Silvery, paper-thin, super-fast: Reasons to own the cool new Microsoft Surface Pro 4

Technology giant Microsoft launched #Windows10Devices at an event hosted by them in New York on 6 October. The biggest highlight of the event was the launch of the successor to the Surface Pro 3, apart from launching Lumia 950 and 950XL smartphones.

Microsoft launched Surface Pro 4, which is thinner, lighter and faster. The Surface Pro 4 will start selling at $899 (approx Rs 58,700) in the US from 8 October. The pre-orders start today.

Photo: Microsoft

Touted to be the best Surface device ever, Microsoft Devices head Panos Panay launched the Surface Pro 4, stating that it is 50 per cent faster than Apple MacBook and 30 per cent faster than Surface Pro 3.

Specifications

• Runs on Windows 10
• Processor: 6th Gen Intel Core m3, i5, or i7
• Security: TPM chip for enterprise security
• Memory: 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB RAM
• Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking; IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible, Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
• Dimensions: 11.50" x 7.93" x 0.33" (292.10mm x 201.42mm x 8.45mm)
• Display: Screen: 12.3" PixelTouch display
• Resolution: 2736 x 1824 (267 PPI)
• Touch: 10 point multi-touch
• Camera: 5.0 MP front-facing HD camera, 8.0 MP rear-facing autofocus camera, with 1080p HD video recording

What works for Surface Pro 4?

Surface Pro 4 is a hybrid - a tablet which also works as a laptop. It is housed in a machined magnesium body, which means it is basically a silver metal laptop. According to Microsoft, Surface Pro 4 is for users who want a bigger screen experience and "the perfect typing experience" of a laptop.

Photo: Microsoft

Surface Pro 4 is Microsoft's latest pride. On its website, Microsoft says, "Surface Pro 4 is the proportions of a sheet of paper so that it feels familiar in your hands. It goes from tablet to laptop in a snap with the multi-position Kickstand and improved keyboard."

With additional pixels on the device, users will have a blast while doing multimedia on the Surface Pro 4.

Pro 4 incorporates a fingerprint reader for quick authentication.

Photo: Microsoft

The device comes with a stylus called Surface Pen which combines 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity with low latency.

Cortana, Microsoft's digital assistant, is super easy to access with a single click on the top of the Surface Pen. The design of the laptop is convenient and playful, adding to better user experience.

Photo: Microsoft

On the storage front, Surface Pro 4 comes with a microSD card reader going all the way up to 1TB and a Mini DisplayPort. Users can easily stuff their device with loads of data without losing out on speed and convenience.

The device works on latest version of Windows i.e. Windows 10 which offers a more personalised environment and ease of doing any task on the system. The G5 sensor can easily manage the optical stack and enables a highly responsive touch screen for touch as well as for the Surface Pen.

What does not work for Surface Pro 4?

The Type Cover's keyboard is better than Surface Pro 3's, despite being a "regular" one. The device doesn't look much different from its predecessor.

Though the device is packed with a powerful rear camera of 8 megapixels with autofocus, the idea of shooting videos with a huge 12.3-inch tablet isn't the best idea.

One feature that users might miss is the absence of the soft home key at the front of the device. Windows 10 devices do not rely on the Windows key to switch screens.

The verdict

It is quite obvious as to why Surface Pro 4 is designed and launched - to take on the Apple iPad Pro.

Photo: Microsoft

It is better than Surface Pro 3 in numerous aspects. The design is better, the weight is lighter, and the multimedia experience that it offers is one of the best. Users will love the functionality of the Surface Pen and the over all experience that it offers.

The base model starts at $899. The Surface Pro 4 is a powerful tablet which will openly be welcomed by both the business-oriented consumers and the casual consumers. The price tag is completely justified, granted the functionality, premium hardware and user experience.

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is the 'it' tablet. Go for it.