Best answer: Battery life on the Core i5 model is substantially better than the last Surface Pro while also running cooler. Significant improvement on the previous model During the course of our Surface Pro 6 review battery life was one of the key metrics we benchmarked. Using the PC Mark 8 Home Battery test, the Surface Pro 6 came away with a score of 5 hours and 25 minutes. The Core i5 2017 model Surface Pro, by comparison, scored only 4 hours and 30 minutes. Not only is the Surface Pro 6 better, it's significantly better, with more than 20 percent longer life. Don't be alarmed by the benchmark It's easy to look at the figures above and be a little alarmed. But you shouldn't be. The PC Mark test is designed to leverage both the CPU and GPU, and so it will always come out lower than you'd expect to see in day to day life. Indeed, more regular computing, such as web browsing, media consumption and work inside apps like Microsoft Office will yield a much stronger battery life. What can be taken away, though, is that you can expect at least one hour more from the Surface Pro 6 over the older model.<doc-sep>Microsoft’s Surface Pro has long been the flagship of the company’s increasingly diverse range of Surface hardware. It’s the tablet that can also be a laptop, and the byproduct of refinement since the original Surface RT that launched six years ago. When you think of Surface, you immediately think of Surface Pro. It’s the most popular Surface device and Apple, Google, HP, Dell, and Lenovo have all copied elements of the Surface Pro. While Microsoft ditched its numbering scheme for the Surface Pro last year, this time the number is back. The numbers you really need to care about this year are: it’s a Surface Pro 6, there’s 8GB RAM by default inside, it has 8th Gen quad-core Intel processors, and it’s now available in #000000 (black). Aside from these important digits, the Surface Pro 6 looks a lot like the Surface Pro from last year. If you sat a Surface Pro 4, Surface Pro 5 (let’s just call it that), and Surface Pro 6 down together side by side it would be difficult to tell them apart. The big new change this year is a matte black finish, but that doesn’t mask the fact Microsoft has kept the same design for three generations and the same dated selection of ports as the Pro 3 from four years ago. This is a relatively minor refresh of the Surface Pro, and it’s probably time for Microsoft to overhaul this tablet / laptop hybrid with more modern hardware and ports. The new Surface Pro 6 starts at $899 with a Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. That’s a $100 price increase from the base model of last year’s Surface Pro, but you’re getting a better processor and more RAM for that extra cash as there’s no Core m3 option this time around (at least not at launch). For most people, the base model should be enough thanks to the RAM improvement and cloud storage, but if you want the new matte black option then it’s only available on the $1,199 model with 256GB of storage. I’ve been testing the matte black Surface Pro 6 with a Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. The color and the additional storage might be enough to tempt you to spend the extra $200 here, but don’t forget that you’ll have to pay at least $129.99 for a Surface Type Cover. Without this keyboard the Surface Pro 6 is just a tablet (and not a very good tablet, at that). Microsoft also sells covers with Alcantara fabric for $159.99, but the company strangely doesn’t have a black Alcantara version to match its new hardware. Instead, you’ll have to opt for blue, red, or silver keyboards if you want the soft-touch Alcantara. A matching black Surface Pen is also available for $99. Either way, you’re looking at spending at least $1,030 to get a Surface Pro 6 with a keyboard. The Surface Pro 6 looks and feels the same as last year’s model Microsoft’s hardware choices on the Surface Pro 6 are largely identical to last year. There’s the same 12.3-inch PixelSense display, same cameras, and same port selection. Despite both the Surface Book 2 and Surface Go now offering USB-C ports, Microsoft has kept the ancient Mini DisplayPort, a single USB 3.0 port, a microSD card reader, and Surface Connector for charging. There’s no USB-C here, and no ThunderBolt 3 support. That means you can’t charge your phone with the same charger as the Surface Pro 6, and you can’t connect an external GPU to transform it into a gaming rig. Other PC makers have embraced ThunderBolt 3 even across Surface competitors, and Microsoft’s disappointing port selection is now in desperate need of an overhaul. The only external design change is the new matte black finish. I like it a lot, and paired with a burgundy Type Cover it’s a great looking device. Microsoft thankfully went for matte over glossy for the finish, so I haven’t noticed it picking up ugly fingerprint marks or stains. I just wish the black Type Cover was Alcantara, too. Fortunately, Microsoft has tweaked the internals of the Surface Pro 6 to compensate for the lack of external hardware changes. Inside, there’s 8th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, and they’re the