It really is that good.Įarlier I said the keyboard looked virtually identical to previous generations, but it turns out that's not the case as it has a hidden compartment to store and charge the pen.

Pushing the tactile signals up to maximum is as close as I've come to doing so using any electronic stylus.Īpple's Pencil 2, as good as it is, simply doesn't compare for the feel, configurability and use of the Slim Pen 2. One of the downsides of using a stylus has always been the feeling - it never quite replicates the experience of using pen and paper. Unquestionably, the best functionality is the use of tactile signals while using the pen. If those options don't suit, then you can reconfigure it from a list of other preapproved actions. One click on the end opens up a whiteboard app for note taking, a double click allows you to draw a rectangle anywhere to take a screenshot. Once you get used to the slightly odd shape, it really is an absolute pleasure to use. The biggest success for me is the new Slim Pen 2. Of course, if you're docking it then that no longer becomes an issue.

You can get a full working day out of Surface if you use it carefully and don't have it too bright.

Microsoft claims up to 16 hours of usage, but I was running out of juice much quicker than that. If you're looking for all-day usage, you're definitely going to want to change the refresh rate to 60Hz. When in use, the 13-inch screen itself is a thing of beauty, particularly when you switch it into 120Hz mode.Ĭombined with the 2800x1920 resolution, that high refresh rate offers a ridiculously smooth scrolling experience with great colours, even if it does eat into your battery life. The top one is still large, but I'm willing to forgive that given it holds a 1080p front-facing camera for video conferencing as well as the IR hardware necessary for Windows Hello's passwordless login. That's helped even more by the smaller bezels around the sides and bottom on the front. The harder lines around the edges on the backside have been transformed into softer curves that feel better in-hand and give a more elegant look. The first thing I really appreciated about the new Surface Pro was the change in look and feel compared to previous generations.

Surface pro 8 stylus