Surface Pro (2017) Explained

Surface Pro
Aka:Surface Pro 5
Developer:Microsoft
Family:Surface
Type:2-in-1 detachable
Generation:Fifth
Releasedate:June 15, 2017
Price:$799 (£749)
Os:Windows 10 Pro
Cpu:Intel Kaby Lake low-voltage dual-core:[1]
m3-7Y30
1.0 up to 2.6 GHz, 4 MB cache, 4.5 W[2]
i5-7300U
2.6 up to 3.5 GHz, 3 MB cache, 15 W[3]
i7-7660U
2.5 up to 4.0 GHz, 4 MB cache, 15 W[4]
Memory:4 GB, 8 GB, or 16 GB
Storage:PCIe NVMe SSD in 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB capacities
Display:12.3sp=usNaNsp=us 2736x1824 (267 ppi) PixelSense display with 3:2 aspect ratio with 10-point multi-touch and pen support
Graphics:m3: Intel HD Graphics 615
i5: Intel HD Graphics 620
i7: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640
Dimensions:292x
Weight:m3: 768sp=usNaNsp=us
i5: 770g
i7: 784g
Predecessor:Surface Pro 4
Successor:Surface Pro 6[5]

The fifth-generation Surface Pro (marketed as the Surface Pro, colloquially referred to as the Surface Pro 2017[6] [7] [8] or Surface Pro 5[9]) is a Surface-series 2-in-1 detachable hybrid notebook computer, designed, developed, marketed, and produced by Microsoft. The Surface Pro was announced in May 2017 at a public event held in Shanghai, China.[10] The device launched in 26 different markets on June 15.[11]

Configuration

+ Configurations[12] [13] Price tier CPU GPU Internal storage RAM LTE
$799 Intel Core m3-7Y30 (1.0 to 2.6 GHz) HD 615 128 GB 4 GB rowspan="3"
$849 Intel Core i5-7300U (2.6 to 3.5 GHz) HD 620
$9998 GB
$1,1494 GB
$1,299 256 GB8 GB
$1,449
$1,49916 GBrowspan="4"
$1,599 Intel Core i7-7660U (2.5 to 4.0 GHz) Iris Plus 6408 GB
$2,199 512 GB16 GB
$2,699 1 TB

Hardware

All Surface Pro models feature 7th-generation Intel Kaby Lake Core processors – m3, i5, or i7 – which feature higher clock speeds over the Intel Skylake processors found in its predecessor. The new Kaby Lake chips also feature improved Speed Shift technology, allowing the processor to transition between CPU states quicker. For the first time, both the Core m3 and the Core i5 models are fanless.

RAM options are 4, 8, and 16 GB, and SSD options are 128, 256, and 512 GB and 1 TB. These are the same tiers that were available with Surface Pro 4. (Note, however, that not all RAM options are available with all SSD options.)

In addition, the new Surface Pro features an enhanced kickstand which now opens to 165 degrees, allowing the device to lay flatter – a mode that Microsoft calls Studio Mode. Alongside the 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi radio, Bluetooth 4.1 Low Energy, there will now also be the option to purchase the Surface Pro with an LTE Advanced modem for cellular connectivity.

There is also a full-size USB 3.0 port, microSD card reader, headset jack, Mini DisplayPort, Cover Port, and the SurfaceConnect port to connect a wall charger, Docking Station or Surface Dock accessories.

Software

All Surface Pro models (except in mainland China and Japan) come with a 64-bit version of Windows 10 Pro and a Microsoft Office 365 30-day trial. Windows 10 comes pre-installed with Mail, Calendar, People, Xbox (app), Photos, Movies and TV, Groove, and Microsoft Edge. With Windows 10, a "Tablet mode" is available when the Type Cover is detached from the device. In this mode, all windows are opened full-screen and the interface becomes more touch-centric.

In mainland China, all Surface Pro models come with a 64-bit version of Windows 10 Home and a Microsoft Office 2016 Home & Student edition. Devices with Windows 10 Pro are only available for enterprise.

In Japan, all Surface Pro models come with a 64-bit version of Windows 10 Pro and a Microsoft Office Home & Business 2016.[14]

The device also has a Windows Hello-compatible camera. It combines the use of a regular and infrared cameras to authenticate the user.

