What you need to know

• The Surface Pro 4 has a new firmware update.
• As usual, the update includes stability improvements and security updates.
• The updates should be available through Windows Update now.

Microsoft released a firmware update for the Surface Pro 4 recently. The update brings the usual improvements, including security updates and stability improvements. As is the case with most firmware updates, this update doesn't include any feature changes. Instead it focuses on improving the device's performance. You can grab the latest update through Windows Update.

• Surface – Extension - 1914.13.0.1063: Intel iCLS Client Extension: addresses security updates and improves system stability.
• Intel – Software Component - 1.56.87.0: Intel ICLS Client - Software devices: addresses security updates and improves system stability.
• Intel – System – 1914.12.0.1256: Intel Management Engine Interface – System: addresses security updates and improves system stability.
• Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. – Bluetooth – 15.68.17018.116: Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter – Bluetooth: improves connection stability and enables the support of new products.
• Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. – Net – 15.68.17018.116: Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller: addresses security updates and improves system stability.
• Surface - Firmware - 11.8.70.3626
• Surface ME - Firmware - 11.8.70.3626: addresses security updates and improves system stability.
• Surface – Firmware – 109.3192.768.0: Surface UEFI – Firmware: addresses security updates and improves system stability.

You can also read the full release notes from Microsoft.

What you need to know

• A new set of firmware updates is available for several Surface devices.
• There are updates available for the Surface Book 2, Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, and several older Surface devices.
• The updates largely focus on battery improvements and fixes for major CPU and GPU issues with Surface Book 2.

Several Surface devices have firmware updates that improve battery life or battery stability. The Surface Book 2, Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, Surface Pro (5th Gen), Surface Laptop, and Surface Pro 4 all have firmware updates. The updates generally improve battery life or battery stability, but the Surface Book 2 updates in particular correct some major issues related to CPU throttling and the GPU going missing from Device Manager.

The Surface Book 2 has the longest list of changes.

• Surface Base 2 Firmware Update – Firmware
  • 1.75.139.0 improves battery stability.
• Surface System Aggregator – Firmware
  • 182.1004.139.0 resolves an issue where the CPU will throttle down to .4GHz, and improves battery stability.
• Surface UEFI – Firmware
  • 389.2837.768.0 resolves an issue where the display adapter disappears from Device Manager.

The Surface Pro 6, Laptop 2, Laptop, Pro 5, and Pro 4 have all received updates that help improve battery life. Each carries a different version number, but they are nearly all updates to the Surface System Aggregator. The only exception is the Surface Pro 4, which improves battery life with an update to its Surface Embedded Controller firmware.

The firmware updates are available for devices running Windows 10 April 2018 Update, version 1803, or greater. You can find the full list of release notes for each device at the Surface Update History site.

What you need to know

• Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book 2 users have reported battery drain issues.
• Microsoft has responded to the issue and is "currently investigating the issue."
• Surface Pro 5th Gen (2017) and Surface Pro 6 users reported battery degradation issues earlier this month.

Several Surface users report battery drain issues for the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book 2 following a recent Windows 10 Update (via Windows Latest). Twitter user Jason Falter states that he gets under two hours of battery life following updating his device to Windows 10 version 1903. Another user reports a similar issue on the Surface Book 2. Microsoft responded to the feedback and is "currently investigating the issue."

Battery life can vary dramatically depending on how people use a machine, but multiple users have reported issues with the battery life on Surface devices. Several users reported battery drain issues with the Surface Pro 4 in the past, though these issues were reported while running a different version of Windows 10.

Earlier this month, users of the Surface Pro 5th Gen (2017) and Surface Pro 6 reported severe battery degradation so issues are not restricted to the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book 2.

What you need to know

• A new set of firmware updates is now available for the Surface Pro 4.
• The updates bring improvements for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for devices on the May 2019 Update.
• For those on the April 2018 Update or later, there are also battery improvements tagging along.

The Surface Pro 4 is getting a little long in the tooth, but Microsoft is still pushing out new firmware updates for the device. This week, the company released a new set of updates (via MSPU) for Surface Pro 4 tablets running the April 2018 Update or later, though two of them are restricted to devices on the Windows 10 May 2019 Update.

For those on the May 2019 Update, you'll get improvements to both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Here's a look at what's included:

• Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter - Bluetooth
  • 15.68.17013.110 improves Bluetooth connectivity.
• Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller – Network adapters
  • 15.68.17013.110 improves Wi-Fi connectivity.

If you're on the April 2018 Update or later, you'll snag a couple of different updates, with one focused on battery performance:

• Surface Embedded Controller Firmware – Firmware
  • 103.2614.257.0 improves battery performance.
• Surface Integration – System devices
  • 1.5.137.0 improves integration between services.

All four updates should be available now for Surface Pro 4 owners via Windows Update.

Our favorite Surface accessories from Microsoft

Every one of these valuable Surface accessories is Windows Central Approved and guaranteed to please.

Surface Precision Mouse ($77 at Amazon)

The Surface Precision Mouse is not only one of favorite Surface accessories, it's one of our favorite mice for any PC. It's packed with valuable features and customizable buttons. Its scrolling and tracking are seamless and spot-on. And it's rechargeable so you never have to buy new batteries for it.

Surface Pen (From $72 at Amazon)

Every Surface owner needs this Pen. Period. It supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, tilt support for shading density, and enjoys supremely low latency. When paired with a Surface PC, the potential is endless. And it comes in a bunch of cool colors.

Surface Dock ($136 at Amazon)

With two Mini DisplayPorts, four USB-A 3.0 ports, an Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm audio jack, this dock gives you the ports you need to stay connected to all your favorite devices. Plus, it easily turns your Surface into a desktop power hub. We highly recommend it.

The Surface Pro – including the Surface Pro 4, Surface Pro (2017, fifth gen) and new Surface Pro 6 – is not known to have a lot of options for ports. Just one USB Type-A and a mini DisplayPort are available, which, as noted in our review, is getting dated.

The Eletrand Multi-Function Surface Pro 4 USB 3.0 Hub is low-cost, and it feels like it. But it also packs just about every port or adapter you would ever want for the Surface Pro, and it works quite well.

Eletrand USB 3.0 Hub features

The Eletrand Multi-Function Surface Pro USB 3.0 Hub uses both your current Type-A and mini DisplayPort to operate. The tradeoff, however, is worth it. You get:

• Full SD card reader.
• TF/microSD card reader.
• Two USB Type A 3.0.
• Full 10/100/1000 Mbps over RJ45 Ethernet port.
• 4K HDMI adapter (4K/2K@30Hz; 1080P@60Hz).

Ditching mini Display Port in favor of 4K HDMI is an excellent option if HDMI is easier to leverage for you. Many hotels and conference centers rely on HDMI still, and while mini DisplayPort has its advantages (such as bandwidth), HDMI is just sometimes more straightforward to use.

The addition of a full RJ45 Ethernet port is also useful where Wi-Fi is limited or high-bandwidth connectivity is desired.

The rest of the ports are great for productivity – doubling Type-A is useful for plugging into multiple accessories, and dual card slots for microSD and full SD make photo editing a breeze.

Build quality is an issue, though. The Eletrand is plastic and feels a bit hollow, but that's OK. It's a low-cost, knockoff hub with decent build quality. It's all black, save for some silver trim. The hub fits in the palm of your hand but still looks big and gangly when plugged into the Surface Pro 6.

The Eletrand hub is angled where the connectors are so it lines up nicely with the Surface Pro's tapered edge. With both the native USB Type-A and mini DisplayPort being used, it also gives the hub a stable and firm connection to the Surface Pro with no wiggle.

Eletrand Multi-Function Surface Pro USB 3.0 Hub usage

The Eletrand performs as expected. Doing a speed test with the Ethernet port maxed out my home connection matching my router output exactly, so there is no detectable data loss. Likewise, for the SD card reader which matched my SanDisk card from my Nikon camera at 90 MB/s sequential transfers, just as it should.

I much prefer using HDMI over mini DisplayPort, and the conversion worked well there too. Unused bandwidth from the mini DisplayPort is used for the other ports on this hub, including the dual USB Type-A ports, card readers, and Ethernet. That's a clever substitution for those of us who are OK with full HD at 60Hz for an external display. (You can do 2K or 4K, but you'll drop to a less-desirable 30Hz.)

Due to the size of the hub, you'll want to remove it from the Surface Pro during transport as you could risk it snapping off. The hub has a firm grip on the Surface Pro, too, so you need to give a solid yank, but that is better than it being too loose.

