Microsoft Surface Pro 2 Pro Reviews

Winning 5 rounds to 4 — with two draws — the MacBook Air 11-inch wins this close face-off against the Surface Pro 2. With Apple’s ultraportable, you get a better keyboard, longer battery life and good productivity software for free, plus a better front-facing camera and more robust audio — all for less money than the Surface (assuming you spring for the keyboard). On the other hand, the Surface Pro 2 is the more versatile of the two devices, featuring a lighter detachable design with pen support. The Surface Pro 2 also benefits from a sharper full HD touch screen and superior split-screen multitasking via the Snap feature. We really like both of these machines, but overall, the 11-inch MacBook Air is the better value.

The Surface Pro had far too many compromises to be used fully in each tablet or laptop mode, and Microsoft is clearly trying to address those with the Surface Pro 2. A new two-stage kickstand improves the lap use and the accessories have been tweaked and refined. Even the battery life is much better to the point where you could realistically use this as a tablet. However, it's still bulky for its primary tablet purpose and nothing has changed to address that. It's the same weight and size as the original, so Microsoft still wants you to make compromises on the tablet side. A Surface with the specifications of the Pro and the slim form factor of the Surface 2 is the dream. The Surface Pro 2’s unique mix of touch, keyboard, mouse, and pen really does work. It does everything you would expect a regular desktop PC to do. But it's far from the perfect device for all four inputs, as it makes you compromise everywhere, but if you really want it all then there are few other devices with as much versatility. Microsoft is insistent that its Surface Pro can be both, and this second-generation is proof of how hard it's trying to achieve that. There are plenty of tablet and laptop alternatives, or even a myriad of hybrid devices out there. Windows 8 has really helped push the idea of a tablet and laptop combination, but nobody has perfected this yet, not even Microsoft. A PC maker needs to produce the answer in a package that doesn't compromise on battery life, weight, or lap use. That may be achievable, but it feels a long way off. Until then, the Surface Pro 2 is a great machine if you can deal with some of the compromises. If you can't, there are plenty of great tablets, and plenty of great laptops. Microsoft still needs to convince the world that we only need one device, and that it can make the only one we need.

Microsoft's tablet-shaped ultrabook remains an attractive alternative to the established device categories, finding its place somewhere in between. Its still-unique combination of full-fledged Windows 8.1, powerful hardware and a great digitizer pen might turn it into the perfect solution for many professional applications, while its rather heavy chassis, the expensive accessories and the high base price could still be deal-breakers for some. However, the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 sports a great variety of ports, a more than decent high-resolution display, premium build quality and perfect compatibility with everything Windows. The only truly major change when compared to its predecessor is the newer processor generation - but this comes down to a large number of improvements, ranging from increased performance levels (noticeably so) to much more commendable battery runtimes and considerably lower noise emissions. While the reduced power consumption rate helps in keeping the device cooler while idle, the overly reduced fan rotation speeds actually lead to an increase in surface temperatures under full load. All in all, Microsoft has managed to implement the right kind of changes, making the Surface Pro 2 a more attractive package overall, albeit omitting any revolutions. Whether this will be enough to fend off the ever-growing competition remains to be seen: Both a number of ultrabooks such as the Sony's Vaio Pro 11 and Intel Atom based BayTrail tablets might become serious contestants.

If we’re going to wrap it all up, we really need to compare apples-to-apples. Honestly, we need to look at the base model of the Surface Pro 2, the 64GB Wi-Fi one, which is attached with a $900 price point. A bloated figure for most tablets no doubt, but we have to stress that it’s more PC-like at the same time, so it makes perfect sense. In comparison, the 64GB Wi-Fi only version of the iPad Air is priced at $700, which really gets us thinking more. Separated by a mere $200, it seems as though there’s more value out of the Surface Pro 2 – even more when it’s running a desktop OS and features ports that give it more versatility. On the other end of the spectrum, if we’re to compare the base model of the Surface Pro 2 with the base model of the iPad Air, the $500 16GB Wi-Fi version, there’s enough room to suggest that there’s an advantage to go with Apple’s pride and joy. For those looking for a fun and delightful tablet to use on the road, we’d suggest going with the iPad Air and its balanced set of features and performance. Additionally, it’s incredibly thin and delivers a significant amount of battery life and the iOS 7 platform is diverse with its healthy ecosystem of tablet optimized apps. However, if you’re more inclined to get down and dirty with work, the Surface Pro 2 is equipped in accomplishing the task – plus, it eliminates the need to have a separate laptop, since it can double as one.

Powerful, long-lasting and desirable – Microsoft’s homegrown tablets get the formula right at the second attempt

It’s expensive, but the Surface Pro 2 is the best Windows 8 tablet we’ve ever seen

Clearly, Microsoft has lots of refinement left to do. But despite all the Surface Pro 2’s flaws, there’s something alluring about it. No other touchscreen laptop or convertible device plays the hybrid game as well as the Surface Pro 2 does. The kickstand is a brilliant flourish that compensates for the tablet’s weight while solving for the top-heaviness you find in other detachable hybrids. The Touch and Type Covers are so thin and light that you can keep them attached, and the total package still feels light enough to rival the slickest laptops. The Surface Pro 2 is a different kind of device, aimed at people who need to edit videos, create digital art, run a dozen applications at once, or kick back with some full-blown PC games. The fact that you can do those things on a tablet that still feels comfortable for Facebook, Netflix, or solitaire is no small achievement, and a sign that the best of both worlds might be attainable if Microsoft keeps chipping away.

The Surface Pro 2 crams a serious amount of power into a compact frame - enough to worry the latest Ultrabooks. Its design may be spot on for some but we can't help feel that instead of being the best of both laptop and tablet worlds, it's neither. The price quickly rises if you veer away from the base model - many people would be better off with a separate laptop and tablet, and you might even save money. Those less bothered about the tablet side of things should consider a convertible device.

