I’ve only had my new computer for a few days. And I feel like I can’t quite use the term “computer.” After all, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is basically just a tablet with a keyboard. So that can’t really be a machine that replaces your laptop, can it?
I’ve been searching for a new laptop for awhile, but I’m a very thrifty person. I have to ensure that I have the absolute best bang for my buck, as well as something that is truly going to make a difference for me. Buying a new version of the exact same laptop didn’t really make sense.
What first turned me on to the Surface was the keyboard. I was at Best Buy in the laptop section, just testing out every single keyboard before I even looked at the processor speed or the RAM. As a freelance writer, I’m sometimes doing up to 10,000 words per day, so I need something that really feels great under my fingertips. The suedey feel of the Surface’s keyboard case, plus the fact that it’s small but not cramped, really did it for me.
Next, I was concerned about the memory. The Surface just doesn’t have it when you compare it to a regular laptop. But a quick look at my current hard drive, which was mostly full of documents, revealed that I don’t use that much space anyway. Plus, I always work out of Dropbox so that I’m backed up no matter what. There’s also a microSD slot on the side that allows you to nearly double the memory if you need to (or swap out different cards for different projects, as I think I will be doing).
For a tablet to replace your laptop, it has to be really….lapable. I have a beautiful desk that I very much enjoy, but I also really like curling up on the couch or in the recliner while I work. I was concerned that the kickstand on the back of the Surface in conjunction with a keyboard held on by magnets just wasn’t going to cut it. I read another review that promised it would, and it turns out that guy was correct. This computer fits wonderfully on my lap, is not floppy, and of course doesn’t get hot. Big bonus!
I’ve read in other reviews that some folks don’t like the Surface Connect charging cable because it comes out too easily. Personally, I love it! I would much rather the cord pop out than dig in and cause damage when my dog gets tangled up in the charging cable. (Yes, I’ve had something along these lines happen before, although I might have been the one tangled in the cable.)
There’s a lot that I have yet to learn about the Surface. I’ve been too busy using it for work to do a lot of tinkering. But from what I’ve experienced so far, it’s great. The surface pen is handy. The device switches easily from tablet mode to keyboard mode. It’s very light compared to the boat anchor I was using before. Setup was fast and simple. The battery life is amazing compared to the two-to-three hours my laptop was capable of. Also, I’ve been a Windows fan since I was a kid, so having a tablet with a system I’m familiar with is huge for me.
Overall, I’m really crazy about this computer and I would highly recommend it to anyone in a similar computing situation. If you are a graphic designer or a gamer, then I don’t know what to tell you. I write, surf the web, and stream Pandora. For me, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 was worth the investment!
Ashley O'Melia, Author 