I’m not a tablet owner. Heck, I’ve tried owning a tablet once – a long time ago – and for only about a week before returning it because I didn’t find it useful enough to warrant spending the money on it. I’ve since entertained the thought of finally investing in an iPad because many of my friends have one and seems small and convenient enough to use for showing my portfolio and browsing the web. However, a friend recently mentioned the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 as an option so I decided to explore what it could do for me as a photographer.
The dream machine for photographers?
For the purpose of this review, I tested out the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 version with an Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
Pros
- Crisp, clean PixelSense display
- Flexible kickstand – great for artists
- Versatile use of tablet mode or desktop mode
- Ability to use full versions of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop applications
- Comes with the pen
- Handwriting recognition
- Quick startup and shut-down
Cons
- Battery life
- Separate keyboard/cover
- Requires two hands to shift from one place to another
The Tech Specs
The Surface Pro 4 runs on Windows 10, which seems to work hand-in-hand with this tablet/desktop hybrid. I found it easy to use my fingers, the stylus or the keyboard on the tablet to navigate around through apps and on the web. You can customize the settings to fit your style. Cortana, your Windows personal concierge is also there when you need help or have a question – how cool is that? Even the Windows Hello screen has a unique feature where the device can be unlocked by facial recognition. That’s an awesome security feature!
The SP4 comes in three processor core flavors: the Intel Core m3, the Core i5 and the Core i7. If you are only doing web browsing and light tasks like word processing, the Intel Core m3 would work fine for you, however if you are using the SP4 for post processing your photos you will want at least the Core i5 with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and the Core i7 with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage if you do any video rendering due to its higher performance qualities. The device also has a Micro-SD slot under the kickstand for additional storage. It’s important to assess what you will use the tablet for and get the exact combination of processor/RAM/storage that is right for you from the start because the models do not have the ability to be taken apart and upgraded.
Image courtesy of the Microsoft website.
The Surface Pro 4 has a cooling system inside of it that, for me, stayed silent for most of my usage but seemed to become more noticeable after several consecutive hours of usage. It wasn’t loud, it was just more noticeable that it was in use. Speaking of sounds, the experience of listening to music or watching a video with the Surface Pro 4 is a pleasurable one as the front facing Dolby speakers have pretty terrific sound quality for the size of the device.
On the top of the device is the power button and the sound controls. On the right side is a Mini-Display Port for hooking up to an external display as well as the charging port. The left side of the device contains a strong magnet which is handy for attaching the stylus pen to the device. The bottom of the SP4 has a magnetic Type Cover port for attaching the keyboard securely to the tablet. It actually clicks firmly into place and has a pretty strong grip.
Ergonomics & General Design
The Surface Pro 4 is a solid hybrid between a tablet and a desktop and is sized about right for this classification. It’s super-slim magnesium-build design measures 11.5 inches long by just under 8 inches wide and is a third of an inch thick. The built-in versatile kickstand on the back of the monitor is well dampened and adjustable to any point up to around a 135 degree angle. Once you pick your angle, the kickstand stays wherever you position it.
Kickstand on the back of the monitor is adjustable to any angle within 135 degrees.
Image courtesy of the Adorama website.
When paired with the type cover keyboard, the SP4 worked out perfectly for me on a table and while it did work out fine in my lap, it was much more comfortable and secure when I put my feet up during use in my lap as I had more room to push it further away from me to stretch my arms out to type. You will find it an issue if you’re trying to use it in your lap sitting in a non-adjustable chair that’s too high where your legs angle downward even the slightest bit.
Monitor
The 12.3 inch screen is a step up from the Surface Pro 3 , which was only 12 inch screen. The extra third of an inch makes it now a perfect 3:2 ratio, which is similar to my current 17 inch Dell laptop. When I powered up the SP4 for the first time, I was blown away by the clean look and resolution of the Windows Hello screen. I could tell right away that looking at my images on this device would make them eye candy. The high resolution PixelSense display is crisp and bright – absolutely crystal clear. The colors are rich with perfect contrast variations.
Image courtesy of the Microsoft website.
The pressure needed for using the SP4 as a tablet is just right whether using your fingers or the stylus. The reaction of the device to typing using your fingers or using the stylus on the screen is quick and accurate. The only issue I have with the screen is the amount of glare that it throws off. At least it was an issue with my trying to photograph the device – no matter the angle. In actually using the device, the glare wasn’t a huge factor to me only because the screen brightness is adjustable.
