Microsoft has announced a new lite version of its Surface Pro 3 laptop/tablet hybrid.
The Surface 3 is lighter, thinner, smaller and cheaper but also a little lower in spec than its older brother.
Aimed at more price conscious buyers, the new device will have a 10.8-inch ClearType HD multi-touch display, which is smaller than the 12 inch screen on the Pro 3.
It also runs the full version of Windows 8.1 and will be compatible with a free Windows 10 upgrade when it is released later this year.
It does have the same magnesium body that is now synonymous with the Surface family.
But its kickstand only opens out to three different pre-set positions rather than being fully adjustable like it is on the Surface Pro 3.
Microsoft claims that at 622 grams and just 8.7mm thick, it is the lightest and thinnest Surface ever made.
It is also the first non-Pro Surface to run an Intel processor – in this case the quad core Atom x7, which while powerful, is unlikely to match the Core i chips in the Surface Pro 3.
There will also be a more expensive version offering 4G connectivity.
If bought by the end of the year the device will come with a one-year subscription to Microsoft Office 365 Personal.
The magnetic snap on type cover remains an optional extra, as does the Surface Pen, while a docking station will also be available.
Surface 3 will be available for pre-order from later today with either 64GB storage/2GB RAM or 128GB storage/4GB RAM, and will start at €609.99 (compared to $499 in the US).
