Microsoft has announced the new Surface 3 and the device is being positioned as a lower-priced tablet in the company's lineup. With a starting price of $499, it should not come as a surprise that some features have been cut compared tothe Pro series device.
The kickstand in the Surface 3 is closer in function to that of the Surface 2 than the Pro 3. The Surface 3's kickstand stops at 22, 40 and 60 degrees unlike the Pro 3 whose kickstand can be stopped at any position. The Surface 2 kickstand could only be stopped at two different positions, so this is an improvement over the last gen device.
While Microsoft did not tell us the specific reasoning on the briefing call we had last week about the device, it would seem to make the most sense that this is a cost saving move. This hinge likely costs less to produce than the one used in the Pro 3 and it does help to differentiate the two devices.
The three stopping points should provide enough flexibility for most users but it's something you should be aware of if you are going to purchase this device and have used the Pro 3 previously.
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