Surface Pro (1st generation)

{{Short description|Detachable tablet by Microsoft}}

{{Infobox information appliance

| name = {{visible anchor|Surface Pro}}

| logo = Microsoft_Surface_wordmark.svg

| image = Virginia Ballot on Microsoft Surface Pro Tablet.jpg

| image_size = 260px

| caption = Surface Pro with Type Cover attached

| developer = Microsoft

| manufacturer = Pegatron{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/06/20/pegatron_microsoft_surface/ |title=Manufacturer of Surface |publisher=The Register|date= January 22, 2004|access-date=January 22, 2004}}

| type = 2-in-1 detachable tablet

| releasedate = {{Start date|2013|02|09}} (United States){{cite web|url=http://blogs.technet.com/b/microsoft_blog/archive/2013/01/22/growing-the-surface-family-surface-windows-8-pro-availability-confirmed.aspx |title=Growing the Surface Family: Surface Windows 8 Pro Availability Confirmed |publisher=Microsoft|date= January 22, 2004 |access-date=January 22, 2004}}
{{Start date|2013|05|23}} (United Kingdom){{cite web|url=http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/tablets/3443821/microsoft-surface-pro-uk-release-date/?olo=editorspick |title=Microsoft Surface Pro gets May UK release date and price |publisher=PC Advisor |date=June 4, 2013 |access-date=June 15, 2013}}

| discontinued = {{end date|2013|10|22}}

| os = Windows 8 Pro

(Upgradable to Windows 8.1 and upgradable from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10)

| power = 151.2 kJ (42 W·h) battery (4-5 hours)[https://www.theverge.com/2013/2/5/3955130/microsoft-surface-pro-review Microsoft Surface Pro review | The Verge]

| soc =

| cpu = Intel low-voltage dual-core
i5-3317U
1.7 up to 2.6 GHz, 3 MB cache, 17 W[http://ark.intel.com/products/65707/Intel-Core-i5-3317U-Processor-3M-Cache-up-to-2_60-GHz ARK | Intel® Core™ i5-3317U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.60 GHz)]. Ark.intel.com. Retrieved on 2015-10-09.{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/microsoft-surface-windows-8-pro-preview |title=Microsoft Surface with Windows 8 Pro Preview |author=Paul Thurrott |author-link=Paul Thurrott |work=WinSuperSite.com |date=21 January 2013 |access-date=23 January 2013}}

| storage = 64 GB (23 GB available)
128 GB (83 GB available)[https://www.theverge.com/2013/1/29/3929110/surface-pro-disk-space-windows-8 Microsoft's 64GB Surface Pro will only have 23GB usable storage]

| memory card = microSD slot, accepts cards of up to 200 GB{{cite web|title=World's Highest Capacity microSD™ Card|url=http://www.sandisk.com/products/memory-cards/microsd/ultra-premium-edition/|website=SanDisk.com|access-date=12 May 2015}}

| memory = 4 GB dual-channel DDR3-1600 (25.6 GB/sec)

| display = {{convert|10.6|in|cm}} 1920x1080{{cite web|title=Help me choose which Windows tablet is best for me|website=Microsoft|url=http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US/surface-with-windows-rt/help-me-choose|access-date=October 16, 2012}} (208 ppi) ClearType HD screen with 16:9 aspect ratio

| graphics = Intel HD Graphics 4000

| sound =

| input = 10-point multi-touch screen, pen input with Wacom digital pen digitizer, ambient light sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, compass, dual microphones

| controllers =

| camera = Front: 1.2 MP, 720p HD
Rear: 1.2 MP AF, 720p HD

| touchpad =

| connectivity = 2×2 MIMO Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort

| service = Windows Store, Xbox Music, OneDrive, Xbox Games, Xbox Video, Copilot (Windows 10 only)

| dimensions = {{convert|10.81|in|cm}} (width)
{{convert|6.81|in|cm}} (height)
{{convert|0.53|in|mm}} (depth)

| weight = {{convert|2|lbs|g}}

| topgame =

| compatibility =

| predecessor = Surface RT

| successor = Surface Pro 2 (2013)

| related =

}}

{{surface models}}

The Surface Pro is a 2-in-1 detachable designed and manufactured by Microsoft, and the first generation of the Surface Pro line as part of the Microsoft Surface series. It was released in February 2013 and came with a 64-bit version of Windows 8 Pro operating system with a free upgrade possibility to Windows 8.1 Pro, and eventually also Windows 10. The device was superseded later in 2013 by the second generation model, Surface Pro 2.

History

Initially announced as Surface for Windows 8 Pro on June 18, 2012, at a Los Angeles event,{{cite web |date=18 June 2012 |title=Microsoft Announces Surface: New Family of PCs for Windows |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2012/06/18/microsoft-announces-surface-new-family-of-pcs-for-windows/ |access-date=2 June 2015 |website=News.Microsoft.com}} Microsoft later renamed the device to Surface Pro, and launched it on February 9, 2013. Microsoft did not take pre-orders for the Surface Pro. It was available for a purchase on February 9, 2013, in the United States, Canada and China,{{cite news|title=Microsoft Grows Surface Family|url=http://news.microsoft.com/2013/01/22/microsoft-grows-surface-family/|access-date=2 June 2015|agency=News.Microsoft.com|date=22 January 2013}} and was released on May 23, 2013, in the United Kingdom and a number of other countries.{{cite news|last1=Martin|first1=Chris|title=Microsoft Surface Pro gets May UK release date and price|url=http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/tablets/microsoft-surface-pro-uk-release-date-price-3443821/|access-date=2 June 2015|agency=PCAdvisor.co.uk|date=16 May 2013}}

Features

= Hardware =

The Surface Pro shares a lot of its design traits with its lower cost counterpart, the original Surface hybrid tablet, announced on the same day. Both have the dark VaporMg coating over the same magnesium body and a 10-point multi-touch enabled {{convert|10.6|in|cm}} screen with crack resistant Gorilla Glass. The Wifi is 802.11 a/b/g/n.