So should you buy it?

There are much cheaper hubs available for the Surface Pro 6, but they omit the HDMI converter and RJ45 Ethernet port. Those extra "premium" features bump the price from about $13 without those capabilities to $24 with them.

The Eletrand Multi-Function Surface Pro Hub is still a bargain. Instead of one Type-A port and a less-useful mini DisplayPort, you gain five other functions. Sure, it looks terrible, but that's no big deal, at least not for me.

There is another downside with those dual Type-A ports: they're very close together. That makes using two thumb drives cramped - if not impossible - especially if one of those drives has a large body. To make it work you may need a port-extender cable, which makes the whole gangly setup even worse. While it's nice Eletrand jammed a lot into this hub, it may be too much to be practical.

The LED on the side is also useless since it's not visible when using the Surface Pro. It would have been nice to have an activity LED on the front to show that the hub is active or transferring data.

Putting these gripes aside, though, for $24 the Eletrand hub gives you an HDMI port, Ethernet, and the ability to directly edit photos from two SD cards at the same time. That's cool, and it makes the Surface Pro that much more useful when on the go. So, yes, if you're looking for an affordable way to expand your Pro's ports and aren't too worried about looks, buy this. You won't be disappointed.

Microsoft this week announced a new "Battery Limit" feature (via OnMSFT) for its Surface devices that is aimed at helping them maintain their ability to hold a charge after being connected to external power for long periods of time. Initially available for the Surface Pro 3 and Surface Pro 4, the feature will eventually roll out to further Surface devices in future firmware updates.

The main goal for this feature is to assist in maintaining battery reliability in settings where a Surface may be used in things like kiosks and consoles, where the Surface device is rarely removed from a power source. Microsoft explains:

Battery Limit Mode can be enabled via the Surface UEFI settings under the "Boot configuration" option.

Though they're getting a little long in the tooth, Microsoft is continuing to push new firmware updates to the Surface Pro 3 and Surface Pro 4. Today, the company released a fresh set of fixes for both devices, bringing improved battery stability to each while enhancing system security for the Surface Pro 4, specifically (via Neowin).

Here's a look at what's new:

Surface Pro 3

• Surface UEFI – Firmware: 3.11.2550.0 improves battery stability for devices not in use.
• Surface Embedded Controller Firmware – Firmware: 38.14.80.0 improves battery stability for devices not in use.
• Surface Integration – System devices: 2.0.1350.0 improves battery stability for devices not in use.

Surface Pro 4

• Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter – Bluetooth: 15.68.9125.57 improves system security.
• Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller – Network adapters: 15.68.9125.57 improves system security.
• Surface UEFI – Firmware: 108.2318.769.0 improves battery stability for devices not in use.
• Surface Embedded Controller Firmware – Firmware: 103.2241.256.0 improves battery stability for devices not in use.
• Surface Integration – System devices: 1.0.176.0 improves battery stability for devices not in use.

Today's firmware updates come alongside the release of September's "Patch Tuesday" updates for Windows 10, which bring their own set of security fixes for everyone.

If you're still using a Surface Pro 3 or Surface Pro 4, you should be able to snag these updates now via Windows Update.

Surface firmware updates typically solve issues, but the latest appears to be causing headaches for at least some Surface Pro 4 owners. In a lengthy thread on the Microsoft Answers community forums, Surface Pro 4 users began reporting a number of issues plaguing their machines following the release of the device's last set of firmware updates on July 26.

The number one reported problem is that the screen stops responding to touch and pen input. Additionally, excessively long restart times and a noticeable increase in fan usage seem to have been caused by the firmware updates. The user who started the Microsoft Answers thread, going by the name of ElixirHunter, summed up the issues:

• All of the keyboard/pad functions are working including zoom, scroll etc. but no screen-touch or pen response (pen button clicks still open pre-chosen programmes as they should) After being shut down will only start up with long hold on power switch.
• It now takes ages to restart (used to start in a few dreamy seconds). Begins with completely black screen for about 20 seconds and no visible signs of turning on (lights on Fn key for instance) then the SURFACE screen, then the ring and eventually lock screen.
• Seems to use the fan more often (it even continued after shut a few times).
• In device manager the Firmware has an exclamation mark on Surface ME saying: This device cannot start. (Code 10) - An attempt was made to change the attributes on memory that has not been committed.
• Trouble shooter detects this but can not solve it.
• The pen/ink section of the Surface App says: the Surface app needs an updated component from Windows Update in order to enable this feature

For its part, a Microsoft representative has responded to the thread, noting that the company is "actively investigating" the issue, but there's no solution for now.

Surface Pro 4 owners aren't alone: a years-old thread about unresponsive Type Covers on the Surface Pro 3 has seen an uptick in activity recently as well. It's unclear just how widespread the issues are, but they present serious problems for those who rely on their Surface Pro devices to get work done every day.

Thanks to Stu H. for the tip!

If you're using a Surface Pro 4 or Surface Laptop, you'll want to make sure you check Windows Update today. Microsoft this week began rolling out a slew of firmware updates for both devices, focused largely on improving system stability (via MSPU).

Here's a look at all of what's new:

Surface Pro 4

• Intel – Camera – 30.15063.6.6082 - improves system stability.
• Intel Corporation – Display – 24.20.100.6136 - improves system stability.
• Surface Management Engine – Firmware - 11.8.50.3448 improves system stability.
• Surface UEFI – Firmware - 108.2224.768.0 improves system security.
• Intel Precise Touch Device – Human Interface Devices - 1.2.0.100 improves system stability.
• Intel Display Audio – Sound, video and game controllers - 10.25.0.8 improves system stability.
• Microsoft Control Logic – System - 30.15063.6.6082 improves system stability.
• Intel CSI2 Host Controller – System - 30.15063.6.6082 improves system stability.
• Intel Imaging Signal Processor 2500 – System - 30.15063.6.6082 improves system stability.
• Intel Management Engine Interface – System - 11.7.0.1057 improves system stability.
• Intel Serial IO GPIO Host Controller – System - 30.100.1725.1 improves system stability.
• Intel Serial IO 12C Host Controller – System - 30.100.1725.1 improves system stability.
• Intel Serial IO UART Host Controller – System - 30.100.1725.1 improves system stability.
• Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel(R) SST) Audio Controller – System - 9.21.0.3347 improves system stability.
• Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel(R) SST) OED – System - 9.21.0.3347 improves system stability.
• Microsoft Camera Front– System - 30.15063.6.6082 improves system stability.
• Microsoft Camera Rear – System - 30.15063.6.6082 improves system stability.
• Microsoft IR Camera Front – System - 30.15063.6.6082 improves system stability.

Surface Laptop

• Intel – Camera – 30.15063.6.6082 - improves system stability.
• Intel Corporation – Display – 24.20.100.6136 - improves system stability.
• Surface Keyboard – Firmware - 135.2179.256.0 improves system stability.
• Surface Management Engine – Firmware - 11.8.50.3448 improves system stability.
• Surface System Aggregator – Firmware - 135.2244.257.0 improves docking compatibility.
• Surface UEFI – Firmware - 137.2230.770.0 Improves system security.
• Intel Precise Touch Device – Human Interface Devices - 1.2.0.100 improves system stability.
• Intel Display Audio – Sound, video and game controllers - 10.25.0.8 improves system stability.
• Realtek High Definition Audio(SST) – Sound, video and game controllers - 6.0.1.8242 improves system stability.
• Microsoft Control Logic – System devices - 30.15063.6.6082 improves system stability.
• Intel CSI2 Host Controller – System devices - 30.15063.6.6082 improves system stability.
• Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework Manager - Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework - 8.3.10207.5567 improves system stability.
• Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework Power Participant – Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework - 8.3.10207.5567 improves system stability.
• Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework Processor Participant – Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework - 8.3.10207.5567 improves system stability.
• Intel Imaging Signal Processor 2500 – System devices - 30.15063.6.6082 improves system stability.
• Intel Management Engine Interface – System devices - 11.7.0.1057 improves system stability.
• Intel Serial IO GPIO Host Controller – System devices - 30.100.1725.1 improves system stability.
• Intel Serial IO 12C Host Controller – System devices - 30.100.1725.1 improves system stability.
• Intel Serial IO UART Host Controller – System devices - 30.100.1725.1 improves system stability.
• Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel SST) Audio Controller – System devices - 9.21.0.3347 improves system stability.
• Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel(R) SST) OED – System devices - 9.21.0.3347 improves system stability.
• Microsoft Camera Front– System devices - 30.15063.6.6082 improves system stability.
• Microsoft IR Camera Front – System devices - 30.15063.6.6082 improves system stability.
• Surface Integration – System devices - 2.0.546.0 improves system stability.

