Microsoft Surface Pro 6 Review: Still the best tablet PC

Microsoft's Surface Pro 6 is the ideal hybrid tablet. It's a slate that can run all of the Windows apps you need, and together with its keyboard cover, it can also serve as a solid ultraportable laptop. But honestly, the same was true for last year's Surface Pro, a machine that was mostly a spec bump from 2015's Pro 5.This latest Surface isn't the major redesign we've been waiting for, but it's still a great option for anyone looking for a unique ultraportable PC. And at least it finally comes in black again.

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[ocantor_bc]

I strongly disagree with the redesign idea. Apple sticks to the exact same model for ages and nobody says anything about it. Microsoft got an excellent design with the surface (ahead of its time when it first came out) and they have upgraded it ever since, but why would they change it if it's perfectly good the way it is?

[oSJmee]

MS doesn't need to push anything because the Surface Pro is selling well and the competition is not as strong as the Surface brand.

[colombiantom]

Even though I agree with the redesign comment, I rarely hear people saying the same thing for Apple and they keep the same design for ages.Why do we hold companies to different standards?

[midian]

Needs a major redesign? The fuq you want them to do? Add a unicorn horn. People are so picky. Only so much you can do and change.

[cforcalvin]

well you don’t have to pay for the keyboard currently during pre black friday week. microsoft throws in the keyboard for 799. also costco will throw in the keyboard and the new pen for 799

[marcusm]

This guy knows how to review. I watched many reviews and this man was more detailed and concise than them all combined. A computer savant 👌

[JoseMartinez-fnzq]

I have a Surface Pro 2017 i5 with 4GB of ram that I use all day at work. I use OneNote and write on the screen with my pen throughout the day and project the screen wirelessly for up to 4 hours per day. It is the best computer that I have ever purchased. Recently though, I got into photography and have needed to use photo editing software such as Lightroom and ON1. It is about fast enough, but really needs more ram. So, I did some research and found that an i5 8th gen or i7 7th gen with 16GB would do the job. I wanted to go with another Surface, but could not justify the price when I found a pen enabled convertible Dell with 8GB and a 256GB m.2 SSD for $629. I bought another 8GB of ram for under $100 and am considering adding a second 2.5" HD. I can have two HDs and upgrade the memory to 32 GB. WOW! I have been using Surface computers for a few years and I grew accustomed to not being able to upgrade my computers. Anyway, spec-wise, I got a much better deal because an equivalent Surface would be at least 3 times more.


I tried to use the Dell in the same manner for about a week as I did my Surface...and I found out that the Surface is the better unit, just not for photo editing. So, the Surface goes to work with me and the Dell waits for me to get home.

[YesToCookies]

The Surface Pro has always been a device that I’ve always considered getting, but I never do. It’s great as a laptop obviously, but it’s limited tablet abilities make it less of a 2 in 1 and more of a laptop that doesn’t come with a keyboard as standard.

Personally, I would buy the Surface Pro in a heartbeat if it has more app support for tablet mode. The Windows store right now is very lacking and you can’t really enjoy using social media or playing mobile games that is optimized properly for the touchscreen interface. Of course, you can still access those features through the desktop browser, but you wouldn’t want to do that unless if you have a keyboard and trackpad.

The second thing Microsoft should add is USBC. Seriously, it’s 2019, and yet the Surface Pro still doesn’t have a USBC port.

Finally, I think the keyboard cover should be included with the purchase. If Microsoft is still going to make the Surface Pro more laptop oriented than tablet oriented, they should at least include the keyboard cover in the price.

[JBinu]

I love how you complained about the Pro6 vs the Laptop, especially since they both have the same spec for price whether you decide to go with one or the other. Just because you use your computer one way, doesn't mean someone else wouldn't use it differently. Options for the consumer, how horrid...

[ravenone]

Microsoft not including a pen or keyboard when they price it over a 1k just sucks

[ntech]

Thank you for a calm, clear and straight to the point review. You have great personality.

[TopReview]

This is a great option for anyone seeking tablet form and function, without sacrificing usability with the ports and full OS.

[paulsmile]

Thank you for the review, it's cool . I'm a digital artist . If you can afford the Surface Pro 6, it's the obvious choice for artists on the go. I love my surface . That you can run Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Corel, Krita, everything...run games...do so much more - makes it much better value imo.
Purely on the art side... I might still recommend a professional drawing tablet . I have a XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro drawing tablet with screen 24" and I use it for drawing in Illustrator and like it a lot! Definitely do not regret the purchase, it saves me hours in terms of workflow.

[codyglakers]

Oh my, I can finally put a face to the voice. Good to see you Mr. Hardawar, love The /Filmcast

[TheArchbb]

I've been using SP4 for two years! I'm an average user with occasional use of Adobe PS, Ai, and sometimes render my drone images on photoscan. Guess what, this tablet is just amazing - it handles every task with no problem. I would have enjoyed if there was another USB port, but I have a hub, which has card readers and few more USBs. Oh, forgot to mention that I bought my SP4 used on eBay!

So, I would not upgrade my SP4 with this new version, unless if it had new ports!

[hioe]

I don't get the need for a redesign or aesthetics in a comp. Most gen upgrade are really at its core just spec bumps. Better battery, screen, and speed; sounds like a winner

[NayokeHenji]

watching this on my new surface 6 and I personally love it

[Tigerex]

It was very Vague:
Great video editing though.
So which did he like better the surface laptop 2 or the surface pro 6?

[richardbenes]

What about pen latency, compared to iPad Pro 12.9 and previous versions of Surface?

[jojanberg]

I have the surface 4, surface pro, and surface 6; all 3 are working well and I've used two as my daily driver for 1 year, banging dings into them all over town. Microsoft, if you are somehow reading this little comment, please FFS improve the wifi on this thing. Please.