Microsoft Surface Pro Review
by Anand Lal Shimpi on February 5, 2013 9:00 PM ESTSurface Pro as a Windows 8 Notebook
If you can deal with tradeoff of having a not-totally-rigid display/keyboard hinge, Surface Pro does approximate a notebook fairly well. The trackpads integrated into the covers don’t do a good job, but getting used to the touchscreen for most mousing duties isn’t a problem at all. The biggest issue with using Surface Pro as a notebook replacement is that you just can’t use it in as many sitting configurations as you’d be able to with a traditional notebook. If you can deal with that however, it’s a pretty awesome device.
When it comes to performance and response time, Surface Pro behaves just like an Ultrabook. In our performance tests it ended up a bit behind Acer’s 13-inch S7, but I’m guessing that has more to do with Microsoft having a slightly more conservative thermal profile than the larger notebook. You'll notice that in most of these tests, Surface Pro is within striking distance of Apple's 13-inch MacBook Air running Windows.
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ghost03 - Monday, February 11, 2013 - link
Most of what you say is accurate, but I disagree that this can be compared to the MacBook Air (or any ultra book for that matter.)A key feature of laptops is that they function on your ...lap... (or other surfaces which are not flat or angled.) Juggling the kickstand and the hinged keyboard is cumbersome at best for most non ideal use scenarios. And frankly, if I am set up with a flat table and room to work, I hope I have my 15" notebook with me.
This is an attempt to satisfy too many interests--likely a victim of design by committee--and it is not a product that I can see many people enjoy using.
utdcometsoccer - Tuesday, March 19, 2013 - link
I've used it some and I found it was a joy to work with! Also, strangely the dual use design - tablet and laptop suits me because I don't want to carry a tablet and a laptop if I don't have to.rburnham - Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - link
Agreed. Seeing it compared to ARM tablets seems unfair in the context of this article.GotThumbs - Thursday, February 7, 2013 - link
Agreed. It's basically the upgrade from the Tablet PC's before the IPAD was born. I still have a Motion Tablet PC (LS800) in my office and the only reason I don't have Win8 installed on it is the screen resolution limit. The Motion Tablet PC resolution is a very small/old 800 x 600.I like the fact that Anand did a dual comparison between today's tablets and ultra-books for the Surface-pro. Regarding the issues on lap use, I believe the addition of a keyboard dock similar tot he transformer would allow the Surface to convert between being a tablet and ultra book when the user needed/wanted.
All in all, I think MS has a good start. Now with newer/smaller CPU's from Intel or AMD (if they can get their die smaller) will allow MS to be even more competitive.
At the end of the day, each consumer has to figure/know what their needs are to select the right tool for them. Tablets are great for content, but still very limited to APPs. A tablet that can run full programs for those needing that kind of flexibility stands above Android and IOS devices.
AssBall - Tuesday, February 5, 2013 - link
Possibly a little more in depth than need be for the target demographic.AssBall - Tuesday, February 5, 2013 - link
On second thought though, that's exactly the kind of info that makes the target market drool.PsychoPif - Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - link
It's exactly for those kind of insight that I come here. If I wanted an half assed job, I'd read the engadget review.Spunjji - Friday, February 8, 2013 - link
Right on.mmrezaie - Friday, February 8, 2013 - link
but I still like to know gpu comparison between this and iPad 4.B3an - Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - link
Stupid comment is stupid. Go back to Engadget or the Verge.