Both batches of updates are available now via Windows Update.

Marketing is important to a product's positioning, what products it will compete against and how it's perceived independently and in relation to other products in a category.

Microsoft's Surface Pro was a unique device that was designed to showcase Windows 8, an OS meant to transition seamlessly between the touch-friendly mobility of tablets and the productivity context of laptops. Conceived during a time, per Surface creator Panos Panay when tablets were predicted to replace laptops, Surface was intentionally designed to meet that shift while retaining the productivity forte' of Windows on a laptop form factor.

Putting the full power the PC into a tablet form factor was, therefore, the springboard of the Surface journey.

Surface Pro

In 2012 former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer introduced Surface Pro, the tablet that can replace your laptop (which came to market in early 2013). Ballmer's walking around stage with the keyboardless Surface (touch and type covers were introduced later in the presentation) was an interesting visual that hammered home the tablet positioning of this device.

The focus on leisure activities, Store apps and the kickstand which allowed comfortable media consumption were highlighted before the introduction of the keyboard which allowed the more familiar Windows productivity scenarios.

It's important to remember that in 2012 Windows tablets were woefully absent from a popular slate tablet space dominated by iPads and Android tablets. Microsoft's Surface and Continuum-enabled context-conforming Windows UI was Microsoft's way of bringing a Windows tablet category to market buttressed by the strength of its desktop legacy.

Surface Pro 2

Surface Pro 2 began an interesting trend in Surfaces evolution and the language used to define it. Though Panay presented the Pro 2 as the most powerful professional tablet, the context and the language he used to qualify these claims reveal how Microsoft was really positioning this tablet.

His reference (above video) to how this tablet was faster than 95 percent of the laptops in the market (at the time), and highlighting the revised kickstand for better lap use reveal the product category Microsoft was really targeting with Surface. He referred to the device as a full PC and referenced transforming that word (PC) and putting it into a tablet form factor.

This PC positioning was hammered home when Panay introduced the Surface Docking Station which allowed the Pro 2 to power up to two screens in a desktop scenario and handled raw image/video processing from one of the movie industries most advanced cameras.

Surface Pro 3

Though the first two Surface iterations lost Microsoft $1 billion the company plowed forward. CEO Satya Nadella shared that the company wanted to design a device that takes the best of a tablet and laptop and enables individuals to both consume and create in various scenarios from literature, art and even movies. He qualified the Surface Pro 3 as a major step toward that goal.

Panay expressed that the company was, at this time, at a crossroads because when consumers went to make a purchase, there was a conflict as to whether they should get a tablet or laptop. "What is it that you want to do?", the question sales clerks ask, Panay shared was the context for Microsoft's Surface strategy.

Ultimately people have both a tablet and laptop in their bags and phone in their pocket he acknowledged. He also highlighted that 96 percent of the journalists at the Surface Pro 3 event were using laptops, and not tablets, which were predicted years earlier as laptop replacements. It is upon this reality that the Surface marketing continued to evolve from a tablet to laptop positioning.

Panay stressed the early "click and do more" motto which differed from the primary consumption use of tablets. He also stressed how the 12-inch display of the Surface Pro 3 showed six percent more content than that 13-inch MacBook due to its 3:2 aspect ratio. He also bragged about the PC power in this thin tablet form factor. And to drive his point home, he put an iPad and MacBook on one side of a scale and the Surface Pro 3 on the other to demonstrate how it was lighter than the laptop and tablet it was positioned to replace. From Microsoft's perspective Surface Pro 3 was a turning point that began resolving the conflict PC and tablet consumers have.

How the Surface changed Microsoft forever

Surface Pro 4 and Surface Pro 2017

During the Surface Pro 4's introduction, Panay consistently compared it to a Macbook. In fact, he stated that he wouldn't compare it to any tablet because there was no tablet in its class. So though Microsoft still pushed the "the tablet that can replace your laptop" tagline with the Pro 4, it's clear the company had long been targeting, and was settling on, laptop users as the Surface's audience.

Part of this laptop positioning was doubtless a play to the company's strengths. Though Surface's tablet design is both efficient and premium, the software ecosystem for consumption activity on Windows falls short compared to iOS and Android. Second, over the years, the slate tablet form factor has dropped in popularity as the market favors 2-in-1s. Thus, by the fifth iteration of Surface Pro, the combination of the state of the tablet industry and Microsoft's own strengths positions the company to, without reservation, bring the Surface's laptop focus to the forefront.

Thus, Surface Pro 2017 with its 165-degree hinge and Surface Studio-inspired Studio mode, LTE for improved mobility, more advanced camera and microphones for Skype communication, detachable tablet mode and more, make this Surface, at least from Microsoft's perspective, the most versatile laptop.

See at Microsoft

Is it really laptop?

Our own Senior Editor Zac Bowden contends with this designation. Though I'm not completely sold on its accuracy, Microsoft has progressively positioned Surface Pro more as a laptop than tablet.

And though it is not a "laptop" in the traditional sense, particularly with the keyboard sold separately as Bowden points out, perhaps its category-defining nature and "most versatile" designation makes allowances for this "non-traditional" laptop packaging. Perhaps. What do you think?

Related reading

Surface Pro 2017 Review

In what appears to have been an ongoing issue for months, hundreds of Surface Pro 4 owners have reported being hit with screen flickering issues (via The Verge). In a thread that has ballooned to more than 130 pages on Microsoft's support site, Surface Pro 4 owners have reported experiencing the problem to various degrees.

According to a number of user reports, the issue appears to be related to heat buildup, with many reporting that the flickering gets worse the longer the device is on. "Seems to be worse when the device heats up and has become progressively worse to the point where I have to use an external display via the dock to get any work done," reports one user. Curiously, this has led some users to start placing their Surface Pro 4s in their freezers to temporarily halt the flickering.

In a statement to The Verge, Microsoft says that it is "aware that some customers have experienced a screen flicker on Surface Pro 4 and are monitoring the situation closely."

The issue has led some affected by the problem to launch a dedicated website to bring attention to their plight. Called "Flickergate," the website claims that more than 1,600 customers are impacted and that "Microsoft's support team is disregarding our issue." According to Flickergate, the flickering problem appears to mostly start cropping up after the warranty has expired, causing some users to report paying $800 for an out-of-warranty exchange from Microsoft. "However, many users experience the same flickering on their refurbished Surface Pro replacements," the website adds.

The Surface Pro 4 isn't the first Surface Pro to experience complaints of widespread issues. Its predecessor, the Surface Pro 3, was plagued with a battery draining issue that Microsoft was eventually able to fix with a software patch. However, the Surface Pro 4 flickering issue appears to be a hardware problem, so a software fix likely isn't in the cards.

This comes after Consumer Reports opted to drop its "recommended" designation for all Surfaces, citing reliability problems in August of 2017. Microsoft's Surface chief, Panos Panay, later disputed Consumer Reports' findings, but the consumer group held firm, refusing to recommend the Surface Book 2 once it was launched.

Just after the recent Meltdown and Spectre processor vulnerabilities were disclosed last week, Microsoft revealed that it would issue a set of Surface firmware updates to mitigate against the attacks, in addition to its general emergency update for all Windows users. Those firmware updates are now ready and rolling out over Windows Update for a range of surface devices.

Dated January 10, the updates are now rolling out to the Surface Book 2, Surface Laptop, Surface Studio, Surface Book, and Surface Pro 4, according to the Surface Update History tracker. Each round of updates includes a firmware tweak to "resolve potential security vulnerabilities, including Microsoft security advisory 180002," which addresses the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities.

In addition to that particular security issue, the original Surface Book has received an extended range of firmware updates. Here's a look at what's included:

• Intel(R) HD Graphics 520 – Display adapters - 22.20.16.4811 improves Direct X 12 and power performance.
• Surface Management Engine – Firmware - 11.7.4.3330 improves reliability and resolves potential security vulnerabilities, including Microsoft security advisory 170012.
• Surface System Aggregator – Firmware - 90.1837.256.0 improves reliability and resolves potential security vulnerabilities, including Microsoft security advisory 170012.
• Surface dTPM (IFX) – Firmware - 5.62.3126.2 improves reliability and resolves potential security vulnerabilities, including Microsoft security advisory 170012.
• Surface UEFI – Firmware - 91.1926.768.0 improves reliability and resolves potential security vulnerabilities, including Microsoft security advisories 170012 & 180002.
• Intel(R) Display Audio – Sound, video and game controller - 10.22.1.102 improves audio stability.
• Intel(R) Management Engine Interface - System - 11.7.0.1040 improves system stability.

