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Should you buy a new or previous Surface Pro? We'll compare the 2017 model with the Pro 4 (Topic)

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Should you buy a new or previous Surface Pro? We'll compare the 2017 model with the Pro 4

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We will explain what's new in the 2017 Surface Pro and compare this model to the Surface Pro

Price at the time of review

? 799, US $ 799

Surface Pro (2017) vs. Surface Pro 4

Finally, after a long wait, Surface Pro has an update. Ironically, it's not called Surface Pro 5, but as you will see, there are obvious reasons for that.

If you're thinking of upgrading from Surface Pro 4 or any other device, our comparison of the two hybrids will help you make the right choice.

Browse our list of the best hybrid laptops and tablets.

What are the differences between the Surface Pro 4 and the 2017 model?

By comparing the key parameters (see the table below), you can easily come to the conclusion that there are not many differences.

The two tablets look the same, have similar 12.3-inch screens, ports, and almost the same chassis.

During the launch of the model, Microsoft announced that the new tablet is thinner and lighter than the previous one. But it is not so. Its own website lists the same measurements for two models. Depending on the chosen configuration, the new device is either heavier or lighter than the previous model by a couple of grams.

So the new tablet is no thinner, and no one will notice the difference in weight. Can you tell these models apart by their appearance?

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Photography Two tablets in comparison

Model specific differences

But, of course, not everything remains the same. The main difference is the Surface Pro has the latest 7th Gen Intel Core processors , which has improved the integrated graphics.

Battery life has also increased from "9 hours" for the old model to "13.5 hours" for the new Surface Pro.

The last notable difference is the new hinge, which now expands 165 degrees . This position is called "Studio Mode" and allows the Surface Pro to be used like Surface Studio - more convenient for sketching and drawing.

Other minor improvements include improved speaker sound quality and more rounded corners.

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Photo Angle Comparison

The Surface Pro 4's kickstand lets you tilt it back up to 150 degrees, just like the Surface Pro 3. The extra 15 degrees feels like a slight change, but until we've tested the two, it's hard to see how much difference it makes. .

Package contents

As before, there is a choice of processors: Core m3 with ultra-low power consumption, i5 and i7. The Core m processor (fanless) is available immediately, but later on the Surface Pro 4.

The flagship 1TB model uses an NVMe SSD, which should improve performance even further than the equivalent Surface Pro 4.

This applies to the main tablet, but the keyboard and stylus have also been updated for the 2017 model.

Like the recently announced Surface Laptop, the Type Cover keyboard is covered in Alcantara, a synthetic suede-like material.

It costs ? 149 ($ 159) and comes in three colors to match the new tablet shades: Cobalt Blue, Burgundy and Platinum. They will go on sale on June 30th, a couple of weeks after the Surface Pro.

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Photo Keyboard

The new Surface Pen comes in the same colors and black. It costs ? 99.99 ($ 99) - yes, it's not included with the tablet, but no release date has been confirmed yet.

It is longer than the previous model, and does not have a clip. This stylus detects tilting at an angle (similar to Apple's Pencil) and can therefore more accurately reproduce the effect on screen.

Depending on the type of stylus selected in the application, its tilt is responsible for the thickness of the line drawn.

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Surface pen photo

What processors and hard drives does Surface Pro come with?

The table below shows a comparison of the main parameters of the old and new Surface Pro models.

Surface Pro (2017)

Surface Pro 4

Size

201x292x8.5mm

201x292x8.5mm

Weight

768g or 784g

766g or 786g (Core i5 / i7)

Screen

12.3 inches PixelSense, 273ppi, 2736x1824

12.3 inches PixelSense, 273ppi, 2736x1824

Processor

1GHz Core m3-7Y30; 2.6GHz Core i5-7300U; 2.5GHz Cire i7-7660U

Core m3; 2.4GHz Core i5-6300U; 2.2GHz Core i7-6650U

Memory

4GB / 8GB / 16GB

4GB / 8GB / 16GB

Hard Drive

128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB * SSD

* NVMe

128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB SSD

Graphics

Intel HD 615 (Core m3); Intel HD 620 (Core i5); Intel Iris Plus 640 (Core i7)

Intel HD 515 (Core m3); Intel HD 520 (Core i5); Intel Iris (Core i7)

Wireless capabilities

802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1

802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0

Cameras

8Mp (main), 5Mp (front)

8Mp (main), 5Mp (front)

Ports

USB 3, microSD, 3.5mm audio jack, Surface connector

USB 3, microSD, 3.5mm audio jack, Surface connector

Battery Life

13.5 hours

9 hours

How do they compare in price?

After the announcement of the new model, the Surface Pro 4 price dropped, and the Core i7 configuration was no longer available in the US.

The Pro 4 ships with the old Surface Pen (except for the Core m3 model), so be sure to add ? 99.99 (or $ 99.99) to the price of the new Surface Pro if you know you'll need a stylus.

Surface Pro (2017):

  • Core m3, 4GB, 128GB: ? 799, US $ 799
  • Core i5, 4GB, 128GB: ? 979, US $ 999
  • Core i5, 8GB, 256GB: ? 1249, US $ 1299
  • Core i7, 8GB, 256GB: ? 1549, US $ 1599
  • Core i7, 16GB, 512GB: ? 2149, US $ 2199
  • Core i7, 16GB, 1TB: ? 2699, US $ 2699

Surface Pro 4 (UK):

  • Core m3, 4GB, 128GB: ? 636.65
  • Core i5, 8GB, 256GB: ? 917.15
  • Core i7, 8GB, 256GB: ? 1104.15
  • Core i7, 16GB, 256GB: ? 1231.65
  • Core i7, 16GB, 512GB: ? 1529.15
  • Core i7, 16GB, 1TBGB: ? 1869.15

Surface Pro 4 US models:

  • Core m3, 4GB, 128GB (without stylus): US $ 699
  • Core i5, 4GB, 128GB: ? 979, US $ 849
  • Core i5, 8GB, 256GB: ? 1249, US $ 999
  • Core i5, 16GB, 256GB: ? 1549, US $ 1399
  • Core i5, 8GB, 512GB: ? 2149, US $ 1399
  • Core i5, 16GB, 512GB: ? 2699, US $ 1799

Should you buy a new Surface Pro?

Overall, it is very similar to its predecessor. This may be why it's not called Surface Pro 5. The new processors mean better performance and battery life, but those are the only significant improvements.

Microsoft said the screen on the new tablet is better, but didn't explain why.

In the UK, Surface Pro 4s with a Core i7 processor are significantly less expensive than their 2017 equivalent configurations and are more cost-effective with the Surface Pen included.

If you already own a Surface Pro 4, there is no real incentive to upgrade unless you have a low-power model and want to upgrade to a Core i7 version.

Source: Surface Pro (2017) vs Surface Pro 4

The Topic of Article: Should you buy a new or previous Surface Pro? We'll compare the 2017 model with the Pro 4.
Author: Jake Pinkman


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