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Microsoft Surface Pro 4, Core i5, 256GB

Specifications

Microsoft Surface Pro 4, Core i5, 256GB
Microsoft Surface Pro 4, Core i5, 256GB (Surface Series)
Processor
Intel Core i5-6300U 2 x 2.4 - 3 GHz, Skylake
Graphics adapter
Memory
8 GB 
Display
12.30 inch 15:10, 2736 x 1824 pixel, glossy: yes
Storage
Samsung MZFLV256 NVMe, 256 GB 
Weight
766 g ( = 27.02 oz / 1.69 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)

 

Pricecompare

Average Score: 80.55% - good
Average of 11 scores (from 18 reviews)
price: 83%, performance: 82%, features: 95%, display: 91% mobility: 85%, workmanship: 94%, ergonomy: 94%, emissions: - %

Reviews for the Microsoft Surface Pro 4, Core i5, 256GB

The Surface Pro 4 (2017) is the premium Windows laptop I can’t recommend
Source: KL Gadget Guy English Archive.org version
If you are already looking to buy a Surface Pro 4 in the very beginning, then you will be glad to know that this refreshed model is definitely a better performing model than the previous one, with better performance and battery life. However, what the Surface Pro 4 offers isn’t compelling enough for me to recommend one, given the fact that the model we have here costs RM6,568, you already have many alternatives for a lightweight Windows machine, such as the HP Envy 13, Acer Switch 5, Lenovo Yoga 720 and more, all of which costs lesser than the Surface Pro 4, not unless you value the form factor and Surface ecosystem, I won’t recommend this as a great option for a premium Windows machine.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 01/07/2018
Review: Microsoft Surface Pro 4
Source: Unlocked Newegg English Archive.org version
The Surface line has had the distinct advantage of being one of the first to the 2-in-1 party, so Microsoft has had ample time to work out the kinks. For the most part they have succeeded, especially when it comes to the high performing, beautiful tablet portion. The keyboard is sufficient, though not exactly a game changer. I would recomend the Surface to someone who wants to use it primarily as a tablet, with only occasional typing. They keyboard isn’t quite there yet, especially when it comes to the clumsy detachment process. The Surface Book addresses this issue beautifully, but the high cost might be an issue for some.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/26/2016
90% Microsoft Surface Pro 4 review
Source: Techradar English Archive.org version
Has Microsoft at last crafted a tablet that can reasonably, without considerable compromise, replace your laptop? Short of going back to the drawing board on the battery, this looks as close as it's going to get.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/21/2016
Rating: Total score: 90%
100% Expensive, but a great piece of hardware for running Windows 10
Source: PC Pro English Archive.org version
Overall, though, Microsoft really is pushing the Surface Pro line along nicely. There isn't quite enough here to make me want to upgrade from a Surface Pro 3, but it’s a good, solid update, and it remains the hybrid that sets the standard. If you have the money, and want a hybrid, buy it.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/04/2016
Rating: Total score: 100%
The Microsoft Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 Review
Source: PC Perspective English Archive.org version
The hardware design is superb, the hardware configuration is top of the line for this generation, Windows 10 is more than capable of handling the high DPI resolutions and there is no bloatware to deal with on the Surface platforms. Other than the eccentricities of the designs (Type Cover, hinge), price is the only thing that you can really complain about on either the Surface Pro 4 or the Surface Book. If you want flagship Windows notebooks that combine design, style, technology and performance, both the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book are the best you can buy. If I were picking one to keep in my bag going forward, I think the larger screen and discrete GPU option on the Surface Book would make it my selection.
Comparison, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/21/2015
40% Microsoft Surface Pro 4 review
Source: Stuff TV English Archive.org version
When Windows 10, and its Continuum mode in particular, runs without a hiccup this is a five-star product. Microsoft didn't need to tinker with the Pro 3 much to ensure it was a winner. All that was required on the hardware side of things were some modest refinements: a larger, equally pristine screen, a faster processor and a pen that wouldn’t go missing at the bottom of your rucksack. As good as the Pro 3 was, running on Windows 8.1 made it a stopgap product. Now Windows 10 is here, the Pro 4 should see Microsoft’s hybrid vision fully realised at the fourth time of asking. After spending the best part of two weeks with the latest Surface, that magic moment has patently gone missing. It's a product that grasps defeat from the jaws of victory. When an update comes along and fixes the issues I've been having with the Pro 4, I'll happily reevaluate it. At the moment, I'm left with a hybrid that I can't trust to work properly.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 11/26/2015
Rating: Total score: 40%
90% Microsoft Surface Pro 4 review
Source: Trusted Reviews English Archive.org version
If you have the money, the Surface Pro 4 is the best Windows 10 tablet available. It offers a bright, crisp display, great performance and solid build quality. Paired with its Surface Pen and optional Type Cover, the Surface Pro 4 becomes a fully functioning laptop that will meet most people’s personal and work needs. However, I’m not completely sold on its value as a professional design tool. The fact that Microsoft is also charging an extra £110 for the Type Cover, where most other PC and tablet makers are offering keyboards for free is also an annoyance. Buyers on a strict budget who don’t need top-end performance could find a better deal with one of Asus’ Transformer Books, or Microsoft’s own Surface 3.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/23/2015
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 80% performance: 80% mobility: 80% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 90%

