Surface Pro 3 vs. Surface Pro 2: Full specs comparison

We have comprehensively analyzed the technical specifications for the Surface Pro 3 and Surface Pro 2 models. Our report includes intricate details such as the CPU, memory, storage, battery life, display quality, and other features.

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Surface Pro 3 image

Surface Pro 3

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Surface Pro 2 image

Surface Pro 2

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Surface Pro 3 Pros

Reasons that Surface Pro 3 is better than Surface Pro 2.

Newer manufacturing

2014 vs. 2013

13% larger display

Surface Pro 3 has a 12-inch screen size 13% larger than the 10.6-inch Surface Pro 2.

Display size
Surface Pro 3
12-inch
Surface Pro 2
10.6-inch
About 12% lighter

Surface Pro 3 weighed 1.76 pounds, 12% lighter than the 2 pounds Surface Pro 2.

WeightSurface Pro 3Surface Pro 2
Pound
1.76 lbs.
2 lbs.
Kilogram
0.80 kg
0.91 kg

Surface Pro 2 Pros

We couldn't find any advantages of Surface Pro 2 over Surface Pro 3.

Key Similars

Similar characteristics share between Surface Pro 3 and Surface Pro 2.

Similar CPU performance

Both laptops has a similar multi-core CPU performance score.

Geekbench 5 multi-core score
Surface Pro 3 - Intel Core i7-4650U
1,236
Surface Pro 3 - Intel Core i5-4300U
1,234
Surface Pro 2 - Intel Core i5-4300U
1,234
Surface Pro 2 - Intel Core i5-4200U
1,121
Surface Pro 3 - Intel Core i3-4020Y
782
Supports the same maximum memory size of up to 8GB

Both laptops supports up to 8GB of system memory.

Max system memory size
Surface Pro 3
8 GB
Surface Pro 2
8 GB
Uses the same memory type and speed

Both laptops supports the same 1600MHz LPDDR3 RAM.

Memory type and speed
Surface Pro 3 - LPDDR3
1,600 MHz
Surface Pro 2 - LPDDR3
1,600 MHz

Prices

Here are the latest price updates and offers for both devices.

Surface Pro 3 Price
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (256 GB, Intel Core i5)(Windows 10 Professional 64 bit) (Renewed)
 Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (256 GB, Intel Core i5)(Windows 10 Professional 64 bit) (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$274.99
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Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Tablet (1631) Silver - 256GB, 12in, Windows 8, Intel Core i5 - Renewed
 Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Tablet (1631) Silver - 256GB, 12in, Windows 8, Intel Core i5 - Renewed
By Microsoft
$158.00
$238.00 34% OFF
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Microsoft Surface Go 3 - 10.5" Touchscreen - Intel® Pentium® Gold - 4GB Memory - 64GB eMMC - Device Only - Platinum (Latest Model)
 Microsoft Surface Go 3 - 10.5" Touchscreen - Intel® Pentium® Gold - 4GB Memory - 64GB eMMC - Device Only - Platinum (Latest Model)
By Microsoft
$379.22
$399.99 5% OFF
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Surface Pro 2 Price
Microsoft Surface Go 2 10.5 inches Touch-Screen Intel Pentium 4GB RAM, 64gb STV-00001 (Renewed)
 Microsoft Surface Go 2 10.5 inches Touch-Screen Intel Pentium 4GB RAM, 64gb STV-00001 (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$167.00
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New Microsoft Surface Go 2 - 10.5" Touch-Screen - Intel Pentium - 4GB Memory - 64GB - Wifi - Platinum (Latest Model)
 New Microsoft Surface Go 2 - 10.5" Touch-Screen - Intel Pentium - 4GB Memory - 64GB - Wifi - Platinum (Latest Model)
By Microsoft
$249.00
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Latest Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (2736 x 1824) Tablet 6th Generation (Intel Core i5-6300U, 8GB Ram, 256GB SSD, Bluetooth, Dual Camera) Windows 10 Professional (Renewed)
 Latest Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (2736 x 1824) Tablet 6th Generation (Intel Core i5-6300U, 8GB Ram, 256GB SSD, Bluetooth, Dual Camera) Windows 10 Professional (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$273.32
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Specs Comparison

Availability

Surface Pro 3Surface Pro 2
Released20142013
Release Date
  • Introduced: May 20, 2014
  • Pre-ordered: May 20, 2014
  • Released: June 20, 2014
  • Introduced: September 23, 2013
  • Pre-ordered: September 24, 2013
  • Released: October 22, 2013
PricingStarting at 799$Starting at 899$
Generations

Exterior

Surface Pro 3Surface Pro 2
Dimensions11.50” x 7.93” x 0.36” (292 mm x 201.3 mm x 9.1 mm)
Width: 11.50” (292 mm)
Height: 7.93” (201.3 mm)
Thickness: 0.36” (9.1 mm)
10.81” x 6.81” x 0.53” (275 mm x 173 mm x 13.46 mm)
Width: 10.81” (275 mm)
Height: 6.81” (173 mm)
Thickness: 0.53” (13.46 mm)
Weight
  • 1.76 lbs (800 g)
  • 2 lbs (910 g)
Colors
Silver
Dark Titanium
Keyboard and Trackpad
  • Surface Type Cover
    • Not included
  • Keyboard:
    • Activation: Moving (mechanical) keys
    • Layout: QWERTY, full row of function keys (F1-F12)
    • 4 directional keys; Windows and Media Controls Keys;
    • LED backlighting
  • Trackpad:
    • Precision glass trackpad.
    • Supports up to three-finger multitouch gesture.
  • Surface Type Cover
    • Not included
  • Keyboard:
    • Activation: Moving (mechanical) keys.
    • Layout: QWERTY, full row of function keys (F1-F12).
    • 4 directional keys; Windows and Media Controls Keys.
    • LED backlighting.
  • Trackpad:
    • Two-finger multitouch gesture trackpad.

Display

Surface Pro 3Surface Pro 2
Size12 Inches10.6 Inches
Info
  • Resolution: 2160 x 1440 (3.1M Pixels)
  • Density: 216 PPI
  • ClearType Display
  • Aspect ratio: 3:2
  • Touch: 10 point multi-touch
  • Surface Pen support
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (2M Pixels)
  • Density: 208 PPI
  • ClearType Display
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9
  • Touch: 10 point multi-touch
  • Surface Pen support (1st Gen)

Ports

Surface Pro 3Surface Pro 2
Surface Pro 3 Ports
Image Source: Microsoft
Left (1)
  • 1 x headphone jack
    Headphone/Microphone
Right (3)
  • 1 x Mini DisplayPort
  • 1 x USB-A
    USB 3.0 (5 Gbps)
  • 1 x Surface Connect
    Charging, Docking Station
Bottom (1)
  • 1 x Type Cover port
Under Kickstand (1)
  • 1 x microSD card slot
Surface Pro 2 Ports
Image Source: Microsoft
  • 1 x Full-size USB 3.0
  • 1 x Mini DisplayPort
  • 1 x Surface Charging Port
  • 1 x Headset jack
  • 1 x microSD™ card reader
  • 1 x Type Cover port

Internal Specs

Surface Pro 3Surface Pro 2
Processor
  1. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-4020Y
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.50 GHz, 3MB SmartCache, 11.5W
  2. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4300U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.90 → 2.90 GHz, 3MB SmartCache, 15W
  3. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4650U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.70 → 3.30 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 15W
  1. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4200U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.60 → 2.60 GHz, 3MB SmartCache, 15W
  2. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4300U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.90 → 2.90 GHz, 3MB SmartCache, 15W
Integrated Graphics
  1. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-4020Y
    Intel® HD Graphics 4200
    20 Execution Units, 200 → 850 MHz
  2. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4300U
    Intel® HD Graphics 4200
    20 Execution Units, 200 → 1100 MHz
  3. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4650U
    Intel® HD Graphics 5000
    40 Execution Units, 200 → 1100 MHz
  1. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4200U
    Intel® HD Graphics 4400
    20 Execution Units, 200 → 1000 MHz
  2. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4300U
    Intel® HD Graphics 4200
    20 Execution Units, 200 → 1100 MHz
Memory
4GB 8GB
1600 MHz LPDDR3 RAM
4GB 8GB
1600 MHz LPDDR3 RAM
Storage
64 GB 128 GB 256 GB 512 GB
SSD
64 GB 128 GB 256 GB 512 GB
SSD

