Microsoft has left its Surface Pro line of Windows 10 tablet/laptop hybrids pretty much untouched since 2015 but today announced the latest generation device which is simply called Surface Pro. It comes with slightly rounder edges than the predecessors but looks otherwise very similar and is only 8.5mm thin.
Recent Videos
It also offers 50% more battery life (up to 13.5 hours for video playback) than the Surface Pro 4 and the Kickstand can be adjusted to a 165 degree angle which according to Microsoft is ideal for drawing and design work. The 12.3" PixelSense display with 2736 x 1824 resolution and 3:2 aspect ratio can be controlled via the new Surface Pen which, at 4096 pressure levels, offers double the sensitivity of the previous version. In addition there is a new optional Type Cover with LED illumination and a glass trackpad.
The new Surface Pro comes in platinum, cobalt blue and burgundy colors and can be pre-ordered from today starting at $799. The device is available with Intel's 7th-generation Core processors, with specifications starting from 128GB SSD and 4GB RAM up to 1TB SSD and 16GB RAM. Shipping is envisaged for mid-June.
I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for this update. All I can say is I'm somewhat underwhelmed. No USB-c? Really? And I still can't connect a card reader and external drive at the same time without an external hub. I don't get it.
That said, the battery life is impressive and no one has mentioned the one big upgrade: optional LTE. I would *love* to have this feature on whatever I end up getting instead of this new Surface Pro.
Downloading Photos - easiest way is via wifi, but if you require an external card reader, there will be a usb-c dongle that should support high speeds.
storage -- you can get up to 1TB ssd internal, not sure why you would want to connect an external drive to this. If it is like SP4 Pro, you'll also be able to install a microsd card as a second 200GB+ drive.
In any case, if you really want to connect multiple external devices at high speed...I assume there will be a next generation hub at some point that will support usb-c given that Microsoft is already releasing a usb-c dongle and a lot of people connect their SP4's to hubs.
@virtualreality A microSD card reader is built in. And while I appreciate this—I use it all the time on my original Surface Pro, it can't handle the 64GB SDXC cards used in my X-T2.
@deploylinux I appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. In my case, I'm generating photos and video content while traveling that consume more than a TB of space. But even if it didn't, best practice is not to trust critical data to one drive. I back up to a set of Samsung T-series external SSD drives. I was an early adopter of the original Surface Pro. I've been using it for many years now and it still works very well. However having to assemble a mini computer system of hubs, drives, readers, etc., any time I need to do a quick backup has become tedious. People have been complaining about the lack of multiple USB ports since I bought my Surface Pro. It's personally disappointing that MS has chosen to ignore these concerns. And because I do hold onto my laptops for a number of years, I don't want to start out behind the curve when it comes to USB-c (I really should clarify that I'm talking about Thunderbolt 3) and its potential speed advantage for data transfer.
What has nothing to do with this iteration, virtualreality? What have I said that is inaccurate? Are you suggesting that the latest Surface Pro has an SD card reader? The specs on MS site say otherwise though I would be happy to be wrong.
I agree with you, releasing a new convertible in 2017 without Type C is just daft... I'm guessing they didn't wanna commit the internal space (and potentially a bit more power usage) to the extra controller chip needed, as Intel still hasn't integrated this unto their northbridge (I think?)...
Even from a practical point it makes sense, a Type C data port can double as a charging port or a video out port so it frees you up to eliminate those, and you can put multiple Type C ports in the space of the larger legacy ports. Watch Surface Pro 2018/2019 go Type C.
If I recall correctly, it comes with a "Windows 10 S" - a severely locked down version of the OS, that only runs applications installed through Windows Store, and disables a lot of built-in software (like the command prompt).
Despite what some irate users say on the forums, the "S" stands for "streamlined".
The OS can be upgraded to a less-restricted Windows 10 (currently, an upgrade to "Pro" level is free).
That was the Surface laptop which Microsoft said was going to come with Windows 10 S on it (and then upgradeable to Windows 10 Pro for free). Just to confuse everyone. :)
This device, the Surface Pro tablet, comes with full Windows 10 Pro already (See specs at the bottom of the following link).
You're so wrong. USB-C can charge the tablet and connect it to a monitor at the same time. It has enough bandwidth to connect to an external device with PCI-E like bandwidth which means external periperhals even including high power GPU's. One plug can connect to a box that includes keyboard, mouse, monitor, Ethernet, speakers, anything you can get in an expansion card. And it can charge the device through the plug at the same time.
Wireless is s*** for 4K video out, fast data transfers, fast home broadband, or many of the kinda things enthusiasts and pros do with these systems. Type C is the future, being able to use ports interchangeably while making room for more of them, being able to use one single cable for both data and power (the opposite of clutter), being able to use the same charger for phone and laptop in a pinch, etc etc. MS dropped the ball IMO.
The Sony a7CR is a high-resolution addition to the company's compact full-frame a7C series. So what did we make of it and where does it leave the a7 IV that it sits just above?
Lomography's LomoChrome '92 is designed to mimic the look of classic drugstore film that used to fill family photo albums. As we discovered, to shoot with it is to embrace the unexpected, from strange color shifts to odd textures and oversized grain.
The LowePro PhotoSport Outdoor is a camera pack for photographers who also need a well-designed daypack for hiking and other outdoor use. If that sounds like you, the PhotoSport Outdoor may be a great choice, but as with any hybrid product, there are a few tradeoffs.
The Sony a7C II refreshes the compact full-frame with a 33MP sensor, the addition of a front control dial, a dedicated 'AI' processor, 10-bit 4K/60p video and more. It's a definite improvement, but it helps if you value its compact form.
