Tech Tools review: Microsoft Surface Pro 4

Microsoft has been plugging away with its Surface Pro since its initial launch in 2013, pitching it as a replacement for other lightweight laptops (yes, we're all thinking Apple). It's a long way from knocking the Apple off the top of the tree but the good news is that each of the versions of the laptop have improved it to the point where the Surface Pro 4 could actually be a credible replacement for your existing Windows machine.

While the Pro 2 to the Pro 3 was a big leap in terms of design, there is little to tell the newest version apart from its predecessor at first glance. The differences are more subtle; the Pro 4 still has the kickstand so you can use it as a laptop, and it comes with the full size USB port, a mini Display adapter and micro SD card slot hidden away.

If you know what you’re looking for though, it’s easy. The Pro 4 is a shade thinner at 8.5mm and it’s slightly lighter, but you won’t notice unless the two devices are side by side. The screen is slightly larger too, at 12.3mm from 12mm, and the resolution has gone up to 267 pixels per inch.

The Windows button on the edge of the screen has gone, and it’s no loss; that was the first thing I disabled on the Pro 3 because it made taking notes with the included pen practically impossible. The camera on the rear has been bumped up to 8 megapixels from the Pro 3’s 5MP, but the front cameras remain at 5MP across the board. On the inside, things have also been changed a bit. While you can get the i5 and i7 versions still, there’s also a Core M processor Pro 4. The Core M processor is Intel’s power-efficient chip designed for use in mobile products, so it’s easier on the battery life without sacrificing on performance.

There are a few new accessories to go with the Pro 4. The docking station has been shrunk to almost minute proportions in comparison to its predecessor. Instead of a large dock that your tablet sits into, giving it additional USB ports, mini HDMI ports and an ethernet connection, you get a compact hub that comes in somewhere about the size of a laptop power supply. It’s much more convenient to carry around with you and it take sup far less space on your desk.

The keyboard has been improved too. It feels like a flimsy add-on and more like part of a laptop; it feels more comfortable to use and the trackpad has been made bigger.

The pen, which is fast becoming an essential piece of kit around here at least, feels less like a plastic kid’s stylus and more like a professional accessory.

So, money where my mouth is, right? I swapped out my regular PC – a workhorse Dell desktop – for the Pro 4 for a week to see how it went. Apart from some minor hiccups, there was nothing that the desktop could do that I couldn’t replicate on the Pro 4. As far as computer replacements go, things were looking up.

There were one or two moments though when the Surface preferred to stay black screened, refusing to switch on properly despite power obviously going into the machine. That required a reset more times that I’d like, although there was no data loss. I still have no clear idea what triggered it.

The good

The Pro 4 is versatile. It switches from tablet mode back to laptop mode automatically; remove the keyboard and you are good to go. Being able to switch between the two makes it more versatile.

For the duration of the review, my other tablet was given a small holiday, although the absence of some apps means it would never be a permanent switch. Still, this is full Windows, and there’s very little you can’t do on it. The new accessories are a step up too. The pen is more useful than the one designed to work with the Pro 3, and feels more comfortable in your hand.

The not so good

If you’re invested in a Pro 3, there’s little incentive to upgrade to the new version.Sure, there are a few changes that are worth pointing out, but for the most part, you could take the money you would have spent, halve it, and buy some new accessories for the Pro 3. The dock, for example, is compatible with both machines.

The rest

Windows 10 makes the Pro 4 a better experience out of the box. It feels more like a laptop when you need it and functions as a tablet when required. Whether that multitasking affects its ability to be either a tablet or a notebook extremely well is up to you.

The verdict

HHHH A few refinements make this the best Surface Pro yet.