latest quad-core variants. During my testing, I didn’t notice huge performance boosts for regular tasks, but I did notice the Surface Pro 6 felt a lot more snappier than the previous model for launching apps and multitasking. I’m impressed that Microsoft managed to squeeze an Intel Core i7-8650U processor inside a relatively silent machine. I never noticed the fans spin up during my testing. Surface Pro 6 specs Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD: $899 Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD: $1,199 Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD: $1,899 Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD: $2,299 Accessories Surface Pro Type Cover (black): $129 Surface Pro Signature Type Cover (Alcantara, red, blue, or silver): $159 Surface Pen: $99 Battery life has also been solid. I’ve averaged around eight hours of battery life for my daily workload of browsing on Chrome with around 10 desktop apps also running. That’s not the 13.5 hours of battery life that Microsoft claims, but that’s based on local video playback and it’s not how most people will use this device. The battery life will be enough for a day of work, or to play Netflix videos and some games. Like most Surface Pro devices, you won’t be playing high-end games on this due to the built-in Intel graphics, but casual games from the Microsoft Store will run just fine. One particular change Microsoft has also made to Windows 10 with the Surface Pro 6 is that it’s now the Home edition of the operating system, rather than the Pro version. If you need the features in the Pro version, like BitLocker encryption and Remote Desktop, then you’ll need to pay to upgrade to it. The Surface Pro needs a refresh with modern ports<doc-sep>Following the release of a new Microsoft device, the inevitable teardown has arrived from iFixit – and the verdict on the Surface Pro 6 is predictably not good, with the hybrid scoring just 1/10 for repairability. As ever, one of the main criticisms dragging down that score is the liberal use of glue, and the fact that any repair necessitates the removal of the display assembly first – and that is ‘stubbornly’ glued in place, and could be prone to shattering as it’s prized out. The battery is also firmly glued into the device, and its connector is underneath the motherboard, meaning any technician will be looking at a lot of work – a “near total disassembly“ in iFixit’s words – if it needs attention. Incidentally, the quad-cell battery is the same capacity as last year’s model at 45Wh (we noted in our hands-on Surface Pro 6 review that the claimed battery life remains the same as its predecessor, at 13.5 hours). Same old story The Surface Pro 6 also comes under fire for not having removable storage, and iFixit concludes that, overall, the complex construction of the hybrid makes any repair work very fiddly compared to other tablets, and the device is “just as un-upgradable and un-repairable as ever”. So yes, there are no real surprises in the low score, with Microsoft’s hardware traditionally doing very poorly in terms of these repairability ratings. And if you think a score of 1/10 is bad, then other Surface products have actually done worse, with the original Surface Laptop managing to achieve an impressive 0/10 in its teardown. The recent Surface Go also only hit 1/10, with Microsoft again criticized for the overuse of glue in securing the various components inside the tablet, and for the fact that replacing any part again necessitates the removal of the display, a tricky task. Microsoft isn’t the only repairability offender, mind you, with Apple’s tablets also traditionally scoring badly when it comes to iFixit’s ratings. One of the main compromises in the construction of these sort of thin-and-sleek premium devices is the trampling over any possibility of easy (or DIY) repairs.<doc-sep>The changing face of Microsoft's Surface Pro tablet Watch Now Microsoft has rolled out a new Battery Limit feature for Surface Pro 3 and Surface Pro 4 devices to help give their lithium-ion batteries a longer life. The new feature is available in UEFI firmware updates for the two devices, and once Battery Limit is enabled, the battery will only charge to 50 percent of its maximum capacity. If a device is already charged beyond 50 percent and then plugged in with Battery Limited enabled, the battery will discharge until it reaches 50 percent. For now, the update is only available for the Surface Pro 3 and Pro 4, but future firmware updates with Battery Limit will be made available for the Surface 3, Surface Book, Surface Laptop, Surface Pro Model 1796 and Surface Pro with Advanced LTE Model 1807, Surface Book 2, and Surface Go, according to this support document. It's a feature that many Surface owners may probably never use. As Microsoft notes, the feature is aimed at devices that are plugged in for extended periods of time, and points specifically to cases when the Surface is part of a kiosk setup, meaning they're probably rarely used in an unplugged state. SEE: 20 pro tips to make Windows 10 work the way you want (free PDF) "Battery Limit option is a UEFI setting that changes how the