Early assessments of Microsoft's Surface Pro are predominantly unfavorable
The Microsoft Surface Pro, Microsoft's latest venture into the tablet market, has been met with a varied response from critics and users alike.
Launched with storage options of 64GB or 128GB, the Surface Pro boasts a full-HD display, a feature missing from its predecessor, the Surface RT. Powered by the Windows 8 operating system and an Intel processor, it can run conventional Windows applications, making it arguably more suitable for businesses.
However, the Surface Pro has faced criticism for its bulkiness as a tablet, despite being well-built. Kyle Wagner of Gizmodo finds it cumbersome, particularly the keyboard cover, which he deems not viable as a replacement laptop. The Surface Pro's trackpads are also criticised for being barely usable anywhere.
Dan Gillmor, writing for the Guardian, shares similar sentiments, finding the Surface Pro too heavy to use comfortably, with a weight of 2lbs. He suggests that an adjustable kickstand would improve its usability. The kickstand, as it stands, has a single viewing angle, a point also raised by Gillmor.
The Surface Pro's battery life has been a significant point of contention. In Walt Mossberg's battery tests, the Surface Pro's performance was less than half that of the iPad, lasting just under four hours between charges. Mossberg, writing for AllThingsD, criticises this aspect severely.
Despite these shortcomings, the Surface Pro has received some positive reviews. John Biggs from TechCrunch has been using the Surface Pro as his primary laptop for a week and finds it sufficient to replace his MacBook. He praises the Surface Pro, stating that it is a powerful computer with enough speed and graphics capabilities to challenge other laptop manufacturers.
The Surface Pro 12 is currently available in Germany for around 799 euros, a 20% discount from its original recommended retail price of nearly 1,000 euros. Previously announced Surface Pro 12 models have starting prices from approximately 979 euros onward.
In conclusion, the Microsoft Surface Pro presents a combination of strengths and weaknesses. While it offers a full-HD display and the ability to run conventional Windows applications, its battery life, weight, and usability issues have been points of contention. Whether it proves to be a successful venture for Microsoft remains to be seen.
As for a UK release date, Microsoft has yet to make an announcement.
