Sony Xperia Z4 tablet review

   Sony might not be the first to come to mind when you think about tablets, but if you're in the market for a stellar Android model, you should pay attention to its latest release. The Xperia Z4 tablet, not to be confused with the Xperia Z4 smartphone, is a skinny and powerful 10-inch tablet that's both dust- and waterproof.
One of the best reasons to pick an Android gadget (and skip on comparable iOS or Windows devices) is the freedom to tweak it to your heart's desire. Rocking a colorful overlay full of useful customization features, the Z4 takes full advantage of this flexibility.
Whether it's the option to organize the app tray layout by apps most commonly used or the ability to launch Spotify as soon as you connect your headphones, what sets the Xperia Z4 apart is its considerable customization opportunities.

A touch of waterproof durability goes a long way.

Solid Android tablets with a chic design, powerful performance and razor-sharp HD screen are a dime a dozen, but one that hand delivers all the personalization options natively (without having to download any additional apps) like the Xperia Z4, are harder to find.

Speaking of hard to find, although the tablet is currently on sale in the UK for £499 -- and available on Expansys for the same price -- Sony has not made an official announcement regarding official pricing or availability in the US or AU. US shoppers can find the Wi-Fi-only model on Amazon without the keyboard for $699 and with it for $759. The standalone LTE variant starts at $799 and the LTE model with the keyboard will run you $849.

In Australia the LTE variant of the Z4 is a Telstra exclusive, available outright for the bizarre prices of AU$888 or on plan from AU$62 per month. The Wi-Fi only model will arrive in late September at Sony stores and online, for AU$799.

Features

Running the latest available version of Google's operating system, Lollipop 5.0 , the Xperia Z4 features an overlay that slightly modifies the Android experience. It's no complete overhaul like you'd find in the Lenovo Yoga 10 , but the alterations are evident.

You can organize your apps in whatever way you want.

While not a flashy feature, one of the best aspects of the UI is the easy ability to customize how you interact with your Xperia Z4. You can modify practical things, like choosing which settings buttons you'd like quick access to via the pull-down menu, accessible by swiping down from the top of the tablet, or you can change how the apps in your app tray are organized.

You can also customize more complicated matters. Smart Connect is a preloaded app that allows you to tell your Xperia tablet what to do when you connect or disconnect an accessory. You create "events" that trigger a certain response from the tablet. You can set the tablet to automatically launch your running playlist when connected to headphones between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., or set the volume to max whenever connected to the charger, ensuring you won't miss any notifications.

When tethered to the Bluetooth keyboard, a small taskbar on the bottom-left corner of the screen appears. It's customizable -- you can hand-pick which apps appear in it, and you get a maximum of 18. This is an easy way to open your most-used apps instead of finding the shortcut on your homescreen or making your way to the app tray. I found it very helpful and used it often.

If you own other Sony products, like a TV, Xperia phone or PlayStation, the tablet can also seamlessly work with those devices. For example, you can mirror the tablet's screen onto your Sony TV or Xperia phone, and if connected to a PS4 via the preloaded PS App, the Z4 can be utilized as a controller, a second screen, or as a keyboard for text entry.

Customizing the taskbar is everything but taxing.

Hardware

The Sony Xperia Z4 tablet houses a 2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 64-bit octa-core processor, Adreno 430 GPU, 3GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal memory, and a microSD card slot that can store up to an additional 128 GB. Other features include Bluetooth 4.1, FM radio and NFC connectivity.

Our review unit was an LTE variant of the Sony Xperia Z4 tablet. There's no information on where the tablet will be available, let alone which carriers will offer it, so at the time of review we were unable to evaluate the feature.

The microSD and SIM card slots are hidden behind a cover.

Performance

Considering its high-end specs, the Sony Xperia Z4's performance is unsurprisingly stellar. Basic tasks, like checking email, streaming video, or browsing the Web are smooth like butter and even large apps and games run without a hitch.

The Sony Xperia Z4's gaming performance ranks it among the best. This is good news for those interested in mobile gaming, as well as those that want to use the Sony tablet in conjunction with their PS4 gaming console. Graphics are sharp and smooth, and gameplay rarely encounters a hiccup.

The 10-inch screen boasts a 2,560x1,600-pixel resolution display with a wide range of colors that appear lifelike. HD content on the 2K screen looks splendid and even the UI itself is great to look at when adding widgets to your home screens or changing the theme of its appearance.

You'll find a front-facing 5.1-megapixel camera that satisfies for video conferencing and selfies as well as an 8-megapixel camera on the back. For both, colors are a bit washed out, and graininess is prevalent. I wouldn't recommend using either much, unless you like playing with camera features.

The Xperia Z4 rocks an excellent screen

The features built into the native camera app range in usefulness, but they add a unique, fun element to the otherwise drab pair of cameras. In addition to your typical scene modes, the Xperia Z4 has camera apps. They range from wacky to practical, but since the photo quality isn't that great, I enjoyed the wacky options more.

