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Microsoft will replace your Surface Pro 4 if the screen flickers
Since Microsoft released the Surface Pro 4 in 2015, many owners have wrangled with a maddening screen flicker. Two and a half years later, Microsoft still can't fix the issue on "a small percentage" of Pro 4s through firmware and driver updates, so the company is offering customers refurbished replacements.
Alleged Microsoft memo says Surface reliability issues are fixed
Last week, Consumer Reports removed its "recommended" rating from four of Microsoft's Surface laptops and tablets, citing reliability concerns: 25 percent of the 90,000 users they surveyed reported freezing and shutdowns in the first couple years of device use. The tech giant took issue with the publication's data and reported significantly lower failure rates. But a company VP allegedly sent an internal memo picking apart which device failures tipped the scales and caused Consumer Reports to slam the whole Surface family.
Microsoft claims Surface reliability isn't really that bad
Consumer Reports said that it would no longer recommend Microsoft's Surface laptops and tablets because of "poor predicted reliability" compared to other brands, based on its surveys. Now Microsoft has responded, with a statement saying that it is "disappointed" in the decision and providing some of its own data. Panos Panay, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Devices: We are proud of our products and the amazing things our customers are doing with them. We stand firmly behind the quality and reliability of the Surface family of devices, and I can confidently tell you there has never been a better time to buy a Surface.
What to expect at Microsoft's Build 2017 conference
Microsoft's Build conference is not only about giving developers the tools they need to write apps or create Windows-friendly hardware but also Microsoft's chance to outline its vision of the future. What software and devices will matter in the months (or even years) ahead? And this time around, there's no shortage of new developments to discuss: Windows updates, the Cortana AI assistant, HoloLens, partner hardware and even a chance at new Surface gear. It's not necessarily clear what's likely to show up, but don't worry: That's what we're here to sort out. We've rounded up some of the most promising leaks, rumors and logical predictions to give you a sense of what to expect when Build 2017 kicks off May 10th.
Microsoft hikes UK Surface prices because Brexit
Thanks to the Brexit vote, the weakened pound is causing many companies to adjust prices to cover the shortfall, and today you can add Microsoft to that list. The cost of the company's enterprise software and cloud services increased at the start of the year, but this morning Microsoft quietly hiked prices of some of its consumer devices and software too, as spotted by a TechCrunch tipster.
Microsoft passes on updating the Surface Pro
Microsoft announced a flurry of hardware at its Surface event, but there was one very conspicuous omission: a new Surface Pro tablet. For the first time in a long while, a year will come and go without an updated version of Microsoft's most iconic computer. There haven't been any quiet spec bumps either. The Surface Pro 4 still starts at $899 with a Core m3 processor, 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, while higher-end models also have the same specs as before. But why did the company pass on the opportunity?
The best tech for college freshmen
Starting college is expensive. In addition to, you know, the tuition, you and the parentals will probably be making a large shopping trip to buy all manner of sweaters, snacks and extra-long twin sheets to round out your dorm room. And that's not counting all the gear you'll need to actually get work done. In addition to a few laptop recommendations (the XPS 13 is our reigning favorite), we have suggestions on things like cloud storage, backpacks and peripherals like travel mice and backup batteries. Check out the gallery below for all our first-year picks (think of it as a college starter kit), and be sure to read the rest of Engadget's back-to-school guide here.
Microsoft rolls out new Surface Pro Type Covers for NFL fans
Now that the NFL preseason is underway, Microsoft is taking advantage of the moment with a product designed specifically for football fans. If you own a Surface Pro 3 or Surface Pro 4, the company's rolling out new Type Covers featuring logos from all 32 NFL teams, in case you're interested in showing everyone your true colors. The themed peripherals, dubbed Surface Special Edition NFL Type Covers (say that ten times fast), are made from "premium quality" materials according to Microsoft. That said, they don't feature the same high-end, suede-like Alcantara fabric as the Signature Type Covers introduced a few months ago. Doesn't matter? Then you can get one today from Microsoft's site or one its retail stores for $160.
Microsoft's 1TB Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 hit the UK
Microsoft's best Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 models are now available outside of North America. Both of the laptop-tablet hybrids -- the Book being more laptop, the Pro more tablet -- can be bought with a 1TB SSD in eight additional markets. These are: Australia, Austria, China, France, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Switzerland and the UK. Germany and Japan will be joining the list in July; Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands will get the 1TB Surface Pro 4 later this summer.
Students can get a free Xbox One with a Surface Pro 4
With a new, slimmer Xbox One waiting in the wings, Microsoft is doing everything in its power to get rid of the older model. The original Xbox One is already down to $299, and starting today students can get it for free when they buy a Surface Pro 4 in the US. As the Verge reports, you'll need to step into a retail store to take advantage of the deal -- it runs until August 14th and will be sold as a $300 discount on the pair's combined price. "So basically a free Xbox One with the purchase of a Surface Pro 4," Terry Myerson, head of Windows and devices at Microsoft confirmed.
Microsoft's Surface Pro 4 gets a luxurious Type Cover
Microsoft's Surface Pro 4 is having to do battle with a slew of tablet-hybrid competition that includes Apple's smaller iPad Pro and the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S. It's a little early for an all-new Surface, so instead Microsoft has come out with a new, luxurious keyboard accessory. The company calls it the Signature Type Cover, and it's made a from a high-end fabric called Alcantara, which feels a little like suede. You'll have to pay a little extra for those premium looks, however, as it runs $159.99 in the Microsoft Store -- 30 bucks more than the regular Type Cover.