Why is the Peak Design Everyday Backpack so widely used? A snazzy design? Exceptional utility? A combination of both? After testing one, it's clear why this bag deserves every accolade it's received.
If you want a compact camera that produces great quality photos without the hassle of changing lenses, there are plenty of choices available for every budget. Read on to find out which portable enthusiast compacts are our favorites.
What's the best camera for travel? Good travel cameras should be small, versatile, and offer good image quality. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for travel and recommended the best.
What’s the best camera for around $2000? This price point gives you access to some of the most all-round capable cameras available. Excellent image quality, powerful autofocus and great looking video are the least you can expect. We've picked the models that really stand out.
Above $2500 cameras tend to become increasingly specialized, making it difficult to select a 'best' option. We case our eye over the options costing more than $2500 but less than $4000, to find the best all-rounder.
The Sony a7CR is a high-resolution addition to the company's compact full-frame a7C series. So what did we make of it and where does it leave the a7 IV that it sits just above?
Lomography's LomoChrome '92 is designed to mimic the look of classic drugstore film that used to fill family photo albums. As we discovered, to shoot with it is to embrace the unexpected, from strange color shifts to odd textures and oversized grain.
Sony's gridline update adds up to four customizable grids to which users can add color codes and apply transparency masks. It also raises questions about the future of cameras and what it means for feature updates.
At last, people who don’t want to pay a premium for Apple’s Pro models can capture high-resolution 24MP and 48MP photos using the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. Is the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens or the ability to capture Raw images worth the savings for photographers?
Kodak's Super 8 Camera is a hybrid of old and new: it shoots movies using Super 8 motion picture film but incorporates digital elements like a flip-out LCD screen and audio capture. Eight years after we first saw the camera at CES 2016, Kodak is finally bringing it to market.
In this supplement to his recently completed 10-part series on landscape photography, photographer Erez Marom explores how the compositional skills developed for capturing landscapes can be extended to other areas of photography.
If you want a compact camera that produces great quality photos without the hassle of changing lenses, there are plenty of choices available for every budget. Read on to find out which portable enthusiast compacts are our favorites.
Sony, the Associated Press and 'Photo Mechanic' maker Camera Bits have run a month-long field-test to evaluate capture authentication and a subsequent workflow.
A color-accurate monitor is an essential piece of the digital creator's toolkit. In this guide, we'll go over everything you need to know about how color calibration actually works so you can understand the process and improve your workflow.
What's the best camera for travel? Good travel cameras should be small, versatile, and offer good image quality. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for travel and recommended the best.
It's that time of year again: When people get up way too early to rush out to big box stores and climb over each other to buy $99 TVs. We've saved you the trip, highlighting the best photo-related deals that can be ordered from the comfort of your own home.
The LowePro PhotoSport Outdoor is a camera pack for photographers who also need a well-designed daypack for hiking and other outdoor use. If that sounds like you, the PhotoSport Outdoor may be a great choice, but as with any hybrid product, there are a few tradeoffs.
Sigma's latest 70-200mm F2.8 offering promises to blend solid build, reasonably light weight and impressive image quality into a relatively affordable package. See how it stacks up in our initial impressions.
The Sony a9 III is heralded as a revolutionary camera, but is all the hype warranted? DPReview's Richard Butler and Dale Baskin break down what's actually new and worth paying attention to.
What’s the best camera for around $2000? This price point gives you access to some of the most all-round capable cameras available. Excellent image quality, powerful autofocus and great looking video are the least you can expect. We've picked the models that really stand out.
DJI's Air 3 and Mini 4 Pro are two of the most popular drones on the market, but there are important differences between the two. In this article, we'll help figure out which of these two popular drones is right for you.
The Sony a7C II refreshes the compact full-frame with a 33MP sensor, the addition of a front control dial, a dedicated 'AI' processor, 10-bit 4K/60p video and more. It's a definite improvement, but it helps if you value its compact form.
Above $2500 cameras tend to become increasingly specialized, making it difficult to select a 'best' option. We case our eye over the options costing more than $2500 but less than $4000, to find the best all-rounder.
The iPhone 15 Pro allows users to capture 48MP photos in HEIF or JPEG format in addition to Raw files, while new lens coatings claim to cut down lens flare. How do the cameras in Apple's latest flagship look in everyday circumstances? Check out our gallery to find out.
Global shutters, that can read all their pixels at exactly the same moment have been the valued by videographers for some time, but this approach has benefits for photographers, too.
We had an opportunity to shoot a pre-production a9 III camera with global shutter following Sony's announcement this week. This gallery includes images captured with the new 300mm F2.8 GM OSS telephoto lens and some high-speed flash photos.
The Sony a9 III is a ground-breaking full-frame mirrorless camera that brings global shutter to deliver unforeseen high-speed capture, flash sync and capabilities not seen before. We delve a little further into the a9III to find out what makes it tick.
The "Big Four" Fashion Weeks – New York, London, Milan and Paris - have wrapped for 2023 but it's never too early to start planning for next season. If shooting Fashion Week is on your bucket list, read on. We'll tell you what opportunities are available for photographers and provide some tips to get you started.
Sony has announced the a9 III: the first full-frame camera to use a global shutter sensor. This gives it the ability to shoot at up to 120 fps with flash sync up to 1/80,000 sec and zero rolling shutter.
What’s the best camera for around $1500? These midrange cameras should have capable autofocus systems, lots of direct controls and the latest sensors offering great image quality. We recommend our favorite options.
Comments