Surface Pro 2

Surface Pro 2

Surface Pro 2 with Type Cover
Developer Microsoft
Product family Surface
Release date October 22, 2013
Operating system Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
System-on-chip used TPM Chip
CPU Dual-core 1.9 GHz (Turbo Boost to 2.9 GHz) Intel Core i5-4300U. [1] Prior to Dec. 2013, the Surface Pro 2 shipped with the Intel Core i5-4200U CPU.
Memory 4/8 GB dual-channel DDR3-1600 (25.6 GB/sec)
Storage 64 GB (37 GB available), 128 GB (97 GB available), 256 GB (212 GB available), 512 GB (451 GB available)[2] and microSDXC card reader
Display 10.6 inches (27 cm) 1920 x 1080 px(208 ppi) ClearType HD screen with 16:9 aspect ratio
Graphics Intel HD Graphics 4400
Sound Dolby Digital Plus stereo speakers[3]
Input 10-point multi-touch screen, Wacom digital pen digitizer, ambient light sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, compass, dual microphones
Camera Front: 1.2 MP, 720p HD
Rear: 1.2 MP, 720p HD
Connectivity 2×2 MIMO Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort 1.2
Power 151.2 kJ (42 W·h) battery
Online services Windows Store, OneDrive, Xbox Music, Xbox Games, Xbox Video
Dimensions 10.81 inches (27.5 cm) (w)
6.81 inches (17.3 cm) (h)
0.5315 inches (13.50 mm) (d)
Weight 1.984 pounds (900 g)
Predecessor Surface Pro
Successor Surface Pro 3

The Surface Pro 2 is a Surface-series Windows 8 tablet produced by Microsoft. Unveiled at an event in New York City on September 23, 2013 and released on October 22, 2013, the tablet succeeds the Surface Pro released in February 2013. While maintaining a design similar to its original design, the Surface Pro 2 has improved hardware specifications compared its predecessor (such as a fourth-generation (Haswell) Intel Core i5 processor and an increased number of storage options), and improved versions of its kickstand and cover accessories (such as a new "Power Cover" with an auxiliary battery).[4]

On May 20th, 2014, its successor, the Microsoft Surface Pro 3, was announced. It is bigger than its predecessor, with a 12-inch display, but at the same time is both thinner and lighter and comes with an improved, multi-stage kickstand which is held up by friction.[5]

History

Pre-orders for the Surface Pro 2 were opened on September 24, 2013, and the device was released on October 22, 2013. As value-added services, the Surface Pro 2 includes 200 GB of additional SkyDrive storage for 2 years, and 1 year of free Skype calls to landlines and access to Skype WiFi hotspots.[9]

Design

The Surface Pro 2 shares most of its design with its predecessor, the Surface Pro. The device's exterior is constructed from black magnesium alloy.

Unlike it's predecessor, the Surface Pro 2 has a two-stage kickstand that can be set to two different angles: 22 and 55 degrees. The new 55 degrees angle was added to make the device more comfortable on the lap.

The Surface Pro 2 weighs 915 grams (2.01 lb): the same as its predecessor. The Surface Pro 2 features a 10.6 inches (27 cm) display. The screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is advantageous for video playback.

Hardware

Surface Pro 2 was shipped with the Intel Core i5-4200U which is based on the Haswell microarchitecture and significantly improve battery life. In December 2013, Microsoft updated the CPU to a 1.9 GHz Core i5-4300U.[6]

The Surface Pro 2 is available with 64, 128, 256, or 512 GB of internal storage; the 64 and 128 GB models includes 4 GB of RAM, while the latter options will include 8 GB. The Surface Pro 2 ships with Windows 8.1 as its operating system.[7][8][9] As with the previous Surface Pro, it includes 10.6-inch 10-point 1080p multi-touch digitizer LCD display with a Wacom stylus pen.[4]

Accessories

Updated versions of the Surface's cover accessories are available for the Surface Pro 2; the Touch Cover 2 and Type Cover 2 are slightly thinner than the previous versions and now include a "dynamic" backlight system. The Touch Cover 2 has over 1,092 sensors on it compared to just 80 on the original Touch Cover.[10] The keyswitch length of the Type Cover 2 have been reduced from 2.5mm to 1.5mm.[11] A new Power Cover accessory will also be available to add 30Wh additional battery capacity to the device. Accompanying the Touch Cover 2 and Type Cover 2 is a wireless adapter that allows them to be connected up to 30 feet away via Bluetooth. A docking station is also available to include one USB 3.0 port, three USB 2.0 ports, Mini DisplayPort port, 3.5mm audio in/out ports, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. During its unveiling, Microsoft also showcased the Music Cover; a variation of the Touch Cover that serves as a DJ mixer with playback controls, a 16-button sampler, and three sliders. While mainstream public release has been announced, it will be distributed to musicians through the Surface Remix Project campaign.[9][12] Microsoft also introduced a new accessory called the Docking Station. The Docking Station works exclusively with the Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2, and not with the Surface RT or Surface 2. This desktop style peripheral attaches to the back of the Surface, adding three USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0 port, one Ethernet port, one mini DisplayPort and audio input/output ports. It supports a resolution of 3840 x 2160 (commonly known as '4K' or 'Ultra HD').[13][14][15]

