Microsoft Surface Pro 2From real comments

Verdict distilled from 33 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment83%
PROS 83%
CONS 17%

Rank based on 33 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You need full Windows apps like Office, Photoshop, or MATLAB on a portable tablet
  • You want a digitizer pen for OneNote note-taking and handwriting search
  • You value USB 3.0 expandability and external storage support

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You mainly want a gaming device for demanding titles
  • You're on a tight budget once keyboard and accessories are added
  • You need extended battery life for heavy multitasking

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choiceYou are here
1Premium
Microsoft Surface Pro 2
Runs full Windows desktop appsExcellent pen and OneNote experiencePortable laptop-tablet hybridHigh price with accessoriesAccessory wear over timeUncertain performance with heavy 3D software
Microsoft Surface Pro 2
Runs full Windows desktop apps
Excellent pen and OneNote experience
Portable laptop-tablet hybrid
High price with accessories
Accessory wear over time
Uncertain performance with heavy 3D software
2Premium
Versatile laptop-tablet hybridImproved pen and inking experience120Hz display and screen qualityHigh price, especially with accessoriesInconsistent battery lifeReliability and repair concerns
Versatile laptop-tablet hybrid
Improved pen and inking experience
120Hz display and screen quality
High price, especially with accessories
Inconsistent battery life
Reliability and repair concerns
3Premium
Fast, snappy performanceHigh overall price
Fast, snappy performance
High overall price
4Premium
Versatile 2-in-1/tablet form factorPowerful hardware in tiny form factorGreat for travel and portabilityPoor battery lifeHigh priceUncomfortable as a tablet - heavy and hot
Versatile 2-in-1/tablet form factor
Powerful hardware in tiny form factor
Great for travel and portability
Poor battery life
High price
Uncomfortable as a tablet - heavy and hot
5Premium
Full Windows OS flexibilityVersatile 2-in-1 form factorRepairable and upgradeableNo headphone jackHigh price with accessoriesInconsistent battery life
Full Windows OS flexibility
Versatile 2-in-1 form factor
Repairable and upgradeable
No headphone jack
High price with accessories
Inconsistent battery life
6Premium
Excellent stylus and note-takingRuns full Windows softwarePortability and versatile form factorDifficult and costly repairsOverheating and fan noisePoor long-term reliability
Excellent stylus and note-taking
Runs full Windows software
Portability and versatile form factor
Difficult and costly repairs
Overheating and fan noise
Poor long-term reliability
Best value
7Premium
Full Windows productivityTablet-laptop hybrid flexibilityLongevity and durability of older unitsHardware failures and dead unitsWeak or overstated battery lifeKeyboard reliability issues
Full Windows productivity
Tablet-laptop hybrid flexibility
Longevity and durability of older units
Hardware failures and dead units
Weak or overstated battery life
Keyboard reliability issues
8Mid
Compact, portable form factorFull Windows 11 desktop appsGood for notes and light productivityBase 4GB RAM model is inadequatePoor pen and drawing experienceExpensive accessories and pricing
Compact, portable form factor
Full Windows 11 desktop apps
Good for notes and light productivity
Base 4GB RAM model is inadequate
Poor pen and drawing experience
Expensive accessories and pricing
9Premium
Runs full Windows softwareGreat pen and note-taking experiencePractical port selectionNo USB-C or Thunderbolt 3Outdated stylus technologyPen jitter issues
Runs full Windows software
Great pen and note-taking experience
Practical port selection
No USB-C or Thunderbolt 3
Outdated stylus technology
Pen jitter issues
10Mid
Highly portableSolid secondary/travel PCGreat for note-taking with penInconsistent battery lifeKeyboard and pen sold separatelyHeat and fan noise issues
Highly portable
Solid secondary/travel PC
Great for note-taking with pen
Inconsistent battery life
Keyboard and pen sold separately
Heat and fan noise issues

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A real Windows PC packed into a tablet form factor. Commenters repeatedly stressed that unlike the iPad, the Surface Pro 2 runs full desktop applications such as Office, Photoshop, MATLAB, AutoCAD, and 3D Studio Max, not just app-store versions. Students and IT admins found this made it a genuine laptop replacement for coursework, troubleshooting, and design work, while still offering tablet portability and touch input.

The pen and OneNote combo stood out as a favorite feature. Multiple users highlighted the digitizer pen's palm rejection and precision for note-taking, sketching, and even Photoshop work, comparing it favorably to a Wacom Cintiq. OneNote's handwriting search and notebook-style workflow appealed especially to students and artists who preferred writing over typing during lectures or projects.

Solid but not a gaming powerhouse, and pricing draws criticism. With an Intel 4400 and shared video memory, the device could run games like Skyrim or Torchlight 2 at moderate settings but not demanding titles like Battlefield 4. Several commenters felt the price was high once keyboard covers and docks were factored in, though others argued it still beat buying separate laptop and tablet devices.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?