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Microsoft parades all-new Surface Pro with revolutionary tech
Fri, 26th May 2017
FYI, this story is more than a year old

Microsoft has unveiled the latest iteration of its Surface Pro, what they're labelling the ‘most versatile laptop on the planet.'

The new Surface Pro has up to 13.5 hours of battery life, is more than 2.5 times faster than the Surface Pro 3 and is all packaged in a thin design that is also quieter than its predecessors thanks to the fanless design.

And it's not just a powerhouse laptop, as it is also equipped with a 12.3” PixelSense touch display that supports the new Surface Pen2 and Surface Dial2 both on- and off-screen.

Microsoft New Zealand Windows and Surface business group lead, Carol Glidden says people's expectations for what their devices should help them accomplish are high – and the Surface team works to exceed those expectations.

“People want beautiful and powerful devices, with all-day battery life and amazing digital inking experiences. They want to better express their ideas creatively while being able to work whenever, wherever and however they choose,” Glidden says.

“The new Surface Pro delivers all that and more, building on our heritage of pushing the idea of a ‘computer' forward while harnessing all the innovation of Windows 10 and Microsoft Office 365 to empower people to do their best creative work.

The device is just 8.55mm thin and starting at just over 760g, is likely to be lighter than the bag it's carried in. It features a full-size glass trackpad with five finger multi-touch capabilities, and the entire keyboard is wrapped in Microsoft's now signature soft yet durable Alcantara material.

All the edges have been softened and rounded in a move Microsoft says reflects the streamlining and refining process inside and out of the device.

A new hinge that adjusts to 165 degrees allows users to put the device into Studio Mode, creating the optimal position to write or sketch.

Later this year Microsoft asserts the new Surface Pro will be equipped with LTE Advanced, providing even greater mobility and flexibility to let people work from anywhere.

Microsoft is particularly excited about the relationship between the new Surface Pro and Surface Pen, as the company asserts it delvers an ‘amazing inking experience'.

The new surface is twice as responsive as the previous version with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity for increased accuracy and responsiveness.

While the company affirms this will make digital inking come to life for artists and inspire creativity worldwide, they've also wanted to target people who use pens to be productive like writing and share comments in documents, notes in notebooks and sketches on whiteboards - which is why the creative power of the Surface Pen has now been made available for Microsoft Office.

Available in a range of colours (Platinum, Burgundy and Cobalt Blue), the new Surface Pro will launch in New Zealand on June 15 this year and will start at $1,349 NZD.