When the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 was first released last year, it didn’t come with much of the latest features we are seeing lately, like multiple USB Type-C ports, OLED touch strips on the keyboard, or a Surface Dial. Still, Microsoft’s signature tablet PC is still one of the most advanced and powerful tablet computers running a desktop OS, on the market.
While the Surface Pro 4 is not the first 2-in-1 device to hit the market, it is the most innovative in its class, with unique features like a fingerprint scanner built into its Type Cover keyboard, and the ability to use accessories from other Surface tablets, including the Surface Pen, which can be used with any Surface touchscreen device, from the Surface Pro, to Surface Studio.
The tech specs are what makes this device truly stand out, and as we said, while the Pro 4 is still missing a USB Type-C array, it is the first tablet PC to support SSD storage up to 1TB, which is more typical in more traditional laptops like the Apple MacBook.
When it comes to processing power, the Surface Pro 4 is also comparable to quite a few competitors in the laptop category, with a 6th generation Intel Core that spans across nearly all Intel CPUs available to a mobile device, starting with the entry-level Intel Core m3, onto the more powerful i5, all the way up to the top-of-the-line Intel Core i7, whose matching model comes with a maximum of 16GB of memory, and a 1TB SSD.
Since we spoke about accessories earlier, the Surface Pro 4, as well as every other Surface currently on the market, have received a big upgrade in the way they are finally capable of connecting to external displays and devices, through the all-new Surface Dock. The accessory replaces its predecessor with a much smaller form factor, which does not require any kind of design compatibility to be used with any Surface product. The two built-in DisplayPorts allow to connect to two 4K displays simultaneously, that can be used alongside the Surface Pro’s own display.
The only downside, if we can call it that, is exactly what makes this tablet a Pro tablet, which is a relatively short battery life. This must come as no surprise, depending on the processor of choice. An entry-level Surface Pro 4 with an m3 CPU will last significantly longer than one powered by an i7, but only the i7 version will be capable of performing at certain speeds.
It has been argued that the Surface Pro 4 could benefit from an ARM architecture, however that would defeat the very purpose of a Pro tablet. With that said, Microsoft has been rumored to be working on a new breed of ARM processors, capable of running desktop Win32 applications, with possibly tremendous benefits in terms of battery life.
Aside from that, the Surface Pro 4 is a must for anyone looking for a good compromise between a tablet and a laptop..
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