Microsoft’s new iPad competitor, the Surface 3

SINCE it was announced in 2010, there hasn’t been anything that has truly challenged Apple’s iPad in the tablet category. Until now.

Is this device the death of the iPad?

SINCE it was announced in 2010, there hasn’t been anything that has truly challenged Apple’s iPad in the tablet category.

Android manufacturers have tried, but none have been the complete package that the iPad is. But Microsoft has now not only matched the iPad, but it could possibly have taken the tablet game to the next level.

Check out the Microsoft Surface 3.

Announced early this morning, the Microsoft Surface 3 is a $699 tablet that works perfectly as a tablet but can also run full desktop apps and work as a laptop, full-size USB port and all.

It measures at 8.7 millimetres thick and weighs just 622 grams. While it’s not as impressively thin or light as the iPad Air 2 or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S, it still feels more than comfortable while using it as a tablet. It’s made out of a premium magnesium design and features an integrated kickstand, while the new Intel Atom chipset works without requiring a fan. Battery life is just as good as the best, allowing 10 hours of video-playback alongside a full-HD display and front-facing Dolby tuned speakers.

This baby got back.

The tablet will run full Windows 8.1 at launch and also be available for a free upgrade to Windows 10 when it’s available later in the year. That means that it can run tablet apps from the Windows Store, while also running proper computer apps like Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office. Something the iPad and Android tablets can’t do.

The fact it can run full Windows without running a processor that needs a fan and thick design is due to Intel’s new Atom x7 processor. The new chip offers the highest performance Intel has ever had out of its Atom family, with 64-bit computing, better performance than typical tablet chips and long battery life.

Able to draw bar charts in a single software package.

Alongside the Surface 3, Microsoft will be releasing a new and improved Type Cover to turn the tablet into a laptop and the Surface pen for drawing and writing on the screen.

The device will be on sale next month starting at $699 for the 64GB model with 2GB of RAM and $839 for the 128GB model with 4GB of RAM. A 4G LTE model will also be on sale later in the year starting at $839 and going up to $979.