It has been around five years that Microsoft launched its first installment of Laptop PCs. The Microsoft Surface and Surface Pro were more than just an eye candy to all users alike. When Microsoft launch tablets in the consumer electronics market, a market already dominated by tech giants like Apple and Samsung, it quickly gained popularity and became a competitive brand.
For Microsoft, it was all about maintaining a gold standard and giving consumers more freedom on controlling the software and hardware aspects of their laptops or tablets. Looking back half a decade, the Microsoft Surface seems to be a low-end laptop. The newest version of the Microsoft Surface Pro launched in the first half of 2018. It offers a 2-in-1 experience, giving the user the freedom to use it as both, tablet and laptop.
Let us take a closer look at its features and what makes it worth a buy:
Build and design
It can be confusing to differentiate between the new Microsoft Surface Pro and the Surface Pro 4 as both have a similar look. However, a keen eye will notice that the Microsoft Surface Pro now comes with a magnesium-aluminum alloy frame with more dramatically rounded edges. The new Microsoft Surface Pro is 292mm long, 201mm wide, and a mere 8.4mm thick. Its 12.3-inch PixelSense touchscreen offers a vibrant 2736×1824-pixel resolution.
Drawing inspiration from their own arsenal of PCs, Microsoft Surface Pro offers a “studio mode” giving users a Surface Studio-like (Microsoft desktop) experience. The “studio mode” offers a 165-degree angle, allowing users to do much more than just doodling.
The keyboard or as the company fondly calls it, the “Type Cover,” is offered as an accessory. Which means you will have to pay extra to use the tablet as a laptop. This might not work well with consumers who are looking for a comprehensive solution. The “Type Cover” connects to the tablet magnetically. Although it adheres to the screen perfectly, the arrangement can be wobbly if you get too comfortable with it and use it on your lap. The keys are backlit which is helpful if you are using the laptop in a dark room. However, the layout is cramped if you are used to working on a full-size keyboard.
Technical specifications
The following three variants are offered in Microsoft Surface Pro:
- Microsoft Surface Pro with Intel® Core™ m3 processor, 128GB SSD storage (Solid State Drive), and Intel® HD Graphics 615
- Intel® Core™ i5 processor with 128GB/256GB SSD storage powered by 4GB/8GB RAM and Intel® HD Graphics 620
- The most popular variant is equipped with an Intel® Core™ i7 processor with 256GB/512GB/1TB SSD storage powered by 8GB/16GB RAM and Intel® Iris Plus Graphics 640
All variants have a single USB 3.0 port for swift file transferring and a mini display port to cast Surface Pro on bigger screens and projectors. This can be handy for presentations or watching movies in a small room. It also houses a micro SDXC card reader, and a headphone/mic jack.
The battery life has always been an important component of a tech gadget as it powers all the components present in them. A RAM is only good enough until backed by an efficient battery. The official Microsoft website claims loftily that the Surface Pro’s 42 Wh (Watthour) can run a video playback straight for up to 12 hours.
Microsoft has tried to up the ante by making the Surface Pen more sensitive by increasing the pressure levels. This gives the users more control over the intensity and width of the lines in their illustrative drawings. They also offer Surface Pen Tip Kit which lets you select a tip based on size and level of friction. The Surface Pen tip kit is offered as an accessory, which is a down-low for users looking for a comprehensive solution.
Price and availability
The basic variant of the Surface Pro which has an Intel® Core™ m3 CPU paired with 128GB SSD storage and 4GB RAM costs approximately less than $800, but it just escalates from there. If your work involves using high-end editing and project-building software, you might have to go with techier and pricier variants. Microsoft Surface Pro with Intel Core i7 with 1TB SSD storage and 16GB RAM can go well over $2600. If compared with leading competitors, such as Apple, they might fall behind as Apple offers a 10.5-inch iPad Pro with 64GB SSD with Apple’s signature A10 X processor for approximately $650 while the most heavily-equipped Macbook (with 512GB and same CPU) costs around $950. Microsoft surpasses Apple given the technical specifications offered for the price.
