It seems within the last few years, as we have seen at CES and other electronic/computer tradeshows, our technology is finally catching up with futuristic movies from the last century. And while there may be a few hiccups in the development and usage of such technology (Has anybody mastered the Hoverboard?), there is no shortage of companies willing to try and try again. Although Microsoft did not invent the technology behind voice- and facial-recognition software, it has married the two—along with many other features—in its latest tablet, the Surface Pro 4.
Though not quite as advanced as H.A.L. (“2001: A Space Odyssey”), the Surface Pro 4 can, with the touch of a button, recognize your face. Next, your digital assistant, Cortana, will come to life as you press the top button on your Surface Pen. Included in the box, the Pen glides over the 10-point touchscreen as if you were writing or drawing on actual paper. With a 12.3” display featuring extremely high contrast, the tablet allows you to see projects that include graphics in high detail. The low glare feature makes documents on the screen appear crisp no matter how bright the sun is when you take the day to work outside. And with a nine-hour battery life, you just might lose track of time without losing power. Weighing approximately two pounds, the 8” x 11.5” tablet is just the right size to carry to and from work or school or to remote locales.
Released early this year, the Surface Pro 4 has a sixth-Generation Intel Processor that's offered in three speeds, depending on which of the three models you select. In addition, the memory load—4, 8 or 16GB—also depends on the model. Standard solid state drive (SSD) storage options include 128, 256 and 512GB, but you can customize even further to include 1TB of SSD storag e.
The base model starts at $899, the next one up is $999 and, at the top of the Surface Pro 4 line, the tablet with all the bells and whistles starts at $1,599. Rounding out the remaining specs, the Surface Pro 4 features a 5MP front-facing camera and an 8MP rear-facing camera. Both cameras allow for 1080HD video recording. With wireless and Bluetooth capability, and a USB port and microSD card reader, it's no wonder Microsoft boasts the Pro 4 as “the tablet that can replace your laptop.” (The Surface Pen is included with purchase; the keyboard case is an additional cost.)