Surface Laptop is the answer to many critics' prayers. But its not quite the machine everyone wanted Microsoft to make

The original Surface products from Microsoft -- the first-gen Surface Pro and Surface RT -- had everyone asking at the time: "Why is Microsoft making a tablet" The latest Surface has everyone asking a different question: "Why is Microsoft making a laptop

The Surface Laptop has a slim, modern design and comes in a selection of cool colors; Battery life is very good, and the keyboard and touchpad are both excellent

The included Windows 10 S operating system can only install preapproved apps by default (but it's upgradable); The long-term life of the fabric covering remains a question; The cooler colors are only available in more expensive configurations, and the port selection is limited, skipping USB-C...

I feel like I always start a Surface review the same way, so here goes: I've always wanted Microsoft to build a laptop. A couple of years ago, Microsoft nearly did that with the Surface Book but it wasn't enough.

Free upgrade to Windows 10 Pro; Great balance of power and thinness; Beautiful touchscreen

Few apps on Windows 10 S; Alcantara fabric requires care and maintenance; No SD card slot or USB-C

I like it. I would likely take the free upgrade from W10S to Pro as I am a power user but I can see where it makes sense in education and other environments. Perfect for students!

When only a clam shell will do

Windows 10 S is not for everyone

The Microsoft Surface Book is a really interesting laptop. It's gorgeous to look at, incredibly well built… and comes with a hampered version of Windows for a fairly considerable sum of money. In that regard it's going to be mis-matched for the education sector at which it is pitched.

Gorgeous design and great built quality that will turn heads; Silent operation and plenty of power from Intel Core i5/i7 Kaby Lake processors; Windows 10 Pro is available as a free upgrade (in 2017; Excellent screen quality; Strong battery life; Comfortable typing experience (the Alcantara material...

Windows 10 S makes little logical sense to us and convolutes the Windows marketplace once more (when RT was killed it should have stayed that way; Really expensive if viewed as a high-end Chromebook competitor

While aimed for students and the educational market, the Microsoft Surface Laptop is a solid, elegant and capable general purpose notebook PC that closely competes with Apple's MacBook Air segment.

It doesn't have all the ports we'd like but the Surface Laptop has excellent design and mind-boggling battery life. Read more in our full review.

Pros: Solid build, fancy color. Smooth keyboard and touch pad. Screen quality is amazing, sharp and bright. Speakers sound great. Everything feels pretty fast. Light as heck. However: - Not for gaming, only for work and school - Need to switch out of Windows S mode - Light-colored fabric can get...

Just wanted to point out the bad reviews for this product. I'm pretty sure the laptop is amazing! Windows 10 S, not so much. That doesn't mean this laptop is not worth buying. You have the option of switching to Windows 10 Pro with a few clicks and a couple of minutes.

I did a bunch of research between this, the surface pro and the I pad pro. The latter, the I pad pro, according to a bunch of business people is nothing but a toy...give it a swerve.