Camera(s)
Like most smartphones, the SP4 has a front-facing 5-megapixel 1080p camera for taking pictures (though, why would you use something so big to take pictures… really? I didn’t have a use for that…) It also has a rear-facing 8-megapixel 1080p camera which is great for Skyping or using Google Hangouts for video chat.
Rear-facing 8MP camera.
Image courtesy of the Microsoft website.
Type Cover (Keyboard)
One of the major highlights of the Surface Pro 4 is the Type Cover. While this device functions in tablet mode, it also functions in desktop mode when paired with the Type Cover for an additional $129.99 ($159.99 with a fingerprint scanner, but who needs that when there’s facial recognition at the “welcome” screen?) Why the Type Cover is a separate accessory is beyond me because for one, it protects the screen from scratches. The cover is simply a “must” for that reason, if nothing else, but since this is also being marketed as a hybrid, the keyboard is pretty much necessary too. The Type Cover comes in a variety of colors such as teal, red, blue, bright blue and black.
Type Cover Colors: bright blue, teal, blue, red and black.
Image courtesy of the Microsoft website.
The keyboard is just a little bit smaller than a standard keyboard with the keys evenly spaced like on a standard keyboard with the exception of the arrow keys. The up and down keys are half the size of the right and left keys, which was a little awkward for me in using when typing up a spreadsheet or using the arrow keys to scroll. The keys are also raised with firm clicks like laptop keys. It did have a little bit of bounce when using it – especially on my lap – but it becomes unnoticeable after a long period of use.
The keyboard snaps quickly and easily onto the monitor. You can actually attach the keyboard to the monitor without looking as the magnetized grooves help guide their way together. One thing I noticed by accident is that you can actually angle your keys upward by pushing the Type Cover fold up to the screen. Just a different way to use the keyboard if you are, for instance, laying down and typing.
Type Cover keyboard snaps quickly and easily to the monitor by magnetic force.
Image courtesy of the Adorama website.
One great feature that I almost missed, but only because I already have this feature standard on my existing laptop is the backlit keyboard, which is great for those of us who stay up late typing or for those who find themselves needing to use the keyboard in low-light situations.
The Type Cover is a keyboard and trackpad in one. I’m typically not a big touchpad user, not because I don’t know the magic swipes and finger gestures… I have just had bad experiences with my palms (or even my shirt sleeves!) hitting them too often when I type and it moves my cursor in random places on the screen. For me, I disable them. However, this trackpad, while perfectly functional as designed, is not as sensitive. It’s actually there only when you actually mean to use it. It’s made of glass, which could explain its smooth performance and easy clicking.
Keyboard and trackpad together with optional fingerprint scanner.
Image courtesy of the Adorama website.
The trackpad finger gestures are similar, if not the same, as the finger gestures I used on my iMac trackpad. It’s easy to use, however, for me, and much to my colleague’s chagrin, I still prefer to use an external mouse when working on the finer details of my images in post-processing.
Pen
The pen is another great feature that I hadn’t used before. It’s a very responsive tool that for me, had zero lag when recording my notes. The pressure needed to engage it was spot on with my writing style. I am not a pencil user because I can’t stand the eraser shavings left behind when I make a mistake (not to mention the lead on the paper tends to rub off onto the side of my hand when I circle back for edits….) I was, again, blown away by another feature of the SP4: the pen eraser – I love it! When writing my handwritten notes digitally, I love the smooth feel of erasing what I needed to – and it erasing only what I wanted it to – without any additional absorption. Kind of makes me wish I had this back in the days when I was in college!
The multi-functional stylus pen.
One feature that I found exceedingly helpful was the writing recognition. When filling in form fields – even writing in my bubbly cursive – the SP4 was intuitive in recognizing and translating my small loops and curls into type.
Handwriting notes in OneNote.
While the SP4 was designed to be used, alternatively, as a tablet, some editing applications have small buttons, which the pen comes in handy for making selections. I liked using the pen to make more accurate slider selections in Adobe Lightroom CC.
Pen makes selecting choices a bit easier.
The pen also has some versatility to it. Beyond the writing and erasing functions, you can click it like a retractable pen end. One click goes to OneNote, two successive clicks creates a screenshot and holding down a click engages Cortana, the lovely Windows concierge.
The pen comes with only one choice of tip, but for those of you who like a finer or broader tip, for just $9.99, they also sell a Surface Pro Pen Tip Kit to satisfy your pen style needs.
Image courtesy of the Adorama website.
The pen has a magnetic strip on it allowing you to attach it to the left side of the monitor. While the magnet is pretty strong and holds the pen on for the most part, I still found myself digging in the bottom of my backpack for it as it can easily be bumped off. Perhaps a nice secure built-in holster once and for all for the pen is in the works for the next version of the Surface Pro?
