Six months later, where is the Surface Pro 3 today?

It seems like it was just yesterday that Microsoft announced the Surface Pro 3 but the device has now been on-sale for over six months. Since its launch, Microsoft has issued numerous software updates, released higher (and lower) specced versions and run a few promotions at its stores as well.

Microsoft currently sells two models of the Surface, the Surface 2 and the Surface Pro 3. The Surface 2 is an aging machine and the future of the device is currently unknown considering the tablet has been out of stock on Microsoft"s site for a few weeks and there are no whispers of a Surface 3 on the horizon. While the Surface 2 seems to be an oddball now in the Microsoft ecosystem, the Pro 3 is the shiny star atop the Microsoft Christmas tree.

For Microsoft, the Surface Pro 3 is a device that finally gives them credibility in the hardware market as a PC manufacturer and the financials seem to prove this point. For starters, the Surface will likely be a billion dollar business for Microsoft this quarter which has been driven by a plethora of positive reviews.

Our time with the device has resulted in a mostly-positive experience but all is not perfect with the device. There has been a persistent Wi-Fi issue that Microsoft has attempted to fix on several occasions and some of our early complaints have still not been addressed.

For instance, while the Type cover is an improvement over the previous generation, many would like a more traditional style keyboard attachment. As it stands now, the Pro 3 is still "okay" on your lap but it still lacks the confidence of a traditional laptop when placed on your legs. A more rigid keyboard could have fixed both problems at the same time.

There is also the issue of not being able to fully customize the pen. Yes, you can download the Surface Hub app that gives you some ability to modify the device"s behavior but we would still like the option to re-map any button to any application or functionality.

Low points aside, the Pro 3 has lived up to nearly every expectation we were promised when it was announced back in the spring of 2014. Microsoft has brought unique features to the device with a partnership with Adobe and based on the marketing muscle behind the Pro 3, the product-line does not appear to be going away anytime soon.

With Windows 10 right around the corner that will bring new features to the device, like Continuum, the ability to switch between tablet or laptop will become even easier. This should help boost the appeal of the device too as Windows 8 has not lived up to its promises of being a good hybrid OS; Windows 10 will fix the mistakes of Windows 8.

While we would love to know the actual sales figures of the device, there is no doubt that Microsoft has been able to sell quite a few Surfaces during the past six months. With the quarter ending in about 10 days, we will soon understand how well the Surface line performed during the holiday season in January when Microsoft announces its earnings.