Surface 3 tablet will not be around anymore as Microsoft decided to pull them out of the market by the end of this year. While the tablet is still considered new, only launched in May 2015, the tech giant confirmed that it will not manufacture additional units anymore.
The entry-level gadget was designed to cater to the needs of budget-conscious consumers and students. It was the cheaper alternative to the Surface Pro 3 so it was well-received when first released.
However, despite being an impressive device, experts said that there are indications that Surface 3 is being discontinued and an example is that, the stock is now running very low. Most of the models have already been listed as out-of-stock and Brad Sams of Thurrott noted that only the 64GB/2GB WiFi + LTE model units are available for purchase.
This case of unavailability, resulting from undersupply of units, is typically a hint that production has slowed down or has come to an end already. To clear the rumors, Microsoft stepped forward and confirmed that the company is planning to sell the Surface 3 only until December 2016.
As reported by ZDNet, Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement, "Since launching Surface 3 over a year ago, we have seen strong demand and satisfaction among our customers. Inventory is now limited and by the end of December 2016, we will no longer manufacture Surface 3 devices."
Microsoft may have verified the end of Surface 3 but it did not release any statement whether there will be a successor not. According to PC World, the company declined to comment on the possibility of Surface 4's possible release.
Microsoft Surface 3 features Cherry Trail Atom processor and its price starts at $499. Since its introduction, the 2-in-1 detachable tablet did not get any major upgrades from its maker. Unlike its predecessors, the Surface RT and Surface 2, runs on Windows 10 instead of the limited Windows RT OS. Lastly, it boasts of quad-core chip which clock up at 1.6 GHz, with utmost burst speed of 2.4 GHz.
Microsoft introduces Surface 3, the perfect balance of performance and value:
