Microsoft Surface Pro 3 will start shipping later this week and the company marked down the prices of Surface Pro 2 models in the U.S. and Europe.

Microsoft is slashing $100 off the 64 GB and 128 GB Surface Pro 2 models, which are now listed for $799 and $899, respectively on its online store. Meanwhile, the 512 GB model received a $200 price cut and now costs $1,599, while the 256 GB model is already sold out.

According to reports, Microsoft is planning to offer discounts to consumers based in U.K. and France although pricing has not been revealed yet. However, U.K. consumers can expect the same price cut.

Microsoft announced that the ship date of its 128 GB Surface 3 with an Intel Core i5 chip will be from June 20 to June 30, although Microsoft's online store is still showing June 20 as the ship date for the 256 GB model. The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is gaining more attention due to its high-end specs as well as form factor. Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is a strong contender in the tablet market. However, the Redmond-based giant offers an optional keyboard that transforms the tablet into a notebook.

Microsoft Surface Pro 3 packs a 12-inch, high-contrast screen and an Intel "Haswell" processor. Microsoft is giving consumers a tablet with i3 as Apple upgraded its laptops to the faster i5 Intel chips. The power hogging features of Microsoft's new tablet is supported by a battery with capacity of up to nine hours for web browsing or constant use.

Microsoft Surface Pro 3 packs a Windows 8.1, which is easy to use based on personal preferences. One of the advantages of getting the third generation of Surface tablet is its form factor. The tablet is considerably thinner with its thickness measuring only 9.1mm. It is also lighter as it weighs only 800 grams. Microsoft Surface Pro 3 costs $799.99. However, the optional keyboard costs $129.99.