With more employers requiring their teams to work on the go, demand for laptop–tablet hybrid devices is high. Laptop hybrids mix the versatility of a computer with the portability of a tablet, but it isn't always a perfect union.
Surface Pro X is one such hybrid device, the latest from Microsoft. It's the successor to the Surface Pro 7 (the 'X' here not being equal to 10). It improves on the physical design of its predecessor and is all around a better model than before. However, even with the improvements, the Surface Pro X is far from perfect.
A Sleek, Elegant Design
Part of the appeal of laptop hybrids is their elegance. Gone are the days when you had to carry around a bulky machine to presentations with clients and customers.
The Surface Pro X hits the right marks in this department, with a modern, clean look. It rings all the bells and whistles one would look for a device like this. It is weighing for a mere 1.68 lbs, lighter than a DSLR camera. It's only 5.3 mm thick, with a kickstand at the back that lets you prop the Surface Pro X when needed.
And yet, the Surface Pro X doesn't feel flimsy. With all its feather-like characteristics, the device feels like it's built to survive bumps and bruises. What's more impressive is that it still managed to squeeze in multiple ports in spite of its thinness, with two USB-C ports and a microSD slot, which can also be used for LTE SIMs.
For an additional cost, you could pair the Surface Pro X with the new Slim Pen and Signature Keyboard cover. They fit the Surface's design well, being pieces of elegant beauty themselves. The stylus itself rests neatly on an inconspicuous slot on the keyboard cover. Meanwhile, the keyboard, which comes with a trackpad, feels fantastic to use and proves that Microsoft is still the top manufacturer of tablet keyboards.
Both accessories are must-haves, and it's almost impossible to enjoy the Surface Pro X fully without these two.
Sluggish and Limited
Disappointingly, but not surprisingly, the Surface Pro X isn't a powerhouse in terms of processing and computing. It runs on a standard Windows 10 Home OS and is compatible with all Microsoft applications you needed for office work. However, more items are incompatible with the Surface than what the Surface could run.
In which case, you can't expect the Surface Pro X to replace your laptop. Instead, it should be treated as a complement to your tools. It can't stand alone as a main computer but works perfectly as a bring-along lightweight PC.
Still, the Surface Pro X improved a lot compared to the Surface Pro 7. It runs on a 3GHz ARM-based SQ1 processor with a 685 GPU. It comes installed with an SSD storage, with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB options. For memory, it comes equipped with an 8GB or 16GB LPDDR4x RAM. However, it's not enough to be better than your predecessor—you have to reach standards.
The Surface Pro X's saving grace is its battery life. Although, this could be attributed to its weaker power, with 13 hours on standby and eight and a half hours for heavy usage.
Price Tag
Microsoft's Surface Pro X starts at a hefty price of $999 with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. That's just the device itself. To get the Slim Pen and Signature Keyboard Case, you'll have to add $144.99 and $139.99, respectively, or get both for $269.99.
Maxing everything out, with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, and with all the stylus and keyboard package, the whole system will run you for a little over $2,000.
