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Microsoft's Surface range broke the mold when it first appeared in 2013, embodying the vision of a streamlined convertible hybrid for laptops and tablets running the entire system. Windows operation. And each iteration has had only minor changes: you can not always reinvent the wheel, nor should you do it if you already have a solid product. The Surface Pro 6 (starting at $ 899, $ 1,199 depending on the tests) is perhaps the most flexible update to date, with only two changes from the previous version. The 2-in-1 is now available in black, an alternative to long-lasting steel gray, and it features an eighth-generation Intel processor for improved performance. Our full review is imminent, but the first hours spent with our test unit are promising, even if it is not a radical improvement.
Black is the new black
Although the color change is Completely aesthetic, it gives a look a little more elegant to any model already refined. As fellow hardware analyst Tom Brant noted during the preview, the black color takes into account its slimming effect, which gives the Pro 6 a more subdued look than its predecessor. . Compliant with the product name, the color also gives it a more professional look. The relatively tame gray color was not really wild, but it still exudes the atmosphere of professional notebooks. If that is your case of use, you may appreciate the look. Otherwise, you may just like the color. If you are not a fan, you can also buy it in its original "platinum" color.
Despite the fact that it may seem thinner, in
The display is identical to the previous edition, that is to say beautiful. The 12.3-inch screen is offered in a 3: 2 format, different from the more standard 16: 9 format, and offers an unusual resolution of 2,736 out of 1,824. This is a higher resolution than the HD and which looks very clear in practice. The display has superb viewing angles and becomes extremely bright when the settings are optimal, with particularly vivid colors.
Since it is a tablet, the screen of course offers a touch technology. This is useful for rummaging through Tablet mode or gently tapping the screen when using the keyboard and touchpad. It is also suitable for styli: the $ 99 Surface Pen is sold separately and attaches beautifully to the side of the screen. It's a good place to put pen while working, although I would not keep it in transit because it does not take much to lose it.
Better convertibility, with some caveats
As there are no physical modifications, the convertibility of the Surface Pro trade mark is intact. The integrated rear kickstand, which has been mimicry since its inception, runs exactly like the previous model. A fully adjustable hinge allows you to tilt the screen 165 degrees, including almost flat, which can be useful for the use of the stylus. The original Surface models included a hinge with a limited number of set points, making it a very preferable system.
The crutch is only half the battle to turn the Surface Pro (technically a tablet) into a laptop. It's the surface type cover – the detachable keyboard also subject to many imitators over the years – that makes the magic work. As always, the keyboard easily attaches to the bottom of the Surface Pro magnetically, which greatly facilitates the transformation.
The Type Cover is always sold separately. This is a complaint from me, and from many others, since the launch of Surface on the market. The Surface Pro is already expensive, but adding $ 129 to get what appears to be a complete feature is a bitter pill to swallow. The keyboard is an integral part of the experience (Microsoft shows or rarely advertises both outside of it). It is difficult to sell it separately. Without it, the Surface Pro is really just an expensive and expensive tablet. The Type Cover must really be included to fully integrate the concept of the device.
he East an excellent keyboard, though. Despite its finesse, the type of coverage offers a surprisingly comfortable typing experience, with a good touch movement. There is also a backlight, adjustable through several levels of brightness. The keyboard is a little fragile if you press too hard, especially if you do not use it on a desk (more on that in a moment), but it's still the best in the industry for
You can also tilt the keyboard for a more comfortable slant angle by folding the top of the keyboard against the screen, where more magnets hold it in place. This innovation was introduced in the Surface range several times ago, a small addition that makes a noticeable difference in terms of usability. The touchpad is also
Although the crutch configuration works great on a desk, it still leaves something to be desired on your lap. When writing this preview on the device, I tried to sit cross-legged on the couch. There is simply no good way to support the crutch and always be able to see the screen and comfortably type. It's certainly better with feet on the floor because the crutch can ride your thighs, but it does not quite reproduce the strength of a laptop screen and a laptop. traditional keyboard.
