Microsoft drops number from new Surface Pro range

As predicted it is a “tock’ version (referring to a tick-tock cycle where tick in new technology and tock builds on that) except it has been a series of “tocks” since the original Surface Pro was launched in February 2013. Since then it has refined the hybrid, touch, form factor to the point where hybrids (all brands) outsold notebooks in 2017.

Panos Panay, corporate vice-president, Microsoft Devices, said in a blog, "Surface Pro is an evolution in design to meet customer’s needs. Their input guides us to discover and build new ways to streamline and enhance creative processes – helping people use one device instead of two, eliminating the need for pen and paper, removing barriers so their ideas can flow freely.”

He said, “Surface Pro continues the iconic look and feel of previous Surface Pros, but has been completely redesigned from the inside out. We’ve optimized every millimetre, with over 800 new custom parts and used 99% of the space inside the device.” So perhaps it is not as much of a “tock” as we thought.

{loadposition ray}“People’s expectations for what their devices should help them accomplish are high – and the Surface team works to exceed those expectations. People want beautiful and powerful devices, with all-day battery life and amazing digital inking experiences. They want to better express their ideas creatively while being able to work whenever wherever and however they choose.

"The new Surface Pro delivers all that and more, building on our heritage of pushing the idea of a ‘computer’ forward while harnessing all the innovation of Windows 10 and Microsoft Office 365 to empower people to do their best creative work,” Panos said. 

Here are some of the major internal changes.

• Available in 7 th generation Intel Core m3, i5, and i7 (the former are fan-less and the latter has a fan for and impressively low 18dB noise level).
• 5 times the compute power of a Surface Pro and 1.7 times the iPad Pro.
• 50% more battery life than a Surface pro 3 and 35% more than an iPad Pro.
• New 165° hinge for almost lay flat studio mode and supports Surface Dial.
• 12.3” PixelSense Display with 267ppi and 3:2 aspect ratio (similar to Pro 4) but with added custom silicon, the PixelSense Accelerator, to really enhance colour - a colour-switcher from sRGB to enhanced colour.
• LTE Advanced options.
• New pen has 4096 pressure points and 21 milliseconds latency with a new tilt function for a more fluid and real-to-life inking experience and new inking software.
• Improved Alcantara Signature Type cover keyboards in Platinum, Burgundy, Cobalt Blue.
• Starting from A$1199 from the Microsoft Store Sydney, Microsoft.com, JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman. Pre-order now for 15 June release.