Foreign Reviews

81% Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)
Source: Connect - Heft 9/2016 German
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 08/01/2016
Rating: Total score: 81%
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
Source: HardwareLuxx German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/12/2015
96% Surface Pro 4 im Test: Kann das teure Multitalent überzeugen?
Source: Mobicroco German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/24/2015
Rating: Total score: 96% features: 95% workmanship: 98% ergonomy: 98%
60% Surface Pro 4 - Is de beste Surface wel goed genoeg?
Source: Computer Totaal Dutch NL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 11/19/2015
Rating: Total score: 60%
Microsoft Surface Pro 4 review: overal werken, maar niet op je schoot
Source: All About Phones Dutch NL→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Slim size and lightweight; good display; nice design; long battery life. Negative: Relatively high price.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/11/2016
90% Test De La Surface Pro 4
Source: Fredzone French FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/25/2016
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 85% display: 95% mobility: 90% ergonomy: 95%
80% Test Microsoft Surface Pro 4, une évolution pas une révolution
Source: Meilleurmobile French FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/21/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Jeszcze tablet czy już laptop?
Source: PC Lab.pl Turkish PL→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Slim and light; very good performance; fantastic display; Pen included; easy-to-use; comfortable keyboard; efficient cooling system; good sound quality. Negative: Only one USB port; short battery life; expensive.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/05/2016
76% Microsoft Surface Pro 4'ü inceledik
Source: Chip Online TR TR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/18/2016
Rating: Total score: 76% performance: 83% display: 86%
Microsoft Surface Pro 4 – Формат Неоднозначности
Source: Notebook-Center.ru RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Excellent design; balanced weight and size characteristics; good performance; and high-quality display. Negative: Poor connectivity; short battery life; expensive.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/27/2016
83% Microsoft Surface Pro 4
Source: Dinside NO→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 11/25/2015
Rating: Total score: 83%

Comment

Series:

Both the Microsoft Surface RT and the Surface Pro never really made it big and couldn't compete with its Android and iOs counterparts. A large reason for its low sales figures was due to the unpopularity of the tablet-notebook hybrid category itself. However it is important to note that the Surface Pro 2 is actually a full blown laptop acting as a hybrid. For a start, it comes with Windows 8.1 backed up with an Intel Core i5-4300U ultrabook class processor, 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB SSD. It looks and has the same dimensions as the first version making both their accessories compatible with each other. However, there's also the new optional Type Cover 2 which adds backlighting but is on the heavy side and is rather pricey.

The good thing about the surface is of course its ultra portability and undeniable performance. With its specs, it will quite likely outperform many other ultraportable laptops and hybrids. Also not to forget is the fact that it comes preinstalled with Windows 8.1 and has all the necessary built-in ports making it an actual laptop and not just a replacement. The primary I/O, the FHD screen is also accompanied with an included active stylus. The downside to all this is definitely the asking price for the tablet and detachable keyboard combination. There may be some serious competitors giving almost if not the same kind of specs for a lower price. Its kickstand, although improved, is still a letdown as it doesn't conveniently sit on a lap despite being a laptop. All in all, the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 is worthy laptop if budget is not an issue.

Intel HD Graphics 520: Integrated GPU (GT2) with 24 EUs found on some Skylake CPU models (15 W ULV series).

Modern games should be playable with these graphics cards at low settings and resolutions. Casual gamers may be happy with these cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.


6300U: Skylake-based ULV dual-core processor for thin notebooks and ultrabooks. Offers an integrated HD Graphics 520 GPU and is manufactured in 14 nm.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.


12.30":

This range of display format is largely the upper limit for tablets and the lower limit for subnotebooks.

The advantage of subnotebooks is that the entire laptop can be small in size and therefore easily portable. The tiny display has the added advantage of requiring little power, which further improves battery life and thus mobility. The disadvantage is that reading texts is exhausting for the eyes. High resolutions, which one is used to from a standard laptop, are almost not usable.