It’s really tough to say what we think about the Microsoft Surface Pro 2. On one hand, it’s a powerful computing machine that would run circles around most of the flagship tablets out there, but on the other, we can’t help but think about how it’s trying to be a PC at the same time. As a tablet, it’s like being the smartest kid in a class that’s filled with students a few years younger than it. And as a laptop/ultrabook, the Surface Pro 2 is more like the underachiever in the group. Honestly, it’s rather difficult finding that perfect medium for this particular device. On the software side of things, we’re quite glad that Microsoft has tweaked the Windows 8.1 experience enough to steer it in the correct direction with plenty of momentum behind it. In fact, it goes to show how serious Microsoft really is in maturing and advancing its desktop platform. In many ways, they’ve listened and acted accordingly to the critics’ concerns. Comparing it to other tablet platforms, there’s no question that Windows 8.1 has the upper hand when it comes down to productivity – it’s simply a powerful platform that carefully blends the elements of the old Windows experience. Finally, we come around to pricing. Just like last time, the pricing is going to be a bit a struggle for people who are deciding on what to go with – a tablet like this, or maybe a similarly spec’d ultrabook. Indeed it’s more expensive than other prized tablets, like the iPad or Google Nexus 10, but it’s justified by its beefier PC internals and true desktop platform experience. So who should actually buy this? Well, if you want the best of both worlds, which consists of the tablet form factor with an actual laptop/desktop OS, this is undoubtedly the thing for you. Best of all, as a daily PC driver, the Surface Pro 2 is compact enough to travel around with. Still, we can’t help but think about some other options – namely ultrabooks that deliver more versatility with their already included keyboards, additional ports, and larger (touch)screens. At $900 for the 64GB version of the Surface Pro 2, it’s still a pricey investment, more so when you tack on another $130 for the Touch Cover 2. So essentially, you’ll need to fork over $1,030 to snag yourself a hybrid device – one part tablet, another being a laptop. If you’re going to splurge on something with that amount, we’re certain there are other ultrabooks to think about.

The Surface Pro 2 feels like a modestly improved sequel to what we had seen before, rather than a true 2.0 version of Microsoft's flagship tablet. Anyone shopping for a new Windows 8 system right now should rightly demand Intel's fourth-gen CPUs, available since June, if only for the increased battery life and power efficiency. The Pro 2 gives you that, and the new second angle on the kickstand does make it more convenient to use in your lap. The biggest disappointment is that it's still got that first-gen hardware look, while Sony has managed to shave its competing Tap 11 system down to a thinner, lighter package. With no major new features or design changes, the Surface Pro 2 still relies heavily on its accessories to stand out as the market leader. But, with only a few new slate-style Core i5 tablets coming out (most competing models are hybrids that spend much of their time in clamshell-laptop mode), Microsoft's Surface Pro 2 manages to maintain a strong position in its small corner of the market.

What I was hoping for this round was an even thinner/lighter chassis, but it looks like we’ll have to wait another year for that. Battery life is still not up to snuff with traditional ARM based tablets, and Surface Pro 2 seems to pay more of a penalty there than other Haswell ULT based designs – I’m not entirely sure why. Parts of the rest of the world have moved on to things like 802.11ac and PCIe based SSDs. Microsoft appears to be on a slightly strange update cadence with its Surface lineup, and for the brand’s sake I hope we see that rectified next round. It’s not enough to just put out a good product, you have to take advantage of all technologies available, when they are available. Just like last year, my recommendation comes with a caution – Surface Pro 2 is good, I’m happier using it than I was with last year’s model, but the Broadwell version will be even better. What’s likely coming down the pipe are improvements in the chassis and in battery life. You’ll have to wait around a year for those things, if you can’t, then this year’s model is still pretty good.

If you found nothing compelling about the Surface Pro, there's little here to change your mind. The appeal is still pretty niche. This device is largely for professionals who have some sort of specific need for ultra-portability mixed with a full-featured OS. That or a pressure-sensitive screen with a good stylus. In those fields the Surface Pro succeeds, and the Pro 2 is a better Surface. For most folks though, it's probably not worth it. The Surface Pro starts at $900, which doesn't include the addition of the $120 and $130 Touch or Type Cover. Consider too that if you already own a tablet, the Surface Pro 2's tabletness almost definitely not better than what you've already got. It's got more power, sure. But there are precious few opportunities to use it. The Surface Pro 2, like the Surface Pro before it, aspires to be All Things to All People. But you are not All People. You are A Person, and there are a wealth of options out there that can and probably do fit your exact needs more specifically. Surface may still very well be the future. That just doesn't do you much good today.

All-day battery life and a new kickstand help make the Surface Pro 2 one of the most compelling hybrids available

Surface Pro 2 is a subtle push forward for the device, and a necessary one. It's no giant leap, though, and just like before we're toing and froing between its highs and lows and balance to price point. Overall there's no denying that it's a solid, well-built device with a glorious screen. Think of it as a standalone tablet, however, and it feels a little bit too thick and heavy. Think of it as a boundary-blurrer that straddles the tablet-meets-laptop category and you'll be a far happier customer. If anything the second-generation Pro shows us that Microsoft is listening. From the physical adjustments of the flip-stand, through to better battery life from Haswell, and the steps forward in software with the introduction of Windows 8.1. Whether that amasses to enough to get you on board and give the Pro 2 a new home, well, that's going to depend on your point of view. We find the Surface Pro 2 genuinely decent to use, better built than plenty of Ultrabooks, but also that it doesn't entirely connect with us as a tablet-like device. If only it came with the keyboard included for a touch less cash.