The Microsoft Surface Pro 5 is shaping up as a powerful beast based on rumored specs, but the Samsung Galaxy Book 12 is a strong contender and it's already available.
Leaks and rumors about the Surface Pro 5 have been making rounds for quite some time now, but Microsoft has yet to make an official announcement, so it's all still in the rumor state at this point.
Samsung, meanwhile, officially announced that its new Galaxy Book 12 2-in-1 running Windows 10 Pro is now available for preorder. The hybrid device aims to combine the best of both worlds, delivering the power of a laptop and the portability of a tablet for a balanced mix of performance, style, and productivity.
Many consumers looking to purchase a solid 2-in-1 device might be torn trying to decide whether to wait for the Microsoft Surface Pro 5 or just go for the more readily available Samsung Galaxy Book 12. Here's a brief roundup to help make an informed decision.
Surface Pro 5 Rumored Specs And Release
The highly anticipated Surface Pro 5 was a no-show at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017, so now it's expected to hit the scene sometime this spring. That said, Microsoft is holding an event on May 2, but that will focus on education and the Surface Pro 5 is not expected to be part of the announcements, so it might debut later on.
When it comes to specifications, a slew of rumors have tried to anticipate what the Surface Pro 5 might bring to the table and the most recent clues paint an interesting picture.
Earlier rumors indicated that the Surface Pro 5 would launch with Intel's Kaby Lake under the hood, but more recently hints pointed at an AMD Ryzen processor instead.
The Surface Pro 5 is further expected to rock a high-resolution 4K display, an upgraded magnetic stylus with wireless charging, a USB Type-C port and advanced features such as Windows Hello and Cortana. The device should continue Microsoft's tradition of packing desktop-grade power in a portable device with the Surface Pro line, aiming to be powerful enough to replace the laptop.
Samsung Galaxy Book 12 Specs, Price And Availability
The new Samsung Galaxy Book 12, meanwhile, comes with 7th generation Intel Core processing power, Windows 10 Pro on the software side, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB of native storage space and the option to add extra storage via microSD. Samsung also touts that the Galaxy Book packs a powerful battery with fast-charging capabilities that should last for up to 11 hours on a single charge.
The Galaxy Book 12 features 12-inch Super AMOLED FHD+ display with a resolution o 2,160 x 1,440 pixels, a 7th-Gen Intel Core i5 dual-core processor, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB SSD, up to 256 GB of expandable storage, a 12-megapixel rear camera with autofocus, a 5-megapixel front shooter, USB Type-C, microSD, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, and a slew of neat software features to maximize its potential.
For instance, the Galaxy Book 12 comes with Samsung Flow, which allows Galaxy smartphone owners to wirelessly tether their devices to easily sync and transfer files, check notifications, answer messages and so on. At the same time, Samsung Flow also boosts security by turning the Galaxy smartphone into an authentication device for the Galaxy Book. Moreover, it can also take advantage of the Wi-Fi hotspot feature to get LTE access on the go from the paired Galaxy smartphone.
The Galaxy Book 12 also comes with a multifunctional S Pen, a backlit keyboard cover and a large touchpad. The cover also supports various angles such as PC, Note and Easel mode, allowing users to set the device in the position most comfortable for them.
Samsung's new Galaxy Book 12 is currently available for preorder at $1,429 and will start shipping to customers next month, on May 23.
With the Surface Pro 5 a no-show so far and no official confirmation as to when it will arrive and what specs it will pack, customers looking for a solid 2-in-1 that neatly combines power and portability might want to consider preordering the Galaxy Book 12. It offers a good mix of specs and features, it sports a sleek design and for those who already own a Galaxy smartphone, it will be a perfect companion with seamless syncing through Samsung Flow. If you're tired of waiting for the Surface Pro 5 to make its official debut, the Galaxy Book 12 is your best bet.
