Oct
21
2018

Microsoft Surface 4 Pro

Posted by

I’m always intrigued by various technologies, especially when it comes to Microsoft Windows.  Their introduction of hardware has been an interesting roller coaster ride for Microsoft and the Windows communities.  When they first introduced a tablet type device in 2012 along with Windows 8 it provided new opportunities to mobile computing.  I jumped on the Windows RT first device and then later the Surface 3; all interesting devices.  Since my basic needs are as a consumption device for surfing the Internet, developing simple office suite products (spread sheets, presentations, and documents), giving presentations, I have never commanded a lot of computing horse power.  More important for me in the portable/mobile environment was the functional use and form factor.

Then Microsoft introduced the Surface Pro series, first with the Pro 3 and then the improved Pro 4. There was a lot of talk about the Surface Pro 4 series, however costs did not warrant my personal investment, so I waited.  Eventually I saw the availability of Refurbished Surface Pro 4 from Microsoft and decided to give it a try.  And I was glad I did. (There were press reports after I bought my Pro 4 about device failures, and concerns about refurbished versions, none of which I experienced).  Subsequent to the Surface Pro 4, Microsoft has released other versions of the Surface tablet, but from a functional usage/need, I see no reason to “upgrade” devices.

Screen real estate is important for many purposes as is screen resolution.  A large screen with “low” resolution is no better/worse than a smaller screen with “higher” resolution…same real estate, perhaps just as easy to read (and not fatiguing).  I generally like the basic models which provide a functional capability at a sometimes reasonable price.  (Remember cost is not just the device, but also the carrying case, the mouse, any cables, adapters, etc.).

As with other tablet devices, a nice feature of today’s tablet technology is the ability to leverage a microSD card for extra storage.  To preserve the system disk space, I generally set up the microSD drive to contain USER folders such as Documents, Downloads, Pictures, etc.  I also setup all Windows machines with both an Admin account and a User account and work at the user level all the time.  By moving the key user files to the microSD, the system disk is available for updating the system as Microsoft does multiple times per month.

What I found is I was using the Pro 4 more like a laptop than a pure tablet.  Microsoft has a nice variety of keyboards, and the Alcantara keyboard is a nice addition both color-wise and typing-wise.  The Surface Pro 4 thus becomes a laptop.

However I did need to add some accessories.  While the keyboard has a very nice touch pad, somehow I’m used to using a mouse – I find the mouse to be more precise and faster to relocate the cursor.  Also, the Surface Pro 4 has a single USB port limiting multiple connectivity solutions.  I found a combination device that plugs into the USB port that expands to a USB 2 port, a USB 3 port, a microSD, and regular SD reader. (Alcey Microsoft Surface USB HUB 3.0 & 2-Slot Card Reader 4 in 1 Adapter) Furthermore, it does not interfere with the Surface power connector.  My mouse plugs into this expansion port, and enables me to leverage external hard drive / thumb flash drives at the same time. [For this device, I’m using a wired mouse…may shift to wireless very soon].

Lighter in weight that a 12” laptop, it is still a 12” device and packing it into a messenger type bag needed to contain the Pro 4, the power brick, any potential Ethernet connectivity needs, the pen, and possibly other devices makes it a typical laptop in every way.  Performance wise it is good, an office suite and browsers and other tools make it a very functional machine.  But its light weight makes it somewhat difficult to use on your lap vice a table or solid surface.  The lack of robust applications in the Microsoft Store (as compared with Android and Apple) makes its consumption device functionality limited.  Fortunately Firefox and Chrome browsers provide ways to compensate somewhat for the lack of applications.  (I personally do not like Internet Explorer or Edge…something about the layout and functionality that I just cannot get my hands around.  Firefox and Chrome do not present those limitations).

The Surface tablet line, like other tablet devices, can use a pen to “write” on the screen in a variety of applications.  In the early days of tablet technologies, I used a pen device to take notes on a big Motion Computing tablet which ran Windows XP.  The Windows Journal program provided some interesting effects, but instead of typing I was scribbling notes.  Nice features, but I never got the true hang of using a pen for artistic features – I even have trouble drawing a straight line with a ruler.  Keyboard and pen are extra cost items for the Surface Pro 4.

Overall I like the Microsoft Surface 4 Pro.  My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

Pros:

  • It runs the current version of Windows 10, Home or Pro, and follows the Windows Update.
  • It can run my favorite Firefox! Also Chrome.
  • Expandable micro SD storage to make up for the small “disk” space typical in these devices.
  • There is a single micro USB port which can connect to devices such as a flash drives.
  • No detectable speed/performance problems for my use.
  • WiFi seems to be adequate and readily connects to the networks I use.
  • Price, OK, but some laptops may be of better value – even in the 12” display class.
  • It has a separate mini display port for external display connection. (I recently leveraged this port to project a presentation on a screen…and the pre-view feature of PowerPoint let me see the next slide before the audience did).

Cons:

  • There is only a single full sized USB 3 port. Would be nice to have two ports, but an expansion port is sufficient and less than $10; other expansion hubs/ports are also available at reasonable cost but will need to be part of your accessory kit.
  • It would be nice to have more internal storage, but external microSD storage is a good alternative.

Note: Opinions expressed herein are those of the author. Any names/trademarks used are NOT an endorsement of those items…but are provided for reference only and are owned by their owner(s).