One of the most interesting camera apps is the AR mask, mostly because it's so odd that it's captivating. Using the front-facing camera, you can transform your face into an animal, or even take a photo of a friend and use that as a mask. It makes for some interesting results.

The creative effect app also included its own array of interesting filters. Aside from the expected black-and-white and pencil-sketch filters, there's a trippy kaleidoscope mode that makes the most mundane environments a work of art and a cool comic book one that, well, makes it look like you're inside of a comic book.

The Sony Xperia Z4 tablet houses a 6000 mAh battery with a purported video playback time of 17 hours. After testing it in the CNET Lab by looping a local video in airplane mode, the Z4 averaged 10.8 hours.

What about the competition?

It might appear expensive when compared to the slew of budget tablets available, but the pricing places it right in the wheelhouse of its competition. The chart below reflects current pricing according to availability in the US and UK. This review will be updated with any relevant information that Sony provides us.

The Microsoft Surface 3 and Apple iPad Air 2 are not made in 32GB models, so we included the 64GB versions, taking into consideration that although both the Sony Xperia Z4 and Dell Venue 10 7000include only 32GB of native storage, each has a microSD card slot that makes an upgrade to 64GB a mere $14 away.

Note, the keyboard included in the pricing for the iPad Air 2 is the Logitech Type+ keyboard case (not available via the UK Apple Store), which is suggested by the Apple Store and comparable in function to the Surface 3's and Venue 10 7000's proprietary keyboards. However, there are many other options for the Apple iPad available.

An Android alternative to the Xperia Z4 lies within the similarly sleek Dell Venue 10 7000 . With comparable performance, aesthetics play a part in which 10-inch Android tablet you might prefer; in contrast to the streamlined and skinny build of the Xperia Z4, the Venue 10 7000's slim figure deviates from the norm with a chunky rounded spine, for ergonomic grip support. The Venue 10 7000 also offers a Bluetooth keyboard (sold separately). However the Dell's keyboard fits and works like a dream when attached to the tablet, and it makes the Xperia Z4's keyboard looks like a homely afterthought. As an Android-based workstation, the Dell Venue 10 7000's design outshines that of the Sony Xperia Z4.

If you're open to a different operating system, the Apple iPad Air 2 and Microsoft Surface 3 are two comparable powerhouses. The Surface 3 runs a full version of Windows 8.1 -- soon to run Windows 10 -- meaning it can run any Windows program, and its signature keyboard case is highly lauded for being fashionable and functional. The Xperia Z4 is slimmer and thinner than the Surface 3, and the Google Play store offers more apps than the Windows Store, but the Microsoft tablet is also a better workstation thanks to its cleverly constructed keyboard.

The Apple iPad Air 2 is arguably the most popular tablet, making a comparison between it and the Xperia Z4 a necessary evil. Performance between the two is comparable in speed and consistency, however the Xperia Z4 excels in gaming graphics, and it weighs a little less than the Air 2. If you're already invested in the iOS ecosystem, the choice to opt for an iPad is easy. The Sony tablet is a better alternative if you prefer the Android operating system or if you're big on gaming -- the PS4 compatibility is a huge plus.

Conclusion

The Sony Xperia Z4 is currently one of the best Android tablets out there. Not only is it a well-constructed powerful performer with a stunningly sharp screen, its thoughtful overlay puts the control of the Android experience in the hands of the user in a remarkably accessible manner. In the end, the modifications to the interface render the Sony tablet a better option for less tech savvy users. Sure, you can download apps that replicate the fancy features of the Xperia Z4, but if you don't have the time, patience, or will to parse through the Google Play store for those alternatives, the Z4 conveniently offers myriad ways to adjust the tablet's functions to your liking for maximum usability -- and enjoyment.

iPad Air 2 review

     When Apple introduced the 9.7-inch iPad Pro on March 21, 2016, it seized the mantle of best iPad ever. The spitting image of the celebrated iPad Air 2, this smaller sibling of the original iPad Pro brings to the table a marvelous combination of form factor perfection and cutting-edge specs. Noteworthy features include a blazing fast processor; killer cameras (front and rear); an enhanced, antireflective display; and support for Apple's Pencil and Smart Keyboard. With a near-perfect balance between tablet power and portability, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is pricy, sure, starting at $599 -- but also the new gold standard in the tablet category.
That noted, the iPad Air 2, the progenitor of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro design, remains arguably the better value. It costs $100 less and has virtually everything a conventional user needs in a tablet. With a keyboard accessory, it's a great portable writing tool -- unlike the iPad Mini 2 and Mini 4, which are both just a tad too small for keyboards. Its screen is well-suited to watching movies. And it handles multitasking a bit better than the Mini 4.
As Scott Stein suggests in his review of the new iPad Pro, this may be why Apple put the "Pro" in the iPad Pro -- these high-performance models are not for everyone. Yes, they're fast -- and especially great for creative professionals who are going to use their Pencil add-ons. But the upgrades come with a hefty price tag, and many folks would be better off spending that amount of money on a nice laptop.
Given this, the iPad Air 2 is still the Goldilocks in Apple's tablet lineup. We awarded it a CNET Editors' Choice in October 2014, and we heartily re-endorse it now, more than two years later.

