Surface Pro: at last...

Before I start, please forgive my picture quality as I'm not a photographer. I also would like to thank my friends (ET for ordering from US, KB for address in SG, and BT for hand-carrying to ID) that help me get a hold of this awesome gadget.

The Spec
My Surface Pro got an Intel Core i5-3317U 1.7Ghz processor with 4 GB of RAM, 128GB SSD. It includes dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, and I miss built-in cellular radio like Samsung Ativ SmatPC. There are two cameras included that both shoot 720p HD video, these are definitely not intended for anything other than video chat, which is really the only thing you should be using tablet cameras for anyway.

Size does matter, the Surface Pro dimension is 27.45 x 17.3 x 1.35cm (10.81 x 6.81 x 0.53 inches). That’s a bit thicker than the "stupid" Surface RT, but still the smallest, coolest Core i5 tablet around at only 910grams (2lbs), but heavier compared to consumer tablets running slower CPUs and less-capable operating systems.

You’ve also got some useful ports including USB 3.0, Mini-Display Port for connecting a second monitor, 3.5mm audio out, and a MicroSDXC slot for adding more storage.

The 10.6″ screen runs at 1920 x 1080 with a 208 ppi pixel density and wide IPS viewing angles. The Surface Pro is designed with a 16:9 screen aspect ratio which matches it’s 1080p resolution. This is great for watching movies, and it also works really well for split-screen usage of multiple apps.

In portrait mode, of course usage is going to be different with the very tall 9:16 aspect ratio. You can do split screen mode for multiple apps this way, but most of them have specific portrait designs that work quite well. Portrait mode is best for reading long web pages, emails, etc. since the shorter width means your eye doesn’t have to travel as far left to right and you have a much taller area which requires less vertical scrolling. In other words, content is easier to read in portrait mode. But still it is much better compared to other tablet with 11.6" screen, believe me it is fun to write using the pen in OneNote 2013.

The VaporMg casing with it's kick-stand when you put your Surface Pro in the meeting table will other notebook looks so yesterday. The only bad thing is you can’t customize the display angle when using the kick-stand.

The Surface Pro does not come with any keyboard or cover, but you might want to buy one to go along with it, It share the same keyboard covers available for the Surface RT, so you’ve got a good selection to choose from. I've got Type Cover for my Surface Pro and the keyboard is fantastic, I only thing that I missed is the Type Cover does not have TrackPoint.

PRO:

• Ready for Enterprise & Business features than any other tablet (Active Directory support, Bitlocker encryption, central management, multi-user log-ins, to name a few)
  

• Full Windows OS brings the largest application ecosystem of any tablet operating system
• Superb high-end hardware
• Faster than any ARM-based tablet
• Huge hardware compatibility ecosystem
  
• Pressure sensitive stylus with right click button, eraser, and shirt clip
• High resolution screen
• USB 3.0 and MicroSDXC for storage expansion and high speed peripherals
• Extremely innovative thin keyboard cover options

CONS:

• At the time of writing this, Surface Pro is only available in US, Canada and China. Damn you Microsoft.
  
• 4 hour battery life is less than many low-power tablets
• Intel Core i5 CPU generates some heat when under heavy use
• Maximum RAM option is only 4GB, can't customized
  
• Maximum SSD storage option is only 128GB
• Capacitive home button is prone to accidental presses

CONCLUSION
Get your own Surface Pro.

Deddy@SurfacePro
Life is Random, enjoy uncertainty.