Microsoft Surface Pro Unboxing and Initial Impressions: Surpassed our Expectations!

Microsoft Surface Pro Unboxing and Initial Impressions: Surpassed our Expectations!

We unbox the Microsoft Surface Pro!
We unbox the Microsoft Surface Pro!

Microsoft Surface Pro (128GB) Unboxing

We’ve been aching to get our hands on a Microsoft Surface Pro ever since it was announced. The idea of a tablet that has Ultrabook specs and capabilities is just so appealing to us, especially since it can function as an all-around mobile blogging and gaming station. Fortunately a local online shop, Galleon.ph, actually offers the Microsoft Surface Pro (128GB)! A few days ago the device finally arrived at the Unbox HQ. We’re definitely going to do a full review but for now we’d like to share with you guys our initial impressions and unboxing experience.

Microsoft Surface Pro Spec Sheet

  • 3rd Generation Intel Core i5 CPU
  • Intel HD Graphics 4000
  • 4GB DDR3 RAM
  • 128GB SSD (89GB for user usage)
  • 10.6-inches ClearType HD Display, 1920×1080 pixels
  • Front and rear-facing cameras, records 720p HD video
  • USB 3.0, microSDXC card reader, MiniDisplay Port
  • WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows 8 Pro
  • 42 W-h battery
  • Comes with Surface Pen
  • Touch Cover NOT included

Microsoft definitely knows how to package their hardware

What the box looks like
What the box looks like

Unlike most tech products which are crammed in boxes almost similar to their size, the Surface Pro comes in a rather big white box with a black carton sleeve and then wrapped in plastic. Since we were kinda excited to get our grubby paws on the Surface Pro, we tore the plastic away and then slid out the white box from the black sleeve. The white box has a nice “Surface” logo printed on it in blue.

What the white box looks like
What the white box looks like

We removed the tape from the side and flipped the box open. We were immediately greeted by the gorgeous black screen of the Microsoft Surface Pro. Just by looking at it we knew that it was bigger and probably heftier than the new Apple iPad or the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1.

Beside the Surface Pro was the charging brick and the accompanying cables. Beneath the Surface Pro we found the Surface pen and a bunch of manuals and certificates.

Hello there sezzy.
Hello there sezzy.
Surface Pen uses WACOM technology. It can magnetically attach itself to the charging port of the Surface Pro.
Surface Pen uses WACOM technology. It can magnetically attach itself to the charging port of the Surface Pro.

Microsoft definitely thought out all the elements of the Surface Pro, including the charging brick. Not only does it charge the Microsoft Surface Pro, it also has an extra USB slot so that you can simultaneously charge your smartphone with just one outlet. This might seem trivial but the devil is always in the details and we hope that Microsoft will continue to make hardware with this kind of philosophy.

Surface Pro charging brick. Can charge your Surface and your smartphone at the same time!
Surface Pro charging brick. Can charge your Surface and your smartphone at the same time!

This might seem trivial but the devil is always in the details and we hope that Microsoft will continue to make hardware with this kind of philosophy.

You’re probably wondering right now where the Touch Cover is. Unfortunately it’s not included with the Surface Pro. You will have to order it separately. We didn’t bother getting the Touch Cover though since we heard not-so-good reviews about it so we went instead for the keyboard cover with tactile keys. Sweet.

Simple box packaging for the Surface Type Cover
Simple box packaging for the Surface Type Cover

Anyway, now that we have the unboxing out of the way let’s dive right into our initial impressions of the hardware and software of the Microsoft Surface Pro!

Hardware Check: It’s more of an Ultrabook than a Tablet

Hello there, beautiful.
Hello there, beautiful.

The Microsoft Surface Pro is thicker and heavier than your usual tablet. That’s the compromise so that they could stuff in a full Ultrabook PC inside it. The body of the device is made from liquified and re-bonded metal which Microsoft lovingly calls VaporMG. It feels sturdy, solid, cool, and quite smooth to touch. At the back you’ll find the “Kickstand” as well which Microsoft played up to have the acoustics of the closing of the door of a luxury car.

Kickstand in action
Kickstand in action

You’ll find all of the ports and controls along the sides of the machine: USB 3.0, volume rocker, headphone jack, Power Sleep, mini, magnetic charging port, and a microSDXC card reader. Along the sides is also the ventilation system of the unit (there’s a ridge that runs along the sides).

In front is the 10.6-inches Corning Gorilla Glass screen. We were quite amazed with the quality of the display when we turned it on. Microsoft knocked it out of the park with their ClearType HD Display at 1920×1080 resolution. Images, videos, and text all looked crisp and very detailed, almost as if at any second they’re gonna jump out of the Surface and into the real world.

Microsoft Surface Pro with the Type Cover attached. Perfect combo.
Microsoft Surface Pro with the Type Cover attached. Perfect combo.

So you guys get a better idea of what it looks like, check out the Microsoft Surface Pro TVC below. I personally don’t get it (whatever they’re trying to say with this TVC).

We’ll chime in more on the hardware once we do the full review next week.

Software Check: It’s a Full Blown Ultrabook

If there’s one thing that’s going for the Microsoft Surface Pro it’s what’s inside it. The device runs on specs that you’ll find on Ultrabooks: a third generation Intel i5 processor, 4GB DDR3 RAM, Intel HD 4000 graphics, and Microsoft Windows 8 Pro. Most of what you can do with a laptop, you can do with the Microsoft Surface Pro. Yes, that includes Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm, Diablo 3, or even doing complicated spreadsheets on Excel and flashy presentations on PowerPoint.

Windows Tiles interface. You can just tap on the "Desktop" icon to shift to Desktop mode.
Windows Tiles interface. You can just tap on the “Desktop” icon to shift to Desktop mode.
Full desktop mode.
Full desktop mode.
Yes, it can run Starcraft II. Note that you can actually attach almost any USB powered accessory or peripheral to it. Here we have Razer gear.
Yes, it can run Starcraft II. Note that you can actually attach almost any USB powered accessory or peripheral to it. Here we have Razer gear.

As proof to how productive one can be on the Surface Pro, we’ve actually written the last 5 articles here on Unbox and iUnboxMo.com on it and not on our MBP. That includes importing and editing the photos on the Surface Pro, mind you.

Oh, and we finished Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign mode on it as well, hehe.

Full Review Coming Soon!!!

As far as initial impressions go we’re completely blown away by the Microsoft Surface Pro. The specs combined with the form factor lends itself to being a powerful mobile productivity and gaming machine. It has so much potential that we have the confidence to use it as our primary work machine for the next week. Let’s see if it can really deliver!

The Microsoft Surface Pro is available on Galleon.ph. Just hop on to their site if you want to order one. Don’t forget to also order a Type or Touch Cover!

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