Hyper-V

True.

Let's hope Microsoft will soon update the firmware to enable this feature.

The Atom x7-8700 may not be a desktop powerhouse but it does support virtualization and some Surface 3 owners may be interested to use it.

I'm pretty sure the Atom processor in the Surface 3 doesn't support virtualization. The Intel chart isn't up to date http://ark.intel.com/Products/VirtualizationTechnology, but the processor specs don't indicate that it does http://ark.intel.com/products/85475/Intel-Atom-x7-Z8700-Processor-2M-Cache-up-to-2_40-GHz.

Edit:  since posting that, I've found a couple of places that say the processor does support it.  This article from last month says that Microsoft is "looking into it."  http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/04/surface-3-review-smaller-slower-cheaper-better/

I've noticed that msinfo32.exe reports "Hyper-V - Virtualization Enabled in Firmware No" on the Surface 3, and there appears to be no option in the UEFI firmware to enable virtualization. Is there a plan to release a firmware update which will enable virtualization?

you need windows 8.1 pro to run hyper-v machines.

There are some tricky ways to enable virtualization on Surface 3.

I installed an Android simulator called AMIDuOS and reboot my Surface 3, then in my Task Manager I got "Virtualization: Enabled".

I used to use some other Android simulator without Virtualization enabled, and everything was very slow. Impossible to use.

But after enabling that, everything is good, smooth and swift.

But I still hope MS will enable this feature in Firmware, since the CPU DOES supports that.

There are some tricky ways to enable virtualization on Surface 3.

I installed an Android simulator called AMIDuOS and reboot my Surface 3, then in my Task Manager I got "Virtualization: Enabled".

I used to use some other Android simulator without Virtualization enabled, and everything was very slow. Impossible to use.

But after enabling that, everything is good, smooth and swift.

But I still hope MS will enable this feature in Firmware, since the CPU DOES supports that.

virtualization and hyper-v are two different things.

it doesn't matter if you enable the firmware - if you're not running windows 8 PRO, you won't get hyper-v working. you should be capable to install other virtual machine environments like virtualbox etc.

it doesn't matter if you enable the firmware - if you're not running windows 8 PRO, you won't get hyper-v working. you should be capable to install other virtual machine environments like virtualbox etc.

 If people purchase the Pro upgrade (or buy the business SKU with Pro preinstalled) they would need firmware support for Hyper-V.  Microsoft needs to reply officially on whether this was not enabled by design "as a non pro device".