Microsoft’s new Windows 8 Surface Pro, out in stores now, is a tablet worth looking into, especially if you are on the go. It is similar but much more powerful to the first Windows Surface RT Tablet which debuted when Windows 8 launched last fall.
The Surface Pro is a full-fledged Windows 8 computer in tablet form with two optional English or French version touch and real type keyboards which also protect the 10.6-inch touchscreen. It runs on the latest Intel 3 Generation i5 processor with fast HD 4000 graphics and looks razor-sharp on its Full HD 1080P resolution. The pixels are so tightly packed, it looks sharper than many smartphones at 208 pixels per inch.
It comes with a 64GB or 128GB solid state drive and 4 GB RAM, $899.99 – $999.99. It features one USB 3.0 port, a Micro SD memory slot, a combo mic/headphone jack and a mini display port for which there is optional cabling. The small charger brick includes a USB charger port, smart!
By now most of you know that Windows 8 runs in two modes:
-A touch mode with large icons you can swoosh around and run like any tablet or iPad. You don’t need a keyboard or mouse in this mode and there are more than 44,000 apps available on the Microsoft Store online.
-A desktop mode that is similar to the previous Windows 7. Many applications run in both modes, although separate, giving you the choice of using a fully powered Windows PC in simplistic touch mode or a more traditional Windows 7 desktop mode with mouse and keyboard control, traditional folders, task bar and more.
Both modes offer multiple apps and a quick way to switch between the two by touching or pressing the START button/icon. Some folks don’t like the extra views and touching which on a large laptop and desktop or All-in-One versions may be more cumbersome. But for small sizes like the Surface Pro, it’s actually nice to switch between the touch screen, touch pad, very cool optional Wedge Mouse, keyboard and included Surface Stylus Pen with more than 1000 pressure sensitivity levels…great for sketching and gorgeous calligraphy.
The stylus is handy with Microsoft’s One Note and it can be used as a pointer or write tool. The downloadable Journal app becomes a simple but powerful tool for handwriting or marking on Word documents or pictures. It even converts your handwriting to text. Scribble your thoughts or drawings. It auto saves in case you forget to.
Being a full version of Windows 8, the Surface Pro can run previous applications from Windows 7. Adobe CS6 for example, has no problem running on it as do many other legacy programs.
Although I have reviewed and showed some fancy Windows 8 hybrids from ASUS, SAMSUNG, DELL, LENOVO, HP AND ACER, Microsoft has managed to come out with the smallest and simplest form factor that is easy to carry around taking up the least amount of room and weighing less than 2 lb.
Like the Windows Surface RT, it has a kick stand (better quality) while either keyboards feature a felt back for minimal slipping and oh so nice fuzzy warm side to carry around when closed, including along the bottom edge. That’s important when holding the Surface Pro for a long time. I would recommend the Type Cover keyboard, $129, for the extra $10, much more effective than the Touch Cover and almost as thin. I can comfortably say both magnetically attached Surface keyboards are the best thought out and designed in the industry.
The multi-finger touch pad is relatively small but works well.
Microsoft got it right on designing a compact, quality loaded fully functional PC proving that tablets can be computers too. That’s one over Apple’s mindset.
There are a few annoying things with the Surface Pro, to me anyway: The kickstand only has one angle setting, although it is a perfectly set to shoot both front and back cameras at the best angle when on a level table. Despite the simplistic and smart design, it does not function well on your lap when attached to the magnetic keyboard. The magnetic charger connection is not as well designed as Apple devices and needs some fiddling to make sure it is actually charging. But the same port smartly doubles as a holder for the stylus.
Most folks would think the sharper the screen the better, but because of the small 10.6”diameter screen in native Full HD 1920p resolution, the default font and icons are tiny (but sharp) so you now have to fiddle around with changing larger settings, which end up crowding your screen. Make sure you your reading eyesight is good! And some third part programs end up having tiny icons and buttons to click unto. Sometimes you just can’t win, can you!
Check out my Tech Talk segment on this morning’s GlobalTV Sunday Morning News on the Surface Pro: http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/video/tech+talk/video.html?v=2340023067&p=1&s=dd#themorningnews/video
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