Microsoft swept away. I spent a week with Surface Pro 6 and (almost) I have nothing to cling to

I spent a week with Surface Pro 6 and I know one thing - when the time comes to exchange a mobile computer for a new one, I will not even consider another model. Microsoft has perfected its hybrid almost to perfection.

The Surface Pro line of computers captivated me for the first time nearly three years ago, when Surface Pro 4 came into my hands . Since then, I have been using a Microsoft computer on a daily basis, last year I was able to check the fifth generation , and now I have the latest incarnation of a "tablet that can replace a laptop". And I'm enchanted again.

Before I go to compliments, let's talk to the minuses.

The sixth generation of Surface Pro is closer to the ideal than any before. However, it still has two features that even a huge fan of Microsoft products can not swallow.

First of all, the Type Cover keyboard is still not included in the kit - it should.

I understand the business aspect of this decision, but money is not everything. The Surface Pro keyboard should be included with the computer, not available as an optional accessory for 400 or 700 PLN (depending on the version). It is an integral part of the computer; While occasional use of Windows 10 strictly on the tablet is a very pleasant experience, so using it only on the tablet, without a physical keyboard, is a torment. Microsoft should finally realize this.

A little less is the lack of a Surface Pen in the set, because not everyone will want to use this accessory. Anyway, if we buy a new Surface Pro in advance, we'll get a feather for free.

The second problem is the lack of the Thunderbolt 3 connector.

Well, even USB-C is missing here! Microsoft, want to keep their docking stations dedicated to Surface'om in circulation, has not equipped the new Pro with a modern connector. Instead, we have an archaic miniDP port and a full-size USB-A (which is a nice addition).

This is a huge drawback, considering how many peripherals work on USB-C or Thunderbolt 3. The lack of a modern connector also translates, unfortunately, into the longevity of the Surface Pro 6, or rather - its lack. If you want to use modern accessories, Microsoft's computer will have to be replaced with a new one at the next generation.

At the end of complaining. For a week I did not find anything else that I could attach to Surface Pro 6.

From the visual side of the predecessor, only one thing has changed: color. Matt black, available in all but the cheapest configuration, gives this product an unprecedented freshness.

I am not afraid to say this: Surface Pro 6 in matt black is currently the most beautiful portable computer on the market. Dot.

Of course, another issue is how black finish will overcome the passage of time, but after a week of wearing this computer in a bag and pulling it out several times a day, I did not notice any damage to the beauty. It's a beautiful piece of electronics. In addition - just like any other Surface computer - it is perfectly made, with the utmost attention to detail. Though, unfortunately, you can not forget about it, the stiff and slim design means that the Surface Pro 6 is completely unserviceable. If it breaks down, it's basically just replacing the device with new ones.

Personally, however, I am inclined to compromise and put additional money on the extended warranty, since in return I get a device with such a beautiful, modern design. Something for something.

Surface Pro needed four cores like an air man.

I can not say I ever complained about the lack of performance in Surfaces Pro. For the applications they are designed for, Microsoft's tablets have always offered a sufficient supply of power.

Only now, when I have a computer with a quad-core Intel Core i5 8 processor in front of me, I see how many additional cores change in a computer of this class. From the side of synthetic benchmarks, the increase in power is around 40 percent. From the point of practical use, such an increase changes everything.

With Surface Pro 6 with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD drive, it's extremely enjoyable.

By the way, I will add that the processor models used differ depending on whether we buy Surface Pro privately or for a company . Consumers receive either Intel Core i5-8250U, or i7-8650U. Surface Pro 6 for companies is equipped with an i5-8350U or i7-8650U processor.

Although the configuration does not seem overwhelming, it works great on most tasks: from simply browsing the Internet while listening to music, through office work to processing photos in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.

The pleasure of working in the last two programs is largely due to the fact that Microsoft and Adobe work closely together to create new products, and dedicated graphics programs are perfectly optimized for the Redmond giant device. As a result, a Lightroom that can cut even on a powerful workstation, the Surface Pro 6 runs smoothly and without crash most of the time (of course, we're not talking about working on hundreds of RAWs at the same time, but the basic processing of a small library).