Perfect size for reading, writing and viewing

The real reason I recommend the Air 2 over all other iPads is it strikes the perfect balance between a reading/playing/viewing tablet and something a bit more productive. It can be carried pretty easily in one hand and feels like reading a softcover book. Magazines and feature articles look good on its screen. Movies -- even letterboxed ones -- look sharp. But it's big enough to do some work on. Apps run side-by-side in splitscreen (Split View) mode work well, and with a keyboard attached it's a solid portable writing machine. My favorite case right now is Belkin's QODE Ultimate Pro -- it offers protection, a great backlit keyboard and two different tilt angles. With one of these on, the iPad Air 2 is nearly a tiny laptop without a trackpad, and a great emergency device to always have on me.

Even after weeks with the larger iPad Pro, the Air 2 seems fine to me. It even seems cozier and a lot more portable.

Split View apps offer split-screen, and it works really well.

iOS 9 runs perfectly, and adds new tricks

iOS 9 adds a few great new tricks to what the Air 2 can do; Split View is the best of them. Apps can be placed side-by-side for real multitasking, in one of several set orientations. Not all apps can use Split View (only ones that have been updated to allow for it), which can be frustrating. But more are being added all the time, and those that are optimized for split-screen are great. For email, Twitter, or even pulling up a calculator on the fly, it makes for a lot more efficiency.

Picture-in-picture video is also new to iOS 9, and it means the Air 2 can be used to follow livestreamed events -- or just regular old Web video -- in apps that support the feature. I've found it works fairly well via Safari browser windows while doing other things.

Picture-in-picture viewing: "Mulholland Drive," meet "The Southern Reach Trilogy."

The A8X processor in the Air 2 doesn't skip a beat doing any of these things, and all apps I throw at it run wonderfully. It's faster than the iPad Mini 4, and it doesn't even seem slow compared to the more powerful iPad Pro right now (mainly because the Pro doesn't have a ton of optimized apps yet).

Battery life, meanwhile, hits right around Apple's rated lifespan of about 10 hours between charges. You can use the iOS 9 battery-saving feature to extend that as needed, and standby time is especially good. In other words, this iPad will get you through a transcontinental flight with juice to spare, and you won't have to recharge it as often as your phone.

Still the best all-around iPad for now

There are other, more affordable options when it comes to tablets: lots of Android alternatives, Chromebooks and a fair bunch of full-fledged Windows 10 laptops, some as cheap as $200. The iPad doesn't match up as a budget pick, but it's still the king of tablets because of the sheer number of high-quality iPad apps that exist. At the same time, iOS 9 has made some necessary strides towards making the iPad a lot more useful.

And no, not everyone needs a tablet -- especially if you're happy with one of those devices listed above, or even an older iPad model. But if you're considering a new one, the Air 2 doesn't feel old -- it's great, balancing out productivity with useful reading, viewing and gaming apps. The Mini 4 and Pro feel too pushed to one side or the other. In fact, only specialists lusting after the super-accurate Pencil stylus would have a pressing need to upgrade to the considerably more expensive Pro models.

Bottom line: even in this iPad Pro era, the iPad Air 2 still delivers the best bang for the buck.

iPad Mini 4 review

    The iPad Mini 4 is a tinier, slightly less powerful iPad Air 2. That's basically all you need to know about this tablet, the 7.9-inch screen model which has been available since October 2015. I started sitting down the Mini 4 again, carrying it around every day in my bag, reading books -- even using it to do work. This, after using Apple's 9.7 inch iPad Pro as my general new go-to tablet. I even wrote this review on it. Which...wasn't fun.
In a world of larger phones and more-capable hybrid laptops and tablets, the iPad Mini feels less relevant than it used to. And while it's the best of Apple's small iPads, with a still-really-nice design, it's not the tablet I'd choose to carry around anymore. And Apple's iPad pricing no longer favors it.
Since I first reviewed it last year, Apple has adjusted the pricing in its iPad line, pitting the iPad Air 2 as an identically priced alternative. And with that value change in mind, I wanted to ask the question: Is the Mini 4 a tablet you should still consider? (In Australia the pricing is similar, but not identical. You'll get the Mini 4 starting at AU$569 compared to AU$599 for the Air 2.)
To that end, here's what you should know.

iPad Mini 4 next to the Air 2.

