Microsoft's Surface 3 may be a cheaper and scaled down alternative to its Surface Pro 3, but the device doesn't come short when it comes to its predecessor's excellent features. We compiled the Microsoft Surface 3's top specifications below.

Outstanding Performance

Tech Times reported that Microsoft didn't use the Nvidia chips present in its Surface RT and Surface 2 devices, and instead, powered the Surface 3 with the Quad Core 1.6GHZ Atom x7 Intel processor. Another amazing feat of the Surface 3 is it's running on Windows 8 and could be upgraded with Windows 10 once the operating system arrives in the later part of 2015.

Surface 3 also boasts of a 10-hour battery life for video playback, Microsoft noted.

Display, Specifications, and Features

Aside from its capability to let users write directly on the screen, the Surface 3 has a rear 8 MP camera and a front-facing 3.5 MP camera, Tech Times reported. It's also thinner, smaller, and lighter than other tablets "yet retains the design and premium chassis" the outlet added. The Surface 3's screen displays a 1920 x 1280 Full HD Plus resolution and a 10 finger multi-touch input, with a 10.52" x 7.36" x 0.34" dimension.

The Surface 3 is available in 64GB and 128GB storage units, Microsoft noted. Its strong and light frame perfectly supports the tablet's 3-position Kickstand to the 10.8" high-resolution screen. Furthermore, the Surface 3 is equipped with the Type Cover and the optional Surface Pen2 which feels just like an actual pen. A OneNote integration is also included.

Aside from the features mentioned above, the Surface 3 dock provides ethernet, two USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 ports, miniDisplayPort, and a headphone jack, PC World wrote. The news outlet noted that "the Atom processor inside the Surface 3 requires minimal power, so a 13-watt microUSB charger comes with the Surface 3," allowing the owner to use a phone charger whenever necessary.

ZD Net reported that the Surface 3 will have an LTE version with unlocked GSM support in the future. The LTE version, however, will be priced $100 higher than the models with only Wi-Fi capabilities.

A reviewer has pointed out that the Surface 3 is a fierce competitor of Apple's iPad Air 2, "though it's still a tablet," Tech Times quoted, adding that "the Surface 3 is Microsoft's true iPad killer -- or at least, its best attempt at one."

Price

The hybrid laptop/tablet will be available in markets starting on May 5, Tech Times noted. According to Microsoft, the device could be bought starting at $499, which is $300 cheaper that the Surface Pro 3 priced at about $799. You can pre-order the Surface 3 here.