Microsoft Corp recently unveiled the Surface Pro 3 tablet on Tuesday hoping to take on Apple Inc's iPad and MacBook Air.

During the launch, Microsoft executives said the new Surface Pro 3 is the perfect device to replace the laptop. It has a 12-inch screen and is much larger than the 9.7 inch Apple iPad.

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The new tablet has three models with a starting price of US $799, keyboard excluded, while the top of the line model at US $1,949, also without a keyboard.

Satya Nadella, Microsoft's new Chief Executive, together with other officials of the company, said the new Surface Pro 3 addresses the limitations of tablet computers.

Most tablets in the market are designed for surfing the Web or reading e-books. They have limited features for activities such as writing documents and other business-related work.

Nadella stressed that Microsoft's new device fills that need because it has access to Microsoft Office, a software suite that can be used in business-related work.

Some of the analysts present at the launched said it was a good business strategy for Microsoft to target businesses and employees with its enterprise capabilities. Other tablets are only focused on their products' consumer application.

Patrick Moorhead, president of research firm Moor Insights & Strategy, said that it was a smart move by Microsoft to market Surface Pro 3 as more of a laptop replacement than a mere alternative to current tablets.

According to Jack Gold of J. Gold Associates, Microsoft has at last concentrated on its key strength, which is developing devices for enterprises.

He said that the company can leverage the new Surface Pro 3 and attract business users who see tablets as possible replacements provided they have the same capability.

"Microsoft finally seems to understand it cannot go head to head with Apple's iPad, and must offer a superior business device," Gold said. 

TagsSurface Pro 3, Tablets, laptops