Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Review
http://www.windowscentral.com/surface-pro-4-review
Αναλυτικό review με πλήθος πληροφοριών επί πολλών θετικών αλλα και κάποιον αρνητικών που χρήζουν περαιτερω βελτίωση όπως στο trackpad και στην γραφιδα που εκεί επικεντρώνονται κυρίως παρα την αξιοσημειωτη βελτίωση σε σχέση με την προηγούμενη γενιά.
Όπως και κάποιες αλλαγές που δεν φαίνονται σε μια πρώτη ματια ειδικά για όσους δεν έχουν χρησιμοποιήσει προηγούμενη γενιά της σειρας,όπως τονίζεται στο τέλος.
The big shifts for the Surface Pro 4 compared to Surface Pro 3 come down to these fundamental components and features:
New 6th gen Intel Skylake processors
Higher resolution display (2763x1824 vs. 2160x1440)
Slightly larger screen (12.3 inches vs. 12.0)
Less heavy (lighter by 0.03 lbs)
Increased levels of pressure sensitivity for Pen (1024 vs. 256)
Facial recognition camera for Windows Hello
Updated distributed cooling system
Maximum internal storage increase to a 1TB SSD
Shift from mSATA to high-performance PCIe 3.0 for storage
Maximum RAM configuration now up to 16GB
Higher starting price: $799 (now $699) versus $899
For the Surface Pro 3 user, it is obvious that the Surface Pro 4 offers modest improvements in many categories. That is where the Surface Pro 4's story becomes interesting. While performance differences between a the 5th-generation Broadwell Core i5 and the new 6th-generation Skylake chips are slight, when you add in all the other features the Surface Pro 4 feels like a leaner, meaner machine.
Perhaps the biggest change though is not the Surface itself, but rather the new Type Cover, which makes some momentous changes all in the right direction. These modifications are significant to Surface Pro 3 owners too, as the new Type Cover is backwards-compatible with that tablet as well.
New Type Cover is the best Type Cover
Honestly, in using the Surface Pro 4 the most notable change is the keyboard. This experience should not be too surprising as nothing is more personal than typing on a computer. Indeed, this is a make or break area for many, and the previous Type Covers have all had a few drawbacks including the two-button trackpad being too small. Here are the noteworthy changes with this generation of the Type Cover:
Larger trackpad
New spread-out key design
New teal color option
Fingerprint ID version ($159.99)
Let's talk about typing. It's better. Much better. Although I had no real issues with the previous iteration of the Type Cover, the new design increases the space between the keys for an improved tactile feel. While the keys are slightly smaller to allow for that spacing, they're still large enough to type without looking, and the spacing only enhances that capacity. Size isn't everything, folks. The travel of the keys is also improved with the newer version, featuring a softer response along with a longer travel.
The top row of functions keys has also shifted around. Microsoft is ditching the dedicated Windows 8 function keys (e.g. Share, Search and Settings) but has added volume up/down and thankfully Print Screen and Insert. The result is a keyboard that feels more traditional for laptop users, rather than one focused on Windows 8.
The precision trackpad has also β once again β grown and is now super smooth glass. Third time's the charm, right? The new trackpad is significantly wider and taller. Now, I want to be clear that ideally it would still be even larger. However, like the Surface Pro 3, the trackpad is now at a tipping point: this is now good enough for most users. I would find it difficult to believe that most users would see this expanded trackpad as too small.
The drag coefficient (i.e. finger-on-glass friction) is also lower, leading to the new Type Cover trackpad being even smoother to the touch than its predecessor. It is a great experience.
Nonetheless, all is not perfect. I do wish there were more customizations with Microsoft's Precision Touchpad settings. Scrolling in Microsoft Edge feels nice, but the number of lines it scrolls in one swipe is not nearly enough for my usage. As a result, I feel like I have to work to browse a web page (or reduce the zoom to make items smaller). Likewise, for coasting scrolls, which requires a flick-like action and not the traditional method of coasting by inertia.
For some users, this is just a preference, or I might just be nitpicking, but I see it as a pain-point for Apple users looking to jump ship to a Surface. At the very least, Microsoft should offer a Synaptics-like control panel that lets you customize the trackpad at the nitty gritty level, even if that's something that most users won't ever touch.
Cameras
Microsoft has learned a lot regarding camera functionality on the Surface series. On the Surface Pro 3 there were ho-hum 5MP 1080P cameras on both the front and back. More egregious was the lack of proper autofocus for the rear world-facing camera. Fixed-focus cameras are acceptable for budget smartphones, not premium PCs.
Thankfully, Microsoft fixes these mistakes with the Surface Pro 4. With this generation, users can expect the following:
8.0MP rear-facing auto-focus camera, with 1080p HD camera
5.0MP front-facing 1080p HD camera
The rear camera is the same module found in the cheaper Surface 3, and I am glad to see it here. The addition of autofocus makes it useful and at 8MP it is quite good for a "tablet camera", more than you would expect. While I would never advocate shooting an event with this camera or simply a device of this size (please, don't ever be that person), for those in an enterprise or unique settings this is a solid camera for "utility" photography.
Notable changes
There are many other smaller changes to the new Surface compared to the last iteration, including:
No more Windows button on the bezel
New Microsoft logo on the back instead of Surface name
Larger and louder front-facing speakers
Volume keys moved from the left side to the top (to accommodate the magnetic pen docking points)
The removal of the Windows button on the bezel is just another sign of Windows 8's demise. Additionally, this was a nod to artists who complained about hitting the button when resting their palm on the bezel, as well as the slimming of that bezel.
The improved front-facing speakers are the same ones found in the Surface 3, and delivering louder and crisper sound with on-board Dolby Audio. I have always liked the speakers on the Surface line, and this version is no different.
[video=youtube;lTUaNbCx704]https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&persist_app=1&v=lTUaNbCx704[/video]