Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Review: A premium hybrid device, refined

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Review: A premium hybrid device, refined

                                                                        
There’s no doubt that Microsoft Corp has succeeded in shaking up the PC hardware market with its popular Surface range of 2-in-1 Windows products.
 
The much-anticipated update to its tablet and notebook hybrid, Surface Pro 4, landed in Malaysia in mid-November, and comes now bundled with the Surface Pen.
 
The keyboard cover, known as Type Cover, continues to be sold separately, allowing users to choose the colour of their liking – but the combo doesn’t come cheap.
 
The average kit in this review – coming with an Intel Core i5 chipset, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage – will cost consumers RM6,328 with the Type Cover included (sold separately at RM529). [RM1 = US$0.24 at current rates]
 

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Review: A premium hybrid device, refined

 
Is it worth the premium asking price? As people who travel a lot and have to work pretty much everywhere, we found the Surface Pro 4 really handy with its weight at just 1.08kg, including the Type Cover.
 
Although slightly heavier than most large tablets, Surface Pro 4 is still generally very portable – you will not have any problem carrying it around for a whole day, which we often did.
 
Another plus is that the Type Cover weighs only 292g, thus we left it attached to the device for most of the time and used it as if it were a laptop.
 

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Review: A premium hybrid device, refined

With the adjustable kickstand, which lets us fold the device out to almost completely flat or to 150 degrees, it’s actually possible to balance the device on our lap. It’s not as sturdy as a traditional notebook, but we could still use it on our laps if we had to type without a table.
 
The magnesium case also gives it a premium touch, much to the delight of many fashionable consumers – although for the high price, one would expect as much.
 

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Review: A premium hybrid device, refined

 
Unfortunately, there is only one USB 3.0 port (yes, just one) and a Mini DisplayPort. Hence, consumers will most probably have to carry a USB hub with them wherever they go.
 
Nevertheless, there is an extra USB charging port on the device’s power adapter (pic above).
 
Display
 
The Surface Pro 4’s display is extremely satisfying with its 2,736 x 1,824 resolution, exceeding even Apple’s 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro, which boasts 2,560 x 1,600 resolution. Compare it with the lower resolution MacBook Air, and there’s really no competition.
 
Although there is some reflection from light sources (as with any glass-covered display), the Surface Pro 4 is comfortable to look at, with high colour accuracy.
 
Windows Hello
 

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Review: A premium hybrid device, refined

 
Utilising the 5-megapixel front-facing camera, you can log into your device via Windows Hello, Microsoft’s biometric authentication technology, which typically logged me in within a few seconds.
 
On the rear, the Surface Pro 4 sports an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p video support.
 
When it comes to speakers, one may not be expecting too much from the Surface Pro 4 but Microsoft surprised us in this department. Despite their size, the speakers are great.
 
We used the Surface to Skype, and voices were reproduced with high clarity. Even at maximum volume, the audio was clear with minimal distortion.
 
Read also: HP Pavilion x2 (2015) review: More tablet than notebook with this 2-in-1
 
Surface Pen
 

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Review: A premium hybrid device, refined

 
For the first time, the Surface Pen is being sold alongside the tablet – we suspect as a way to promote the use of Windows 10 as a productivity tool.
 
This writing and drawing tool has seen an upgrade, with the new Surface Pen offering 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity.
 
Taking notes with the Surface Pen felt almost exactly like putting pen to paper – the experience was a natural one. Users can open a new OneNote file with just a click of top of the Surface Pen.
 
You can also customise the pen’s clicking feature: Click once to open a new OneNote file, or twice to take a screenshot.
 

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Review: A premium hybrid device, refined

You can also store the pen on the side of the device (pic above), using a magnetic strip. It’s convenient but not reliable as the pen does detach quite easily.
 
We found ourselves having to repeatedly reattach the pen to the magnetic strip after taking the tablet out from our backpack, convincing us to leave the pen aside after some time.
 
Type Cover
 

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Review: A premium hybrid device, refined

 
So, where shall we start with the Type Cover? It is the keyboard.
 
The new Type Cover is just as good as the keyboard on any high-end laptop. Like the previous Type Covers, this one also can be attached magnetically to the tablet.
 
The new Type Cover is also compatible with Surface Pro 3.
 

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Review: A premium hybrid device, refined

 
With keys (pic above) that stick out slightly more than the previous Type Covers, the typing experience has been improved considerably.
 
Not only that, despite we being heavy typists, the Type Cover managed to stay flat even when we were typing with it on our laps.
 

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Review: A premium hybrid device, refined

 
Now, the trackpad (pic above). Highly accurate, it is 40% larger than the previous Type Cover.
 
Scrolling and multi-finger gestures were as smooth as could be. With such a trackpad, you don’t really need a wireless mouse.
 
Performance and battery life
 
There is no doubt that the Surface Pro 4 is a highly-productive 2-in-1 tablet. We had no problem fitting the device into our daily workflow.
 
But there’s one thing that Microsoft really ought to improve in its future Surface models: Battery life.
 
We were able to eke out about six hours of battery life from the Surface Pro 4 with it on battery saver mode. Throughout the six hours, we were using it for web browsing, including streaming a 90-minute feature film.
 
As good as it may be, we believe its high price may set potential buyers back. Starting at RM3,999, the entry model of the Surface Pro 4 comes with an Intel Core m3 processor, 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, including the Type Cover.
 
The highest-end variant, with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, goes for an eye-popping RM10,329, including the Type Cover.
 
For our money, that’s significantly high for the specifications.
 
But having said that, it is hard not to fall in love with the portability and productivity combo of the Surface Pro 4.
 
After all, it’s still one of the best 2-in-1 devices out there, and the benchmark for where PC form factors are headed to in the future.
 

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Review: A premium hybrid device, refined

 
Related Stories:
 
Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4 lands on Malaysian retail shores
 
DNA Test: Surface 3 is a laptop replacement
 
Lenovo refreshes Yoga line, doesn’t see Microsoft as competition
 
 
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