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.
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.
A production copy of the Canon EOS R10, the company's newest entry-level APS-C mirrorless camera, has arrived in Canada. Chris tells you what you need to know, including how the R10 stacks up to the competition.
The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art has solid build quality, some useful functions and weighs less than you'd expect. Does it take pretty pictures though? We have the answers.
The Panasonic GH6 is the latest in the company's line of video-focused Micro Four Thirds cameras. It brings a new, 25MP sensor and 10-bit 4K capture at up to 120p. We've put it to the test, both in the studio and out in the field.
Is the MSI Creator Z17 the MacBook Pro competitor Windows users were hoping for? In our tests it delivers big performance and offers a few good reasons why you might choose a 12th-Gen Intel laptop over a Mac.
What’s the best camera for around $2000? These capable cameras should be solid and well-built, have both speed and focus for capturing fast action and offer professional-level image quality. In this buying guide we’ve rounded up all the current interchangeable lens cameras costing around $2000 and recommended the best.
What's the best camera for shooting landscapes? High resolution, weather-sealed bodies and wide dynamic range are all important. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for shooting landscapes, and recommended the best.
Most modern cameras will shoot video to one degree or another, but these are the ones we’d look at if you plan to shoot some video alongside your photos. We’ve chosen cameras that can take great photos and make it easy to get great looking video, rather than being the ones you’d choose as a committed videographer.
Although a lot of people only upload images to Instagram from their smartphones, the app is much more than just a mobile photography platform. In this guide we've chosen a selection of cameras that make it easy to shoot compelling lifestyle images, ideal for sharing on social media.
A production copy of the Canon EOS R10, the company's newest entry-level APS-C mirrorless camera, has arrived in Canada. Chris tells you what you need to know, including how the R10 stacks up to the competition.
Photographer Mathieu Stern loves the strange and unusual. He also enjoys DIY projects. He combined these passions by turning a disposable camera lens into a cheap lens for his mirrorless camera.
Camera modifier and Polaroid enthusiast Jim Skelton wanted to use the affordable Instax Wide film but didn't want to use a cheap, ugly Instax 100 camera. He hacked together the Instax 100 and a stylish bellows-equipped Polaroid Model 455.
Autel has released firmware updates for its Lite+ and Nano+ drones. These include accessible flight logs, the ability to turn off voice notifications when using the Sky app and an increase the maximum flight distance.
CineD's new video tour and interview with Sigma's CEO Kazuto Yamaki offers fascinating insight into the building's design and Sigma's philosophy toward creating better imaging products. Yamaki-san also talks about Sigma's new F1.4 prime lenses, Sigma's Foveon sensor and the ongoing chip shortage.
We've shot and analyzed our studio test scene and find the X-H2S gives a performance very close to that of the X-T4, despite its high-speed Stacked CMOS sensor. There's a noise cost in the shadows, though, which impacts dynamic range.
The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art has solid build quality, some useful functions and weighs less than you'd expect. Does it take pretty pictures though? We have the answers.
The latest version of Sigma's 20mm F1.4 Art lens comes with substantial improvements, especially for astrophotography. Check out our gallery, including some astro images, to see how it performs!
Canon has partnered with Takara Tomy, the company behind Transformers, to release a run of Canon EOS R5 mirrorless camera models that transform into Optimus Prime and a Decepticon.
Midwest Photo was robbed late last week after a stolen truck broke through the store's front entrance. The store is in the progress of recovering from the damage and stolen goods. Photographers should be on the lookout for any suspicious product listings online.
OM System Ambassador Peter Baumgarten visits the wetlands of central Florida to photograph birds with the OM-1. Travel with Peter to see how he shoots, and view some of the spectacular photos he captures along the way. (Includes sample gallery)
We go hands-on with Sigma's latest 'Digital Native' wide-angle lenses for L-mount and Sony E-mount cameras to see what features they have and what sets them apart from the rather limited competition.
Sony has announced in-camera forgery-proof photo technology for its a7 IV mirrorless camera. The technology, aimed at corporate users, cryptographically signs images in-camera to detect future pixel modification and tampering.
CRDBAG's CRDWALL is a thin, space-efficient storage solution that you mount on your wall. It uses tracks, cords and hooks to store your gear flat against the wall without hiding it from view.
The new Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art has a brand new optical formula designed for mirrorless cameras. Check out our sample gallery to see how sharp it is, as well as how it handles flare, chromatic aberrations and sunstars.
Sigma’s new 24mm F1.4 DG DN lens for L-mount and E-mount features a physical aperture ring that can be de-clicked, stepping motors with full support for Sony MF assist modes, a rear filter holder and more.
Sigma's new 20mm F1.4 DG DN lens for L-mount and E-mount offers a unique set of features for Astro and landscape photographers, including a rear filter holder, a Manual Focus Lock switch and a Lens Heater Retainer.
This behemoth uses the same 8K full-frame Vista Vision CMOS sensor found inside the standard V-RAPTOR, but adds an impressive I/O array, integrated ND filter and more to make it a production-ready rig.
Alfie Cameras is launching its Alfie TYCH next month on Kickstarter, but before then it needs beta testers to see how its triple lens half-frame camera performs.
NASA is preparing for a simulated Mars mission that will house four crew members in a module on Earth. The crew will remotely control drones and rovers to collect rock samples on a simulated Mars. Skypersonic, a remote control drone company, is supplying mission-critical technology as part of the mission.
Scientists using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have observed a neutron star merger in millimeter-wavelength light for the first time. The explosion created one of the most energetic short-duration gamma-ray bursts ever observed.
The Panasonic GH6 is the latest in the company's line of video-focused Micro Four Thirds cameras. It brings a new, 25MP sensor and 10-bit 4K capture at up to 120p. We've put it to the test, both in the studio and out in the field.
The Tamron Lens Utility Mobile app is set to launch later this year. The app will let you use your compatible Android device to control, customize and update compatible Tamron lenses without the need for a computer.
NASA has released a new image from the James Webb Space Telescope, focusing on the Cartwheel Galaxy. The rare galaxy has been imaged using Webb's NIRCam and MIRI, with the composite showing incredible detail.
Comments