On Startup… and Powering Down
Start up is super quick: it was less than 8 seconds for me. Definitely faster than my PC laptop or iMac, however, I have a lot of programs and files residing on my laptop and not much yet loaded onto the SP4. It is sure to slow down a little if I put more onto it. Powering down was amazing. Less than 5 seconds flat. Again, faster than my PC laptop or iMac.
After powering on, I am able to get to a web browser page within 10 seconds flat.
Ease of Use
First and foremost, the Surface Pro 4 is very user-friendly and easy to use, if you know how to work Windows 10 – which is also user-friendly and easy to use. Cortana makes finding things you can’t figure out even easier to find. It’s ergonomically comfortable, however, when using the keyboard, it does require two hands when you want to move around as there is no tension between the monitor and keyboard to help the monitor stay in place.
Battery Life & Performance
While Microsoft boasts a 9 hour battery life, I was able to squeeze around 7 hours out of the SP4 when only performing light tasks like word processing, but when post processing with Lightroom and Photoshop paired with Internet browsing and running OneNote, I only saw about 5 to 6 hours. I wouldn’t say this is an accurate duration reference though as it really also depends on how you set the device up in addition to what you are using it for (ie. screen brightness, power saving modes, any background processes, etc.)
Running multiple processes at once can drain your battery life quicker and slow down performance.
Running multiple processes at once or even memory-hungry software like Photoshop can also slow down performance but on the Surface Pro 4, it was hardly noticeable, but worth mentioning. This also depends on the processor that you purchase which is why the Intel Core m3 is really only good for light tasks like word processing and to get good performance for video editing, you would want the Intel Core i7.
What It Can Do For the Visually Creative
The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is beneficial for general business tasks such as word processing, managing a calendar and checking email but it also benefits creatives in a multitude of ways too.
For artists, the pen becomes key as with the different pen tips and the eraser feature, artists can doodle in OneNote or an equivalent program or actually use it to draw with accuracy in programs such as Photoshop. For videographers, the SP4 is a light, convenient tool to edit in the field using Adobe Premiere.
For us photographers, the Surface Pro 4 is a choice device for a variety of reasons and uses:
- While not the best image making solution, it can take photos;
- It works with the full versions of Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop;
Lightroom and Photoshop are the perfect companions to the SP4 for photographers.
- The pen is great for editing but you also have the option of the trackpad or an optional wireless mouse;
- Tethering is available by connecting to the USB port on the side of the monitor;
Tether to Lightroom using a USB cable.
Image courtesy of the Microsoft website.
- Use OneNote to record notes at a client meeting or to draw set inspiration ideas, model poses or lighting setups;
- Useful to draw up client proposals, maintain a client calendar and to check email;
- Read photography books and magazines on it via Kindle or Zinio applications;
- It’s light and small enough to take on location;
- You can hook up a memory card reader and/or an external storage drive via the USB port or via the optional Surface Pro Dock;
Connecting my LaCie 4TB RAID external hard drive to the SP4 for backup storage.
- Since it is web-worthy, Dropbox is an additional option for backup storage; and
- Portable portfolio to carry around with you using image gallery sites such as 500px, Flickr, SmugMug or Fine Art America, among others.
As creatives, I’m sure we can come up with more uses for the Surface Pro 4, but as you can see, this portable little device can be a handy powerhouse with a variety of uses for creatives and businesspeople alike.
Accessories
Microsoft Surface Pen (replacement)
Is it a Photographer’s Next Best Friend?
The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 took me by surprise. Having tried the Surface Pro 2 a couple of years ago when it first came out and not being too impressed I was a little leery of how different the SP4 version would be – but it has come a long way. If I were in the market for a new laptop, I would genuinely consider the Surface Pro 4 for its versatility and multitude of uses. The one (and really only) thing that might put me off from pulling the trigger is the necessity of using two hands to move it around as I tend to shift around a lot when I am sitting – from the coffee table in front of me to my lap and back and forth for hours and I think I would be a little annoyed at not being able to grab the device with one hand to shift. That may not bother everyone, though. Considering that it really my only qualm says a lot about the Surface Pro 4. If you’re a photographer and in the market for a versatile device for business and creative tasks – this is definitely your machine. Available at Adorama from $799.00 to $2,099.00 depending on processor and storage. Accessories (with the exception of the pen) extra.
All Images by Dawn M. Wayand unless otherwise noted.