It's the more powerful, better featured of Apple's two Mini iPads. Compared to 2014's iPad Mini 2, the Mini 4 has a better screen, better camera, faster processor and a Touch ID fingerprint sensor. (According to Apple, the 4's CPU is 1.3 times faster, and its graphics performance is 1.6 times faster than those of the Mini 2.) It can also handle split-screen apps, which can come in handy for checking email or Twitter while working. It's not my favorite iPad. But if you want something small, this is the best option.

It's slower than the iPad Air 2. The iPad Mini 4 has nearly the same specs as the larger Air 2 -- except for its graphics processor, which is more than one-third slower. You can feel it when playing some games (the frame rate is a little slower on some titles), and even when switching apps. Things that feel a little more buttery-smooth on the Air 2 don't always feel as zippy here. And while it has 2GB of RAM, multitasking doesn't feel as snappy or responsive as it should for a year-old tablet. It's a good tablet. It's not a great one.

The battery life's not quite as good as the other Mini. Apple has two iPad Minis, but if you care about the longest battery life, get the Mini 2. Apple claims 10 hours across all its iPads, but the actual results on our video-playback tests in airplane mode show some differences. The Mini 4 lasted 9 hours 34 minutes. The Mini 2 lasted 11 hours, 20 minutes.

one thing you can do : multitask

The Mini 4 costs just as much as the faster, bigger Air 2. At $399, £319 and $AU$569 for 16GB (and $499/£399/AU$699 for the 64GB model you really want), it's the exact same cost as the iPad Air 2 (following the March price cuts after the iPad Pro's release). The Air 2 is a year older, but it has slightly better specs. Both the Mini 4 and Air 2 have the same pixel resolution, but the Mini 4 packs that in a smaller size. Advantage, or disadvantage? Depends, really. For writing and productivity apps, it can get annoying. But you're not getting an 8-inch tablet for productivity, are you?

There are plenty of cheaper, "good enough" iPad alternatives. As always, it's worth remembering that there are plenty of other small, cheap tablets (Amazon's Fire tablets, Samsung Galaxy Tab A) available for less than the iPad Mini 4. You can even get, say, a Chromebook and an HP Stream Windows laptops for the price of a single Mini 4. So if you're just looking for a small portable convenient computing device -- something for email, web browsing, Facebook and Netflix -- be sure to look beyond the Apple name. (Of course, alternatives are moot if you prefer the way the iPad's familiar, easy interface works so well with your other Apple devices, or if you are looking for something that's compatible with all the iOS games, apps and iTunes music and video you've already purchased.)

The iPad Mini 2 is a better value -- but it's getting long in the tooth. The Mini 2 is a shrunken-down iPad Air. It gets the job done for basics, but don't expect a speed demon. At $269/£219/AU$369 for 16GB and $319/£259/AU$429, the Mini 2 still feels expensive given those bargain basement non-Apple alternatives above. But it's frequently on sale for under $200 at Walmart and Target. The Mini 4 means spending almost $200 more for the step-up storage version, which is a totally different investment.

If the Mini 4 cost less, I'd love it more. I'd really only use the Mini 4 as a travel reader or entertainment tablet. And it's an expensive buy for that. Now that iPhones are larger, the need for a smaller iPad has diminished. I used to love its size, but when I carry an iPad I like versatility. For me, that's the Air 2.

And writing a review on this tiny iPad is making my fingers cramp.

iPad Pro 9.7-inch review

   Take last year's largest-ever iPad, shrink it down to the more traditional 9.7-inch size, add an even better camera and screen, and you've got the new 2016 iPad Pro. It starts at $599, £499 or AU$899 for the 32GB Wi-Fi model -- and it's the iPad I'd buy if I were in the market for a new tablet right now.
But if I already had an iPad air 2, I'd hold off unless I really needed the drawing features enabled by Apple's excellent Pencil stylus .
I'm writing this on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro with its Smart Keyboard sitting on my lap. On a plane. The keyboard's comfy. It's not backlit, but I can guess the keys by touch pretty well. The display is beautifully crisp and vibrant. And it runs a magic mix of work tools and fun stuff. I can read easily. I can play games. I can watch movies. It's extremely convenient.
I've used the Air 2 and a Belkin keyboard case as my go-to for a while now. It's a compact, convenient combo. And I type on the iPad. Lately, a lot. I use it for taking quick notes, or as a security blanket when my laptop's somewhere else. It comes with me to work.

But the iPad still, despite Apple's insistence on it being the future of computing, isn't a laptop replacement. I can't bring it to a press conference and make it my one machine to cover the event. I can't run the camera-tethering software I need, or easily communicate in a window with my teammates via Google Chat (though I can with Slack), or write and edit and publish stories from my in-browser content tools. I can't even do my corporate expenses on my company's Java-based accounting system. Maybe I could come up with some way it could meet my needs, but it wouldn't really do it the way I'm used to. And that's the point, really. My tools don't always line up with the iPad's tools. The iPad, and its vision of the future of computing, remains stubbornly separate from the Mac, and less multipurpose than a Windows device.

