If Microsoft has its way, the Surface Pro will be the PC that every busy worker owns: a tablet, laptop, and desktop all in one, boosting Windows sales for years to come. The original Surface Pro, which just launched in the U.K. in May, hinted at that goal but ultimately fell short in some key ways. The Surface Pro 2 aims to address those weaknesses, but the goal is still the same: to be your only PC and tablet device.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 2 continues the solid build quality of its predecessor and gives a premium feel. The tablet’s case is well-made, with no sharp edges and no flexing within the case. Although the Surface Pro 2 is very thick for a tablet with a depth of 1.35 cm, it is thinner than most laptops, including the 11-inch MacBook Air (1.7 cm). Weighing 907g, it is also comparatively light for a full-fledged computer, but it is significantly heavier than the new iPad Air at 469g.
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo hide=price]Unlike the new Surface 2, the Surface Pro 2 is only available in dark titanium black, with the magnesium case covered in lacquer. On the back of the Surface Pro 2 is a kickstand that supports two angles. This makes it much easier to use on a desk or lap than the original Surface Pro, which only had a single angle that was ideal for a large, clear table, but not for airplane seats or even laps.
A thumb-wide bezel around the screen makes it easier to hold the device without having to activate the touchscreen. The Surface Pro 2 has the same sharp and bright 1080p 10.6-inch high-resolution display as the Surface 2 and the original Surface Pro: text is crisp and easy to read on websites and e-books. The screen also has good viewing angles, which makes sharing videos with others easy, while good blacks and color gamut make videos look good.
Microsoft has equipped the Surface Pro 2 with Intel’s latest “Haswell” Core i5 processor, which means it has enough power for almost anything you can throw at it, aside from high-end graphics-intensive games. It handles office tasks in no time, listens to music, watches videos, and browses the web. It boots up pretty quickly from sleep for a PC – though not quite as fast as an ARM-based tablet like the Surface 2 or Apple’s iPad.
Like a laptop, but unlike most other tablets like the iPad or Google’s Nexus line, the Surface Pro 2 has a full-size USB 3.0 port that makes connecting external devices and storage as easy as with a desktop or laptop computer. The Surface Pro 2 can also be connected to a monitor via Mini DisplayPort to watch movies or use it as a second screen for work. A docking station will be available at a later date that turns the tablet into a desktop hybrid that you can simply pick up and take with you when you’re done working.