Microsoft Surface Pro 2017 WiFi (8GB + 256GB) Review | 168 Data compared

The Microsoft Surface Pro (2017) is a refined, fanless iteration of the Pro 4, offering improved performance with 7th-gen Intel processors and a versatile 165-degree "Studio Mode" hinge for the Surface Pen. The 12.3-inch PixelSense display provides superb color accuracy, complemented by a comfortable Alcantara keyboard and reliable Windows Hello facial recognition. Despite these strengths, the device lacks modern USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports and carries a high total cost due to required, separately purchased accessories. GadgetGuy

The Microsoft Surface Pro (2017) is a refined, incremental update featuring a 165-degree hinge, softer edges, and a completely fanless, silent Core i5 model. Performance is strong, delivering true laptop power with improved battery life, while the high-brightness 3:2 PixelSense display remains a top feature. Despite these, the device faces criticism for lacking USB Type-C and for leaving essential items, like the excellent Type Cover and Surface Pen, as pricey, separate accessories.

The 2017 Microsoft Surface Pro represents a refined "top-drawer experience" featuring superior build quality, a 165-degree "Studio Mode" hinge, and an excellent 12.3-inch PixelSense display. Performance-driven improvements include faster 7th-gen Intel Core processors, a near-silent fanless design on lower-end models, and significantly improved, true "all-day" battery life. While the updated Surface Pen and Alcantara Type Cover are lauded, the absence of USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 and the high cost of essential, separately sold accessories are noted as primary drawbacks.

The 2017 Microsoft Surface Pro is described as a thoughtful refinement featuring a lighter design, improved 165-degree hinge, and an exceptional 12.3-inch PixelSense display. Performance is boosted by 7th-gen Intel processors, with the Core i5 model offering a fanless, silent experience. However, the device faces criticism for lacking USB-C/Thunderbolt ports and for selling the essential keyboard and pen separately, significantly increasing the total cost. While deemed the "gold standard" of hybrids, the high price makes it a difficult recommendation over traditional laptops.

The 2017 Microsoft Surface Pro is highlighted by Tech Advisor as a premier 2-in-1, featuring exceptional build quality, a 12.3-inch PixelSense display, and a redesigned hinge allowing a 165-degree "Studio mode". Performance improvements from 7th-gen Intel processors offer a responsive experience, with the i5 model operating silently, while enhanced battery life and an upgraded, highly responsive Surface Pen improve usability. However, the device lacks modern USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 connectivity and carries a high price tag, compounded by the exclusion of the essential keyboard and pen from the base cost.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is hailed as a top-tier Windows-on-Arm device, earning 4.5/5 stars for its exceptional performance, stunning 2.8K OLED display, and over 14 hours of battery life. It features improved hardware with a 1440p webcam and a high-quality, lightweight build, offering a viable alternative to the iPad Pro. Key advantages include nearly doubled battery longevity compared to previous Intel models and silent operation due to the Snapdragon X Elite chip. The new Surface Flex Keyboard, which allows for detached wireless use, further enhances the user experience. However, the device faces limitations with some app compatibility requiring Prism emulation and high-priced, separate accessories for the keyboard and pen. Additionally, reviewers found the current Copilot+ AI features underdeveloped and noted the absence of a headphone jack.

The 2017 Microsoft Surface Pro is described as an incremental but highly refined update that cements its position as the "gold standard" for 2-in-1 Windows tablets, featuring a 165-degree "Studio Mode" hinge and faster 7th-generation Intel processors. Key improvements include a, largely fanless design, enhanced battery life lasting over 13 hours, and a high-resolution 12.3-inch PixelSense display. However, the device notably lacks USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 ports, and the necessary Type Cover and Surface Pen are sold separately, increasing the total cost.

The 2017 Surface Pro refines Microsoft’s tablet-laptop hybrid with Intel’s 7th-generation Kaby Lake processors, enabling a fanless design on m3 and i5 models and a 165-degree "Studio Mode" hinge. Key advantages include a 12.3-inch PixelSense display and a 50% improvement in battery life, alongside a comfortable Alcantara Type Cover. However, the review cites the lack of a USB-C port as a significant drawback, while the high cost of accessories—specifically the separately sold Surface Pen and Type Cover—dampens its overall value. Despite these issues, it is recognized as a top-tier convertible with improved performance.

The 2017 Microsoft Surface Pro review from The Guardian identifies the device as a refined, premium hybrid that acts as the "gold standard" for Windows tablets, featuring a improved kickstand with 165-degree "Studio Mode" and fanless, quiet processors. Key advantages highlighted include a brilliant 12.3-inch PixelSense display, improved battery life lasting over 6.5 hours, and fast, secure Windows Hello facial recognition. However, the review cites significant drawbacks, including the notable absence of a USB-C port for future-proofing and a high total cost, as essential accessories like the Type Cover and Surface Pen are sold separately. While the keyboard experience is praised, the device’s "lappability" is noted to be less stable than a traditional laptop.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 5 (2017) upgrades the tablet experience with over 800 new internal parts, featuring 7th-gen Intel Kaby Lake processors that allow for a fanless, silent design in a familiar form factor. The 12.3-inch PixelSense display provides enhanced color mode for improved visual depth, while the redesigned, 165-degree hinge allows for a specialized "drafting table" mode. Enhanced battery life (exceeding 13 hours) and the comfortable Alcantara-covered Type Cover are key improvements, although the high cost and the exclusion of the Surface Pen/Type Cover remain drawbacks.