All of those frustrations seem to to belie "Pro" moniker on this iPad. And yet, if I were to pick the iPad that came closest to perfection, it would be this one. It's a portable dream. The tiniest little productivity tool Apple makes. It's got performance, better sound and display, and -- what am I looking for that's really missing?

Nothing, except I want the iPad to be more like a laptop. Just a bit.

Hardware, perfected

Last year's iPad Pro, the 12.9-inch one, was crazy-big -- the biggest iPad to date. I felt like I was carrying a sheet of glass everywhere. But it had some good features, supporting the fantastic-but-expensive pressure-sensitive Pencil stylus, quad speakers and side-connected keyboard accessories. This iPad's got all of those, and even more, in the same-size body as the older Air 2.

Weirdly, this smaller iPad has a few key improvements over the massive 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and they're pretty significant:

Better cameras: Its cameras are entirely better: a 12-megapixel rear camera that can record 4K video (with real flash, no less) and a 5-megapixel front camera with Retina Flash give the 9.7 Pro the same cameras as the iPhone 6S. Does that matter? It does if you're using the iPad as a camera. You might mock the idea of taking pictures on an iPad, but having top-notch cameras on a tablet has no downside. (And for those of us who use the camera as an on-the-fly document scanner, it's definitely an upside.)

Better screen: The iPad Pro's display is fantastic, too. True, it's the same resolution as the older iPad Air 2, but it's gotten markedly better glare reduction, brightness boost and Apple's weird-but-strangely-good-for-reading TrueTone automatic color adjustment. Almost like an automatic and more subtle version of iOS 9.3's Night Shift, this iPad continually adjusts its color temperature to match your environment. It's not annoying, and it's so subtle that it's easy to forget it's working unless you toggle this feature off in settings. Seriously, the antiglare, brightness and color-temperature-adjusting improvements make this iPad far better as an outdoor -- or even indoor -- device.

12.9-inch iPad Pro vs. the 9.7-inch model.

But there are a few little drawbacks compared with the larger iPad Pro. This smaller model has the same A9X processor, but in benchmark tests it runs a bit behind the 12.9-inch version. I doubt any human would notice, though. It also has half the RAM -- 2GB versus 4GB. I haven't seen any issues yet, but for future-proofing, it's frustrating -- RAM helps a lot with multitasking. But one gets the feeling that these features were toned down only to keep this smaller Pro from being a slam-dunk choice over its larger sibling. And, of course, this smaller model has the same pixel density, but fewer pixels. For large-scale art, the 12.9-inch model can simply show more.

That said, while it's less expensive than the larger Pro, the 9.7-incher is still expensive compared with most other tablets. It costs more than previous iPad Airs did. You could spend well over a thousand, if you spring for the highest capacity (an insane 256GB) and built-in LTE cellular wireless, as well as the Pencil and Smart Keyboard.

Battery life, which Apple estimates as being the same as on the iPad Air 2 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (10 hours), lasted 11 hours even on our video playback test with Wi-Fi off at 50 percent brightness. Basically, the battery life is about the same as every other recent iPad: good enough for at least a solid day of use. I've rarely burned more than 50 percent of my battery in a single day.

Spending up for a more futureproof iPad

Why would I get this and not just buy a more affordable iPad, like the still very-good iPad Air 2 -- which Apple just discounted? Well, this is more versatile, I tell myself. And it's simply better. And if you care about drawing or design in any way, the added Pencil functionality means you can use Apple's stellar pressure-sensitive stylus for a growing bunch of apps like Adobe's creative app suite and fiftythree's paper app, my go-to idea-sketching tool.

I'd still recommend the iPad Air 2 for everyday use for most people. Or maybe anyone who doesn't mind getting a year-and-a-half-old tablet. The Air 2 is still good enough to do most things: It can be used to write, and to multitask with split-screen apps, and yes, you can use a less-fancy-but-still-capable capacitive stylus to sketch. You can get a 64GB iPad Air 2 for $100 less ($499, £429 or AU$729) than the entry-level 9.7 iPad Pro, for which -- by the way -- you'll still need to spend $250, £208 or AU$394 to get Apple's Smart Keyboard and Pencil.

Maybe that's why Apple put "Pro" in the iPad Pro. It's not for everyone. But if the iPad and iOS ever choose to grow out and combine for a serious PC-beating device, then this Pro's capabilities might be a good place to start. And, to be sure, this Pro will feel better (and be a better investment) in a year or two, when Apple is releasing iOS 11 and iOS 12.

Still waiting for a leap in software

But for the iPad to truly be better from now on, it needs software and an OS that can let it be a pro tool for anyone at all. More flexibility. Other types of smart connector-compatible accessories, like maybe (dare I say) a trackpad. Or, if someone else had an idea for a pro tool it could snap into, why not make that too? Being pro means having options. To me, at least.

