Microsoft Surface Pro (2017): What IT Professionals Need to Know

The new Microsoft Surface Pro is available for preorder. Here’s the rundown of new features, specs and prices.

The world has finally gotten a glimpse of the new Surface Pro from Microsoft. The laptop (that's what they're calling it) is available for preorder and will ship worldwide starting June 15. The starting list price is $799.99 (for the tablet) and $129 (for the keyboard cover, sold separately). That makes for a grand total of $929, which is in line with what the previous Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and the current Apple iPad Pro. 

Changes to Specs

We haven't completed a full review of the Surface Pro, but based on the specs it seems likely that some businesses will adopt this device, especially for their creative professionals. The upgraded Surface Pro boast several improvements: it's lighter weight, should offer up to 50 percent more battery life than the Surface Pro 4 (a claimed 13.5 hours), and is 2.5 times faster than the previous model (all 7th generation Intel Core CPUs, varying between m3 and i7).

Why Employees Might Want It

Creative professionals at your company may want to consider the Surface Pro for work since it appears they're one of the target demographics for the device (assuming they don't need to run any high-octane graphics programs such as Avid or Maya). The tablet features a 12.3-inch PixelSense display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and 267 ppi (2,736 x 1,824). Microsoft also baked in PixelSense Accelerator technology to enhance color. By contrast, the iPad Pro sports a 12.9-inch display with 264 ppi (2,732 x 2,048).

Accessories Cost Extra

Don't expect that this tablet/laptop/hybrid will replace your company's laptops without some added expenses. But those expenses might be worth it to some.

Microsoft has reportedly improved the performance of the Surface Pen, including a host of new pencil textures and ink effects for Microsoft Office. The new Surface Pen, which comes in gray, black, burgundy and cobalt blue, has more than 4,096 pressure points. The company claims it is twice as accurate as the original Surface Pen, and that it will feel like "you are taking notes in your Moleskin notebook with your favorite pen." Pricing hasn't been released yet, but the previous generation was $59.99.

The Signature Type Cover keyboard doesn't come included but can be purchased for $129. It attaches by a magnet and has a similar look and feel to the keyboard on the Surface Laptop, which was released earlier this month. The four-color choices (platinum, burgundy, cobalt blue and black) and Alcantara fabric design (on all but the black keyboard) adds some curb appeal, but no utility. We also have questions as to its durability over time, but Microsoft says it is treated to resist spills.

Employees can also use the Microsoft Surface dock ($199.99) if they need a larger screen experience, so the Surface Pro could be a good fit for part-time remote employees or people who travel a lot. It basically turns the Pro into a desktop computer that can be plugged into monitors, external keyboards and mice.

New Apps

Microsoft is also making the Surface line more collaboration-friendly in Microsoft Office. The company also announced a new app called Microsoft Whiteboard on Surface. It's intended to allow teams to collaborate more easily across multiple devices. It reportedly supports geometry recognition, table conversion and automatic table shading based on your doodles.

We haven't tested this app yet, so we can't speak to its usability or if it offers the "magical experience" the company claims. The company says the app will likely come to other Windows 10 devices later this year but is currently in private preview on the Surface Hub.

Bottom Line for IT

In terms of device management, it doesn't look like the new Surface Pro (2017 will differ much from the Surface Pro 4. Aside from helping users with Microsoft Whiteboard on Surface, the adoption of this device should be smooth sailing for IT pros familiar with Windows 10.