One of the biggest disappointments is the array of ports, although calling it a table looks generous. Besides the audio jack and the proprietary power connector, there are only three connections on the Pro 6. There is a USB 3.0 port, a Mini DisplayPort and a microSD card slot. More than one USB port would be useful to use multiple devices, such as a mouse and an external drive, but the exclusion of a USB-C port is disappointing. Technology is no longer new and should be included by default as more and more devices and systems adopt it. The ThinkPad X1 tablet, for example, has two USB-C ports and even offers support for Thunderbolt 3.
Mini DisplayPort is useful for external video output, but it is not one of the most common connections; Full DisplayPort or HDMI would be more useful. The microSD slot is a useful inclusion for file transfers, especially for media professionals. Overall, it just seems that this premium device should have a few extra ports, or more useful, than it offers.
Configuration problem
When ordering your Surface Pro 6, you have a choice of processor, memory and storage combinations. However, it is not so simple, you can not combine any component option with another. Microsoft guides you starting with memory (8GB or 16GB), which determines the processor (Intel Core i5 or Core i7 eighth generation) and storage (SSD 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1 TB) .
The color of your Surface Pro depends on its components, although there does not seem to be much rhyme or reason for the combinations. For example, the black model can be configured with 16 GB of memory and a Core i7 processor, but you can only choose the 512 GB SSD, while the platinum model can be paired with a 512 GB or 1 TB drive. Some other limitations are a little smarter (16GB of memory is only available with a Core i7 processor, both suitable for advanced users), but storage is a mix of bits and matches.
There are several permutations of this type depending on the color and amount of memory you are booting with, but you can probably find the combination that suits you best – it may not match the color you want. Prices vary greatly depending on the components: from 899 USD for 8GB of memory, a Core i5 processor and 128GB of storage. This control unit has 8 GB of memory, a Core i5 processor and a 256 GB SSD at a price of $ 1,199. In the high-end, the most expensive configuration possible (16 GB of memory, a Core i7 processor and a 1 TB SSD) is 2,229 USD.
Generational leap
This mid-way analysis unit is not the most powerful with its Core i5 processor, but in general, the latest generation of Intel chips is very fast. Because even the eighth generation Intel 's classic chips have four cores, the Surface Pro 6 also crosses the finish line as the first 2 in 1 with a quad – core processor. The processor of this model is the i5-8250U, the U series being an efficient and energy-consuming family. For what it's worth, the i7 option is also a U series chip.
I have not yet put the Pro 6 in our full suite of
If you are planning to do more serious or professional work on the Surface Pro 6, you may want to consider 16GB of memory or the Core i7 model. Microsoft claims to have improved its performance by 67% over the previous Surface Pro, but it is difficult for us to confirm. The Surface Pro 5 model we reviewed had a Core i7 processor. Therefore, comparisons with this unit are not 1: 1.
Still, I ran the PCMark 8 and Handbrake performance tests to get an idea of the capabilities of the machine. The Surface Pro 6 includes only integrated graphics, there is no discrete card, so I did not care about 3D tests because the results will inevitably be mediocre. Despite the divergence between Core i5 and Core i7, there remained about 20 seconds on the handbrake of the previous model, with a score of 1 minute, 24 seconds.
On the PCMark 8 test, the new machine scored a few hundred points less. The extra hearts of the eighth-generation chip do not really have the chance to show their value for this test, unlike multimedia tests such as Handbrake. This result is logical. Our battery tests are still underway, but Microsoft claims 13.5 hours of charging time between charges. The previous model lasted almost exactly as long on our degradation test, so that does not seem to be an improvement. I will rerun all tests for the full examination and will reserve the final performance judgment after all benchmarks are completed.
Growing dominance
The Surface Pro 6 is moderately faster than the last generation (at least during the first tests), and the black color option is elegant, but these are the only changes. These modest changes mean that you probably will not need to upgrade if you have a newer Surface model, but if you are using an older version, a completely different 2 in 1, or if you do not have an upgrade similar product to all, the new kid on the block deserves to be considered. The extra cost for the keyboard remains disappointing, but it still works as well. With few changes to a proven formula, a solution that has helped Microsoft to reach the higher echelons of hardware vendors, the Surface line will likely continue to make new converts. We'll come back shortly with a more specific conclusion about how the Surface Pro 6 stands out from our favorite Windows tablets, such as the ThinkPad X1 and the Dell Latitude 5920.
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