Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Review
by Anand Lal Shimpi on June 23, 2014 3:55 AM ESTDisplay Analysis
I published an analysis of Surface Pro 3's display shortly after receiving my review unit. For those of who you haven't seen it already, the results and analysis are reprinted below.
With Surface Pro 3, Microsoft finally accepts that while 16:9 may be a great aspect ratio for watching movies but it's not optimal for a multi-purpose tablet. The tablet features a 12" 2160 x 1440 display (RGB stripe, not RGBW/PenTile), which ends up being a 3:2 aspect ratio. The difference is immediately noticeable in notebook-style use. While the Surface Pro 2 was never quite all that comfortable to use as a laptop, Surface Pro 3's display makes it substantially more laptop-like. There doesn't appear to be a big impact to tablet use either with the larger display. Particularly with Windows 8.1's split screen mode, the larger display ends up working extremely well. The LCD continues to be laminated to the cover glass just like with previous Surfaces.
Default 150% Scaling on Surface Pro 3, the 2160 x 1440 display behaves like a HiDPI 1440 x 900 display
Color accuracy is improved out of the box as well. The original Surface Pro had a display capable of being quite accurate, if calibrated, but out of the box it was a bit of a mess. Microsoft slowly improved out of box calibration over the years, eventually culminating in what we have today with Surface Pro 3.
Max brightness drops a bit compared to Surface Pro 2, likely due to the Pro 3 having 50% more pixels to light. Black levels at max brightness are pretty good, thanks in part to Microsoft's optically bonded LCD/cover glass stack. Contrast ratio remains competitive with previous designs.
Grayscale accuracy is the biggest issue with the new display, green levels are just way too high:
Our basic sRGB gamut test paints a great picture for Surface Pro 3. Full saturation color reproduction is excellent:
The saturation sweep also looks solid:
Unfortunately Surface Pro 3 doesn't do so well on our GMB color checker test. Part of the problem is its performance in the grayscale swatches included in this test:
Overall the Surface Pro 3 display is a huge improvement over the previous two generations, but it doesn't quite meet the high standards set by some of the other competitors on the market today from both notebook and tablet spaces.
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fella1 - Monday, June 23, 2014 - link
I use mine to read comics and graphic novels and the fan does not come on when for this activity. The screen really is the perfect size for it to.Tikcus9666 - Monday, June 23, 2014 - link
A regression in performance from SP2 to SP3 in intensive workloads, has made me wait on ordering the i7 version until this is reviewedIf the thermal limit is reached more quickly than the SP2, it may be a better buy (SP2) for me than an i7 pro 3 if under intensive workloads the i7 in the Pro 3 performs worse than the previous i5 in the SP2
Hrel - Monday, June 23, 2014 - link
"given the substantial reduction in device thickness (and thus improvement in usability)"wat? Thinner doesn't make it easier to use... in any way shape or form. It's purely aesthetic.
ymcpa - Monday, June 23, 2014 - link
There is a reduction in thickness and a reduction in weight. Plus the even weight distribution makes the device easier to hold. Go to a store and try it out.drunken - Monday, June 23, 2014 - link
agree - it's not perfect as a tablet but the thinness makes it easier to useben.avellone - Monday, June 23, 2014 - link
Great review! Glad to see the display size has increased, my SP2 feels a little cramped at times - such as when writing notes. Too bad gaming performance had to take such a hit in this iteration, but such are the realities of engineering design tradeoffs :/MarkieGcolor - Monday, June 23, 2014 - link
What a stupid piece of junk this thing isGunbuster - Monday, June 23, 2014 - link
How insightful, tell us more.Razzy76 - Monday, June 23, 2014 - link
I'd rather have this piece of junk than the piece of sh*t iPad and MacBook Air/Pro.OneOfTheseDays - Monday, June 23, 2014 - link
I own the SP2 but skimped on this generation. I'm waiting for Broadwell, when they can really make this design sing with great battery life and less heat.Further, Windows9 is going to be a massive improvement in usability for hybrid devices.