First impressions of the Surface Pro 2 as an alternative to laptop and tablet

When Microsoft first announced the Surface, it caught my attention. Here is an opportunity for a new approach to tablet computing. Unfortunately, after a week with the Surface RT, I returned it. I knew that it wasn’t going to be popular and really quickly there will be many for sale on Craigslist. Microsoft later reduced the price.

A year later, I’m here, typing away on this blog post on my Surface Pro 2. What changed my mind was that the Surface Pro 2 was a multi-purpose utility tool. As a laptop, it reminds me of my x-series ThinkPad, small, light, and compact. As a tablet, it acts more like a Wacom Cintiq than a real light tablet like the new iPad Air. When I’m at my workstation (the kitchen table), I’m barely tapping into the full capability of the machine. My 27″ monitor caps out at 1080 resolution. Surface Pro 2 can go 4K. With a bluetooth mouse and keyboard, it’s a real workstation.

The ability to use the pressure sensitive pen is a selling point for me. I’m an aspiring designer but not yet at the Wacom Cintiq level. But with the penning option, I’m able to sketch out ideas previously done on paper while I’m mobile.

I’m only a week into using the Surface Pro 2. These are my initial takes as I experiment with using this device exclusively. Below is a capture of my workspace. The Surface Pro 2 is connected to a low cost 27″ ViewSonic. With bluetooth, I also have a Logitech keyboard and mouse. On the left is my handy Jabra speakerphone for making calls.

Display – The Surface Pro 2 comes with a 10.6″ display supporting 1080. With the docking station, it can connect up to two 4K monitors. I need to test this out and will accept any donations for 4K displays. On a day to day basis, the screen is a little small compared to 13-15″ laptops. In desktop mode, it’s really small.

Touch Cover Keyboard – I’ve been really stubborn and refuse to use the Type Cover keyboard. I believe with enough practice, I can get pretty close to typing on a regular keyboard. In fact, this entire post has been written on a touch cover keyboard. My belief is that we should start practicing to type on touch screens as the future is in adaptable input screens (like Star Trek). Edit: I ordered a type cover for day-to-day work while I practice on the touch cover. My typing speed is limited to about 30WPM on the touch cover and I need to be up to 60 to stay productive.

Windows App Store – This is not a review of the app store. Most reviews are hung up on the limitations of the app store and quality of modern apps. I am a believer that modern apps are the future. Unfortunately, people are slow to adopt Microsoft’s vision and the selection, but most importantly the quality is a little subpar at the moment. The reason I chose the Surface Pro 2 is that I can live in this duel world of legacy and modern until that transition is compete. I do find myself preferring modern apps to the desktop apps.

Pros:

• This is a powerful machine. I was able to load up Steam and play Street Fighter IV and Mortal Kombat with full graphics. Again, this is an all out workstation crammed into a tablet form factor.
• Multi-purpose. As a single device to replace a laptop and tablet, it’s ultra portable and light.
• With my upper end configuration, I have plenty of memory and storage space.
• While the keyboard covers are expensive and don’t come with the device, they can easily be swapped out enabling future upgrades.
• Power adapter is a little big (it’s a laptop) but comes with a really unique design with a USB port for charging other devices.

Cons:

• No cellular options like LTE. This device is WiFi only.
• As a tablet, it’s pretty heavy and the 16:9 aspect ratio is awkward in portrait mode.
• The screen size is really small for day to day computing. Better make sure you have external monitors handy.
• Magnetic power plug is hard to plug in. You have to align it just right for the magnets to engage.
• Only one USB port is limiting but you really should stop plugging things in and start using bluetooth.
• Cameras were not updated to 1080 in this rev. Surface Pro 3?

Bottom Line:

Surface Pro 2 fixed the biggest complaint from the first one which is battery life. It’s effectively an all day device. It could replace your laptop and tablet, but really make sure your workstyle and workflow will  accommodate this. I jumped into rev 2 because I’m an early adopter. For everyone else, I recommend waiting for Surface Pro 3. Remember that iPad 1 and 2 didn’t really change much until the new Ipad introduced a high resolution display. Always wait for the 3rd gen device to jump in, unless you have deep pockets or want to be at the front of the wave.

In a couple weeks, I’ll do a follow up review on my longer term usage.