With a port extender and screen it replaces my desktop. I can detach the keyboard and just use it as a tablet for reading, etc.

Work everything smoothly

Microsoft's Surface Pro 6 is easily the best 2-in-1 computer of the year, with best-in-class performance at a great value.

Comes in matte black option; Quad-core performance; Entry-level model doesn't stink anymore

No USB-C port(s

It's like trying to pick a suspect out of a police lineup of identical twins. Take 2015's Surface Pro 4 and the long-awaited new version just called Surface Pro, and stick them side by side on a table. Now, go and grab the new one. Like me, you might pick up one Surface, spin it around in your hands a few times, open its kickstand, tap or swipe on its screen a bit -- all before you realize you're holding the older model.

Microsoft's flagship Surface Pro gets an extremely conservative update, but better battery life keeps it the gold standard of Windows hybrid PCs -- for now.

The Surface Pro gets better performance and battery life from its CPU update, and most models are now fanless; The excellent kickstand is even more flexible.

Minimal redesign leaves out USB-C and Thunderbolt options; The Surface Pen stylus is no longer included by default, and new keyboard covers are more expensive than ever; Still not great for lap use.

The Surface Pro has proven to be a tough act to follow. Microsoft has been the two-in-one standard bearer for the past several years, as successive generations of Surface Pro became the default idea of what a Windows tablet/laptop hybrid should be.

The Surface Pro 6's jump to new quad-core processors pays off in big performance gains; The new black color option looks cool; Still the best kickstand and keyboard for Windows tablets

Be ready to shell out extra for the keyboard cover, stylus and even for the new matte black design; CPU and color aside, it's a very minimal upgrade over the previous version

The Surface Pro has proven to be a tough act to follow. Microsoft has been the two-in-one standard bearer for the past several years, as successive generations of Surface Pro became the default idea of what a Windows tablet/laptop hybrid should be. But it's also been a hard idea to move away from, and the changes in the last few versions of the Surface Pro have been almost imperceptible, in both design and performance.

The latest Surface Pro tablet doesn't make any radical design changes, but the performance jump makes it viable as a mainstream performance laptop replacement.

The Surface Pro 6's jump to new quad-core processors pays off in big performance gains. The new black color option looks cool. Still the best kickstand and keyboard for Windows tablets.

Be ready to shell out extra for the keyboard cover, stylus and even for the new matte black design. CPU and color aside, it's a very minimal upgrade over the previous version.

New tricks in an old design The Surface Pro 6 looks the same as its predecessors save for its new black colour option. The device is a slim, high-quality and robust tablet case that is easy to hold and weighs a comparatively svelte 786 g (~1.7 lb).

laptop-like performance; fan noise is quiet under load; full working day's battery life; impressive input devices for a convertible; well-built; contemporary design; good cameras; Windows Hello support; decent microphone; bright display; high sRGB colour space coverage; recharged fully in two hours

no USB Type-C; Signature Type Cover (2017) remains an additional purchase; as does the Surface Pen (2017; expensive

The extra cost for the keyboard is still disappointing, but it does work as well as ever (and has the same in-lap issues as the past). With few changes to a tried-and-true formula, one that has helped Microsoft reach the upper echelon of hardware sellers , the Surface Pro line is likely to continue...

Speedy new 8th Generation Intel processor; Good battery life; Premium feel; Sleek all-black color option; Brilliant display; Well-implemented kickstand

Minimal changes from previous model; As ever, keyboard sold separately; Not ideal for in-lap use; Somewhat restrictive configuration combinations; Limited ports

Now with outstanding battery life, the Surface Pro 6 remains the 2-in-1 to beat.

Bright; beautiful; 3:2 display; Black color looks and feels great; World-class build quality; Improved multitasking performance; Excellent battery life

Didn't update to Whiskey Lake processor; Outdated ports; Windows 10 tablet mode still needs work

Surface Pro is still the 2-in-1 to beat

Quad-core performance inside a lightweight tablet; Mostly silent operation; Matte black finish

Still no USB-C ports; Dated design; Lapability still not ideal