Microsoft Surface Pro 5 (12.3-inch, 2017)

Faster than before, with great battery life ; Keyboards are still fantastic ; Screen looks great ; Incredibly light for an ultraportable

More expensive than Surface Pro 4, since Pen is separate ; Not many design improvements from SP4 ; Could use more ports

With all of its improvements, the Surface Pro sits atop the heap of hybrid laptops out there. But I can't help but feel like Microsoft missed an opportunity to show the competition how it's done. It's pricier than it needs to be, and it doesn't make...

Excellent notebook performance in a tablet format ; Significantly improved battery life ; Outstanding build quality ; Type Cover offers a quieter experience ; Surface Pen is more precise and faster

Lacks USB-C ; Signature Type Cover and Surface Pen are costly add-ons

The Surface Pro is technically an incremental update over its predecessor, the Surface Pro 4. That’s not a bad thing, as the Surface Pro 4 was already our favorite detachable tablet. Microsoft simply took what was great about the previous model and...

Hugely improved battery life Much better Surface Pen Comfier, punchier Type Cover

Surface Pen pulled from package Only Core i7 can challenge A10X

We’re confused as to why Microsoft didn’t give this the Surface Pro 5 moniker, since it only received the largest improvement on a Surface we’ve seen so far. Despite losing the included Surface Pen, the Microsoft Surface Pro 2017’s massive leap forward...

Speedy 4G LTE service from major wireless carriers. SIM and eSIM card support. Sleek, portable design. Top-notch display. Well-designed kickstand and keyboard.

Type Cover and Pen sold separately. Not as many configuration options as the non-LTE version.

Bottom Line: The latest Microsoft Surface Pro takes already-excellent hardware and adds LTE, making it a top choice for those who want a sleek, travel-friendly 2-in-1 hybrid tablet, but need absolute connectivity.

Silent, fanless design. One of the most flexible, well-built 2-in-1s you can buy. New alcantara fabric keyboard is pleasant, if a little trendy. Improved battery life. Beautiful screen. The optional Surface Pen is more sensitive than ever.

Not great if you work on your lap or on a couch. Only a single USB port. The proprietary charger is a bummer. The front camera is aimed too high. Expensive at $1,000+ for mid-tier models. Why isn't the keyboard included?

Full PC performance in a thin and light design ; Silent or no fans and little to no heat ; Battery life is finally good enough

Limited ports with no USB Type-C ; Still kind of awkward on a lap ; Pen is no longer included, now costs $99 extra ; Wow, this thing is getting expensive

There's another thing about predictability that I haven't mentioned: it means something is ready for the mainstream, that it's no longer a fringe or niche device for only those willing to deal with its eccentricities. Between its battery life...

Powerful Core i7 processor with Iris Plus graphics. Improved battery life, kickstand, keyboard cover, and Pen. Higher-than-full-HD screen resolution.

Pricey. Type Cover and Pen sold separately. Lacks USB-C and Thunderbolt 3.

The new iteration of the Microsoft Surface Pro is a performance-oriented laptop replacement that impresses with close to 14 hours of battery life, a brilliant higher-than-full-HD screen, top-notch benchmark results, and excellent build quality. You'll...

Superb screen ; Good battery life ; Undeniably versatile

Expensive at higher specs ; Keyboard costs extra and is poor ; Stylus costs extra again, although it is, admittedly, excellent

Iris Plus GPU gives it the graphics oomph of a discrete GPU ; Kickstand folds back, almost flat ; If you loved the Surface Pro 4, you'll love the new Surface Pro

Surface Pro doesn't skimp on price ; Battery life is nowhere near promised 13.5 hours