Microsoft has a slew of stability updates for the Surface
The myriad problems with Microsoft's Surface Book and its Surface Pro 4 tablet are well documented, and now we know what Redmond's definition of "quickly" is: A period of time no less than two months in length. The company has released a rash of updates to the devices that it says will help users get the most of the platform's power management options. There's a baker's dozen of them and the most common phrase among the listings is "improves system stability." That applies to everything from updates for audio drivers to the Surface Management Engine and a lot in between.
Microsoft's 1TB Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 now available
If you've been holding out on a Surface Book or Surface Pro 4 with more storage, you're in luck. Microsoft announced 1TB versions of both are now up for sale in its web store. The duo also packs in a Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, so if you're looking for a laptop, or a tablet that can replace your laptop, these certainly pack a punch.
Microsoft owns up to issues with the Surface Book and Pro 4
When reviews of the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 hit, it seemed like Microsoft would be riding a wave of positive publicity into the holiday season. We liked both devices, and while the Surface Book wasn't everyone's cup of tea, most reviews were also fairly positive. But things changed once they actually reached consumers. Some early buyers reported a variety of issues, including screen flickering, system instability and power problems. Those concerns prompted Microsoft to release several firmware and software updates within weeks (on top of a launch day fix), which helped with some issues. But they came too late to erase the idea that something was up with Microsoft's new hardware.
New in our buyer's guide: The iPhone 6s, Surface Book and much more
Sorry we haven't updated the buyers's guide in a couple months -- we've been too busy pumping out reviews of all the new devices. Now that things have finally started to slow down (fingers crossed), let's take a step back and look at all the awesome stuff we've had a chance to test this fall. For starters, there's a bunch of excellent smartphones that we absolutely need to add to our guide. Namely: the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, the Nexus 6P and 5X, and the Moto X Pure. On the tablet side, we're inducting both the iPad mini 4 and the Surface Pro 4. Microsoft makes another appearance in the laptop section, where we've added the Surface Book, along with Dell's Chromebook 13. Rounding out the list, we threw in a few miscellaneous items, including the new Xbox One Elite Wireless controller, the redesigned Sonos Play:5 wireless speaker and Google's $35 Chromecast Audio.
Mini review video: Our verdict on the Surface Pro 4 in under a minute
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-385756{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-385756, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-385756{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-385756").style.display="none";}catch(e){}With each generation of the Surface Pro, Microsoft gets closer and closer to fulfilling its promise of a tablet that can replace your laptop. Last year's Surface Pro 3 was certainly powerful enough to take on similarly priced notebooks, but the keyboard wasn't as comfortable, and it wasn't particularly easy to use in your lap either. Fortunately, the new Surface Pro 4 mostly addresses these flaws, with a sturdier keyboard, improved pen and slightly lighter design. Unfortunately, the battery life is about the same as last time, delivering just over seven hours of video playback in our tests. If Microsoft were to extend the runtime and include the keyboard dock in the box, we'd be inclined to give the Surface an even higher score. Even as is, though, we can finally say it's well-rounded enough to replace a laptop.
Surface Pro 4 review: Yes, it can really replace your laptop
With the Surface Pro 4, Microsoft's surprising hybrid tablet journey finally makes sense. It's as if Microsoft was laser-focused on fixing the issues we had with the Surface Pro 3. We liked that device quite a bit, but its Type Cover was endlessly frustrating, with a sloppy keyboard and wonky trackpad. The new keyboard, on the other hand, is far sturdier and more laptop-like, and its trackpad is no longer a thing of nightmares. It's taken a while, but the Surface Pro 4 shows Microsoft has finally accomplished everything it set out to do when it unveiled its crazy hybrid tablet concept three years ago (which makes the announcement of the Surface Book even more curious). Aside from improving the battery life and bundling in the Type Cover (just do it, already), it's hard to imagine how much better the Surface Pro line can get.
Microsoft's 'Device Night' lets you go hands-on with its new products
Microsoft has a handful of new devices and wants you to experience them as soon as possible. Similar to what it is doing with HoloLens, the company's taking recently announced products like its Surface Book, Surface Pro 4, Lumia 950 XL and second-gen Microsoft Band on a tour across the US and Canada. But unlike the mixed reality headset's event, this one will be open to the general public, not only developers. Aside from being able to try out the hardware, Microsoft's also going to have Q&A sessions, giveaways and, of course, food and drinks. The 2015 Device Night kicks off in Boston and San Francisco on October 19th, followed by cities including Philadelphia, Vancouver, Dallas, Toronto, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Chicago. You'll need to register before attending, which you can do right here.
Designing Surface Pro 4: a chat with a Microsoft hardware lead
At first glance, Microsoft's new Surface Pro 4 doesn't look that much different than last year's Surface Pro 3. But there are a slew of upgrades on the Surface Pro 4, as well as its accessories, that should make for an even better computing experience. Its screen is slightly bigger, the Type Cover feels a lot more like a traditional laptop keyboard and using the Surface Pen now feels like actually putting pen to paper. At Microsoft's huge device launch event in New York City earlier this week, we talked with Dave Mitchell, the senior director of program management for the Microsoft Devices Group, who gave us the lowdown on how his team went about improving on the already great Surface Pro 3. Check out the interview below, and be sure to take a look at our hands-on with the Surface Pro 4.
UK pricing for Microsoft's Surface Pro 4, Lumia 950 phones and other goodies
It's fair to say that Microsoft's latest launch event was its most interesting for a long time. We finally learned that Hololens will be made available to developers early next year, clapped eyes on the first flagship Windows 10 phones, checked out the updated Microsoft Band and met the Surface Pro 4. Then the company surprised us all with the unveiling of its first laptop: the Surface Book. Microsoft is wasting no time in getting some of these to market, so you might be wondering how much each of them will cost. As always, we're more than happy to be your guide.
