Microsoft Surface Pro 5From real comments

Verdict distilled from 46 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment48%
PROS 48%
CONS 52%

Rank based on 46 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You need one device that runs full Windows apps as both laptop and tablet
  • You want a portable machine for note-taking, office work, and light gaming
  • You're comfortable buying the pen and keyboard separately to customize colors/needs

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You require USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 for modern displays or fast peripherals
  • You don't want to pay extra for the keyboard and pen out of the box
  • You need heavy multitasking or long battery life away from a charger

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
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
Surface Pro 8
Versatile laptop-tablet hybridImproved pen and inking experience120Hz display and screen qualityHigh price, especially with accessoriesInconsistent battery lifeReliability and repair concerns
Surface Pro 8
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
Surface Pro 13
Fast, snappy performanceHigh overall price
Surface Pro 13
Fast, snappy performance
High overall price
4Premium
Asus ROG Flow Z13
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
Asus ROG Flow Z13
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
Surface Pro 9
Full Windows OS flexibilityVersatile 2-in-1 form factorRepairable and upgradeableNo headphone jackHigh price with accessoriesInconsistent battery life
Surface Pro 9
Full Windows OS flexibility
Versatile 2-in-1 form factor
Repairable and upgradeable
No headphone jack
High price with accessories
Inconsistent battery life
6Premium
Microsoft Surface Pro 3
Excellent stylus and note-takingRuns full Windows softwarePortability and versatile form factorDifficult and costly repairsOverheating and fan noisePoor long-term reliability
Microsoft Surface Pro 3
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
Microsoft Surface Pro
Full Windows productivityTablet-laptop hybrid flexibilityLongevity and durability of older unitsHardware failures and dead unitsWeak or overstated battery lifeKeyboard reliability issues
Microsoft Surface Pro
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
Surface Go 3
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
Surface Go 3
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
Surface Pro 6
Runs full Windows softwareGreat pen and note-taking experiencePractical port selectionNo USB-C or Thunderbolt 3Outdated stylus technologyPen jitter issues
Surface Pro 6
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
Microsoft Surface Go
Highly portableSolid secondary/travel PCGreat for note-taking with penInconsistent battery lifeKeyboard and pen sold separatelyHeat and fan noise issues
Microsoft Surface Go
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
You are here
14Premium
Microsoft Surface Pro 5
Versatile 2-in-1 form factorGreat for note-taking and studyPortable and lightweight for media/travelNo USB-C/Thunderbolt portPen and keyboard sold separatelyBattery life concerns
Microsoft Surface Pro 5
Versatile 2-in-1 form factor
Great for note-taking and study
Portable and lightweight for media/travel
No USB-C/Thunderbolt port
Pen and keyboard sold separately
Battery life concerns

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A true 2-in-1 that replaces both laptop and tablet for many users. Commenters repeatedly describe using the Surface Pro 5 as their only device, running full Windows software for office work, invoicing, note-taking with OneNote, and even light gaming like Skyrim or World of Warcraft at 60fps. Its detachable keyboard and touchscreen let it function as a workstation with external monitors or as a lightweight tablet in bed, something reviewers say a MacBook or iPad can't fully replicate.

Missing USB-C/Thunderbolt and unbundled accessories frustrate many buyers. A large number of comments call the absence of USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 a 'deal breaker' and 'ridiculous' for a 2017 device, especially since prototypes reportedly had it. Equally common is anger that the pen and keyboard are sold separately, adding roughly $200-250 to the price, though a few defend this as allowing customization and cheaper base hardware.

Battery life and long-term durability get mixed reviews. Some users say battery life is fine or even excellent, lasting two to three days of moderate use, while others call it the device's biggest downfall, needing a charger nearby even with light use. Long-term owners report hinges, keyboards, chargers, and pens breaking over years of use, with repairs costly because the device is glued together rather than modular.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?