Microsoft advertises the Surface tablet as something that can replace a user's laptop. The Surface 3 and the Surface Pro 3 are two of the latest tablets offered from Microsoft.

The Surface 3 is the cheaper tablet at just $499, but it's capable. The tablet will run full versions of Windows 8 programs like Microsoft Word, Forbes reports.

The Surface Pro 3 is the more expensive, fully functional tablet, starting at $799. Like the Surface 3, the Surface Pro 3 runs a full version of Windows 8.

The Surface 3 is the smaller of the two tablets, with a 10.8-inch display, compared to the Surface Pro 3's 12-inch display. Both tablets are lightweight, but the Surface Pro's weight of 1.37 pounds is especially light, compared to the Surface Pro 3's weight of 1.76 pounds.

Both tablets use mostly the same materials and are designed very similarly. The way that the kickstand works on the two tablets is different, though. The Surface 3 can only be adjusted in three different display positions, while the Surface Pro 3 is infinitely adjustable.

The Surface Pro 3 uses the same processors that traditional laptops use, the Intel i3, i5 or i7 processor with up to 8 GB of RAM. The Surface 3 uses a tablet-based processor, the Intel Atom X70Z8700 and only 2 GB or 4 GB of RAM.

For storage, the Surface 3 only allows 64 GB or 128 GB of space, while the Surface Pro 3 adds the options of 256 GB or 512 GB.

The Surface 3 actually has better connectivity than the Surface Pro 3 with a 4G LTE option for travelers hoping to connect to the Internet when no WiFi signal is available. The Surface 3 gets rid of the power connector and instead uses a micro USB port for the power port.

The Surface Pro 3 offers identical cameras on the front and the back of the device, each at 5 megapixels (MP). For video-calling and web chat, the Surface Pro 3 is the better option since the Surface 3 only has a 3.5 MP front-facing camera. However, the rear-facing camera on the Surface 3 is 8 MP.

Even though the Surface 3 has a smaller screen with less resolution, the battery life is the same as the more powerful and larger Surface Pro 3. Both tablets can be used for about 9 hours before they will need a charge. 

Microsoft wants laptop users, such as those that would normally buy an Apple MacBook, to instead buy its tablets because they can replace a traditional laptop, CNet reports. 

With little difference between the Surface 3 and Surface Pro 3, besides price, a user will have to decide if the higher performance in the Surface Pro 3 is worth the extra price.