Yes, I want more versatility in iOS. I want Mac OS X to find its way into the iPad, somehow, to dovetail, so I can bring an iPad along with me on a mission-critical event (a business trip, a presentation or -- for me --an Apple keynote) and use it instead of a MacBook. iOS has slowly gotten more adept with split-screen apps, picture-in-picture and a lot more interconnected tools. But the only thing holding the iPad back, at this point, is its software definition of how it chooses to be a computer. Its hardware is damn near perfected.

Consider the Microsoft Surface Pro, which has blended a full Windows 10 world into a tablet and done it just fine. The iPad is long overdue for that type of flexibility. Sure, the iPad has an unbeatable library of apps and a growing flexibility in iOS to handle cloud and locally connected jobs. But it's not the same as a fully flexible computer.

I love the iPad Pro 9.7. It's my favorite iPad. It's the one I'd buy right now. But I really hope Apple steps up and gives it the types of diverse smart connector-enabled accessories and revamped OS that this hardware could use.

The original Mac had a 9-inch screen. This iPad has a 9.7-inch one. There's something in its size that doesn't feel accidental. This iPad could truly be the successor to the Mac -- when Apple lets it be.

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 review

     The new Surface Pro 4 is Microsoft taking a victory lap -- and a well-deserved one at that.
After three generations of pitching "a tablet that can replace your laptop" -- with mixed success -- the formula has finally clicked. The 2015 version of Microsoft's tablet adds the latest Intel processors, a slightly larger screen (perfectly sized at 12.3 inches with a just-right 3:2 aspect ratio), and a handful of hardware and software tweaks, but doesn't radically change the DNA of its predecessor, 2014's excellent Surface Pro 3 . That's a wise move, because at this point, the Surface Pro line is less about pitching the very concept of the tablet PC with a detachable keyboard to wary shoppers, and more about seeing how far it can go in refining the finished product.
Looking at the finely polished Pro 4, it's worth remembering the humble beginnings of the Surface line . Debuting in 2012, Microsoft's line of tablets were, if not outright mocked, then damned by faint praise at best: an overreach by a software-and-services company into the rough-and-tumble world of computer hardware; a Hail Mary response to the megasuccess of Apple's iPad the previous year. Any design innovations -- the snap-on keyboard, the fold-out kickstand -- felt overwhelmed by quirks and compromises. Not the least of which was the choice of operating system: either the much-maligned Windows 8, or the severely limited (and now deservedly extinct) Windows RT. In those early days, the Surface was looking less like an Xbox-style home run for Microsoft, and more a Zune -like fiasco.

But that's all ancient history -- call it the Ballmerzoic Era. The 2014 Surface Pro 3 became what Microsoft always hoped it would be: the flagship device for touch computing on Windows, the go-to alternative for those who wanted both a tablet and a laptop without feeling shortchanged on either front. The Surface Pro 4 refines the hardware formula even further, and with Windows 10 on board rather than Windows 8, the platform's final big compromise evaporates too. Now, the Surface line is the design leader: Apple's upcoming iPad Pro and Google's Pixel C tablets are the ones aping Microsoft's design, adding snap-on keyboards and ramping up the multitasking chops of their touch-first operating systems.

But, as a very refined product, the Surface Pro 4 is not inexpensive. The wide variety of configuration options and accessories mean that its starting price of $899, £749 or AU$1,349 is not very realistic. For that entry price, you get a Surface Pro tablet with an Intel Core M3 CPU, 128GB of solid state storage and 4GB of RAM, plus a touchscreen stylus that magnetically attaches to the side of the screen.

From the handful of systems we've tested with earlier Core M processors from Intel, it's just not what you're looking for from a full-time, all-day, everyday computer. The latest versions may be better, but we have yet to benchmark them in a consumer laptop or tablet. A more suitable choice for most will be the mainstream Intel Core i5. Microsoft has updated the processors across the board in the Surface Pro 4 line to Intel's still-new sixth-generation models, sometimes referred to by the codename Skylake, and a configuration with a Core i5 jumps to $999. Double the storage to 256GB and the RAM to 8GB, and you're at $1,299 (and that is the specific configuration tested here). You could spend more than $2,000 for an even faster Core i7 processor and bigger hard drive.