Microsoft's advisory stated that the Surface Pro 3, new Surface Pro, and Surface Pro with LTE Advanced would receive updates as well. They're not currently documented on the Surface Update History page, but they'll presumably be updated soon as well.

Microsoft has already issued an emergency update to Windows users in response to the Meltdown and Spectre exploits that were disclosed this week, but the company has now announced dedicated firmware updates for Surface devices as well.

The UEFI updates will be available for the following eight Surface models running the Windows 10 Creators Update or Fall Creators Update, according to Microsoft:

• Surface Pro 3
• Surface Pro 4
• Surface Book
• Surface Studio
• Surface Pro Model 1796
• Surface Laptop
• Surface Pro with LTE Advanced
• Surface Book 2

As for Surface Hub, Microsoft believes that the chances of these vulnerabilities working against it are "significantly reduced" because of its security features. The company says it will continue to monitor threats to Surface Hub and act accordingly, however.

As of this writing, it doesn't appear that the firmware updates are being distributed to everyone over Windows Update. We have, however, been able to secure what appears to be the update with a Surface Book 2 on the Release Preview Insider ring. Insiders in the Fast and Slow rings should be able to grab the update as well. Otherwise, we'd expect the updates to start rolling out for everyone in relatively short order.

For more on Meltdown and Spectre, check out our recent coverage of the disclosure, as well as the latest response from Intel.

After recently shipping the first batch of firmware updates to its new Surface Pro with LTE, Microsoft is rolling out another set of updates for more Surface devices. Next on deck are updates for the Surface Pro 4, Surface Book, and Surface Studio. Here's a look at all of what's new for each device (via Neowin).

Surface Pro 4

• Intel(R) Precise Touch Device – Human Interface Devices - 2.0.99 improves multi-touch and pen connectivity when the device wakes from sleep.
• Surface Embedded Controller Firmware - Firmware - 103.1791.258.0 improves system reliability.
• Surface Management Engine - Firmware - 11.7.4.3330 resolves potential security vulnerability, including bulletin 170012.
• Surface System Aggregator Firmware – Firmware - 103.1837.257.0 resolves potential security vulnerability, including bulletin 170012.
• Surface UEFI – Firmware - 108.1866.769.0 resolves potential security vulnerability, including bulletin 170012.
• Surface dTPM (IFX) – Firmware - 5.62.3126.2 resolves potential security vulnerability, including bulletin 170012.
• Intel(R) Management Engine Interface – System device - 11.7.0.1040 required for UEFI update, and improves recovery from Connected Standby.
• Surface Integration – System devices - 1.0.171.1 improves system reliability.

Surface Book

• Intel(R) Precise Touch Device – Human Interface Devices - 2.0.99 improves multi-touch and pen connectivity when the device wakes from sleep.
• Intel(R) Smart Sound (SST) Audio Bus – System devices - 09.21.00.2853 improves video performance in some applications.
• Intel(R) Smart Sound Technology (SST) OED– System devices - 09.21.00.2853 improves video performance in some applications.
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX – Display adapter - 23.21.13.8808 improves device graphics performance.
• Realtek High Definition Audio(SST) - Sound, video, and GC - 6.0.1.8242 improves Cortana speech recognition.
• Surface NVM Express Controller – Storage Controllers - 11.0.0.1 improves storage performance.
• Surface DTX – System devices - 2.27.136.0 improves system stability.

Surface Studio

• Surface Management Engine - Firmware - 11.7.4.3330 resolves potential security vulnerability, including bulletin 170012.
• Surface UEFI – Firmware - 118.1866.770.0 resolves potential security vulnerability, including bulletin 170012.
• Surface dTPM (IFX) – Firmware - 5.62.3126.2 resolves potential security vulnerability, including bulletin 170012.
• Intel(R) Management Engine Interface – System device - 11.7.0.1040 required for UEFI update, and improves recovery from Connected Standby.

If you own any of the Surface devices mentioned, you should be able to grab these updates via Windows Update now.

If you're using a Surface Pro 4 or Surface Book, you'll want to check for some updates. Microsoft has started rolling out a fresh batch of firmware updates to both devices, largely focused on increasing camera stability.

Here's a look at all of what's new, according to Microsofts Surface Update History:

Surface Pro 4

• Surface Embedded Controller Firmware – Firmware: 103.1791.258.0 Improves device reliability.
• Intel(R) AVStream Camera 2500 – Sound, video and GC: 30.15063.10999.4731 Improves camera stability.
• Microsoft Camera Front – System device: 30.15063.10999.4731 Improves camera stability.
• Microsoft Camera IR Front – System device: 30.15063.10999.4731 Improves camera stability.
• Intel(R) Control Logic – System device: 30.15063.10999.4731 Improves camera stability.
• Intel(R) CSI2 Host Controller – System device: 30.15063.10999.4731 Improves camera stability.
• Intel(R) Imaging Signal Processor 2500 – System device: 30.15063.10999.4731 Improves camera stability.
• Microsoft Camera Rear – System device: 30.15063.10999.4731 Improves camera stability.
• Surface Camera Windows Hello – System device: 1.0.85.1 Improves camera stability.
• Surface Integration – System device: 1.0.170.0 Improves device reliability.

Surface Book

• Intel(R) AVStream Camera 2500 – Sound, video and GC: 30.15063.10999.4731 Improves camera stability.
• Microsoft Camera Front – System device: 30.15063.10999.4731 Improves camera stability.
• Microsoft Camera IR Front – System device: 30.15063.10999.4731 Improves camera stability.
• Intel(R) Control Logic – System device: 30.15063.10999.4731 Improves camera stability.
• Intel(R) CSI2 Host Controller – System device: 30.15063.10999.4731 Improves camera stability.
• Intel(R) Imaging Signal Processor 2500 – System device: 30.15063.10999.4731 Improves camera stability.
• Microsoft Camera Rear – System device: 30.15063.10999.4731 Improves camera stability.
• Surface Camera Windows Hello – System device: 1.0.85.1 Improves camera stability.

The updates for both devices are tagged with an October 11 release date, so it's possible that they've already hit your device. If you're using a Surface Pro 4 or Surface Book, you can check for these updates manually now via Windows Update.

Thanks for the tip, Akinzekeel!

Microsoft has updated its Surface Update History tracker with the release notes for the latest firmware updates for the Surface Pro 4 (via Neowin). Curiously, the release notes are dated September 14, but were only added to the page today.

All of the changes in these updates refer to support for the Surface Pro Type Cover in some capacity. Here's a look at what's new:

• Surface Fingerprint Sensor – Biometric device - 2.2.11.0 Enables support for Surface Pro Type Cover and the Surface Pro Signature Type Covers.
• Surface PTP Filter - HID - 1.0.173.1 Enables support for Surface Pro Type Cover and the Surface Pro Signature Type Covers.
• Surface Pro Type Cover Integration - HID - 1.0.2.0 Enables support for Surface Pro Type Cover and the Surface Pro Signature Type Covers.
• Surface Smart Cover Backlight – System device - 3.0.0.0 Enables support for Surface Pro Type Cover and the Surface Pro Signature Type Covers.

If the updates did indeed begin rolling out on September 14, your Surface Pro 4 has likely already installed them. However, you can also check manually via Windows Update now to grab the latest firmware for your machine.

Microsoft has started rolling out new firmware to the Surface Pro 4, bringing along updates that seem to be aimed mostly at the camera and image processing.

Unfortunately, there aren't yet any official release notes available via the Surface Update History page just yet. That's not out of the ordinary, particularly with recent updates. However, we can get a decent idea of what's been changed by how the updates are listed in Windows Update. Here's a look:

• Intel Corporation driver update for Microsoft IR Camera Front.
• Intel Corporation driver update for Microsoft Camera Front
• Intel driver update for Intel(R) AVStream Camera 2500
• Intel driver update for Intel(R) Imaging Signal Processor 2500
• Intel Corporation driver update for Intel(R) CSI2 Host Controller
• Surface - System 8/1/2017 12:00:00 AM - 1.0.85.1
• Intel Corporation driver update for Intel(R) Control Logic
• Intel Corporation driver update for Microsoft Camera Rear

This follows a previous Surface Pro 4 firmware update from early August, in which Microsoft corrected some issues with the camera concerning Windows Hello. Presumably, Microsoft will update the Surface Update History page with full release notes within the coming days. We'll update with more information once available.