Connectivity

Surface Pro 3Surface Pro 2
Wi-Fi
  • Wi-Fi 5: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compatible.
  • Wi-Fi 4: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n compatible.
Bluetooth
  • Bluetooth Wireless 4.0 technology
  • Bluetooth Wireless 4.0 technology

Battery

Surface Pro 3Surface Pro 2
Size42.2 Wh42 Wh
Battery LifeUp to 9 hours of web browsing7-15 days of idle life
Power Supply
  • 36W proprietary power supply
    • USB-A output: 5W
    • Surface Connect: 31W
  • 48W proprietary power supply
    • USB-A output: 5W
    • Surface Charger: 43W

Software

Surface Pro 3Surface Pro 2
OSWindows 8.1 Pro
Free upgrade to Windows 10
  • Windows 8.1 Pro
  • Upgradable Windows 10 Pro
Built-in AppsMicrosoft Office 30-days trialMicrosoft Office 30-days trial

Camera & Audio

Surface Pro 3Surface Pro 2
Camera
  • 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p Skype HD video
  • 5.0MP rear-facing camera with 1080p Skype HD video
  • 720p front-facing camera
  • 720p rear-facing camera
Audio
  • Front and rear-facing microphones
  • Front-facing stereo speakers with Dolby® Audio enhanced sound
  • Single microphone
  • Stereo speakers with enhanced signal processing

Misc

Surface Pro 3Surface Pro 2
InkingSupports Surface Pen
256 levels of pressure
N-trig Active Pen technology
Supports Surface Pen
1,024 levels of pressure
Wacom Active Pen technology
Can be attached to charging port
Included with purchase
Sensors
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Magnetometer
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Magnetometer
Security
  • HW TPM 2.0 chip for enterprise security
  • HW TPM 1.2 chip for enterprise security
In the box
  • Surface Pro 3
  • Surface Pen
  • Power supply
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Safety and warranty documents
  • Surface Pro 2
  • Surface Pro Pen
  • Power supply
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Safety and warranty documents
Warranty
  • One-year limited hardware warranty
  • One-year limited hardware warranty
More
  • Mechanical features: Signature unibody magnesium design with hidden perimeter venting
  • Kickstand with a full-friction multiposition hinge to 150 degrees
  • Magnetic attach for keyboard fold stability
  • Physical buttons: volumes, power
  • Casing: VaporMg
  • Kickstand: 2 positions (22° and 55°)
  • Physical buttons: volumes, power

Key Features

Surface Pro 3Surface Pro 2
At Glance
Released in Mid
2014
3:2 2.1K
12”
1440p 60Hz
Weight
1.76 lb
0.80 kg
Up to
Intel Core i7-4650U
2C/4T, 1.70 → 3.30 GHz
Geekbench 5
632
Single Core
Geekbench 5
1,236
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® HD Graphics 5000
40 Execution Units, 200 → 1100 MHz
Configurable up to
8GB
1600 MHz LPDDR3
Surface Pro 3 Ports
Released in Late
2013
16:9 FHD
10.6”
1080p 60Hz
Weight
2 lb
0.91 kg
Up to
Intel Core i5-4300U
2C/4T, 1.90 → 2.90 GHz
Geekbench 5
582
Single Core
Geekbench 5
1,234
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® HD Graphics 4200
20 Execution Units, 200 → 1100 MHz
Configurable up to
8GB
1600 MHz LPDDR3
Surface Pro 2 Ports

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