The 2017 Microsoft Surface Pro is lauded as the "ideal fully realized" hybrid, featuring a 12.3-inch PixelSense display and high performance capable of running Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Pros include the refined, flexible hinge supporting "Studio Mode" and a fanless design on Core m3/i5 models. However, the review notes a significant con: the essential Type Cover and Surface Pen are not included, forcing additional purchases. Further disadvantages include the lack of USB-C or Thunderbolt ports, despite a 50% improvement in battery life offering up to 13.5 hours of video playback. Targeted at professionals needing portability, this "gold standard" 2-in-1 excels at productivity, though the lack of bundled accessories remains a major drawback.

The 2017 Business Insider review praises the Microsoft Surface Pro as a versatile, "killer device" that combines laptop power with tablet portability, boasting 7th-generation Intel processors for improved performance and a superior, flexible kickstand for studio mode. While the high-resolution display and improved, albeit lower than advertised, battery life are key pros, the review highlights significant cons, including the added expense of purchasing the Type Cover and Pen separately, alongside a lack of modern USB-C ports. Ultimately, while it serves as a robust desktop replacement running full Windows 10, the device still faces limitations in lap-based usability.

The Telegraph describes the 2017 Microsoft Surface Pro as a refined "class act" and a polished sequel, featuring a sleek design with rounded edges and a 165-degree hinge for "Studio Mode". Key pros include a high-resolution 12.3-inch PixelSense display, improved battery life compared to the Surface Pro 4, and significantly better performance with the 4,096-level pressure-sensitive Surface Pen. However, notable cons include the high cost, as the Type Cover and Pen are sold separately, and the lack of a USB-C port, which restricts future-proofing.

The PCWorld review of the 2017 Microsoft Surface Pro highlights an incremental update featuring 7th-gen Intel Kaby Lake processors, increased graphics performance, and a fanless design for Core i5/m3 models, all housed in a familiar chassis with a 165-degree "Studio Mode" hinge. While praised for its vibrant 12.3-inch display and over 13 hours of battery life, the device received a 3.5-star rating due to the exclusion of USB-C and Thunderbolt ports, a major limitation in future-proofing. A significant drawback is the increased cost of ownership, as the Surface Pen is no longer included and the necessary Alcantara Type Cover is sold separately, making the total price comparable to high-end laptops.

The 2024 Microsoft Surface Pro (11th Edition) features a refined, ultra-slim design with an exceptional optional OLED display, the new Bluetooth-enabled Surface Flex Keyboard, and superior Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X chips, this Windows tablet offers "Copilot+ PC" AI features, though its overall performance is slightly limited by thermal constraints in the fanless, thin chassis. The transition to an Arm processor presents mixed results, with native apps running well, but some AI features feeling unpolished and legacy software encountering compatibility issues. While battery life is significantly improved, lasting over 14 hours in testing, it is shorter than some Snapdragon-powered laptops. PCMag concludes that the premium tablet, with its high cost and necessary accessories sold separately, serves as an "early adopter" device for Windows on Arm. The review advises a "wait-and-see" approach for most, as the software ecosystem and AI features mature.

The 2017 Microsoft Surface Pro (reviewed by PCMag) is described as a premium 2-in-1, featuring a high-quality "PixelSense" display and significantly improved battery life, which lasts for nearly 14 hours in tests. The device is highly versatile for creatives due to the 165-degree hinge, improved 4,096-level pressure-sensitive Pen, and the comfortable, optional Alcantara Signature Type Cover. Despite its performance, the review highlights that the high total cost is a significant downside, as the necessary Type Cover and Surface Pen are sold separately. Connectivity is also limited by the lack of USB-C, offering only a single USB 3.0 port and a mini DisplayPort. Copy

T3 praises the 2017 Microsoft Surface Pro as a versatile, high-end hybrid with a brilliant, functional design featuring an improved kickstand and excellent Type Cover. The device shines in its refined build quality, improved battery life, and powerful, quiet performance from 7th-gen Intel processors. However, the review notes that the high total cost, lack of USB-C or Thunderbolt 3, and poor lap-based stability are significant drawbacks. Copy

CNET's review of the 2017 Microsoft Surface Pro hails the device as a refined, "evolutionary" update and the gold standard for Windows hybrids. While the design remains similar to its predecessor, it features rounded edges, an enhanced 165-degree hinge for "studio mode," and seventh-gen Intel processors that allow for a fanless, quiet design on Core m3 and i5 models. Key improvements center on improved battery life, exceeding eight hours in tests, and a redesigned Surface Pen with higher, 4,096-level pressure sensitivity. The primary cons focus on the lack of USB-C or Thunderbolt ports and the exclusion of the Surface Pen from the box, which, along with the required Type Cover, significantly increases the total cost. Furthermore, the device is still considered less comfortable to use on a lap compared to traditional laptops. Copy