Thanks, Chris, for the tip!

Microsoft has issued a new firmware update for Surface Pro 4 devices, bringing along a single fix related to Windows Hello. Apparently, the last batch of firmware updates contained a driver update that left some users stuck with an issue that caused the Surface Pro 4 camera to stop working with Windows Hello (via Neowin). This update resolves that issue.

Here's a look at the official release notes from the Surface Pro 4 update history page:

• Surface – System – 1.0.75.1: Surface Camera Windows Hello - 1.0.75.1 resolves Windows Hello experience error.

The firmware is labeled as being released on August 2, so it's entirely possible some machines have already grabbed the update. If you have yet to install it, you should be able to download the update now by checking for it through Windows Update.

On July 20, Microsoft pushed out fresh firmware updates for the Surface Pro 4. As usual, release notes weren't immediately available, but Microsoft has now updated the Surface Update History tracker with the details. Here's a look at what's new (via Neowin).

• Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. driver update for Marvell ACASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter - Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter - Bluetooth:15.68.9114.29 implements changes to meet EU regulatory requirements.
• Intel Corporation driver update for Intel(R) Iris(TM) Graphics 540 - Intel(R) Iris(TM) Graphics 540 – Display adapters: 21.20.16.4627 improves DX12 and power performance.
• Microsoft driver update for Surface Embedded Controller Firmware - Surface Embedded Controller Firmware - Firmware: 103.1744.256.0 improves system stability.
• Surface driver update for Surface Management Engine - Surface Management Engine - Firmware: 11.6.25.1229 improves system stability.
• Surface driver update for Surface UEFI - Surface UEFI - Firmware: 107.1741.768.0 improves Wi-Fi performance when waking from sleep.
• Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. driver update for Marvell ACASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller - Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller – Network adapters: 15.68.9114.29 implements changes to meet EU regulatory requirements.
• Intel Corporation driver update for Intel(R) Smart Sound Technology (Intel(R) SST) Audio Controller - Intel(R) Smart Sound Technology (Intel(R) SST) Audio Controller – System devices: 9.21.0.2102 improves video performance in some applications.
• Intel Corporation driver update for Intel(R) Smart Sound Technology (Intel(R) SST) OED - Intel(R) Smart Sound Technology (Intel(R) SST) OED – System devices: 9.21.0.2102 improves video performance in some applications.
• Microsoft driver update for Surface Accessory Device - Surface Accessory Device – System devices: 1.1.507.0 improves system stability.
• Microsoft driver update for Surface Pen Pairing - Surface Pen Pairing – System devices: 3.0.0.1 enable Surface Pen simple pairing and features.
• Microsoft driver update for Surface Integration - Surface Integration – System devices: 1.0.153.0 enables Power Slider feature improving battery life, and improving adaptive brightness feature.

As noted on release, the most notable change here is the addition of the power slider for changing your power setting on the fly. The rest of the updates cover Microsoft's full range of value indicators, touching on security, reliability, performance and more. If you have a Surface Pro 4, chances are Windows Update has already grabbed these updates. If not, they should be available to download now.

A new batch of firmware updates is currently rolling out to the Surface Pro 4. And while there's no comprehensive set of release notes from Microsoft on the Surface Update History page just yet, there is at least one big change that's immediately noticeable: the addition of a slider control in the power performance pop-up (via Reddit).

The slider is available by clicking on the battery icon in the system tray. From there, you can adjust the power mode by sliding between "Best performance" on the right or "Best battery life" on the left, with options in between. This is the same type of slider that is currently available on the new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop.

Aside from the power slider, here's a look at the updates that appear as available in Windows Update:

• Surface driver update for Surface Management Engine
• Surface driver update for Surface Embedded Controller Firmware
• Surface driver update for Surface UEFI
• Surface driver update for Surface Pen Pairing
• Microsoft driver update for Surface Accessory Device
• Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. driver update for Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter
• Intel Corporation driver update for Intel(R) HD Graphics 520,
• Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. driver update for Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller
• Intel(R) Corporation driver update for Intel(R) Display Audio and Surface driver update for Surface Integration

Once Microsoft updates the Surface Update History site with full release notes, we'll add them here. For now, if you have a Surface Pro 4, you should be able to grab the latest firmware from Windows Update now.

Thanks to Dn Bianco and Chris K. for the tips!

The new Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface Laptop are elegant PCs, but like all materials made from metal, they are susceptible to scratches and dings. I found out the hard way recently with my Burgundy Surface Laptop that if you scratch that metal the silver color is revealed.

Mozo is no stranger to making beautiful cases and sleeves for Microsoft products. In fact, the company is officially licensed with the "Designed for Microsoft Surface" program making it one of the few official accessory partners. The new Saffiano Sleeve fits the Surface Pro (including Surface Pro 4 and Pro 3), and there are larger editions for the Surface Laptop as well.

What is Saffiano?

Like me, you may be ignorant of the latest trends in fashion including material science. Saffiano is a high-end textured leather that is used by many companies, including Prada, for its handbags. The leather is then "texture pressed," which creates the cross-hatch finish.

Additionally, there is a wax treatment on top that makes the leather scratch resistant, simple to clean and resistant to long term wear.

All you need to know about Alcantara

Like Alcantara, Saffiano hails from Italy and appears to be a proprietary design, hence its capitalization when used for marketing.

Compared to traditional leather Saffiano feels like a high-quality nylon versus your typical raw brown hide found in rugged bags. There is no leather smell either, and due to the way it's made, it can be dyed in many colors, which is what Mozo has done for its Saffiano Sleeve.

Saffiano Sleeve is an attractive fit

Mozo's choice for Saffiano nicely matches Microsoft's use of Alcantara. The focus here is on high-end fashion, and the color choices let users either match or contrast with their Surface.

For the Surface Pro Saffiano Sleeve, there are four similar colors including dark blue, burgundy, champagne, and steel gray. For the Surface Laptop, there are just three colors with dark blue, burgundy, and steel gray. That color selection is interesting if only because the Surface Laptop actually comes in a champagne color, whereas Surface Pro does not.

Being a sleeve, there is not much to the accessory, but there are some highlights. A leather flap with a magnetic metal button keeps the Surface Pro or Surface Laptop from slipping out when traveling. That flap also contrasts nicely with the sleeve's base color.

The two-halves of the Saffiano Sleeve are stitched together using matching thread. The stitching looks excellent and is very linear with no frays or deformities.

Mozo also cleverly put a stretchy pen holder loop under the leather flap for the Surface Pro sleeve. Not only is this convenient, it works well too. Assuming you place the Surface Pro with the keyboard edge facing up, the Surface Pen rests nicely against the Surface Type Cover's hinge area ensuring nothing is scratched.

For the new Surface Pro, the Saffiano Sleeve is a tight fit with the Pen requiring a little effort to pull that flap close. I presume it will slightly stretch and break in over time making that a non-issue. The Surface Laptop sleeve is slightly larger with a tinge more wiggle room (though never loose.)

Inside the sleeve is very smooth suede-like lining. That lining is gray too, which matches nicely with the Surface Pro's magnesium coloring. I never had a fear of the material scratching or even lightly scuffing the Surface, which could be a concern due to the snug fit.

For labeling, Mozo keeps it minimal. On the leather flap, the Mozo name is lightly embossed with minimal contrast. There is also a small metal Mozo badge on the lower left that looks classy.

Final verdict – An excellent, stylish Surface companion

Sleeves for laptops and 2-in-1s are a particular category that some people prefer over dedicated bags. With a sleeve, you can snuggly fit your Surface Pro or Surface Laptop into it and then toss the sleeve into your existing bag or backpack. Likewise, sleeves are excellent for those who work in an office and jump from meetings and want some protection.

The Mozo Saffiano Sleeve is a perfect match for the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop. The selling point is mostly the similar new color options. Microsoft chose these so that you can mix or match the Surface Type Cover, Surface Pen, and new Surface Arc Mouse. These Saffiano Sleeves fit right into that design choice.

Being my first time with Saffiano, I was impressed. The material does not feel like a traditional leather – no weird odors or rugged appearance – and the crosshatch pattern is excellent to hold.

For those concerned with gender roles, I never got the impression that these sleeves – in all colors – were more feminine than masculine. Quite the opposite especially with the burgundy, dark blue, or even steel gray, which are very neutral tones.

