By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
TechgoonduTechgoondu
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Hands on: Microsoft Surface Pro sticks to formula
Share
Aa
TechgoonduTechgoondu
Aa
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Follow US
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Techgoondu > Blog > Mobile > Tablets > Hands on: Microsoft Surface Pro sticks to formula
PCTablets

Hands on: Microsoft Surface Pro sticks to formula

Alfred Siew
Last updated: August 15, 2017 at 11:26 PM
Alfred Siew Published August 15, 2017
7 Min Read
SHARE
The new Surface Pro is familiar because it looks almost similar to the one from 2015. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

If you looked at the latest Microsoft Surface Pro for the first time, you might not notice the differences with the previous tablet-laptop hybrid it replaces.

This year’s iteration, coming almost two years since the Surface Pro 4 in 2015, might be one of the least ambitious since the company first introduced the lineup back in 2013. The reason is simple – the formula already works.

The familiar tablet-like 12.3-inch screen offers a nice balance between a large tablet display and thin-and-light ultrabook screen. What you get, Microsoft will hope, is the best of both worlds.

No stranger either is the 2,736 x 1,824 resolution that is sharper than many of your average laptops. At a media launch today, I was impressed by the fine details on display. Impressive too is the colour balance, which does not veer into the realm of over-saturation.

PHOTO: Wilson Wong

One of the star features is the 10-point multi-touch screen that Microsoft was keen to show off today in Singapore. Professional artists now use the tablet to draw and illustrate images used for commercial purposes.

I still consider Apple’s iPad Pro the gold standard when it comes to mimicking a physical writing pad or drawing board (outside of the professional-grade Wacom Cintiq digital canvases). However, the Surface Pro is no slouch with its own stylus.

The Surface Pen does very well to enable the different strokes you can apply to a surface. Said to be twice as sensitive as a previous version with more than 4,000 levels of pressure sensitivity, it lets you vary your strokes easily, say, by tilting it at an angle for shading.

It feels natural too, especially with the added “feel” that you get while moving across the surface. Instead of feeling like plastic on glass, it comes across as almost like pen on paper, thanks to the added friction.

The Surface Pro stylus feels natural, especially with a tip that makes you imagine you are writing or drawing on paper. PHOTO: Alfred Siew

The bad news is that the stylus is now not included in the price. It costs S$148 and if you are want to pick a pen tip, say, for the feel of a fine-point pen, be prepared to pay another S$34.

The other thing you’d expect to pay is the S$199 Surface Pro Type Cover. This is really a must-have for the Surface Pro, because without it, the device becomes a tablet, not a laptop. You won’t otherwise be shelling out at least S$1,188 for it.

Good news is, the keyboard is excellent. For one that is so thin and light, there is surprising key travel, so you don’t bang your poor fingers so painfully into a hard surface. I write for a living, so a keyboard like this, especially with the snap-on convenience, is a big plus.

One other thing you’d notice on the new tablet is a slight change to the hinge. Though it looks familiar, it now lets you push the tablet way down, almost flush to a table top. Great for drawing something on the screen, or simply reading a magazine.

There are still the old bugbears, to be fair. It’s not hard to imagine the trickiness in balancing the Surface Pro on your lap, for example. Even though recent versions have been easier, you should expect to have the stand biting into your thigh if you sit for long stretches.

Plus, if you have always preferred a laptop, not a tablet, then you might find the Surface Pro still lacks the solid feel of a traditional thin-and-light clamshell design. The Dell XPS 13, for example, is so portable yet feels bomb-proof.

For those who want a two-in-one, that’s another story, of course. With this in mind, Microsoft is simply fine-tuning a great design that has won over many users over the years. Remember when you wanted to junk your laptop for a tablet in the past?

Well, not any more. It has been four years since the first Surface Pro tablet-laptop hybrid turned up in Singapore and the latest version will likely wow users again.

The keyboard is impressive with good key travel, a plus for those who type a lot. PHOTO: Wilson Wong

For this year’s model, Microsoft has updated the internal hardware to Intel’s seventh-generation Core chips, just as the chipmaker is looking to unveil the next generation next week.

For many users, that might not matter, since they would be buying the Surface Pro more for its usability than the latest processors. Some might wait, though, for rival PC makers to come up with hybrids similar to Microsoft’s but with the latest chips.

This year’s Surface Pro isn’t shabby, to be fair. With its Intel processors, it promises 50 per cent more battery life than the previous Surface Pro 4.

Plus, the six models available in Singapore mean you can choose from a basic S$1,188 Core m3 model with 4GB RAM and 128GB solid state storage to a top-end one with a Core i7, 16GB RAM and 1TB storage costing S$3,888.

The best bet, I wager, will be the middle of the pack. With an Intel Core i5 and 8GB RAM, you’d be able to run your Photoshop and Illustrator well enough on the go. Plus, 256GB of storage will be handy as well. That costs S$1,788.

 

You Might Also Like

Sony Playstation VR2 review: An immersive experience awaits

Get the best Mac-friendly monitors for colour-perfect design work

LG OLED Flex LX3 review: A bendable gaming monitor for the adventurous (and rich)

Hogwarts Legacy review: Defying gravity

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: Impressive flagship design, performance

TAGGED: Microsoft, review, Singapore price and availability, Surface Pro

Sign up for the TG newsletter

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Alfred Siew August 15, 2017
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link Print
Share
Avatar photo
By Alfred Siew
Follow:
Alfred is a writer, speaker and media instructor who has covered the telecom, media and technology scene for more than 20 years. Previously the technology correspondent for The Straits Times, he now edits the Techgoondu.com blog and runs his own technology and media consultancy.
Previous Article Top in broadband speeds now, Singapore has moved from laggard to leader
Next Article Singapore telcos and banks make it easier for SMEs to go digital
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow

Latest News

Oppo Find N2 Flip review: A worthy flip phone alternative to Samsung
Cellphones Mobile March 26, 2023
As TikTok faces a possible ban in the US, should users elsewhere be worried?
Cybersecurity Internet March 24, 2023
Foodpanda to use Gogoro electric scooters in battery swapping trial with Cycle & Carriage
Enterprise Internet March 23, 2023
RedCap: A new cellular IoT technology for the 5G era
Enterprise Software Telecom March 23, 2023
//

Techgoondu.com is published by Goondu Media Pte Ltd, a company registered and based in Singapore.

.

Started in June 2008 by technology journalists and ex-journalists in Singapore who share a common love for all things geeky and digital, the site now includes segments on personal computing, enterprise IT and Internet culture.

banner banner
Everyday DIY
PC needs fixing? Get your hands on with the latest tech tips
READ ON
banner banner
Leaders Q&A
What tomorrow looks like to those at the leading edge today
FIND OUT
banner banner
Advertise with us
Discover unique access and impact with TG custom content
SHOW ME

 

 

POWERED BY READYSPACE
The Techgoondu website is powered by and managed by Readyspace Web Hosting.

TechgoonduTechgoondu
Follow US

© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Terms of Use | Advertise | About Us | Contact

Join Us!

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
 

Loading Comments...
 

    Welcome Back!

    Sign in to your account

    Lost your password?