The same applies to tablets in this size range.

» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.


Microsoft:

Microsoft smartphones and tablets have been tested since 2012. There are many reviews with average ratings. The reader's interest is quite given, but the market share is not big enough for the Top 5 smartphone manufacturers (as of 2016).


80.55%: This rating is slightly above average, there are somewhat more devices with worse ratings. However, clear purchase recommendations look different.


» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

 

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Devices with Same Screen Size and/or Weight

Microsoft Surface Go 4
UHD Graphics Xe 750 32EUs, Alder Lake-N N200, 10.50", 0.512 kg
Microsoft Surface Pro 9, i5-1245U
Iris Xe G7 80EUs, Alder Lake-M i5-1245U, 13.00", 0.877 kg
Microsoft Surface Pro 9, i5-1235U
Iris Xe G7 80EUs, Alder Lake-M i5-1235U, 13.00", 0.879 kg
Microsoft Surface Duo
Adreno 640, Snapdragon SD 855, 8.10", 0.25 kg
Microsoft Surface Go 2 LTE
UHD Graphics 615, Amber Lake m3-8100Y, 10.50", 0.553 kg
Microsoft Surface Pro 7, i5-1035G4
Iris Plus Graphics G4 (Ice Lake 48 EU), Ice Lake i5-1035G4, 12.30", 0.776 kg
Microsoft Surface Pro 7, Core i7-1065G7
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), Ice Lake i7-1065G7, 12.30", 0.79 kg

Devices from the same Manufacturer

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
Iris Xe G7 80EUs, Alder Lake-M i5-1235U, 12.40", 1.112 kg
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 RTX 4060
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-H i7-13700H, 14.40", 2 kg
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13, i5-1245U
Iris Xe G7 80EUs, Alder Lake-M i5-1245U, 13.50", 1.27 kg
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13, i5-1235U
Iris Xe G7 80EUs, Alder Lake-M i5-1235U, 13.50", 1.29 kg
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 15, i7-1265U
Iris Xe G7 96EUs, Alder Lake-M i7-1265U, 15.00", 1.56 kg
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13, i7-1255U
Iris Xe G7 96EUs, Alder Lake-M i7-1255U, 13.50", 1.29 kg
Microsoft Surface Studio 2+
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU, Tiger Lake i7-11370H, 28.00", 9.56 kg
Microsoft Surface Pro 9, i7-1255U
Iris Xe G7 96EUs, Alder Lake-M i7-1255U, 13.00", 0.877 kg
Microsoft Surface Pro 9, ARM
Adreno 690, Snapdragon SD 8cx Gen 3, 13.00", 0.883 kg
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 15, i7-1255U
Iris Xe G7 96EUs, Alder Lake-M i7-1255U, 15.00", 1.579 kg
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13, i7-1265U
Iris Xe G7 96EUs, Alder Lake-M i7-1265U, 13.50", 1.29 kg
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 Core i5
Iris Xe G7 80EUs, Tiger Lake i5-1135G7, 12.40", 1.135 kg
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio i5-11300H
Iris Xe G7 80EUs, Tiger Lake i5-11300H, 14.40", 1.74 kg
Microsoft Surface Laptop SE, Celeron N4120
UHD Graphics 600, Gemini Lake Celeron N4120, 11.60", 1.12 kg
Microsoft Surface Pro X 2021
Adreno 619L, Snapdragon SD 690 5G, 13.00", 0.775 kg
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio i7 RTX 3050 Ti
GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU, Tiger Lake i7-11370H, 14.40", 1.831 kg
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, i7-11370H RTX 3050 Ti
GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU, Tiger Lake i7-11370H, 14.40", 1.8 kg
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, i7-11370H RTX A2000
RTX A2000 Laptop GPU, Tiger Lake i7-11370H, 14.40", 1.8 kg
Microsoft Surface Pro 8, i7-1185G7
Iris Xe G7 96EUs, Tiger Lake i7-1185G7, 13.00", 0.891 kg
Microsoft Surface Duo 2
Adreno 660, Snapdragon SD 888 5G, 8.30", 0.284 kg
Microsoft Surface Go 3 Core i3
UHD Graphics 615, Amber Lake i3-10100Y, 10.50", 0.783 kg
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 15, i7-1185G7
Iris Xe G7 96EUs, Tiger Lake i7-1185G7, 15.00", 1.54 kg
Current Prices
Stefan Hinum (Update: 2017-04-12)