I really like the new surface pro, but I'm disappointed by the lack of a usb-c and a thunderbolt 3 port. The coming dongle should replace the usb-c functionality but I'm sure it can't enable TB3 speeds. So I'm tempted to wait for the new surface book to see what they do with it.
Tablet and pen functionality is important to me, and after walking through the MS store yesterday it's apparent that no one has really mastered the tablet form factor like the surface line. (even the Surface Book clipboard makes for a great tablet experience), for the creative market its really a high priority, and a distinguishing feature.
So here are my predictions and why I think it's a good idea for me to wait...
Both the Surface Laptop, and new Pro were sideline releases this year, nothing like 2015. I think it's because there will be at least two more releases this fall:
One will be the follow up to the Surface 3, an ultra thin and light tablet (maybe 10", smaller tablets seem to have failed at this point). It will run on ARM and set the bar for OEMs on what an ultramobile always connected PC can be. I would also like to see a resurgence of the touch keyboard, just because I think it could fit well with the ultraportable aspect of this line, and compete with the iPad smart covers for thinness. I believe this is also the reason MS has started branding the Pro as a Laptop rather than a tablet. They are making room for their next product line.
Secondly I think they will release a follow up to the Surface Book. Having released the Surface Laptop, they will have to position the Surface Book differently as powerhouse Laptop, maybe upgrade it to a Quad-Core CPU, keep or upgrade the current dGPU and include Thunderbolt 3 support, increase the size of the keyboard if necessary, but make it the true professional/enthusiast machine. And don't loose the signature clipboard feature. I think releasing the surface pro separately from the Book this year was a strategy designed to force us to mentally separate the two generationally, so that feature differences (like usb-c) wouldn't hurt the Pro line. This also makes the timing of the Surface Connect ->USB-C dongle much more understandable.
Neither of these two products would compete with Microsoft current line. They each would bring something new to Microsoft offering, and set the stage for a surface phone release next year.
That's why I returned my Surface Pro (2017) and I'm keenly awaiting this fall...
Tablet and pen functionality is important to me, and after walking through the MS store yesterday it's apparent that no one has really mastered the tablet form factor like the surface line. (even the Surface Book clipboard makes for a great tablet experience), for the creative market its really a high priority, and a distinguishing feature.
So here are my predictions and why I think it's a good idea for me to wait...
Both the Surface Laptop, and new Pro were sideline releases this year, nothing like 2015. I think it's because there will be at least two more releases this fall:
One will be the follow up to the Surface 3, an ultra thin and light tablet (maybe 10", smaller tablets seem to have failed at this point). It will run on ARM and set the bar for OEMs on what an ultramobile always connected PC can be. I would also like to see a resurgence of the touch keyboard, just because I think it could fit well with the ultraportable aspect of this line, and compete with the iPad smart covers for thinness. I believe this is also the reason MS has started branding the Pro as a Laptop rather than a tablet. They are making room for their next product line.
Secondly I think they will release a follow up to the Surface Book. Having released the Surface Laptop, they will have to position the Surface Book differently as powerhouse Laptop, maybe upgrade it to a Quad-Core CPU, keep or upgrade the current dGPU and include Thunderbolt 3 support, increase the size of the keyboard if necessary, but make it the true professional/enthusiast machine. And don't loose the signature clipboard feature. I think releasing the surface pro separately from the Book this year was a strategy designed to force us to mentally separate the two generationally, so that feature differences (like usb-c) wouldn't hurt the Pro line. This also makes the timing of the Surface Connect ->USB-C dongle much more understandable.
Neither of these two products would compete with Microsoft current line. They each would bring something new to Microsoft offering, and set the stage for a surface phone release next year.
That's why I returned my Surface Pro (2017) and I'm keenly awaiting this fall...
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