However, the resolution on the Surface Pro is higher and is 1920×1080, and the screen has a Wacom digitizer for pen input. Surface Pro runs a dual-core 1.7 GHz Intel Core i5-3317U CPU, with a Turbo Boost frequency of up to 2.6 GHz with a built-in Intel HD Graphics 4000. It has 4 GB of memory and a 64 or 128 GB solid-state drive. Unique to the Surface and Surface Pro is the kickstand which can be flipped out from the back, propping the device up. The kickstand comes out of the devices at a 22-degree angle, the same angle the edges of the device are angled at.{{Cite web|title = Microsoft announces Surface Pro 2 with updated kickstand and Haswell processor|url = https://www.theverge.com/2013/9/23/4761614/microsoft-surface-pro-2-tablet-announcement|website = The Verge|date = 23 September 2013|access-date = 2015-07-16}}

Along the right side of the device, the Surface Pro has a microSD card slot on top (with support for cards up to 200 GB), followed by the power port, and near the bottom, a Mini DisplayPort to connect a number of external displays. The bottom of the device (dubbed the "accessory spine") contains the cover port to attach a Touch Cover or Type Cover. In addition to the magnetic attachments, the cover port on the Surface Pro contains a pogo pin connector. Unique to the Surface Pro, compared to the Surface tablet, is the addition of power connectors for compatibility with the Surface Power Cover. The left side of the 2-in-1 contains a full-sized USB 3 port, the volume rocker, and the audio jack. The power button is on the top of the device.{{Cite web|title = Surface Pro with Windows 8 Pro - Fact Sheet|date=February 2013|url = https://news.microsoft.com/download/presskits/windows/docs/01-22SurfaceWindows8ProFS.DOCX|website = news.microsoft.com|access-date = 2015-07-16}} On the front and back of the device are two 720p Lifecam cameras, and inside is a 42 Watt-hour battery. Other sensors include an ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass.

= Software =

{{Main article|Windows 8|Windows 10}}

Surface Pro originally shipped with Windows 8 Pro, but was upgradeable to Windows 8.1 Pro. The Surface Pro is further capable of upgrading to Windows 10 Pro, which became a free upgrade for users since July 29, 2015.

= Accessories =

The 2-in-1 features two types of detachable keyboards: Type Cover and Touch Cover, both with an integrated touchpad. The former is {{convert|5|mm|in}} thick and has moving keys for a more traditional typing feel{{clarify|date=May 2019}}, while the latter is {{convert|3|mm|in}} thin and its keys do not move. Both accessories additionally act as a protective screen cover and are sold separately. Later{{when|date=May 2019}} Microsoft introduced the Power Cover (with the Surface Pro 2), which is backwards compatible with the Surface Pro.

Surface Pro is the first device in the Surface family to feature a stylus pen input. Pro Pen is based on Wacom digitizer technology. It is integrated with OneNote software which is also included with the Surface Pro and used for note taking and sketches.{{cite web|title=Using the Pro Pen|url=https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/touch-mouse-and-search/pro-pen|website=Microsoft.com|access-date=3 June 2015}}

The Surface Pro includes a 48-watt power supply with additional 5 W USB port for charging other devices. In early 2016, Microsoft issued a recall for the cable used to connect Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2 and Surface Pro 3 chargers, but not the charger itself, sold before the 15th of July, 2015 due to the risk of electrical fire.{{cite news|title=Surface Pro charger recall follows 56 reports of fiery cables|url=https://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2442644/microsoft-plans-surface-pro-charger-recall-due-to-fire-risk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122003013/http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2442644/microsoft-plans-surface-pro-charger-recall-due-to-fire-risk|url-status=unfit|archive-date=January 22, 2016|first=Carly|last=Page|date=4 February 2016|work=The Inquirer|access-date=21 January 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4040585/surface-pro-ac-power-cord-recall-for-eligible-devices|title=Microsoft AC power cord recall for eligible Surface Pro devices}}

Reception

Surface Pro received mixed reviews from the computer hardware critics. While most praised the convertible nature of the device, which can be used both as a tablet and a laptop, its design and a precise pressure-sensitive pen, the typical complaints were a short battery life, bulkiness compared to traditional ARM-based tablets and excessive heat and fan noise during periods of heavy load. Other complaints included long response times when the computer was asleep, and even sudden shut downs in the middle of usage.{{cite web|last1=Branscombe|first1=Mary|title=Microsoft Surface Pro review|url=http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/microsoft-surface-pro-1123800/review/9|website=TechRadar.com|access-date=3 June 2015|date=14 July 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Stein|first1=Scott|title=Microsoft Surface Pro review: Smart almost-laptop nearly gets it right|url=http://www.cnet.com/products/microsoft-surface-with-windows-8-pro-64gb/|website=cnet.com|access-date=3 June 2015|date=14 October 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Lal Shimpi|first1=Anand|title=Microsoft Surface Pro Review|url=http://www.anandtech.com/show/6695/microsoft-surface-pro-review/10|website=AnandTech.com|access-date=3 June 2015|date=5 February 2013}}

With the release of the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book, cooling issues were resolved. Microsoft engineered the computers to dissipate 60% of their heat through the metal body using a combination of heat pipes and copper sinks. The fans only activate under load, allowing the computer to run cold and silent.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

Timeline

{{Surface timeline}}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}