Accessories

Microsoft introduced a collection of new Type Covers, which employs the same Alcantara material as the Surface Signature Type Cover used in the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro 4 and is available in four different color options.[15]

An updated version of the Surface Pen has also been introduced, including up to 4096 levels of pressure and tilt support. Microsoft claims it is the "fastest pen in the world", with only 21 milliseconds of latency.[16] Unlike previous models, this new version of the "Surface Pen" does not come included with the new Surface Pro.

The new Surface Pro is backward-compatible with all accessories of its predecessor models, such as the Surface Dial. The new Surface Type Cover and Surface Pen are also being made backward-compatible with older models such as the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Pro 3.

Known issues

There was a Surface Pro issue where it had been prone to randomly hibernate and resume shortly afterwards without warning.[17] This issue is mentioned on answers.microsoft.com and can be fixed by installing the latest Windows updates.

Additionally, users have noted a significant and widespread "backlight bleed" in which the backlight from the Surface Pro's screen is visible on solid-colored backgrounds.[18] [19]

Reception

Ryan Shrout of PC Perspective wrote that "from a flexibility perspective, there is no denying the Windows 10 advantage for consumers, students, and business users" over iOS.[20]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Full list of Microsoft Surface Pro (2017) tech specs . Corden . Jez . May 23, 2017 . Windows Central . May 24, 2017.
  2. Web site: Intel® Core™ m3-7Y30 Processor (2M Cache, 2.60 GHz) Product Specifications . May 24, 2017.
  3. Web site: Intel® Core™ i5-7300U Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.5 GHz) Product Specifications . May 24, 2017.
  4. Web site: Intel® Core™ i7-7660U Processor (4M Cache, up to 4.0 GHz) Product Specifications . May 24, 2017.
  5. Web site: Microsoft unveils Surface Pro 6 with new matte black finish and quad-core processors. Warren. Tom. 2018-10-02. The Verge. 2018-10-02.
  6. News: Surface Pro 2017 review: A 2-in-1 tablet you'll actually want to use. Windows Central. 2017-07-04.
  7. News: Surface Pro (2017) Review: The Gold Standard for Detachables. pastemagazine.com. 2017-07-04. en.
  8. Web site: Microsoft Surface Pro review: the new normal. Seifert. Dan. 2017-06-15. The Verge. 2017-07-04.
  9. Web site: Is it wise to buy the 2017 Surface Pro in 2018?. 2020-01-13. Windows Central. 2020-04-29.
  10. News: Microsoft launches new Surface Pro. 2017-05-23. BBC News. 2017-05-23. en-GB.
  11. Web site: Bowden. Zac. Microsoft's new Surface Pro launches June 15, starts at $799. Windows Central. Mobile Nations. May 24, 2017. May 23, 2017.
  12. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/d/commercial-surface-pro/907tds4dgwwv/ Commercial Microsoft Surface Pro Tech Specs
  13. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/d/surface-pro/8nkt9wttrbjk/ Microsoft Surface Pro Tech Specs
  14. Web site: Microsoft Surface PC、コンピューター、ノート PC、2-in-1、デュアル スクリーン、オールインワンの公式サイト. Microsoft.
  15. Web site: Corden. Jez. Microsoft's new Surface Pro Signature Type Cover comes in three new colors. Windows Central. Mobile Nations. May 24, 2017. May 23, 2017.
  16. Web site: Microsoft's new Surface Pen should feel more like writing on paper . Fingas . Jon . May 23, 2017 . Engadget . May 24, 2017.
  17. https://mspoweruser.com/microsofts-new-surface-pro-reportedly-experiencing-sleep-issues/ Microsoft's new Surface Pro reportedly experiencing sleep issues - MSPoweruser
  18. News: Customers of Microsoft's Surface Pro (2017) complain of backlight bleed issue, Microsoft offers no response On MSFT. 2017-07-16. On MSFT. 2017-07-19. en.
  19. Web site: Light bleed, dark spots, and other display issues - the megathread. • r/Surface. reddit. 18 July 2017. en. 2017-07-19.
  20. https://www.pcper.com/reviews/Mobile/Microsoft-Surface-Pro-2017-vs-Apple-iPad-Pro-2017-Best-Productivity-Tablet/Performanc Microsoft Surface Pro (2017) vs. Apple iPad Pro (2017): Best Productivity Tablet