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.
The Nikon Z7 is slated as a mirrorless equivalent to the D850, but it can't subject track with the same reliability as its DSLR counterpart. AF performance is otherwise good, except in low light where hunting can lead to missed shots.
Nikon's Coolpix P1000 has moved the zoom needle from 'absurd' to 'ludicrous,' with an equivalent focal length of 24-3000mm. So far, it's a fun camera to shoot with – if a bit over the top.
The Canon EOS R is the first full frame mirrorless camera to use the new RF mount. We're well underway putting it through our range of standard tests – take a look at how it compares to the competition and our thoughts on using it so far.
The GFX 50R is a 50MP rangefinder-style mirrorless camera. It borrows heavily from the existing 50S model but in a smaller body and at a lower price. How does it differ?
The instant camera market is heating up, and with four formats and 15+ cameras to choose from, we felt it was high time to examine them all and pick our favorite.
Whether you're hitting the beach in the Northern Hemisphere or the ski slopes in the Southern, a rugged compact camera makes a great companion. In this buying guide we've taken a look at seven current models and chosen our favorites.
What's the best camera for a parent? The best cameras for shooting kids and family must have fast autofocus, good low-light image quality and great video. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for parents, 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.
What’s the best camera costing over $2000? The best high-end camera costing more than $2000 should have plenty of resolution, exceptional build quality, good 4K video capture and top-notch autofocus for advanced and professional users. In this buying guide we’ve rounded up all the current interchangeable lens cameras costing over $2000 and recommended the best.
Sony has updated its image sensor spec page and as expected, a few of the chips they make bear an uncanny resemblance to sensors found inside Fujifilm and Panasonic cameras.
This week Chris and Jordan are joined by renowned macro photographer Don Komarechka, who demonstrates a few simple techniques that can improve your macro photos in a big way.
The Pixel 3 represents another step forward in computational photography for Google's smartphone. We're just getting started with our testing – for now take a look at some sample images, including 'computational Raw' files available for download.
The Kickstarter campaign for Yashica’s digiFilm Y35 camera has produced a wave of complaints about delays in shipping product as well as cameras that don’t work.
Although Raw performance of the EOS R is very similar to the 5D Mark IV, Canon's done some tweaking on the JPEGs - take a look at our studio scene to see for yourself.
If you've backed one of the company's crowdfunding projects, the reward will not arrive and you won't get your money back either as Meyer Optik Görlitz's parent company, Net SE, is completely dead.
Google's Super Res Zoom technology uses pixel-shifting methods to achieve zoom results comparable to some optical solutions. Google has published an in-depth explanation on its AI blog.
Toy manufacturer Tomy has launched a no-battery-required smartphone printer that is remarkably like the one Holga has been promoting via a Kickstarter campaign but which is already available for $40/£39.
The Nikon Z7 is slated as a mirrorless equivalent to the D850, but it can't subject track with the same reliability as its DSLR counterpart. AF performance is otherwise good, except in low light where hunting can lead to missed shots.
After shaking up the Lightroom ecosystem with Lightroom CC last year, Adobe has released version 2.0 of the cloud-centric photo organizer and editor. We look at new features like People View, how far Lightroom CC has come in its first year, and where Lightroom is headed.
The weather and has most definitely taken a turn toward fall here, and our shooting opportunities have followed suit. We brought the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 along to a harvest festival of sorts and a few of our usual haunts.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has signed House Bill 1346 into effect, which imposes a fine upwards of $300 to drone operators who invade the privacy or harm the physical wellbeing of citizens.
Sigma is a company in flux, but CEO Kazuto Yamaki is undaunted by the upcoming prospect of developing lenses for eight lens mounts. The challenge will be keeping the company's identity along the way.
If you've been meaning to convert all of your old photos, video, and audio to digital formats, but simply lack the time or willpower to get through it all, a new service from Kodak will help you get the job done.
Almost all new cameras include impressive video features, but for the best results you'll often need an off-camera recorder. Chris and Jordan take a look at the brand new Ninja V from Atomos, and explain why it might just be one of the most useful tools you can add to your camera.
Sick of using your plain ol' keyboard to edit your photos in Lightroom and Photoshop? TourBox is hoping to expedite your post-production workflow using a clever combination of dials, buttons, and knobs.
Comments