Surface device battery is charged and may prolong its longevity," Microsoft notes in a page about Battery Limit. "This setting is recommended in cases in which the device is continuously connected to power, for example when devices are integrated into kiosk solutions." As it is a Surface EUFI feature, Battery Limit needs to be configured by booting into Surface UEFI by pressing the Power and Volume Up buttons when switching on the device. On a Surface Pro 4 it can be toggled on within Advanced Options after choosing boot configuration. On a Surface Pro 3, after booting into Surface UEFI, users need to select Kiosk Mode and then select Battery Limit enabled. Previous and related coverage Microsoft will sell consumer and business versions of Surface Pro 6, Laptop 2 Microsoft is making available different consumer and business versions of its newly announced Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2. Microsoft's refreshed Surface Pro, Laptop and Studio: New specs, pricing, availability Microsoft is rolling out its Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2 and Surface Studio 2 this fall. Here's what to expect. Windows 10 mobile desktop: Transform your Surface Pro with this portable stand You can now add desktop mode to your Surface Pro with this carbon-fiber kickstand add-on. Microsoft to replace for free Surface Pro 4s with screen-flicker problems Microsoft is instituting a Surface Pro 4 replacement and warranty-refund program for those with continued screen-flickering issues. New Surface Pro models available: $999 for Core i5, $1,449 with built-in LTE Microsoft is now selling the Surface Pro with LTE Advanced and a new Surface Pro Core i5 model with 8GB of RAM via its store. Extend your mobile battery life with Windows 10's Battery Saver TechRepublic Windows 10 offers a new feature to help you monitor and conserve your mobile device batteries. This rundown explains how it works. Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, Surface Studio 2 and Surface Headphones: Everything Microsoft just announced CNET Plus: Windows 10 October 2018 Update is now available.<doc-sep>
Microsoft's first crack at a dedicated notebook nailed the most important aspects of any thin and light laptop with a class leading battery life, excellent keyboard and the most responsive Windows touchpad in the business. However, its clean design aesthetic along with unique touches such as the use of alcantara fabric material and speakers that emanate punchy sound from beneath the keyboard are what really set the Surface Laptop apart, and the design remains unchanged for the sequel. The Surface Laptop 2 is virtually identical to last year's model on the outside, except for its new colour option. Aside from an all new jet-black matte finish, most of the changes this year are under the hood. Considering Microsoft largely knocked it out of the park with their predecessors last year, an iterative upgrade isn't necessarily a bad thing. At the same time, competition from the likes of Dell, HP, Lenovo and newcomer Huawei has increased significantly this year. So has Microsoft done enough with this year's models to ward off the competition? Fresh from breaking into the top five PC makers in the US for the first time, Microsoft's hardware division is looking to continue its momentum with the release of the Surface Laptop 2 and Surface Pro 6. The new matte black colour option which we reviewed looks really nice, and details such as the way the dark finish extends all the way to the inside of the ports shows how much attention Microsoft is paying to design. There are a couple of caveats to the black model that are worth noting. For one, it is not as resistant to fingerprints as lighter colours and we also found that, during testing, any kind of contact with hard material has a high chance of leaving some sort of scratch or mark which is all the more noticeable on a dark finish like this. You may have to pay a small premium for the new black colour as well; on Microsoft’s Australian site at least, the least expensive black Laptop seems to be the $1999 model with 256GB storage, not the starter 128GB model at $1499. At least the silver, red and blue colour options from last year all make a return so there's no shortage of colours to choose from. Careful not to scratch the finish. Microsoft has done some optimisation work with the instant-on feature, so lifting the lid of the Surface Laptop 2 and logging in via Windows Hello feels, well, instant. This is a benefit you don't get from a 2-in-1 like the Surface Pro 6, which performs more like a tablet where you need to physically tap the power button for it to wake up from sleep before you can get going. The biggest change here is the bump up from Intel's 7th generation dual-core processors to 8th-gen quad-core which, in our Geekbench tests, almost double the performance in multi-threaded applications. Single core performance remains largely the same. This means that while you won't see any improvement in basic day-to-day tasks such as web browsing, checking email and social media, performing more taxing duties such as photo or video editing will feel much snappier.