So just when we thought that the ‘tablet’ was on its way to an obituary, comes along Microsoft with its stunning feature packed Surface Pro 4 that gives the ‘tablet’ a new lease of life and actually threatens the classic laptop and good old desktop with its fast, convenient, mobile and terrific display features.
The Surface Pro 4 will be sold to retail customers through Amazon and will be available from 14 January 2016 onwards. Its earlier version, the Surface Pro 3, will also be made available to Indian customers. For enterprise clients, HCL will be the distribution agency.
So how does the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 beat a laptop and a desktop?
Light weight and mobile
This is a given. The Surface Pro 4 Cover can fold up or be detached easily making it easy to carry and operate anywhere. We need to have computing power on the go and being light weight and handy gives the Surface Pro 4 an edge over the laptop or desktop. The slim bezels around the screen give a high screen-to-body ratio and at 8.45mm thickness, makes it one of the slimmest tablets around.
But if you still love the laptop look and feel, just open out the multi-position Kickstand and improved smart keyboard. No brainer.
Terrific computing power
If there is one thing that gets us climbing up the wall it’s a slow processor that makes us wait a lifetime. Both the Intel Core i5 & i7 processors make running all your desktop software, graphics and gaming applications, a breeze. Go figure.
Visuals
If you thought you would be giving up on your desktop screen resolution, check out the Surface Pro 4. ‘PixelSense’ gives you real-life-like picture quality. Great feature for visual poetry.
One-click access
The Surface ‘Pen’ makes using the Surface Pro real easy. To access Cortana, your personal assistant-in-a-box, just click and hold the top of the Pen and your Cortana comes alive at your service.
Taking quick notes is just a click away. Point the Pen and click, and OneNote opens up real quick. Sweet.
Natural writing made easy
And, if you love to use the pen for writing on screen or working graphics, the screen has specially designed ‘Palm Block’ technology for your palm to rest on the screen while you work the pen. Besides, the Pen integrates 1024 pressure sensitivity with low latency offering a natural pen holding experience. So go pen your way to creativity.
A secure way to get started
Windows ‘Hello’ is a secure face recognition software that ensures it is you who is logging in, and comes along with all other secure features that protects your information. Sleep in peace.
Accessories to make your life easy
The Surface Pro 4 comes along with all the accessories you will need to enhance your user experience and includes Pen and Keyboard (optional).
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
What comes along:
- Surface Pro 4
- Surface Pen
- Power supply
- Quick Start Guide
- Safety and Warranty documents
Features and Specs
- Processor: 6th Gen Intel Core i5 & i7
- Memory: 4 GB; 8 GB
- Storage: SSD options – 128 GB; 256 GB
- Security: TPM chip for enterprise security
Graphics:
- i5: Intel HD Graphics 520
- i7: Intel HD Iris Graphics
Display:
- Screen: 12.3 PixelSense display
- Resolution: 2736 x 1824 (267 PPI)
- Aspect ratio: 3:2
- Touch: 10 Point multi-touch
Camera/ Video/Audio:
- Windows Hello3 front facing face-authentication camera
- Front: 5 MP front-facing camera with 1080p HD video
- Rear: 8 MP rear-facing auto focus camera with 1080p HD video
- Stereo microphones
- Stereo speakers with Dolby audio
Battery life: up to 9 hours of video playback
Ports:
- Full-size USB 3.0
- microSD card reader
- Headset jack
- Mini DisplayPort
- Cover Port
- SurfaceConnect
Sensors:
- Ambient Light sensors
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
Wireless:
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking; IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
- Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
Dimensions:
- 292.10mm x 201.42mm x 8.45mm
Weight:
- i5: 786 grams
- i7: 786 grams
Exterior:
- Casing: Magnesium
- Color: Silver
- Physical buttons: volume, power
Price in India:
This is where Microsoft will face its biggest challenge. The Indian market is highly price sensitive and while the Surface Pro 4 comes feature packed, there will be a large segment that will probably make do with cheaper alternates or compromise on features.
But for designers, artists, game developers etc, the Surface Pro 4’s steep price will be no damper since its power packed features offers sheer convenience, speed and mobility.
The only problem is that there is one USB 3.0 port with no HDMI port, which means one needs to buy a separate Mini Display Port to HD AV adapter. The Smart Keyboard is an additional buy as well.
Surface Pro 4
- i5 with 4GB RAM, 128 GB SSD: Rs 89,990
- i5 with 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD: Rs 120,990
- i7 with 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD: Rs 1,44,990
Surface Pro 3
- i3 with 4GB RAM, 128 GB SSD: Rs 73,990
- The Microsoft Smart Keyboard: Rs 12,490