The Surface Pro 4 next to the Surface Pro 3.
But no matter how much you spend on a Surface Pro 4, when you open the box and set it up, there will be one important missing ingredient. The Type Cover, a slim keyboard and screen protector in one, is still sold separately, no matter which Surface Pro 4 configuration you buy. From the earliest days of the Surface, that keyboard cover has rightly been called out as an impressive engineering feat, and the latest version even improves on that. It now features widely spaced island-style keys (like those found on practically every laptop), and a larger touchpad with a better touch surface.Like the previous Type Covers, it connects via a magnetic hinge along the bottom of the tablet, and folds shut over the cover for easy transport. Also like previous Type Covers, it costs an extra $129, £109 or AU$199. We rarely see a Surface in Microsoft's advertising materials or press previews without the keyboard cover attached, but for some reason, the company still won't pack the most noteworthy part of the Surface ecosystem into the box. For such a premium product, it's an omission that continues to mystify.At least the touchscreen stylus -- improved over last year's version, and magnetically attachable to the tablet's edge -- is included by default. Likewise, the display is a tad larger (12.3 inches diagonally versus 12), without expanding the overall size of the tablet.

The one design issue that Microsoft hasn't changed with the Surface Pro 4 is its "lapability" problem. When the keyboard is attached, its rear kickstand works well on a tabletop -- but typing on your lap or in a crowded airline seat remains a logistical challenge. Instead, Microsoft has addressed this problem with a whole new sister product, the Surface Book . Billed as the "ultimate laptop," it takes some of the Surface Pro's design cues (detachable screen, impressive keyboard) and folds them into a more traditional notebook-style product with a strong hinge that keeps it from tipping back. The Surface Book is cool, and available in even more powerful configurations -- but it lacks the Pro 4's lighter weight and better portability.

Just as the Surface Pro is a full-time tablet and part-time laptop, the Surface Book is a full-time laptop and part-time tablet, and may be what someone looking for a combination of laptop and tablet features is really looking for. Detached from their respective keyboards, the two screens are difficult to distinguish at even a few feet away, and it makes one wonder if the next generation of these products won't be a single high-performance tablet that combines with your choice of a clamshell laptop base or a portable keyboard cover. Now, that would be something that could truly be a no-compromise tablet and laptop at the same time.

Design and features

The Surface tablet line set out its basic design rules with the very first generation of products and has largely stuck to its guns since. What we've seen, instead of wholesale reimagining, is a steady march of improvements to the display and chassis, helping the product feel just a bit more premium with every generation.

The earliest Surface Pro models were 13mm thick, while last year's Surface Pro 3 shaved that down to 9.1mm. This year, we're down to 8.4mm, despite increasing the size of the screen. Both the Surface Pro 3 and Surface Pro 4 are 1.7 pounds (771 grams) by themselves, or 2.5 pounds (1.13 kg) with their keyboard cover and stylus pens attached.

One of the biggest improvements to last year's Surface Pro carries over here: the highly adjustable kickstand, which can be adjusted to nearly any angle between 22 and 150 degrees. The kickstand, which runs the entire width of the system, is stiff enough that it will stay where you put it, and hardly moves at all, even when using your fingers or the pen on the touchscreen.

Missing from the black bezel surrounding the screen this time around is the capacitive Windows logo touch button. In previous Surface models, this moved around from the long edge to the short edge of the system, but always served the same purpose: to take you back to the Windows 8 tile interface. As we're now operating in the Windows 10 world, having a physical home button isn't necessary, although the Windows 10 "tablet mode" is still very similar to what Window 8 looked like.

The pen, almost perfected

Also missing is the awkward plastic loop that used to tether the included stylus (Microsoft calls it a pen) to the keyboard cover. The new pen accessory is a little larger than the previous model, and has a flat edge along one side. This allows it to securely connect to the left or right edge of the tablet via a fairly strong magnetic connection. While it may seem dodgy if you plan on running around all day with your tablet, inserting and removing it from a backpack or shoulder bag, I found that the pen remained securely attached, even in my bag -- although I'd recommend doing frequent spot-checks to make sure it hasn't popped off.

Clicking the eraser-like button on the back of the pen automatically brings up OneNote, Microsoft's preferred app for pen input. If you have all your Microsoft cloud services properly setup, your OneNote files can sync to other devices such as your phone or tablet (with cross-platform support on Android and iOS devices) or laptop (Windows or Mac).

I also used the pen with a variety of other apps, including the built-in Fresh Paint, for drawing and sketching, and the New York Times crossword puzzle app, which took pen input and converted it to printed characters. You can also tap the pen on most text fields, even in a Web browser, and a pop-up box will take handwritten input and convert it to text for Web searches, filling in forms or composing email.

Microsoft says the new pen offers reduced latency, and 1,024 pressure levels. It's excellent overall, and an improvement over last year's version. Aftermarket swappable tips for the pen should appeal to artists looking for a specific feel and size.

But don't take my word for it. We were able to coax comic book writer and artist Dan Parent, best known for his work on "Archie" comics, to test drive both the Surface Pro 4 and the Surface Book. As an illustrator who works both on paper and in programs such as Photoshop, he was impressed by the feel of the Surface Pen and especially its eraser. You can see more of his reactions and a live drawing demo in our video.

