The Microsoft Surface Pro 2 continues the solid build quality of its predecessor and gives a premium feel. The tablet’s case is well-made, with no sharp edges and no flexing within the case. Although the Surface Pro 2 is very thick for a tablet with a depth of 1.35 cm, it is thinner than most laptops, including the 11-inch MacBook Air (1.7 cm). Weighing 907g, it is also comparatively light for a full-fledged computer, but it is significantly heavier than the new iPad Air at 469g. Unlike the new Surface 2, the Surface Pro 2 is only available in dark titanium black, with the magnesium case covered in lacquer. On the back of the Surface Pro 2 is a kickstand that supports two angles. This makes it much easier to use on a desk or lap than the original Surface Pro, which only had a single angle that was ideal for a large, clear table, but not for airplane seats or even laps. A thumb-wide bezel around the screen makes it easier to hold the device without having to activate the touchscreen. The Surface Pro 2 has the same sharp and bright 1080p 10.6-inch high-resolution display as the Surface 2 and the original Surface Pro: text is crisp and easy to read on websites and e-books. The screen also has good viewing angles, which makes sharing videos with others easy, while good blacks and color gamut make videos look good. Microsoft has equipped the Surface Pro 2 with Intel’s latest “Haswell” Core i5 processor, which means it has enough power for almost anything you can throw at it, aside from high-end graphics-intensive games. It handles office tasks in no time, listens to music, watches videos, and browses the web. It boots up pretty quickly from sleep for a PC – though not quite as fast as an ARM-based tablet like the Surface 2 or Apple’s iPad. Like a laptop, but unlike most other tablets like the iPad or Google’s Nexus line, the Surface Pro 2 has a full-size USB 3.0 port that makes connecting external devices and storage as easy as with a desktop or laptop computer. The Surface Pro 2 can also be connected to a monitor via Mini DisplayPort to watch movies or use it as a second screen for work. A docking station will be available at a later date that turns the tablet into a desktop hybrid that you can simply pick up and take with you when you’re done working.
