Microsoft Surface Pro 2 Review
by Anand Lal Shimpi on October 21, 2013 12:01 AM EST- Posted in
- Tablets
- Microsoft
- Mobile
- Surface
- Surface Pro 2
Final Words
Surface Pro 2 is a good improvement over its predecessor. The platform is quicker, quieter and boasts longer battery life as well. The new kickstand is awesome, as are the new touch/type covers, and the new display is a big step in the right direction. If you were tempted by the original Surface Pro, its successor is a solid evolution and that much more tempting.
I really like using Surface Pro 2 and Windows 8.1 in general as a productivity focused tablet OS. The screenshot below really helps illustrate what I would love to do on most tablets, but what I can only do (well) on a Surface:
Writing an article on the left, touch enabled web browsing on the right. Switching between both applications is seamless, and I’m just as fast (if not faster) from a productivity standpoint on Surface Pro 2 than on a traditional notebook/desktop – at least for this usage model. There’s really something very compelling about having the best of both worlds in one system. I literally can’t do this well on any other tablet, and ultimately that’s what Microsoft was trying to achieve with Surface. You can do it with Surface 2, you can just do it a lot better with Surface Pro 2.
When Surface Pro first launched, it wasn’t just a good device, it was arguably the best Ultrabook on the market. Surface Pro 2 launches into a much more competitive marketplace. I don’t know if I can make the same statement about it vs. Ultrabooks today. That’s not a bad thing as it is still a very different type of device, but it does make for a more difficult buying decision.
Surface Pro 2 isn’t the perfect notebook and it isn’t the perfect tablet. It’s a compromise in between. Each generation, that compromise becomes smaller.
What I was hoping for this round was an even thinner/lighter chassis, but it looks like we’ll have to wait another year for that. Battery life is still not up to snuff with traditional ARM based tablets, and Surface Pro 2 seems to pay more of a penalty there than other Haswell ULT based designs – I’m not entirely sure why. Parts of the rest of the world have moved on to things like 802.11ac and PCIe based SSDs. Microsoft appears to be on a slightly strange update cadence with its Surface lineup, and for the brand’s sake I hope we see that rectified next round. It’s not enough to just put out a good product, you have to take advantage of all technologies available, when they are available. Just like last year, my recommendation comes with a caution – Surface Pro 2 is good, I’m happier using it than I was with last year’s model, but the Broadwell version will be even better. What’s likely coming down the pipe are improvements in the chassis and in battery life. You’ll have to wait around a year for those things, if you can’t, then this year’s model is still pretty good.
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oranos - Tuesday, November 26, 2013 - link
um no because unlike this product, the MBA can function without a touchscreen. Obviously missed the point.backbydemand - Monday, October 21, 2013 - link
For that extra $29 you get a device that can remove the keyboard and be a tablet, which you cannot do with an MBA, to do that you also need an iPad that is hundreds of $$$ more and the inconvenience of carrying 2 devices. The MBA is a great laptop, the iPad is a great tablet; and never the twain shall meet.ADGrant - Saturday, November 2, 2013 - link
The MBA is a great laptop and the iPad is a great tablet but the Surface Pro is neither a great laptop or a great tablet. Its far too heavy for a tablet (it weighs 2.5lbs with the type cover), and it doesn't work as a laptop since you can't really use it in your lap (the keyboard flexes and kickstand is unstable). The screen is too small for desktop apps also.The Surface 2 is even worse, it still weighs 2lbs with the cover (almost twice the weight of an iPad Air) and has almost no apps available. Both Surface tablets don't really work in portrait mode.
For the record I have an iPad Air and a Surface Pro.
jasonelmore - Monday, October 21, 2013 - link
dunno why this keeps getting compared to a mac book air. this is a tablet, has a 1080p screen, and runs windows in all it's glory.ghettotron - Saturday, October 26, 2013 - link
I know this sounds dumb and kinda defeats the purpose of a tablet form factor....but just save your money on the keyboard and use one your own and plug it into the USB 3.0. Especially since most of those tablet/type cover keyboards suck for people with normal to large size hands. LOLDevjones2236 - Sunday, October 27, 2013 - link
Air is not HD, does not have a touch screen (SP2 has capacitive touch screen, which is more expensive than a regular touch screen) and does not come with a digitized stylus. Is in the same ultrabook frame that requires very little Research and Development. Don't be naive Apple is all about profit margins. The Air could be sold at $700 easy, but Apple wants to squeeze your pockets. They say hybrids don't work bc they don't want them too, not because they don't. Apple wants you to buy a $1,000 MacBook Air and a $500-$800 ipad without any accessories.Imaginer - Friday, November 1, 2013 - link
I guess those numbers also doesn't show the inclusion of a 10 point finger touch screen either in the comparison.InspectHerGadget - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
You get the MBA for about $999 with a keyboard and 128G Storage so yes, it is cheaper when you cost it out.augustofretes - Monday, November 4, 2013 - link
The $899 has 64GB of storage and the keyboard is an essential part, and the keyboard is an essential part Microsoft should bundle, the Pro 2 without the type cover is just a terrible tablet and even worse "laptop".beggerking@yahoo.com - Monday, October 21, 2013 - link
Air is NOT cheaper when it doesn't have a Wacom Pen or a touch screen, or even an Microsd Expansion slot. When you add all those in, Air cost > $2000.you (and many others) gotta stop confusing a "type cover" vs a "touch cover". Type cover is as good if not better than ANY regular laptop keyboard.
When you have a touchscreen, a good touchpad is negligible.
and STOP STOP confusing your smartphone os with a REAL full featured Windows OS. they serve different functions.