Overview
The speaker reviews a five-year-old Microsoft Surface Pro, praising its physical condition and screen but expressing disappointment with its performance, especially compared to modern low-budget laptops. The review provides insights for potential buyers considering used Surface Pros.
Physical Condition and Design
- The Surface Pro looks brand new with no visible scratches or blemishes after five years.
- The screen is vivid, colorful, and has great viewing angles, contributing to an excellent visual experience.
- The type cover, touchpad, and backlit keyboard are highlighted as high-quality features.
- The device has no active fan, resulting in silent operation but limiting cooling performance.
Performance and Usability
- The device feels sluggish, especially when browsing or typing, and performance noticeably drops after opening a few tabs.
- Compared to a modern $350 low-budget laptop, the Surface Pro underperforms significantly in multitasking.
- The model reviewed has a Intel i5 CPU, 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, and none of the components are user-replaceable.
- The i7 version with more RAM suffers from thermal throttling due to passive cooling.
Value and Recommendations for Buyers
- Used Surface Pros typically cost $200 to $350, but a new budget laptop at this price point offers better overall performance.
- The Surface Pro is only recommended if obtained for free or very low cost, such as from work or corporate surplus.
- For those needing Surface-like features, it’s suggested to budget $700–$800 for a refurbished or newer model, possibly with an ARM CPU.
Multimedia and Battery Life
- The screen and speakers are excellent for media consumption such as movies and YouTube.
- Battery shows minimal wear with approximately 200 charge cycles in five years, maintaining respectable longevity (about 5–5.5 hours on video playback).
Use Cases and Audience
- The device is suitable for users prioritizing display quality for presentations, media, or client demonstrations, especially in fields like eye care.
Questions / Follow-Ups
- The speaker invites further questions in the video comment section.