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Microsoft Surface 3 Docking Station

 & Brian Westover Principal Writer, Hardware

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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The Microsoft Surface 3 Docking Station lets you connect a monitor and peripherals to your Surface 3 if you want to use the tablet as a primary PC. - Microsoft Docking Station for Surface 3
1.0 Dismal

The Bottom Line

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Pros & Cons

    • Doesn't remove keyloggers.
    • Doesn't notify you on detection of keyloggers.
    • Doesn't block any other type of monitoring.
    • Blocked only half of samples in testing.

Alongside the new Microsoft Surface 3, and its accessories, the Surface Pen and Surface Type Cover keyboard, Microsoft also has the new Surface 3 Docking Station ($199.99). With an easy-to-use docking mechanism and connections for peripherals and an external monitor, it's a useful accessory if you want your grab-and-go Surface 3 to also function as your primary Windows PC.

Design and Features
The Surface 3 Docking Station is a revamped version of the Microsoft Docking Station for Surface Pro 3, offering the same sort of connectivity options and functions, but sized for the smaller 10-inch Microsoft Surface 3. The new dock features the same sort of plastic construction and port selection, though the layout is a little different, due to the smaller design.

The docking station features more ports than the Surface 3 tablet itself, with two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, an audio jack, a Mini DisplayPort monitor output, and a Gigabit Ethernet connector. Peripheral users will now have a wired alternative for connecting a keyboard, a mouse, and storage, while the Ethernet port will be a boon if you need a wired network connection.

Microsoft Surface 3 Docking Station

Final Thoughts

The Microsoft Surface 3 Docking Station lets you connect a monitor and peripherals to your Surface 3 if you want to use the tablet as a primary PC. - Microsoft Docking Station for Surface 3

Microsoft Surface 3 Docking Station

1.0 Dismal

Keylogger Hunter tries to block keyloggers from recording private information as you type. It doesn't remove keyloggers or notify you if they're on hand. It doesn't keep them from monitoring anything else on your system. Worst of all, in testing it was only halfway successful. Buy a real security program instead.

About Our Expert

Brian Westover

Brian Westover

Principal Writer, Hardware

My Experience

From the laptops on your desk to satellites in space and AI that seems to be everywhere, I cover many topics at PCMag. I've covered PCs and technology products for over 15 years at PCMag and other publications, among them Tom's Guide, Laptop Mag, and TWICE. As a hardware reviewer, I've handled dozens of MacBooks, 2-in-1 laptops, Chromebooks, and the latest AI PCs. As the resident Starlink expert, I've done years of hands-on testing with the satellite service. I also explore the most valuable ways to use the latest AI tools and features in our Try AI column.

The Technology I Use

Between the Starlink dish on my roof and the laptop or desktop I'm using right now, I've always got a new tech product in front of me. I have five or six laptops in rotation at any moment, along with a couple of mini PCs, two smart TVs, and a couple of Chromebooks for good measure.

Everything is connected via Starlink, using the latest Dish V4 and Gen 3 Router, letting me live my tech-centric life in rural Idaho.

When I'm not testing and reviewing products, I'm probably using one of a dozen AI tools for everything from work and productivity to entertainment and saving some money.

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