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This was first evident in the Surface Pro 3, which saw a significant reduction in the size and weight of the device versus the previous generation. As the Surface series of machines progressed beyond the first generation (just three years ago!), the focus shifted away from increased processing power and instead toward enhanced portability and lower power consumption. And it does so while focusing most heavily on adopting tablet-specific benefits, such as a large, bright touchscreen, quiet (or silent) operation, extremely low weight and small form factor, and even an optional digitizer pen-all while still maintaining a solid foundation as a functional PC.Īs chipsets become ever-more efficient, the unification of these previously disparate markets is becoming increasingly practical.
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Like many other modern detachables, the Surface faces the daunting task of uniting two traditionally separate computing universes under the same umbrella while minimizing pesky compromises. But its feature set and strengths lie elsewhere: it doesn’t seek to just be a top-grade Ultrabook, but also a more-than-competent tablet. Need a tablet? Need a laptop? Why not have both in one device?įor all their merits, it’s probably fairly unanimous that the Surface line has yet to approximate the full benefits of a top-grade Ultrabook. In a time where innovation and inspiration are of utmost criticality, Microsoft’s engineers have stepped up to the plate to elaborate on an undeniably novel and in many ways downright amazing concept which has encouraged a paradigm shift in the world of personal computing. Whether one views Microsoft’s Surface line of 2-in-1 tablet devices as energizing or cannibalizing the sales of other PC manufacturers, one thing’s for certain: they’ve made quite a splash in the market.
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