Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Laptop
US 1+
Pros
- Thin and slim design
- Light in weight
- Fine keyboard
- Better touchpad
- Fast performance
Cons
- Middling battery life
- Still fairly expensive
- Only one USB port
- Type Cover keyboard costs extra
- Huge for a tablet and small as a laptop
Read Microsoft Surface Pro 4 laptop review and see the best price. The system is more reliable than its earlier versions of the series. The tablet comes with all those features that can replace a laptop.
The device being lighter in weight, you can also carry it easily along with you and work on it on the go.
This system has the power to support everything that you want to do on this computer, of course, within the limits of the peripherals.
The more advanced technology used in building this system allows you to streamline your everyday job and life, irrespective of its nature. The device will consistently and most reliably provide the best solutions for your average computing needs.
The useful features that makes this system most reliable amongst other similar ones include the Surface Pro 4 Type Cover. You can match this according to your system and liking for a comfortable and smoother typing experience.
It also offers Office 365 Personal that is one of the most reliable operating tools that will enable you to transform your system into a complete and powerful workstation using the Surface Dock.
You will also be able to make your presentation in a much more reliable and elegant way using the wireless display adapter. All you have to do is plug in and connect. Check out best laptop brands.
You do not have to worry about the security aspect due to the reliable feature of the TPM chip that will allow adequate protection at the Enterprise level with the Windows Hello face sign-in capability.
Table of Contents
Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Laptop & Variants Price
Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Laptop Review
Buy for: Using it both as laptop and a tablet, more configuration options, more vibrant and sharper touch display.
Beware of: Difficulty in using on the lap, limited mobility, limited storage.
Verdict
The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 laptop contains the best things of the earlier versions of this series. The developed Type Cover finally delivers much better and smoother typing experience. However, it is sold separately, unfortunately. This hybrid tablet is useful in several ways such as light weight and productivity.
Design and Build
The system is not only more powerful but it is also much lighter in weight making it more portable compared to the other earlier versions.
The design of the system is much more than average but a little less than extraordinary.
The screen comes with features like touchscreen and Pixel Sense technology. It displays images with 2736 x 1824 resolution and at an aspect ratio of 3:2. The 10-point multi-touch feature of the screen ensures easy and accurate navigation.
The low glare and high contrast feature of the screen produces images that are softer to the eyes. The battery will allow you to work on it all day and not worry about straining your eyes.
The improved design of the keyboard will allow you to type smoothly and comfortably.
The design of the kickstand at the back of the device allows you to flip it open to a 150 angle. This is the most comfortable angle to work on the device at your desk or play with it on the couch. It will also allow you to give a hands-free and easy presentation.
The surface pen, which is sold separately, is also designed to perfection to ensure that you write, draw and sketch on the screen most comfortably and easily.
The build of the system will allow you to go from tablet mode to laptop mode in an instant. It is all due to the multi position ability of the kickstand.
The use of magnesium material in building the casing makes it lightweight at 1.73 pounds.
Performance
Features like the ambient light sensor, that will ensure that the screen is softer to your eyes with proper brightness, the accelerometer and gyroscope that will ensure a better and safer operation and connection, makes this system much safer as well as allows it to perform at a high level.
The 6th generation processor comes with enough power and speed to support the 4 GB memory and 128 GB solid state drive installed in the device.
This ensures a better performance by the system when all these elements work in perfect harmony.
However, the best performance is only achieved when you restrict its use to simple computing tasks only.
The Intel HD graphics will ensure that the viewing experience is provided at its highest level.
With enough speed and power there will be no screen tears or interrupted processing, data transfer and projection of the images on the screen.
The Windows 10 Pro operating system along with its innumerable features will ensure that it works properly and you love working on the device.
Irrespective of the type of work you do on the system, you will feel just like an expert while using this system in any mode.
You can run Windows and Office on this system according to your need.
RAM & Storage
The system comes with 4 GB RAM, which is very low compared to today’s standards. However, it is enough for this system because it is not meant to be a gaming laptop, ever.
The 128 GB storage is also quite low compared to modern devices. Apparently, it will not seem so, but when you consider the fact that the size of the hard drive gets significantly reduced due to the installation of the operating system, it will clarify your doubts.
Ideally, a 64 GB and a 128 GB storage will have merely 23 GB and 83 GB space left respectively if Windows 8 operating system is installed in a device. Take away another 8 GB or so for higher versions of Windows OS.
However, the good thing in the system is the inclusion of a MicroSD slot. This will support a card with 64 GB of RAM and allow you to use an additional hard drive, externally. This, however, is not a good idea, especially if you want a mobile solution.
Ports & Connectivity
The system has almost all those ports that you will find in a full-feature laptop.
There is a full-size USB 3.0 port that will allow you to connect different accessories according to your need such as a mouse, a printer, a USB drive, an Ethernet adapter, or even your smartphone. However, there is only one such port.
The Surface Connect port is meant for charging your battery and the MicroSD card slot allows you to use a SD card for extra storage and file transfer.
The version 1.2 of the mini DisplayPort in the system will allow you to connect it to an HDTV, a projector or a monitor to see the images on the Surface screen by using a video adapter that is sold separately.
The 3.5 mm headset jack will allow more privacy while making conference calls or when you listen to music.
Lastly, the cover connector will enable you to use a keyboard separately when you need, even when you are on the go.
