Since its release at the beginning of February, the Microsoft Surface Pro has impressed users with its ability to serve as both a PC and tablet, and, while it is not the first Windows 8 tablet on the market, it may be the best one so far. The Surface Pro packs quite a punch with an Intel Core i5 professor, a full version of Windows 8, and the laptop power and performance you would expect from a mid- to high-end PC.
The Design
One of the best things about the Surface Pro is that everything works seamlessly and elegantly. In fact, the design of the Surface Pro is sleek, beautiful, and, well, exactly what you would expect in a high-end tablet. The magnesium body, while solid, still feels light enough to hold in one hand easily, and a small vent on the rear of the Surface Pro helps prevent the internal components from overheating.
At only two pounds, the Surface Pro weighs much less than a traditional laptop, and it is more compact at 10.81″x6.81″x0.53.” However, it is larger than an average tablet and feels more like a slimmed-down laptop than a tablet, especially when you attach the Type Cover or Touch Cover, which can double as a screen cover and prevent unwanted scratches.
The Display
While the 10.6-inch display on the Surface Pro is small for a full Windows laptop, it has a 1,920×1,080-pixel resolution, so you can watch all your videos in full 1080p. It also allows you to attach a secondary monitor with a resolution as high as 2,560×1,440 pixels, which can prove useful if you plan to use the Surface Pro for hours at a time. Working in multi-monitor mode is just as easy as it is with a traditional PC, thanks to the Surface Pro’s ability to support VGA and HDMI with the appropriate adaptors.
The Keyboard Options
If you want the full experience of a traditional laptop keyboard, you should probably go with the Type Cover. However, if you want to keep the Surface Pro as slim as possible, the Touch Cover is a better choice, as it is basically a keyboard-sized touchpad with slightly raised keys. Both options also protect the Surface Pro’s screen as well and are sold separately.
The Cons
While the Surface Pro is certainly more powerful than most tablets in its class, it also comes with a few cons, such as a somewhat-short battery life (about eight hours, but half that with constant gaming), a heavier body, and quite a hefty price tag that starts at $899. This price tag increases substantially if you decide to purchase the 128GB version, the Type Cover or Touch Cover, and Microsoft Office. While that may be worth the price for some, getting a tablet for the price of a mid- to high-end laptop may not appeal to budget-conscious consumers.
The Microsoft Surface Pro is definitely a great option if you are looking for an overpowered tablet that can double as a PC, it is also has similar access to internet like MACs compatible with satellite Internet,
but the minimum price tag of $899 gives this product a place in the high-end range of consumers. However, with an excellent design that makes the Surface Pro feel more like a laptop than a tablet, you can rest assured that the Surface Pro will not disappoint.