I've also easily edited a short video in Full HD, applying LUT and a few effects. The assembly of a small project in 4K is also possible, but we have to take into account the necessity of using a proxy and a long export time.

The increase in power did not result in a decrease in mobility.

I would expect that a new generation of Intel processors combined with an unchanged battery will cause a drop in working time on a single charge, but I have not experienced anything like it.

With medium screen brightness and moderate load (viewer + Spotify + Word), Surface Pro 6 easily withstands 9-10 hours away from the socket.

We are still looking at a wonderfully light and slender machine. Without a Surface Pro 6 keyboard, it weighs only 770 g, which is really impressive for a computer with such a versatile application. By adding new Microsoft equipment to the photo bag, I basically did not feel the difference. I could take Surface 6 Pro for a full-day plowing at trade fairs and conferences, without risking degeneration of the spine.

Surface Pro 6 is Surface. And that's the most important reason to buy it.

As with the top Surface Studio 2 , here too the specification does not reflect the specifics of working on a Microsoft computer. It does not reflect how different experience is working on Surface Pro 6, in relation to any ultrabook with a classic design.

Let's start with the fact that Surface PCs are one of the few machines on which Windows 10 does not cause any problems. Through my hands, at least a dozen or so computers from various price shelves scroll over the course of a year - and there is always something wrong with Windows 10. And that's trouble with drivers. And this is junk software. And these are sudden pendants and cuts that can not be explained.

It's not on Surface PCs. It is a pleasure to interact with Windows 10 on Surface Pro 6, both in laptop mode and (occasionally) in tablet mode.

I love the fact that I can disconnect the keyboard from the equipment at any time and, for example, take it on the couch or bed to comfortably watch the series. I love the built-in stand, which is almost "flat" and allows me to set the computer in any position - it's no wonder that Apple has not yet copied this solution to its iPads Pro.

I love the Surface 6 Pro display itself, which - as one of the few on the market - comes straight from the factory to a perfectly calibrated sRGB color space. Besides, at a resolution of 2736 x 1824 and a 3: 2 aspect ratio, this 12.3-inch touch panel does a great job not only when working with graphics, but also with anything else. The screen is simply gorgeous, the 3: 2 ratio means that there is plenty of space for it (despite the small dimensions) and the 12.3 "diagonal makes the Surface Pro a much more mobile machine than any thin and light laptop.

I was a bit disappointed in the loudspeakers. Do not get it wrong - the dual 1.6 W stereo system sounds loud and clear, but lacks depth. In this respect Surface Pro did not evolve on the occasion of the new generation. It's good, but not outstanding, like Huawei's MacBooks or MateBooks Pro.

I was not disappointed with the overall experience of using Surface Pro 6.

From the super-fast unlocking of the screen face in Windows Hello, through the aforementioned universality and mobility, to ... a keyboard that I personally really like, although I know that for many people it is the weakest element of the Surface Pro line.

I typed on the keyboard from Surface Pro 4 hundreds of articles, tens of thousands of words and I did not find the slightest reason to complain. The same applies to the latest version of Microsoft's tablet. Of course, working on your knees requires a change of habits and is certainly not as comfortable as in an ordinary laptop, but a person quickly changes their habits. You can get used to it.

It's been a long time since no computer has made such a good first impression on me.

After a week ... I just have nothing to complain about, not counting the two issues mentioned at the beginning. And I feel something that this positive impression will also last during the next weeks of testing.

Surface Pro 6 is now available in pre-sale, and on the store shelves will go on February 7 . It is not one of the cheapest devices on the market, but definitely is worth its price.

And although this text is just the first impression, now I can say that if in the near future I will have to replace the mobile computer with a new one, I will not look at anything else - Surface Pro 6 just swept.

Microsoft swept away. I spent a week with Surface Pro 6 and (almost) I have nothing to cling to