The Surface Pro fails to live up to expectations. Despite the HD screen and solid performance, it's weak when it comes to portability and doesn't do enough to stand out from OEM competitors.

Beautiful HD screen; Full Windows 8; Good performance

Inflexible kickstand; Too heavy; Expensive; Virtually unserviceable; So-so battery life

I was looking to move away from Apple so was quite nervous. It takes a while to get used to the new features and you really do need a keyboard or pen as it is quite difficult to use without these. I love the size of the the screen and the way it conects to my Samsung.

Microsoft's Surface Pro fails to solve any problem for any user.

Excellent build quality; Display is extremely bright

Only one USB port; Type Cover is terrible and overpriced; Heavy and thick for a tablet; Below-average endurance; Runs slightly warm; Poor value

I tried to make the switch from MacBook to the Microsoft Surface Pro, but I keep going back to my MacBook. I had issues with the email app on Windows, so I had to continue using my phone to check my email. Also, the Surface Pro isn't ideal if you like to sit with a laptop actually on your lap.

Overall built quality is good, however if you get a 4gb ram version, then performance wise its not good, there will be alot of high disk and ram usage, i will now go for 8gb ram version,

Editor's Note: This review was updated on April 13, 2018 per Microsoft adding on-screen support for the Surface Dial. The kickstand now opens to 165 degrees, transforming the Surface Pro into a low-profile drawing surface that mimics the Surface Studio.

It seemed so long ago that I first laid my eyes on the Microsoft Surface, the company's first branded laptop that aims to showcase what Windows can do for mobile computing. It was something different, revolutionary even, from the design aesthetics to the practical use of the cover cum keyboard.

Microsoft met some resistance with its first Surface tablet, but that isn't stopping the company from making a second attempt, this time with a full copy of Windows 8. Where the Surface RT left would-be tableteers confused with its partial app support, the Surface Pro is Windows on far more familiar...

Summary: The Core i5-based Surface Pro combines ultrabook components with a (chunky) 10.6in. tablet form factor to deliver decent performance and excellent build quality. However, a few design issues, missing features and, above all, disappointing battery life suggest you'd be wise to wait and see...

Solid; elegant hardware design; Runs Windows 8 Pro and legacy software; Ultrabook-level performance; Supports pressure-sensitive pen input

Disappointing battery life; Kickstand isn't adjustable; No desktop or keyboard dock available; Desktop scaling issues when used with a large external monitor; Lacks GPS and NFC; No mobile broadband option; Stylus needs a storage location within the chassis

Microsoft's says its Surface Pro is the company's shot at the tablet market, and aimed specifically at the business sector. While the latter may be true, we think that this device is more of a PC squeezed into a tablet with an under-$1000 price tag.