get the same fourth generation Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors, but you also have the option to select the Intel Core i3 version. And, the Surface Pro 3 offers more choices with five different versions and varying amounts of storage capacity.
Desktop Apps
Both versions of the Surface Pro 2 and 3 run full Windows, which includes legacy desktop apps. However, the Surface Pro 2 has a tendency to lock you into the Windows Store. In addition, you will be pleased to note that both models have solid state drives. Devices with SSDs boot faster, launch apps faster and have a better overall performance.
Battery life
This is an important facet when it comes to choosing your tablet. But, there isn't much difference between the two. For instance, you can get around 8 hours of battery life with the Surface Pro 2. On the other hand, Microsoft states that users can expect 9 hours of web browsing from the Surface Pro 3. So, it comes down to whether or not that extra hour makes a difference to you.
Extras
The Surface Pro 2 offers a dual-position kickstand. This was an improvement over the original Surface Pro. And, the Pro 3 takes that even further with a kickstand that you can move continuously.
Also, the Surface Pro 3 is thinner and 12 percent lighter than the Surface Pro 2. So, the older model weighs in at 907g while the updated version comes in at 798g.
Last but not least, the Surface Pro 2 starts at around $800 and the Surface Pro 3 starts at around $900 but will cost more for the Core i5 edition.
For example, you can purchase a Surface Pro 2 with i5 processor for around $989. On the other hand, the Surface Pro 3 with the i5 processor starts at around $1,200.
There is no question that the Surface Pro line is formidable in and of itself. It's only natural for improvements with each iteration. However, you can decide whether or not your budget reigns supreme.
Surface Pro 2
Surface Pro 3
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