Regarding pricing, these sleeves fit in with Mozo's previous offerings like the cool Sneaker Sleeve and Surface Folio. The Surface Pro Saffiano Sleeve comes in at €44.90 (about US$51), while the slightly larger Surface Laptop Saffiano Sleeve is €48.90 (about US$56). While more expensive than knock-off sleeves, Mozo is based out of Finland (ex-Nokia folks), and I find its design choices and quality to be worth the investment.

Overall, I think these are an excellent choice to help protect your Surface Pro (including previous models) or Surface Laptop. The look, feel, and uniqueness makes these sleeves a perfect match for Surface, so much so that you might think Microsoft made them.

See at Mozo

Pros:

• Great colors that match your Surface.
• Simple and elegant design.
• Pen holder for Surface Pro.
• Saffiano material is unique.

Cons:

• Not cheap.
• Surface Pro sleeve is a bit tight to close with Pen.
• No secondary pocket.

Microsoft has just started rolling out a brand new firmware update for the Surface Pro 4 (via Neowin) that brings support for Microsoft's new Type Cover and Signature Type Covers launched alongside the new Surface Pro.

If you're a Surface Pro 4 user, you may have already realized that the new Type Covers already work on your device. Today's firmware update is just improving reliability and compatibility, giving the device official support for the new Type Covers.

Changelog:

• Surface Keyboard 1.1.504.0 enables support for the new Surface Pro Type Cover and Surface Pro Signature Type Cover

The update is rolling out now via Windows Update for Surface Pro 4 users. If you'd rather download the firmware update yourself, you can do so at this link.

There's no sign of a similar update for the Surface Pro 3 just yet. Still, even without a new firmware update, the new Type Covers should work on the Surface Pro 3 just fine.

The Surface Pro 4 by Microsoft is a stunning 2-in-1 tablet come notebook. The device itself comes in a number of configurations, kicking things off with a more affordable Intel Core M3 variant, all the way up to an Intel Core i7. Today, the option with a less powerful, yet still capable Intel Core M3 processor is on sale. For today only, you'll be able to bag a Surface Pro 4 for just £476.99, which is a killer deal.

What's more is this option, in particular, includes a Type Cover. You do need to have an active Amazon Prime subscription to be eligible to take advantage of these great deals. Also, it's worth noting you only have until 11:59 p.m. (GMT) this evening before the promotion ends.

See at Amazon

Microsoft has kicked off the back to school season with a set of deals at the Microsoft Store. Running from now through September 17, the sale includes deals on Surface Pro 4, Xbox One S, and more. Aside from straight discounts, Microsoft is also throwing in some extras with certain purchases.

Here's a look at some of the offers available now:

• Get a Surface Pro 4 and a black type cover for $999, $899 for students.
• Save up to $150 on Surface Book
• Get a 3-month Groove Music membership with any Surface purchase
• Free Intel Software Starter Pack with "eligible PCs" (including Dell XPS 15, Dell XPS 13, HP Spectre x360, and Lenovo Yoga 910.
• Save $20 on select Xbox One S 500GB bundles

In addition to the outlined deals, Microsoft points out that students, along with education staff, can always take advantage of a 10 percent discount across the Microsoft Store. It's worth noting that, while the sale is set to run through September 17, some deals will end earlier. In particular, Microsoft says, the Surface Book sale ends July 15, while the Xbox One S offer will end on August 30. Meanwhile, the Surface Pro 4 bundle offer will last a little longer, ending on September 19.

See at the Microsoft Store

If you're looking to save a bit of change on a new Surface, the UK Microsoft Store has extended some pretty solid deals on both the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book. Specifically, you can shave up to £490 off of the Surface Pro 4, and to £665 off the Surface Book, depending on which model you choose (via Neowin).

Here's a look at the savings on each Surface Pro 4 in the sale:

• 128GB / Intel Core m3 - 4GB RAM (No Pen) - £635 (was £749)
• 128GB / Intel Core i5 - 4GB RAM - £719 (was £949)
• 256GB / Intel Core i5 - 8GB RAM - £917 (was £1,099)
• 256GB / Intel Core i7 - 8GB RAM - £1,099 (was £1,369)
• 256GB / Intel Core i7 - 16GB RAM - £1,230 (was £1,549)
• 512GB / Intel Core i7 - 16GB RAM - £1,529 (was £1,899)
• 1TB / Intel Core i7 - 16GB RAM - £1,869 (was £2,359)

If the Surface Book is more your style, the options are fewer, but there are still some good discounts available. Here's a look:

• 256GB / Intel Core i7 - 8GB RAM / dGPU - £1,619 (was £1,999)
• 512GB / Intel Core i7 - 16GB RAM / dGPU - £2,024 (was £2,399)
• 1TB / Intel Core i7 - 16GB RAM / dGPU - £2,384 (was £3,049)

While they're not the newest and hottest Surfaces on the block, the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book are still worth looking at when you can secure a discount. Each deal is set to run through July 31, so you've got some time to make up your mind.

• See Surface Pro 4 at the Microsoft Store UK
• See Surface Book at the Microsoft Store UK

Microsoft's new $99 Surface Pen is a steep upgrade from the previous iteration that costs $59 (and which is still available. There are quite a few enhancements that may justify the cost for new Surface Pro owners. But for older Surface devices, the value is not too clear.

Here is what owners of previous Surface devices should expect with the all-new Surface Pen.

What's new?

The new Surface Pen brings significant changes. Here are the key features being advertised or that we noticed.

1. Pressure levels

The new Pen has 4,096 pressure levels, up from 1,024 levels of the previous Pen. The new Surface Pen is simply more sensitive than the last one. While there can be a debate about how significant this advance is, artists and professional inkers prefer more sensitive pens. Higher levels of pressure allow for greater shading or increased detail when drawing. In fact, Wacom's new Intuos Pro Paper Edition tablet features 8,192 levels of pressure – but that device is not a PC, and there is such thing as diminishing returns. For note takers, higher pressure levels make the stylus feel more natural.

2. Decreased latency

Latency is the time between when the pen tip hits the display, and digital ink begins to flow. If you draw or write quickly, you will see a visible gap between the pen tip and the digital ink, almost like the ink is trying to catch up to the pen. Real pens have zero latency, which is why they feel natural. The entire digital inking market has been trying to reduce latency to simulate real pens accurately. The new Surface Pen drops latency down to just 21 milliseconds from the previous 40 milliseconds. That is a significant decrease when you consider the display refresh, OS, and apps by default cause 16 milliseconds of latency.

3. Tilt support

If you took a real pencil and turned the tip on its side you could use it to "shade." That fanning of the graphite creates a different experience than just writing with the tip. Digital pens should do this. too, but simulating it on a PC is not easy – after all, it's just plastic on glass and the computer does not "know" the difference. The new Surface Pen supports this feature, as well, thanks to advanced hardware.

4. Lower initial activation force

Initial activation force (IAF) refers to the amount of pressure needed for a pen to trigger an inking event on the PC – the lower, the better. A similar real-world analogy is how a Sharpie marker can lightly brush against an object and leave a mark versus a pencil. With the new Surface Pen, the IAF is down to around nine grams, making it more sensitive than the last version.

Besides the big technical changes with the new Surface Pen, there are subtle physical changes as well. There is no longer a shirt clip, for example, which some people won't like. The single button is also now visually and physically distinct from the magnetic strip. The LED pairing light is also now green instead of white, so there's that (detalil is detail!).

Otherwise, the new and old Surface Pens look similar, weigh the same, and take the same single AAAA battery, that should last the same amount of time.

What can the new Surface Pen do on older Surface PCs?

Unfortunately, not all legacy Surfaces get all of these improvements. Here is what Microsoft told me when I asked about the new Pen and older Surfaces:

• Devices that (eventually will) support new Surface Pen enhancements: Surface 3, Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4, Surface Book, Surface Laptop, and Surface Studio.
• Pressure levels: All the devices mentioned above will see improvements "up to" 4,096 levels.
• IAF: All devices mentioned above will see "fine-tuning" of IAF.
• Improved latency: All devices mentioned above will see improved latency.

While these advances are coming, they are not here today – at least not completely. In my usage of the new Surface Pen on the Surface Studio and Surface Pro 4, I noticed an overall increased sensitivity and reduced IAF – there is just less effort needed to use the Surface Pen. That experience is like the new Wacom Bamboo Ink pen, which is a cheaper alternative to the Surface Pen.