Having said that, Apple outruns any other brand in terms of security. The curated app store is a boon for people who are in search of a failsafe OS. They have been able to thwart cyber threats in under a week. This gives them an edge over any other brand. However, when it comes to flexibility, Microsoft seems to be flexible in terms of an OS as it gives plenty of elbow room for apps. It gives the users more functionality as compared to iOS.
The new Microsoft Surface Pro is a good idea if you are planning to upgrade from the Surface Pro 4 as it comes with more variants and an enhanced battery performance. The Microsoft Surface Pro straddles the fine line between entertainment and productivity. Its 2-in-1 aspect is a sure seller, but it can be heavy on the pockets.
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Here’s Why Fiesta Dinnerware is Popular
Read moreFiesta dinnerware was set up in 1936 in response to the bone china patterns that was used by other companies. The Homer Laughlin Co. came up with a revolutionary idea and realized that dinnerware was exceedingly expensive and dreadfully drab. The company decided to come up with a solution that tackled both problems. The glaze finish of the Fiesta dinnerware which comes in green, yellow, and cobalt and would sell individual pieces instead of a whole expensive set. It was an instant success in the Depression era and customers used to mix and match and have fun with it. The company tried to go with earthy tones in the 1970s and sales plummeted. Its fans were hooked on their original product, so the company decided to revive the Fiesta line. The company soon added new colors like incandescent and kaleidoscope, which were very popular. In the 1980’s the company rode the retro wave, which was sweeping the U.S. This is precisely why the Fiesta dinnerware set is one of the bestsellers of all time in the market.
Following are some of the reasons why Fiesta dinnerware is so popular.
Nostalgia and generational appeal
Many people report how their parents bought Fiestaware years ago and kept buying them for years to come. The plates use a kind of vitrified ceramic that does not chip easily, so they remain in excellent condition. Even the colors have been known to not fade over time. In addition to this, people have seen their grandparents and parents use the dinnerware, so it becomes an obvious choice even amongst millennials today.Style and aesthetic appeal
Fiestaware still seems relevant today opposed to drab and lifeless white or China. People appreciate the art deco style and concentric circles. The plates are also available in a range of colors that keep changing. This keeps people hooked, and there are many collectors as well. The company has also recently launched an app for all their loyal fans called Colorama, to see if the colors they like gel together.American-made
Many people appreciate the fact that the iconic Fiesta dinnerware is made right here in the United States. The rich culture of this country is one of the many associations that people unconsciously or otherwise make with the brand. Besides, the other selling points, like the fact that the dinnerware is lead and cadmium-free and very durable, resonate with the values of Americans today. -
Top reasons why you should choose Time Warner Internet
Read moreTime Warner Internet was making quite a mark for itself in the field, and that is why it caught eyes of the company named Spectrum. They recently took over the brand and now the Time Warner Internet is operational under the brand Spectrum. While there are many options available in the country when it comes to choosing the Internet connection for your home and office, Time Warner poses as an excellent option for all because of a variety of reasons. Some of these have been mentioned and explained as under:
Take over
Firstly, the take over of the company has led to a lot of benefits for the consumers who were already present in the market along with the ones who are looking for a good option in the industry. While Time Warner was doing good enough regarding their services but the coverage and consumer services have increased over a period giving it more leverage than the others in the market.Clear mandates
The company operates on a policy that is crystal clear in every sense of the word. If you are one of those who want to use the web without any contracts or hidden fee structures that may end up shaking your monthly budget, then this is your best bet. There is a wide range of speed available for you to choose from ranging from 19 to 300 Mbps.Ease of sharing
Other companies may offer you to use more than one device in the same Internet plan, but we all know how that works out. The ultimate speed reduces, by and large, giving you a lot of hassles if you are planning to watch your favorite series online. But Time Warner Internet services do not work on the same concept. It has a bandwidth that will be equally distributed amid all the members and high-speed Internet that lets you watch all the shows in HD. The unlimited speed has offers that are irresistible and go easy on your pocket as well.Bundle services
With the take over, you can now merge the services into one bill for the ease of payment and you can also avail offers that would have been impossible up till now. If you have the TV, the Internet, and the phone belonging to the same parent company, then you have the leverage of using the same to your advantage.