Surface Pro (2017)

Last updated
Surface Pro
Microsoft Surface logo.svg
Also known asSurface Pro 5
Developer Microsoft
Product family Surface
Type 2-in-1 detachable
GenerationFifth
Release dateJune 15, 2017
Introductory price$799 (£749)
Operating system Windows 10 Pro
CPU Intel Kaby Lake low-voltage dual-core: [1]
m3-7Y30
1.0 up to 2.6 GHz, 4 MB cache, 4.5 W [2]
i5-7300U
2.6 up to 3.5 GHz, 3 MB cache, 15 W [3]
i7-7660U
2.5 up to 4.0 GHz, 4 MB cache, 15 W [4]
Memory4 GB, 8 GB, or 16 GB
Storage PCIe NVMe SSD in 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB capacities
Display12.3 in (31 cm) 2736x1824 (267 ppi) PixelSense display with 3:2 aspect ratio with 10-point multi-touch and pen support
Graphicsm3: Intel HD Graphics 615
i5: Intel HD Graphics 620
i7: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640
Dimensions292 mm × 201 mm × 8.5 mm (11.50 in × 7.91 in × 0.33 in)
Massm3: 768 g (1.693 lb)
i5: 770 g (1.70 lb)
i7: 784 g (1.728 lb)
Predecessor Surface Pro 4
Successor Surface Pro 6 [5]

The fifth-generation Surface Pro (marketed as the SurfacePro, colloquially referred to as the Surface Pro 2017 [6] [7] [8] or Surface Pro 5 [9] ) is a Surface-series 2-in-1 detachable hybrid notebook computer, designed, developed, marketed, and produced by Microsoft. The Surface Pro was announced in May 2017 at a public event held in Shanghai, China. [10] The device launched in 26 different markets on June 15. [11]

Contents

Configuration

Configurations [12] [13]
Price tier (USD)CPUGPUInternal storageRAM LTE
$799Intel Core m3-7Y30 (1.0 to 2.6 GHz)HD 615128 GB4 GBDark Red x.svg
$849Intel Core i5-7300U (2.6 to 3.5 GHz)HD 620
$9998 GB
$1,1494 GBYes check.svg
$1,299256 GB8 GBDark Red x.svg
$1,449Yes check.svg
$1,49916 GBDark Red x.svg
$1,599Intel Core i7-7660U (2.5 to 4.0 GHz)Iris Plus 6408 GB
$2,199512 GB16 GB
$2,6991 TB

Hardware

All Surface Pro models feature 7th-generation Intel Kaby Lake Core processors – m3, i5, or i7 – which feature higher clock speeds over the Intel Skylake processors found in its predecessor. The new Kaby Lake chips also feature improved Speed Shift technology, allowing the processor to transition between CPU states quicker. For the first time, both the Core m3 and the Core i5 models are fanless.

RAM options are 4, 8, and 16 GB, and SSD options are 128, 256, and 512 GB and 1 TB. These are the same tiers that were available with Surface Pro 4. (Note, however, that not all RAM options are available with all SSD options.)

In addition, the new Surface Pro features an enhanced kickstand which now opens to 165 degrees, allowing the device to lay flatter – a mode that Microsoft calls Studio Mode. Alongside the 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi radio, Bluetooth 4.1 Low Energy, there will now also be the option to purchase the Surface Pro with an LTE Advanced modem for cellular connectivity.

There is also a full-size USB 3.0 port, microSD card reader, headset jack, Mini DisplayPort, Cover Port, and the SurfaceConnect port to connect a wall charger, Docking Station or Surface Dock accessories.

Software

All Surface Pro models (except in mainland China and Japan) come with a 64-bit version of Windows 10 Pro and a Microsoft Office 365 30-day trial. Windows 10 comes pre-installed with Mail, Calendar, People, Xbox (app), Photos, Movies and TV, Groove, and Microsoft Edge. With Windows 10, a "Tablet mode" is available when the Type Cover is detached from the device. In this mode, all windows are opened full-screen and the interface becomes more touch-centric.

In mainland China, all Surface Pro models come with a 64-bit version of Windows 10 Home and a Microsoft Office 2016 Home & Student edition. Devices with Windows 10 Pro are only available for enterprise.

In Japan, all Surface Pro models come with a 64-bit version of Windows 10 Pro and a Microsoft Office Home & Business 2016. [14]

The device also has a Windows Hello-compatible camera. It combines the use of a regular and infrared cameras to authenticate the user.