As for the connectivity of this device, you will be able to connect easily through the system and stay connected using its wi-fi wireless networking that follows the IEEE 802.11ac, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n compatibility.
You may also use its Bluetooth Wireless 4.0 technology along with it as well.
Battery Life
As Microsoft claims, the battery life of the system is up to 9 hours, that too during video playback. Depending on your usage and type of tasks performed on the system, the life of the battery may vary.
However, considering that a work-day is typically of 8 hours, this system will provide you with adequate power to complete your day’s work easily and comfortably.
Once again, make sure that you stick to the basic computing jobs only while using this device to get them done without any glitches.
If you do not, then the life of the same battery may even come down to as low as 5 to 6 hours, but then that will be pushing it a bit too much.
You may enhance the battery life considerably by using the system in battery saver mode. When you turn this on it will dim the screen preserving the battery as much as possible.
You may also time it so that it goes on automatically when the power reaches 20%.
You may also increase the battery life by disabling all apps in the background or turning off those features that you do not need often, such as the Bluetooth, wi-fi and mobile broadband.
These features constantly look for devices to connect to and drain out a significant part of the life of the battery at a much faster rate.
If you cannot keep them off manually, the best way to save on battery life is to use your system in the Airplane mode. Also, you can save your battery from draining at a rapid rate by keeping the brightness of the screen at moderate level.
You can recharge the battery from zero to its full capacity in a little more than two and a half hours.
Additional Features
As additional features of this laptop, you will get a 5-megapixel front facing camera for Windows Hello face sign-in as well as an 8-megapixel autofocus camera at the rear, both capable of 1080p HD video capture and producing images at an aspect ratio of 16:9.
These cameras also have a privacy light located on the right side of each.
Apart from that, there is also an infrared face-detection camera in the system. It will allow you to sign in to Windows without needing to type a password every time.
There are also stereo microphones and speakers in the system with the advanced Dolby Audio Premium feature.
This will ensure a clear and distinct sound output and conversation with the callers. The front firing speakers will ensure that you have a more immersive music experience and movie playback. This feature actually enhances the sound output by 20%.
The Surface Pen will work just like an actual pen providing you with a natural and better writing experience when you use the system in the tablet mode.
Using this pen, which is powered by AAA batteries, you can even launch Cortana, if available in your region, or use OneNote to jot down a few notes quickly or take screenshots of a particular image or document.
You can store this pen in the magnetic pen holder by the side of the device most conveniently.
Specs:
- Brand: Microsoft
- Screen: 12.3 inches
- Display: PixelSense touchscreen (2736 x 1824 pixels)
- Storage: 128 GB
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage Type: SSD Hard Drive
- RAM Type: LPDDR3
- Processor: 6th generation Intel Core M processor
- Graphics: Integrated
- Processor Speed: 2.2 GHz
- Processor Brand: Intel
- Product Dimensions: 15.17 x 9.21 x 1.58 inches
- Operating System: Windows 10 Professional
What Do Users Think about Surface Pro 4?
Most of the users think that this device is not affordable but it is also not that a laptop to ignore altogether either, especially considering its capability.
When compared to other systems of the same specs, it does a great job. It is well-made and well-built, thin and portable making it a desirable laptop for most of the users.
The system also offered a higher performance with some little upgrades and tweaks made in it, a few users thought. The features of this system make it really interesting and outstanding, they thought, especially when it comes to using it for light weight tasks.
It is a good companion device, other users felt, along with their desktop computer. It allows taking notes on it with its features that ensures smooth and easy writing.
It also allows downloading files, text books and others. The battery of this system has a long enough life to support simple web browsing, checking emails and other simple jobs that they wanted to do.
Other users spoke differently for the device. They said everything in the system is not worthy to invest in. They felt that the size is huge.
There are also several software issues that required them to shut down and restart the system frequently. The fact that the system freezes quite often is what dissatisfies them the most.
The system is great in functionality and usability but the pen is easy to lose and needs a better place to keep it, said others. Check out Surface Pro 4 Manual.
Since it simply attaches to the side with a magnet, the chances of losing it or damaging the tip while putting it in or taking the system out from the bag. This bothered them.
Few users said that there are a few common problems in the system. They said that it develops a ghost screen, visible halfway down the actual screen, producing a second image. The screen also starts to flicker as if there was a power issue.
Apart from the battery life that affected the performance of the system, other users did not have anything negative to say about its design, built, operating system, or the screen.
However, connecting the charging cable is a bit of a problem, they thought, because it is secured magnetically instead of plugging it in.
Other Expert Views
TopNewReview points at the fact that the system comes with a better battery life in spite of its conservative updates. The look of it is really cool but due to the high price, it may not be affordable for everyone to use this system. This is due to the additional cost of the accessories that are needed for the full accompaniment of the system to make the best use of the incremental upgrades.
Creativebloq said the system looks great for its design and most functional due to its components. The screen is excellent and comes with a touch feature. Though expensive, this model is good enough to double as a digital sketchbook and as a laptop with average specifications and performance level. If the money and form factor is kept aside, this is an excellent and all-round portable device, they said.
NotebookCheck, on the other hand, thinks that this is an affordable device that ensures better and more stable connectivity. The long-enough battery life makes this incredible system a good and reliable laptop replacement. The processor is powerful enough in this portable computing device. The new keyboard options are equally praiseworthy.
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