A laptop, and the Surface Pro... and all points in between
Microsoft's new tablet the Surface Pro has more in common with your laptop than your iPad. And that's the point.
This month we've been testing budget laptops, office PCs and internet security suites. You couldn't get more 'PC' than that - the kind of Windows computer the average person seeks out, and the software required to protect it.
I've been testing an Ultrabook; new BlackBerry 10, Android and Windows Phone 8 smartphones; and the Microsoft Surface Pro. Products in a different league in terms of their bang for your buck, but not so far advanced in terms of what they do and what they are for. We all want similar things from our computers.
We've also seen both HTC and BlackBerry launch what each referred to as 'new' experiences in the smartphone space. Is the gap growing between traditional PC and modern mobile computer growing?
Testing the Surface Pro
Testing the Surface Pro (reviewed here) was an education. I expected a tablet to rival the iPad or Nexus 10. Focussed on business use like the Surface RT, but a device lacking true computational power with the battery life of a mobile. Quickly I realised the Surface Pro has more in common with a high-end business laptop than it does a consumption device such as the iPad.
It's a Core i5 PC with the power that entails, slightly hobbled by its smallish screen and portable keyboard, its portability reduced by the needs of a power-hungry chip both in terms of battery charge and heat dissipation. But it is the most portable full-spec PC ever.
To understand the Surface Pro's importance to Microsoft you have to consider why it exists. Microsoft is a software company, reliant on Intel to provide the hardware, and OEMs such as Dell, Lenovo, and HP to make the products. It's made the Surface Pro to showcase what Windows 8 can do, to push PC makers into innovation. Like Intel creating and promoting Ultrabook, Microsoft wants OEMs to leave behind the safety of traditional desktops and cheap 15in laptops, and innovate in the spaces between the standard models to which we have grown used.
Portability = compromise
Arm-led mobile technology has developed at a furious pace, and the Windows and Intel world is trying to catch up. But true portability requires some compromise: whether on battery life, performance, features or price, no-one has yet come up with a device that offers perfect performance wherever you are.
Surface Pro is not that device, but it does occupy a unique space between Arm tablet and Intel laptop. And it showcases Windows 8 in a way a million office PCs can't - it makes sense to use the touchscreen and stylus when you can lay the computer flat or hold it in your hands.
Microsoft designed Windows 8 to be used on computers with screens ranging from 4- to 40in, but unlike Apple it doesn't make the hardware so it cannot dictate how its software is used. It's a similar scenario over at Google, where the best Android devices are Google's own 'Nexus' branded products.
And while Microsoft, Google and Intel have to dig deep and pay for products that show off their wares, Apple designs and makes what it thinks people will want. Whether the upcoming iWatch is a success will depend on whether there is desire for a smartwatch. Windows 8 will be a success only if the Surface Pro spawns other products in the gaps between traditional PC, laptop and smartphone.
Comments
Matt Egan said: Thanks Thats really interesting and useful
Falcon_CMH said: Below I have two list one containing the things I love aboutthe Surface Pro followed by a list of the bugs I would like MS to fix with theSurface ProThings I love about the Surface ProTouchPerfect size minimalsmall and single thing to carry foreverything including keyboardcoverSuperfastFast Boot time a few secondsFast SSD 200 MBsec writes 500 MBsec reads ran atto246benchmarkBasically a desktop in tablet formAwesome IPS screen that is optically bonded and high resolutionKiller case Vapor Mg coated can be dropped with minimal tono damage from waist highType Cover is awesomeFast USB 30Has micro SXDC slot for up to 64 GBI can sync my Windows 8 Phone to it Any phone manufacturerthat supports windows platformHas external video connections that works HD for very highresolution output to TV or monitorMetro Interface RocksStart Screen is way better than start buttonWindows 8 Pro Runs my full development software suite like IISMSMQ SQL Server Visual Studio 2012 etc connects integrates and is securethrough domainRuns Office Pro you have to buyOnline Stores to download apps and content fromXbox Music unlimited cloud based music storage I have 30GB up there pretty much unlimited free music requires annual subscriptionXbox Games Starting to deliver more and moreXbox Glass control and interact with Xbox as a second devicecool with things like Netflix especiallySkydrive Great place for your data for personal and sharing7 GB freeThe Surface Pro Bugs I wish MS would fix ASAP in order ofannoyanceMouse hangs under various and many conditions have to rightclick or switch to start screen to get it backTouch Scrolling snags then scrolls fast happens after avery brief period of inactivity of scrollingScreen goes to sleep when plugged in even when Power Optionsset to performance and never sleep or dim screenWifi switching from phone tethering to home Wifi or comingback from sleep acts like its connected but it is not and needs disconnectedand re-connected sometimesrandomlyPrivate Firewall disabled re-enables on its own after rebootmay have been an update that caused this seems to stay disable nowGets sluggish after long periods of use with MS Solitairewhich I believe is heat related slowing down the CPUGraphics due totemperatureGets sluggish to SDD in explorer when playing music at thesame time with Xbox Music under My Music with locally stored music notstreamingMagnetic Power connector is too difficult to connect alwaysNo documentation or indication on Surface Pro of whichdirection to insert micro SXDC chipWhen using graphics intensive softwaregaming temperaturesget too hotSometimes Type Cover disconnects or is not recognizedApps from online store are limited selection and buggy butare getting more and more and quality is getting better
Matt Egan said: I feel about it much the same as I feel about the iPad and Ive never owned an iPad I can see little reason for one and it will force me to carry more tech but I do kind of want one Itd mean having to retire the watch my wife bought me however so its not going to happen
awerg said: The iWatch lol Are you gonna get an iWatch Matt