Microsoft Surface Pro 2
The
Surface Pro 2's display may not have received an upgrade, but then it didn't
need one. It's still a fine IPS panel that helps bring Windows 8.1's colorful
and vibrant nature to life. The tablet itself is easier to use thanks to
improved keyboard covers - even the Touch Cover 2 will prove more than adequate
for most this time around.The Microsoft Surface Pro 2 is a faster,
longer-battery-life version of the original model, upgraded with a current-gen
Haswell processor. The keyboard cover is also improved with backlit keys, and
is among the best tablet accessories ever devised.The Surface Pro 2 is a very
tough product to judge, which is what makes it interesting. The good news is
Microsoft has sorted out the most serious issue with the first version: the
battery life. At around eight hours, the Surface Pro 2 mixes it with the
Ultrabooks like the Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus and Sony VAIO Pro 13, even if it
still falls a little short of 'tablet class' battery life.
But, The Surface Pro
2 remains stubbornly thick and heavy compared with some sleeker competitors.
The base 64GB version may leave you starved for storage, and the keyboard
cover, practically required, should be included instead of sold separately.
The bottom line:
Microsoft's subtly updated Windows 8.1 tablet feels more like Surface Pro 1.5
-- improved battery life and better accessories make it a worthwhile (albeit
pricey) laptop replacement, but it's still not an iPad-level category killer. Specifications
Display type10.6 nm
RAM4 GB
ProcessorIntel 4th
Gen Core i5
Dimensions
(WxDxH)10.8 in x 0.53 in x 6.8 in
Weight2 lbs Price $899 VS HP
Envy x2 The
Envy x2 impressed us. Its outstanding industrial design really shows the
potential of a tablet/laptop hybrid. The HP Envy x2 has a clean, comfortable
design and feels lightweight in tablet form. It has excellent battery life, and
works just as well as a laptop as it does as a tablet. Performance:
Unfortunately,
as soon as we start talking performance we’re confronted by the fact that Clover
Trail is still Atom, and Atom is still not in any way, shape or form a
performance chip – and that 2GB RAM maximum doesn’t help here either.Don’t get
us wrong, for navigating through Windows and average daily use such as browsing
the web and running apps or light programs, the Z2760 in the HP Envy x2 runs
smooth as butter. Performance is consistently superior to that in the netbooks
of yore, especially when it comes to HD video playback and light multi-tasking,
and most non 3D-gaming apps you’ll find in the Windows store should run without
a hitch.
However, proper
multi-tasking; running intensive HD video simultaneously with another program;
or using demanding programs like an image editor can still quite easily bring
this kind of machine to its knees. In other words, as a tablet the x2 performs
admirably, but as a laptop replacement you have to be prepared to put up with
its limitations.
3D gaming in anything
but the most casual titles, meanwhile, is also a big no-no. Even at minimum
settings our test games simply refused to run or crashed after getting through
the menus. Mind you, this is not surprising given that Intel’s integrated GMA
3600 chip paired with the Atom Z2760 is derived from an old PowerVR design the
benefits of which Windows drivers don’t fully bring out. Hopefully updated drivers
will eek out more performance.
Battery life:
Battery
life is impressive, living up to HP’s claim of seven hours when we streamed
video from BBC iPlayer. And, of course, there’s a second battery in the
keyboard, which provides an additional seven hours of battery life. No
ultrabook that weighs a similar amount can claim to last this long.
But, The laptop mode is top-heavy, and the awkward tablet detachment
mechanism isn’t perfect; it has limited ports; and a slower Atom processor
means in performance it's far behind most ultrabooks, even though it’s priced
like one.
The
bottom line: The HP Envy x2’s capacity to be a full Windows 8 tablet or dock
with a keyboard works as well as advertised, provided you’re willing to live
with slower performance at a high price. You’re paying for style.
Windows 8 (32-bit);
1.8GHz Intel Atom Z2760; 2GB DDR2 SDRAM 1,066MHz; 747MB (Total) Intel GMA; 64GB
SSD
Processor 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z2760
Memory 2GB, 1,066MHz
DDR2
Hard drive 64GB SSD
Graphics Intel GMA
Operating system
Windows 8
Dimensions (WD)
11.9x8.1 inches
Height 0.6-0.7 inch
Screen size
(diagonal) 11.6 inches
System weight /
Weight with AC adapter 3.1 pounds / 3.6 pounds (tablet + keyboard)
Category
Ultraportable hybrid
Price; $849
VS Microsoft Surface Pro Making
your mind up about the Surface Pro is less about what it is and what it does
and more about what you want out of a tablet. As a hybrid PC it's an undeniable
compromise - but that's no bad thing.The Microsoft Surface Pro fits a full
ultrabook experience in a compact 10-inch tablet. Thanks to the ingenious Type
and Touch covers, it offers a comfortable interface and typing experience. The
clean, crisp design and sharp 1080p screen rise above the competition.
But, The battery life
is disappointing, and more ports would be nice. The 64GB model barely has any
free storage. It costs as much as a regular laptop, especially because the cool
keyboard cover isn't included by default.
The bottom line: The
Surface Pro's gutsy design successfully reinvents the Windows 8 laptop by
cramming an ultrabook experience into the body of a 10-inch tablet. Those
wanting to go all-in on the tablet experience won't regret buying the Surface
Pro, but we're holding out for a future, more polished generation of the
device.
Windows 8 Pro
(64-bit); 1.7GHz IntelCore i5; 4GB DDR3 SDRAM 1,600MHz; 32MB (Sharedl) Intel HD
4000; 128GB Micron SSD Specifications
Release date02/9/13
Display type10.6
inColor TFT active matrix - Yes
OSMicrosoft Windows 8
Pro
RAM4 GB
Processor3rd Gen Core
i5Intel
Wireless
connectivityIEEE 802.11nIEEE 802.11bIEEE 802.11aIEEE 802.11g
Dimensions
(WxDxH)0.53 in10.8 in 6.8 in
Weight903
g
Price;$899.99
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