Microsoft continues to rely on its current-gen Surface lineups, even if its fiercest competitor, Apple Inc., is said to be coming out with new flagships this year. Two of the present Microsoft flagships are the Surface Pro 4 and the Surface Book.
Although coming from the same family, what makes the Surface iterations different from each other?
Both Surface flagships act as tablet/laptop hybrids, but in terms of having a workstation feel, Alphr notes that the Surface Book is similar to how a workhorse laptop works and feels like. While the Surface Pro 4 also simulates a laptop with an attached Type Cover, it doesn't feel as solid as the Surface Book.
In terms of build and computing power, the Surface Book also holds all the cards. Its detachable keyboard and the tablet itself hold separate batteries, so even in its laptop mode, it can be used longer than the Surface Pro 4.
However, if the Surface Book is the workhorse of choice for keen professionals who are used to working on laptops, the Surface Pro 4 is said to be the Book's top-tier equivalent in the tablet category. It is true that both Surface products carry almost the same configurations under the hood, from its Intel processor versions to RAM capacity, but the way the Surface Pro 4 is built is an advantage for people who are looking for mobility. Its slim form factor and sleek design are focused on the Surface Pro 4 being a true tablet hybrid; the Surface Book, on the other hand, is still heavier and thicker than the Pro 4 even without its keyboard attachment.
Both the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book were released by Microsoft to cover a wider range of users. The Surface Book aims the professional, mobile office workers while the Surface Pro 4 is more of an all-around yet top-tier slate for casual users.
