With the first Surface Pro 3 tablets shipping today, Microsoft has updated its schedule for delivering the remaining Surface Pro 3 models. And it will deliver all Surface Pro 3 models to 26 additional markets by the end of August, and has opened up the Surface Pro 3 Dock to preorders for the first time as well.
Today, you can walk into a local Microsoft Store (or a select few other US and Canadian retailers like Best Buy; or buy online of course) and choose between two available Intel Core i5-based Surface Pro 3 models, one with 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of SSD storage for $999, and the other with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage for $1299. The new Surface Pro 3 Type Cover is also available for $129 in your choice of several colors (some exclusive to certain locations), as is Surface Pen ($49.99), the 33W Surface Pro 3 power supply ($79.99) and some other accessories.
Of course, Microsoft announced other Surface Pro 3 models based on Intel Core i3 (lower-end) and i7 (higher-end) chips. And another key accessory, the Surface Pro 3 Dock. The availability of both has changed.
The three remaining Surface Pro 3 models—i3/4 GB/ 64 GB ($799), i7/8 GB/256 GB ($1549), and i7/8 GB/512 GB ($1949)—have been available for preorder for weeks, but Microsoft originally said they should ship "in August," while those who did preorder upfront saw a preliminary ship date of August 31. Today, Microsoft announced that these remaining models will instead ship to customers on August 1. So that's good news.
If you're outside the US and Canada, here's some more good news: All Surface Pro 3 models and "select new accessories" will become available for purchase in 26 additional markets by the end of August: Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom.
As for the Surface Pro 3 Docking Station, you can preorder that now from Surface.com only (and not in retail stores; it was not available for preorder previously) in the US and Canada only. This $200 accessory will ship to customers starting on August 15, and if our experience with the Surface Pro 2 Docking Station is any guide, you'll want to get in there early as this thing will sell out quickly.
Enjoy!
