Microsoft Surface with Windows 8 Pro user reviews (64GB)

Pros + Phenomenal screen
+ Awesome performance
+ Full Windows 8

Cons - Battery life isn't spectacular
- Some legacy programs have sizing issues

Summary This thing is great. I originally had the Surface RT but was sick of the restrictions that came along with and the fact that it had a desktop view was just teasing. I sold it and upgraded to the Pro and its world of difference. The screen is noticeably more sharp and performance is snappier, no lag at all. My only problem is the battery (big surprise there) and the fact that some applications (iTunes, Avast, etc.) look fuzzy on the screen. This is probably due to scaling and hope that as time goes by, updates will come along to fix it. Other than that, if you want a Windows tablet with no restrictions, this is your best bet.

Pros Full HD screen, stylus input, palm block tech prevents mis-touches while writing, USB 3.0, mini Display port, Bluetooth 4.0, optional type cover is fantastic, same PC hardware found in ultrabooks, manages to keep from being too heavy

Cons Battery life could be a little longer, on the pricier side

Summary If you're looking for a tablet that can do it all, the Surface Pro is your only reasonable option compared to the likes of Android and Apple offerings. This tablet has the largest application palette, mostly because it offers the entire world of software online on top of its growing Windows 8 store. Had Microsoft found a more cost-effective way, or just bundled in the type cover in the package, we'd all be singing the praises of Pro AND buying one immediately. But for $999 for the more-sought-after 128GB model, it will keep many from enjoying the fruits of full PC computing. The battery isn't hitting the standards of what many have come to expect from mobile products. Then again, competitors are running ARM tablets that use considerably less power and run considerably slower in comparison. It becomes a trade off: battery life for faster computing and multitasking. Many will argue this is an acceptable fate. The battery rates for 5 hours of use (depending on how you use the tablet). The Surface becomes a solid 5-star product if Microsoft can improve upon its design with a 2nd gen product that bumps the battery life a couple hours, comes in a little cheaper (or offers more in the package, so we're not dropping $1300 with accessories), and maybe shave a couple tenths of a pound. But those are the only gripes. This product is seriously good and the pen input is incredible! I could draw for hours and I'm a terrible artist!

Pros More powerful then most tablets. Able to run both windows 8 apps and standard software. Lighter then most laptops. Pen is amazing to use with onenote. Perfect with microsoft office 2013. USB 3.0 is fast. Display is amazing.

Cons Battery life under high power task is less then optinaml. Display is a little bit small. It is a bit heavy but much lighter then a laptop. Windows 8 glitches that are more with OS problems then with the surface pro. Would love to upgrade SSD

Summary Ill start first by saying this device is not for everyone. If you are a student, teacher, buissness person, IT or anyone that needs a super protable windows PC/ tablet this is a very good choice. For others, a tablet or laptop would be better. I am a student/ photographer and this fits both my uses almost perfectly. As a student i take notes using my onenote 2013 with the stylus. Complex chemical diagrams to CPU designs are no longer a challenge to record. As a photographer, having lightroom 4.3 and photoshop CS6 on location via a light and protable tablet means i can edit on site and save me extra work at editing back at the studio. USB 3.0 makes file transfers with my proable SSD very quick. Quick note on the storage, do not buy the 64gb, the 128 is much better deal and a recived my unit with 98 GB of stoagre. I have a small messenger bag that also holds my SSD so i dont mind carrying an extra drive, i did before using my 17inch gaming laptop anyways. The stylus and pen are amazing in lightroom and photoshop. Would i like to have pressure sensor working in CS6, yes , do i need it as a photographer, no so that wasnt a problem with me. I carry this tabelt with eveywhere, even in the school caff playing civ 5 at lunch, it amazes people that a tablet this small cam be this powerful. People who use Ipads are amazed at the speed of a Core I5 ivy bridge processor and this should be no suprise that this PC is FAST LIKE BLAZING FAST for web borwsing and multimedia. Speakers and camera, i never use them so i cant say much about them. All in all, if you want a powerful PC that is protable yet can run FULL windows 8 software with a core i5 processor, this is a strong contender.

Pros 1. Small, usable device for the enterprise user
2. Integrates entertainment options and office utility in an elegant device
3. Impressive touch screen
4. Runs every Windows program I have tried so far
5. Battery life acceptable

Cons 1. Duality of Metro/Desktop interface sometimes cumbersome
2. No internet connection to Metro apps when connected to VPN
3. Occasionally has difficulty waking
4. Xbox music sometimes very confusing to navigate and integrate across devices

Summary I have had this device for three weeks and am impressed with its capability as an enterprise-level machine. I use Metro for quick access to simple-medium intensity tasks and Desktop for more in depth work. There is definitely a learning curve adjusting to the duality of the operating system not unlike early versions of Windows and DOS. There have been criticisms of the battery life. I have the 128GB version and routinely get about 7-8 hours of usability without intensive audio/video use. I have tried to integrate the entertainment side of Windows 8 with my Windows 8 Phone device-this has been frustrating. Xbox Music can be frustrating to use and cross-platform integration not entirely straightforward. Overall, very happy with the device allowing for some software issues to be worked out in the future.