However, I did not see any appreciable improvement in latency on the Surface Studio. That is very likely because the Surface Studio – like other Surface devices – still needs a firmware update to optimize the drivers.

Seeing as Surface Studio and the new Surface Pro share the same upgraded Pixelsense accelerator chip, I expect parity between those two devices at some point for all of these features.

Tilt support and shading is a different story. We may only see a few of the newer Surfaces get tilt support with the Surface Pen "later this year" through a software update. Tilt support is already enabled on the new Surface Pro, but it is not yet clear which older Surface devices will also join the tilt club.

Why all the confusion?

Microsoft has at times been vague about the details of the new Surface Pen, and the feature set is apparently spread out across devices. My educated hunch is that Microsoft is going to push a driver update for the new Surface Pen in the next few months, but because it is still being worked on the company does not want to commit to specifics. They know this new Pen can do more, but just how much more on older hardware is currently fuzzy.

"Improved latency" is great, but the new Surface Pro and Surface Studio have a new Pixelsense accelerator that lets them achieve 21-millisecond latency. Improved latency on older hardware likely means between 40 milliseconds for Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book and 21 milliseconds.

The same rationale applies for IAF, which will be "fine-tuned," and the levels of pressure, which may increase "up to" 4,096. These are improvements, but it remains to be seen just how much so. So you shouldn't think the new Surface Pen is as good on older Surfaces as the new Surface Pro 2017.

Bottom line: Wait ... for now

If you are on an older Surface, getting the new Surface Pen is a mixed bag for now, and it's best to wait. (The Surface Pro 1 and Pro 2 used completely different pen tech, so they won't see any such improvements.)

The best days of the new Surface Pen are still ahead. When Microsoft releases its new Pen driver and firmware, you will see even more improvements enabled on older Surface hardware. That does not mean the $99 is still worth it, but that is a personal decision you will need to make.

See at Microsoft Store

Microsoft's Surface product line has grown over the years to meet the various demands of consumers. For those who own a Surface Pro 3, Pro 4, or new Surface Pro however, you may be interested in innovative ways to expand its form factor. Or maybe you just really want a Surface Book, but can't afford it now.

The Brydge 12.3 Bluetooth keyboard is one possible solution that turns your Surface Pro into more or a laptop. I was skeptical of such a device, but after spending a few weeks with it, I'm (mostly) impressed. Here is what I like, and what I don't.

See at Amazon

How it works

The Brydge 12.3 is a standalone Bluetooth 4.0 keyboard that has its own battery and costs $150. Micro USB charges it, and it should last around three months on a single charge. Obviously, that can vary, but the Brydge 12.3 should last at the very least weeks even with extreme usage.

You just pair the Brydge 12.3 to the Surface Pro 3 or 4 using Windows 10 and the Bluetooth configuration.

Next, you slip the Surface Pro into the shims at the edge. They are quite firm, and it requires pressure to slide in the Surface Pro. The good news is that means the Surface Pro will not slip out. The unwelcome news is this is not something you want to have to do repeatedly, so the setup presumes you'll leave the Surface Pro in the Brydge for extended durations. If you must separate them, you just tug.

Once paired the Brydge 12.3 acts just as a keyboard, and it makes the Surface Pro feel like a laptop.

Brydge 12.3 features and quality

Made from an all-aluminum chassis, the build quality is excellent on the Brydge 12.3.

Out of the box, the Brydge 12.3 is configured for the Surface Pro 4/Surface Pro, but there are extra shims in the box that fit the Surface Pro 3.

The Brydge 12.3 works with the all-new Surface Pro (2017), as well.

Everyone I showed it too was impressed with how durable and stable it feels. Part of that is the weight, which is 1.4 pounds (652 grams). That means you are effectively doubling the weight of your Surface Pro.

The reason for the weight is just physics. To prop the 1.7lb Surface Pro up into a laptop mode without the kickstand, you need similar weight to offset it. The Brydge 12.3 opens to a maximum of 160 degrees much like a "real" laptop.

The Brydge 12.3 is also the same diameter as the Surface Pro. It feels like squishing two Surface Pros together.

To be fair, it all feels very dense, robust, and even rugged. But your light Surface Pro becomes a heavy laptop weighing 3.41 pounds (1.55 kg). That's a significant tradeoff.

The Brydge 12.3 keys are chicklet-style with plenty of travel. I enjoy the way they depress and feel. They also support three-stage backlighting, which is a very nice touch. Part of the extra weight of the Brydge 12.3 goes to an internal battery for the Bluetooth and to also power the backlighting.

The Brydge trackpad is smaller than that of the Surface Type Cover. It's glass and while not Precision (so it doesn't support all Windows 10 gestures) it is better than average.

However, when you close the Surface Pro on to the Brydge, you need to hit the power button the Surface Pro to turn it off. There is no way for the Brydge to know your Surface is off because unlike the Type Cover, it is not physically connected.

If you open the Surface Pro and hit the power button, the Brydge automatically pairs again. The process is fluid and fast requiring no wait times so you can dive into work.

Unfortunately, you cannot use the Brydge 12.3 to charge the Surface Pro as an extended battery.

Overall, I was way more impressed with the Brydge 12.3 than I was expecting to be. The build quality is fantastic, the Bluetooth worked, the keyboard feels right, the backlighting is great, and the trackpad is OK.

Some issues with typing

My biggest complaint with the Brydge 12.3 is with typing. While it felt great, I often missed keystrokes. That may be related to how fast I type – average around 60 words per minute – because typing more slowly seemed fine.

The issue is likely to do with the Bluetooth, and the keyboard may be bad at keystroke-timing crossover so that the key needs to fully "clear" the movement before it registers. On average, it happened about every ten or twenty words, which while not awful, was enough to make me frustrated on occasion.

Brydge 12.3 Pro 128 adds optional SSD to your Surface Pro

In another oversion - Brydge 12.3 Pro 128 – you can get 128GB high-speed (600mbps) SSD storage built into the keyboard. That option will double the cost of the Brydge 12.3 to $299.

It connects via the micro USB port to the Surface Pro's USB Type-A one through an included mini-cable. While perhaps a bit clumsy, I must admit the idea is intriguing.

Conclusion: Almost worth it

I expected to dislike the Brydge 12.3 for Surface Pro but came away awestruck. The overall quality is fantastic, and Brydge gets a lot right with the device.

The added weight and size is something to note, but it at least feels good to carry and use.

The typing experience is great even though I missed a keystroke on occasion, which is the real bummer here. I think slower typists will be OK, but those who type like pros will get frustrated quickly. I also don't love the smaller trackpad.

The $150 price is a bit high, too. Considering, however, that a new Surface Type Cover (non-Alcantara) costs $129, I think Brydge is in the ballpark. At the very least, the packaging and build quality all make it feel premium and worth the money. Nothing feels cheap about the Brydge 12.3.

Brydge 12.3 is worth checking out if you want this setup, but you may want to wait until the next version. With a few refinements, this could be a killer accessory.

See at Amazon

Pros:

• Excellent build quality and design.
• Really nice keyboard response and feel.
• Backlit keys look great.
• Makes the Surface Pro more laptop-like.

Cons:

• Doubles the weight and size of Surface Pro.
• Occasional missed keystrokes when typing fast.
• Trackpad is a bit too small.

Wacom is jumping onto the Surface train with its new $69.99 Bamboo Ink pen. The Bamboo Ink is exciting because it's one of the first "smartpens" on the market that supports Wacom's Universal Pen Framework (UPF). That framework means it can seamlessly shift between Microsoft Surface devices and Wacom Active ES (electrostatic) ones, giving artists and pros more choices.

I spent the last few days with the Bamboo Ink, and here is what I think.

See at Best Buy

This is Bamboo Ink

The Bamboo Ink (CS321AK) is a digital-inking pen for modern PCs, including the Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4, and new Surface Pro, as well as Surface Book and Surface Studio. Besides bringing Wacom's well-known brand to the Surface line, artists and ink users can also use it on Wacom AES-enabled devices such as HP's Elite x360 or the Dell Precision 5285.

It does not work with the original Surface Pro or Surface Pro 2, which were based on Wacom EMR technology.

Microsoft's pen tech is based on N-trig. Before Microsoft bought N-trig, that company competed with Wacom in the PC pen space. Now, Microsoft's tech is branded as Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP), formerly known as DuoSense2 under N-trig.

Wacom's new standard is referred to as Active ES, and it is why people always ask which pens work with what devices. With MPP and AES pens on the market, it can get confusing for consumers.

