Microsoft has just announced the Surface Pro 3 tablet, which it compared to both the Apple iPad and the Macbook Air. Microsoft calls it, "the tablet that can replace your laptop," and noted that most iPad users also own a laptop.

The Surface 3 will be thinner, faster and lighter. It will come with a battery life of nine hours of Web browsing, a 12" ClearType HD display, up to 8GB RAM and a fourth-gen Intel CPU (i3, i5 or i7). It is also the thinnest and lightest, of the Surface lineup thus far, at just 1.76lbs and .36" thick. It will also come with the full, and not RT, version of Windows 8.

It is interesting how Microsoft is letting the user customize its specs to their liking unlike Apple's one-size-fits-all approach with the iPad or most Android tablets. This is in line, however, with the approach of many hardware PC manufacturers using Windows.

There will also be some new accessories that Microsoft hopes will sway laptop users or those who want professional enterprise-grade software capability to the Surface Pro 3.

"New Surface accessories like the improved Surface Pro Type Cover will take Surface Pro 3 from tablet to laptop in a snap," Microsoft says. "The new premium Surface Pen with pressure sensitivity enables a more natural writing experience, while a full-size USB 3.0 port, microSD card reader and Mini DisplayPort allow for quick file transfers and easy connections to a range of peripherals."

The pen or stylus support is something that can definitely appeal to graphic artists and Photoshop users as many already rely on Wacom tablets for this task. It will remain to be seen how accurate the pressure sensitivity is on the panel however.

The fact that the tablet comes with a 12" display makes it larger than the previous Surface models, but Microsoft is also touting the actual display area as ahead of the Macbook Air (due to being able to view 6% more content). The keyboard cover's trackpad will also be larger than the Surface Pro 2's and Microsoft has been designing it with the faults or complaints of previous models in mind.

Overall, it is a nice announcement and the tablet will finally be light enough and feature-rich enough, along with an affordable price tag to really stand out in the crowded market place of hybrid tablets and ultrabooks. The Surface Pro 3 will be available for pre-order on May 20 and priced at $799.