The Type Cover is still a must-buy add-on

Looking at the Surface Pro 4 next to previous models, the most obvious generation-over-generation difference may be the keyboard cover. Though sold separately, it's still an integral part of the Surface ecosystem, and it's hard to imagine anyone would purchase a Surface Pro without stumping up the extra $129, £109 or AU$199 for the keyboard accessory.

The new version makes a major change to the keyboard itself, dropping the wide-faced, tightly packed keys of the previous Type Covers, and replacing them with widely spaced, island-style keys that mimic the look and feel of practically every consumer laptop on sale today. In practical terms, it means typing has less of a learning curve, and I was typing accurately on the Surface Pro 4 keyboard right away. On previous versions there was always an adjustment period, and it never felt completely natural.

Also revamped is the touchpad built into the cover. Touchpads on most hybrids are a hit-or-miss affair, and while it was great to have one built into previous Surface covers, it was never more than barely adequate. The new version is a little larger, but more importantly, has a more responsive feel, and a surface coating that feels more like a high-end touchpad, where last year's had a distinct plastic feel. It's still not as responsive as the touchpad on a MacBook, but it's another step in the right direction.

This new keyboard cover retains last year's other big addition, a secondary hinge near the top edge that you can fold the cover along. This lifts the rear up to hold it against the body via a magnetic connection and provides a more natural typing angle.

A bigger, better screen

One area we never had a problem with in previous Surface tablets was with the display. Over the past three years, the screen resolution and size has evolved, most recently going from 12 to 12.3 inches, with a small resolution bump as well, to 2,736x1,824 pixels from 2,160x1,440. The aspect ratio is 3:2, the same as a standard piece of A4 paper, which makes the Surface Pro 4 especially conducive to reading e-books and PDFs, or working on designs and layouts intended for eventual paper use.

The display looks great, even from far side angles, and the higher resolution makes sure you won't see individual pixels, even when reading plain black text on a white background. Apple calls this kind of very high resolution "retina," and has rolled it out across much of its product line. Microsoft calls it "PixelSense," but it's essentially the same concept.

Connections and performance

When you've got a hybrid that's mostly laptop but with a removable screen, such as the Surface Book, there's usually plenty of room for ports and connections. When it's a hybrid that is primarily a tablet, your options suddenly narrow. The Surface Pro 4 fits in a single USB 3.0 port, a Mini DisplayPort for video, a microSD card slot, and an audio jack, which is essentially the same setup as last year's Surface Pro 3. By way of comparison, the Surface Book adds a second USB 3.0 port and has a full-size SD card slot.

Inside, you can choose from Intel Core M, Core i5 or Core i7 processors, all from the latest Skylake generation of chips just hitting products now. Both our Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 review units had the same Intel Core i5 processor, and the same 8GB of RAM.

Not surprisingly, in our benchmark tests, those two units performed nearly identically, and a bit faster than last year's one-generation-behind Surface Pro 3. The Core i5 is going to be your standard mainstream choice, and with it, the Surface Pro 4 could juggle multiple browsers, HD media streaming, office applications and more, without any slowdown. Using Photoshop on high-resolution images was similarly trouble-free. Basic games ran fine as well, although without a dedicated graphics chip, you're restricted to only the most casual of games.

As a tablet, you'd expect the Surface Pro 4 to run all day, but neither the older Surfaces nor this new one are at the bleeding edge when it comes to battery life. In fact, this year's Surface Pro 4 ran for less time in our standard battery drain test than the Surface Pro 3, at 6 hours 32 minutes for the Pro 4 versus 7 hours 46 minutes for last year's Pro 3. This particular test can be tough on some systems, and since last year, we've also had a major OS jump, from Windows 8 to Windows 10.

We went back and re-tested the Surface Pro 3, and after more one year of moderate use, and with a Windows 10 upgrade, it now runs for 6 hour 19 minutes on the same test. Any of these scores should be fine for moderate use through most of the day, but unlike the new Surface Book, there's no extra battery hidden away in the keyboard dock.

Conclusion

Microsoft always called the Surface Pro the tablet that could replace your laptop. And then the company went and made its own laptop, the ambitious new Surface Book. That's fine, because the Surface Pro was never really a laptop anyway. It's an amped up iPad (or iPad Pro), that can also run any Windows software you need, but particularly excels at drawing and sketching apps, and is great for reading and video viewing.

It's lightweight and portable enough to go around with you anywhere, and the hinge and keyboard cover provide lots of flexibility for setting up in potentially awkward spots, although it still doesn't feel quite right on your lap.

The same complaint comes up over and over again, that the keyboard cover isn't included, and a decent configuration costs well over the $899 starting price (the hardware we tested is $1,428, £1,188 or AU$2,198 altogether). But beyond that, the Surface Pro 4 adds some very valuable refinement to last year's already excellent Surface Pro 3, and its only real competition as a showpiece premium detachable hybrid is the still-embryonic Surface Book.