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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powerarmour - Thursday, February 7, 2013 - link
x86 compatibility isn't a deal breaker at all, not any more.Even Microsoft are pushing for cross compatible RT apps. And there is a huge amount of software out there already for Android and iOS.
oolzie - Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - link
I do think you should revise it to point out that you can and are probably expected to use the stylus when using desktop apps without a kb/m combo or cover. I haven't used the Pro yet, but I have used another Win8 tab with stylus and using the stylus as a finger removed nearly all of the frustration of desktop navigation in tablet mode.Jhlot - Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - link
If this thing had a a dock connector/stand for when business types are at the office it would be the killer business PC to have and they would move a ton a units to big corporations. I cannot believe Microsoft failed to include a docking solution.....huge miss MS, failure of imagination and to really innovate competitively.andrewaggb - Thursday, February 7, 2013 - link
I totally agree. And sure the dock/device can run 2 external displays (even if you have to disable the built in one).And next time support WIDI.
andrewaggb - Monday, February 11, 2013 - link
well, I discovered thesehttp://www.displaylink.com/shop/docks
USB 3 docks with dual monitor connectors (different vendors have different combinations including vga,displayport,hdmi,displayport)
Also have built in audio, usb hub, and gigabit ethernet. Some reviews seem ok. Not awesome for video and gaming (though they say it's ok), but sounds like it would be totally fine for work related tasks and you can use the tablets internet or external display for video and gaming if necessary.
So I guess I can scratch the no dock/multi-display issues off my issues list. And now I'm seriously considering it again.
eg
HP 3005pr USB 3.0 Port Replicator
http://www.fujitsu.com/uk/products/computing/pc/ac...
andykins - Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - link
That core i5 costs $225. You can get a whole Nexus 7 for that and still have change left over. ARM SOC's cost like $30, tops? Not disagreeing with you but there's more to it.LetsGo - Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - link
"ARM Processor inefficient compared to Intel's Core architecture.?"What planet do you live on, ARM processors have enabled normal people to enjoy computing, Intel would have never enabled this because the margins were not big enough for them.
When Arm gets its 64bit architecture on Intel is toast.
denman - Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - link
Great review! Really happy you paid more attention to screen and pen overview. Would you mind to post the calibration profile (file) somewhere?Imaginer - Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - link
That this thing is a boon for anyone that can draw, create, and do things with the pen. It has pressure sensitivity and by this review, also tilt. Sources elsewhere says it has an eraser and a right button click. I don't know about you but having a digitizer, touchscreen in a power of an ultrabook with the dual functionality of a tablet and a ultrabook? And under or around $1000? An intuos digitizer tablet easily eats $300 if not some. So all in all, you are all nay sayers and not seeing the true potential of this. This is never meant to be a simple toy.guidryp - Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - link
I like Anands Technical analysis of chip features.But when it comes to usability I really question positive reviews of this form factor that is neither that good as a tablet (Heavy, goofy 16:9 ratio, hot, heavy, weak battery life) and not that good as a laptop (cramped keyboard, small screen, awkward hinge/kicstand).