Accessories

Microsoft introduced a collection of new Type Covers, which employs the same Alcantara material as the Surface Signature Type Cover used in the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro 4 and is available in four different color options. [15]

An updated version of the Surface Pen has also been introduced, including up to 4096 levels of pressure and tilt support. Microsoft claims it is the "fastest pen in the world", with only 21 milliseconds of latency. [16] Unlike previous models, this new version of the "Surface Pen" does not come included with the new Surface Pro.

The new Surface Pro is backward-compatible with all accessories of its predecessor models, such as the Surface Dial. The new Surface Type Cover and Surface Pen are also being made backward-compatible with older models such as the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Pro 3. [15]

Known issues

There was a Surface Pro issue where it had been prone to randomly hibernate and resume shortly afterwards without warning. [17] This issue is mentioned on answers.microsoft.com and can be fixed by installing the latest Windows updates.

Additionally, users have noted a significant and widespread "backlight bleed" in which the backlight from the Surface Pro's screen is visible on solid-colored backgrounds. [18] [19]

Reception

Ryan Shrout of PC Perspective wrote that "from a flexibility perspective, there is no denying the Windows 10 advantage for consumers, students, and business users" over iOS. [20]

Timeline

Timeline of Surface devices
Surface Duo 2Surface DuoSurface Hub 3Surface Hub 2SSurface HubSurface Studio 2Surface Studio 2Surface StudioSurface Laptop SESurface Laptop Studio 2Surface Laptop StudioSurface Laptop Go 3Surface Laptop Go 2Surface Laptop GoSurface Laptop 6Surface Laptop 5Surface Laptop 4Surface Laptop 3Surface Laptop 2Surface LaptopSurface Book 3Surface Book 2Surface BookSurface Pro XSurface Pro XSurface Go 4Surface Go 3Surface Go 2Surface GoSurface Pro 10Surface Pro 9Surface Pro 8Surface Pro 7Surface Pro 7Surface Pro 6Surface Pro (2017)Surface Pro 4Surface Pro 3Surface Pro 2Surface ProSurface 3Surface 2Surface (2012 tablet)Surface Pro (2017)

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References

  1. Corden, Jez (May 23, 2017). "Full list of Microsoft Surface Pro (2017) tech specs". Windows Central. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  2. "Intel® Core™ m3-7Y30 Processor (2M Cache, 2.60 GHz) Product Specifications" . Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  3. "Intel® Core™ i5-7300U Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.5 GHz) Product Specifications" . Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  4. "Intel® Core™ i7-7660U Processor (4M Cache, up to 4.0 GHz) Product Specifications" . Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  5. Warren, Tom (2018-10-02). "Microsoft unveils Surface Pro 6 with new matte black finish and quad-core processors". The Verge. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  6. "Surface Pro 2017 review: A 2-in-1 tablet you'll actually want to use". Windows Central. Retrieved 2017-07-04.
  7. "Surface Pro (2017) Review: The Gold Standard for Detachables". pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 2017-07-04.
  8. Seifert, Dan (2017-06-15). "Microsoft Surface Pro review: the new normal". The Verge. Retrieved 2017-07-04.
  9. "Is it wise to buy the 2017 Surface Pro in 2018?". Windows Central. 2020-01-13. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  10. "Microsoft launches new Surface Pro". BBC News. 2017-05-23. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
  11. Bowden, Zac (May 23, 2017). "Microsoft's new Surface Pro launches June 15, starts at $799". Windows Central. Mobile Nations. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  12. Commercial Microsoft Surface Pro Tech Specs
  13. Microsoft Surface Pro Tech Specs
  14. "Microsoft Surface PC、コンピューター、ノート PC、2-in-1、デュアル スクリーン、オールインワンの公式サイト". Microsoft .
  15. 1 2 Corden, Jez (May 23, 2017). "Microsoft's new Surface Pro Signature Type Cover comes in three new colors". Windows Central. Mobile Nations. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  16. Fingas, Jon (May 23, 2017). "Microsoft's new Surface Pen should feel more like writing on paper". Engadget. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  17. Microsoft's new Surface Pro reportedly experiencing sleep issues - MSPoweruser
  18. "Customers of Microsoft's Surface Pro (2017) complain of backlight bleed issue, Microsoft offers no response | On MSFT". On MSFT. 2017-07-16. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  19. "Light bleed, dark spots, and other display issues - the megathread. • r/Surface". reddit. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  20. Microsoft Surface Pro (2017) vs. Apple iPad Pro (2017): Best Productivity Tablet PC Perspective, Retrieved July 31, 2017.
Preceded by Surface Pro
5th generation
With: Surface Laptop
Surface Book
Succeeded by