Microsoft has ambitious plans for its next-generation tablet, the Surface Pro 3 due out in the region in August and promoted as "the tablet that can replace your laptop." 

Surface Pro 3 pricing will start at an estimated  $979 AUD for a device with Intel i3 CPU, 64GB Memory and 4GB RAM, and models will range up to a high end  Core i7, 512GB and 8GB RAM. 

Key highlights of the new Surface Pro 3 include: 

A large, 12” ClearType Full HD colour-calibrated display, a continuously adjustable kickstand, improvements to processing power, upgraded cameras and it weighing only 798 grams. 

Surface Pro 3 comes with a new Surface Pen, cased in aluminum and with 256 levels of pressure sensitivity for a smooth and precise writing and drawing experience. 

An improved trackpad over existing Surface tablets. 

Writing on his blog, Panos Panay Corporate Vice President – Microsoft Surface, said, "many people aren’t ready to give up their laptops for tablets, and most people still carry both. When walking into a store, they feel they have to decide between a tablet for portability and entertainment or a laptop to really get things done. For the most part, tablets have been designed to be great for watching movies, reading books, playing games, browsing the web, and amazing for digital “snacking” with apps.

"Most laptops are designed to help you type term papers, write letters, work on big applications, work on spreadsheets, browse the web, create content, make movies… you name it. In designing Surface, we wanted to design a device that can marry the power of the full PC without compromising the sleek finish, elegant look and feel, light weight, thinness, and great battery life that we expect from a tablet."