Reception

Tony Bradley from PC World wrote: "A funny thing happened to me when I started playing around with a Surface Pro 2: It became my favorite computer. I'm not a Windows hater by any stretch of the imagination, but I also didn't expect to come to rely on the Surface Pro 2 as much as I did. Normally I use an 11-inch MacBook Air as my primary PC, and I have an iPad mini and a Samsung Series 7 Slate as secondary devices."[16]

Ewan Spence from Forbes wrote: "The Surface Pro 2 takes all the compromises that are present in any hardware design (power, portability, input, connectivity, etc) and makes them work together, and in the process addresses the biggest compromise of all… mixing a laptop and a tablet."[17]

Tom Warren from The Verge wrote: “The Surface Pro 2’s unique mix of touch, keyboard, mouse, and pen really does work. It does everything you would expect a regular desktop PC to do.”[18]

Brooke Crothers from CNET wrote: "With Surface Pro 2, Microsoft has made a tablet-hybrid that works. It's powerful, portable, and well-made."[19]

Joel Santo Domingo from PC Magazine wrote: “The Microsoft Surface Pro 2 is a worthy follow up to our former Editors' Choice, the Microsoft Surface Windows 8 Pro. It improves performance and battery life, while keeping the form factor and wide accessory catalog the first-gen Surface Pro had going for it.” [20]

Charles McLellan from ZDNet wrote: "The Haswell-based Surface Pro 2 delivers improved performance and battery life, and its dual-angle kickstand is also welcome. However, the Pro 2's unchanged chassis design feels bulkier and heavier than ever, and it becomes very expensive when fully accessorised."[21]

Matt Safford from Digital Trends wrote: "The Surface Pro 2 is much improved over the original, but it's still too heavy for a tablet and is no steal at a price starting around $900."[22]

Peter Bright from Ars Technica wrote: "If you're wanting a laptop, get a laptop—and if you just want a tablet, pick up the Surface 2 for half the price."[23]

It has been rated 1 out of 10 for repairability by iFixit.[24]

References

  1. ↑ ARK | Intel® Core™ i5-4300U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.90 GHz). Ark.intel.com. Retrieved on 2014-05-26.
  2. ↑ Microsoft Surface storage | Surface disk space | How much disk space do I have?
  3. ↑ Surface Pro 2 - The Microsoft Tablet That's Got It All. Microsoft.com (2013-09-23). Retrieved on 2014-05-26.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Microsoft's new Surface Pro 2 gets official". Engadget. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  5. ↑ Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 is designed to destroy the laptop | The Verge
  6. ↑ [%= data.comment.created_on %]. "Surface Pro 2 now shipping with faster processor, just two months after launch". The Verge. Retrieved 2014-01-02.
  7. ↑ "Microsoft announces Surface Pro 2 with updated kickstand and Haswell processor". The Verge. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  8. ↑ "Microsoft’s hardware, round 2: Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2". Ars Technica. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Microsoft Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 benchmarks and hands-on". PC World. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  10. ↑ "Surface Touch Cover 2: Thinner and Sensitive Under Pressure'". TomsHardware. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  11. ↑ "On-Demand: Surface 2 Launch Event'". Microsoft. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  12. ↑ "Microsoft reveals Surface Music Cover, gives DJs and producers more musical tools (updated)". Engadget. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  13. ↑ "Microsoft readying a Docking Station for Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2". WinBeta. 2013-09-06. Retrieved 2014-01-02.
  14. ↑ "Microsoft Surface Tablets - The Windows Tablet That Does More". Microsoft.com. Retrieved 2014-01-02.
  15. ↑ "Docking Station for Surface Pro - Microsoft Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 - all you need to know". Tech.uk.msn.com. 2013-09-24. Retrieved 2014-01-02.
  16. ↑ How the Surface Pro 2 became my favorite computer. PCWorld. Retrieved on 2014-05-26.
  17. ↑ Surface Pro 2 Review: The New Improved 'Nexus' Of Microsoft's Mobile Vision. Forbes (2014-01-25). Retrieved on 2014-05-26.
  18. ↑ Bohn, Dieter. (2013-10-20) Microsoft Surface Pro 2 review. The Verge. Retrieved on 2014-05-26.
  19. ↑ Rethinking Microsoft's tablet: Surface Pro 2 succeeds - CNET. News.cnet.com. Retrieved on 2014-05-26.
  20. ↑ Microsoft Surface Pro 2 Review & Rating. PCMag.com. Retrieved on 2014-05-26.
  21. ↑ Microsoft Surface Pro 2 review: Better, but too heavy and too expensive | ZDNet
  22. ↑ Surface Pro 2 Hands On: Microsoft's Tablet is Better, But No Cheaper | Digital Trends Reviews
  23. ↑ Surface Pro 2: Less than a laptop | Ars Technica
  24. ↑ Surface Pro 2 teardown reveals an especially tricky repair
Preceded by
Surface Pro		 Surface Pro 2
2nd generation 		Succeeded by
Surface Pro 3