Surface Pro 3 bags firmware update ahead of today’s US launch

Microsoft will launch the Surface Pro 3 for consumers in the US and Canada later today (June 20), with a firmware update for the device already available.

This will ensure the company's latest tablet-hybrid is the best it can be before it reaches customers, with updates including performance boosts and an updated power button after it received negative reactions from test users.

The update, which has been categorised by Microsoft as "Important, will be automatically install on users' machines via Windows Update.

The Surface Pro 3 keeps in line with Microsoft's self-appointed mission to merge tablets and desktop PCs into one device, with the new tablet-hybrid sporting various improvements on previous attempts to create a genuine laptop replacement for users.

Early reviews for the tablet's third iteration have been largely positive so far, with today's launch expected to glean a lot of interest from Microsoft's customers and beyond.

Corporate VP at Microsoft, Panos Panay, previously said: "Tablets have to be personal, mainly because what you're doing on them is exactly that."

The tablet starts at $799 (474) for buyers in the US, while those in the UK will have to wait until the end of August to purchase their 64GB device for 639.