With the UPF – first announced in March 2016 – the guesswork is removed because users can now switch between the two standards in the same pen. Bamboo Ink is the first to bring that feature to market.

How is Bamboo Ink better?

Bamboo Ink supports up to 4,096 pressure levels, which is a significant improvement from the Surface Pro 4's 1,024 levels. It also comes with interchangeable nibs in the box at three various levels (soft, medium, and firm).

Wacom is cagey on the exact specifications of Bamboo Ink, so the activation force is currently unknown (more on that below).

Wacom is also known for having a more triangular shape to its pens versus round barrel design as found in the Surface Pen. However, many artists may enjoy the more ergonomic Wacom design than the Surface's "metal tube" for long drawing sessions.

Like the Surface Pen, the Bamboo Ink supports Bluetooth so that users can program the top "eraser" button. There are also two side buttons that work with Windows Ink or Wacom's configuration software. However, unlike the new Surface Pen (due later in June) Bamboo Ink does not appear to support tilt features.

How do you switch between AES and MPP?

To jump between Wacom AES and Microsoft's Pen Protocol you press the two side buttons simultaneously for two seconds.

A faint blue LED behind the buttons tells you the mode has switched, but it's hard to see.

Bamboo Ink real-life use

For the last few days, I tested the Wacom Bamboo Ink on the following devices:

• HP EliteBook x360 G2 (AES).
• HP Spectre x360 4K (MPP).
• Dell Latitude 5285 (AES).
• Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (MPP).
• Microsoft Surface Studio (MPP).
• Microsoft Surface Book (MPP).

Although Wacom does not specify the activation force required to initiate a pen stroke, the force needed for the Bamboo Ink feels much lower than the current Surface Pro 4's pen. That means the Bamboo Ink registers ink on the screen with less pressure. That's a good thing, because it behaves more like a real pen would.

For this reason, and the increased levels of pressure sensitivity, the Bamboo Ink works better on current Surface devices. It's not an enormous difference, but that extra sensitivity goes a long way. However, you cannot customize the force-curve like you can with the Surface Pen due to the lack of proper software. It works well with Windows Ink though and supports all the features users expect.

Unfortunately, there is no magnet on Bamboo Ink, so you will not be able to stick it to the side of a Surface.

Whereas the Surface Pen has a very satisfying click for the top programmable button, the Bamboo Ink is a soft and bit mushy. Surface Pen requires more force to click – but it does click – whereas Bamboo Ink just depresses.

I also found a bigger advantage with Wacom AES devices such as the EliteBook x360 and Latitude 5285. There, the increased pressure levels and initiation force were much better than on the Surface Pro 4. In general, I find Wacom AES to be more accurate, with less latency, than the current-generation Surface Pro pen. That is the case here; the Bamboo Ink just flows, and it's a joy to use.

The one caveat is Surface Studio, which seems to have better pen support than Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book, likely due to a newer generation co-processor in the display. As a result, using Bamboo Ink feels fantastic on the Studio's ginormous screen.

I also prefer the triangular shape of the Bamboo Ink, which is more ergonomic than the Surface Pen. The pen itself is also matte black with a hint of soft-touch paint, and it feels great in hand.

Weight is distributed evenly with the Bamboo Ink. It weighs 19 grams versus the 21 grams of the Surface Pen. Both pens take a single AAAA battery to power the Bluetooth component.

There are no differences in latency – the time it takes the ink to register on a display – because that is dependent on the screen and PC's hardware, not the oen.

What about Surface Pen and Surface Pro (2017)?

My experience tells me Bamboo Ink is slightly better for current Surface Pen users, but Microsoft is stepping it up with Surface Pro for 2017.

The new Surface Pen ($99) also supports 4,096 pressure levels and adds in tilt support for all current Surface devices. Additionally, it only requires 9g of activation force, which is an improvement over the last generation. Going further, the new Surface Pro (2017) has just 21 milliseconds of latency due to the new co-processor that connects the GPU to the display digitizer. That's down from 40 milliseconds to 45 milliseconds on the Surface Pro 4.

I don't have the new Surface Pen, expected this summer, to review or compare to Bamboo Ink, unfortunately.

Bambo Ink review conclusion: Who should buy it?

I have nothing bad to say about the Wacom Bamboo Ink. It's priced below the new Surface Pen ($69 versus $99), and it even comes with optional nibs (Microsoft charges $20 for a similar Pen Tip Kit.

Not only does Bamboo Ink feel great, but for Surface owners there is a slight improvement in overall sensitivity compared to the existing Surface Pen ($59). You lose the magnet, but you gain a slightly more ergonomic pen that also works better with splendid angles.

New Microsoft Surface Pen: Everything you need to know

Likewise for devices that already support AES – you can see the list of tested and compatible PCs – I think the Bamboo Ink is a smart purchase if you use the pen and Windows Ink often.

Bamboo Ink is just better, with varying degrees all around.

If, however, you are thinking about buying the new Surface Pen or are getting the new Surface Pro, you may want to hold off until the reviews come. It appears that the new Surface Pen coupled with Surface Pro may be the best combination yet.

Either way, it's great to see Wacom and its UPF finally launch in the consumer market. Surface and Wacom AES users now have more choices and can jump quickly between devices without thinking about the technology. And if you just prefer Wacom's pen design, you can now use it with your Surface.

See at Best Buy

Pros:

• Excellent triangular design and ergonomics.
• Works with Microsoft Surface devices.
• Slightly better than current Surface Pen.
• Unified framework works across devices.
• Pen tips are included.

Cons:

• Users may want to wait for new Surface Pen.
• No magnet to attach to devices.
• LED for switching modes is dim.
• No tilt support, with vague hardware specifications.

Microsoft has begun rolling out a new firmware update for the Surface Pro 4. Like most previous firmware updates, this batch includes plenty of general improvements all around, the most notable of which is an improvement to the tablet's battery life during sleep.

Here's a look at what's new according to the Surface Update History page:

• Microsoft Driver update for Surface Embedded Controller Firmware - 103.1684.256.0 improves battery life during sleep.
• Intel Corporation driver update for Intel(R) Precise Touch Device - 1.2.0.83 disables touch when cover is closed, and improves stability.
• Surface driver update for Surface Integration - 1.0.121.0 adjusts system Hibernation defaults.
• Microsoft driver update for Surface Touch Servicing ML - 1.0.724.0 optimizes touch functionality.
• Surface driver update for Surface System Aggregator - 103.1610.256.0 resolves screen brightness issue when device comes out of sleep.
• Surface driver update for Surface UEFI - 106.1624.768.0 refines brightness settings.
• Microsoft Driver update for Surface Touch - 57.1.1.1 optimizes touch functionality.

There are no security updates included here, but that's not a bad list of tweaks overall. There aren't any similar updates for other Surface devices just yet, but Surface Pro 4 owners should be able to grab the above updates via Windows Update now.

Now that Microsoft's refreshed Surface Pro 4 — named simply the Surface Pro — has been revealed, many people are wondering whether they should stick with a tried and true device or go for the newer hardware. Let's take a look at some of the differences and similarities to see which Surface is best suited to your needs.

• See at Microsoft | Surface Pro
• See at Microsoft | Surface Pro 4

The new Surface Pro is more portable

The Surface Pro line has always been about taking on tablets while maintaining the function of a full PC. The new Surface Pro takes this idea and runs with it. Available in models coming later this year will be optional 4G LTE connectivity. This will work with nano SIM cards commonly used now, as well as eSIM cards that are set to take over.

Adding to the Surface Pro's portability is a battery that will last about 50 percent longer. You should expect up to about 13.5 hours of use on a full charge, meaning you don't have to worry about hauling a charger with you.

Bottom line: If you're working primarily from home or office, LTE connectivity and a larger battery don't mean much. However, if you're constantly on the go to places without Wi-Fi (and likely without an outlet), the new Surface Pro should be your first choice.

The new Surface Pro contains new hardware

With this overhaul comes a host of new hardware, including 7th-generation Intel "Kaby Lake" processors. The upgrade from 6th-generation processors helps with battery life and delivers a slight edge in performance, but the biggest change is perhaps that Core i5 processors are now fanless.

Core i7 models of the new Surface Pro use Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640, giving a significant boost to graphics power over the Intel Iris Graphics 540 in the Core i7 Surface Pro 4 models.

Bottom line: If you're interested in graphic design or any other hardware-intensive activity, you'll want to opt for the new Surface Pro. Just need a laptop for browsing the web and word processing? The Surface Pro 4 will handle those tasks with ease.

There have been some changes to the body of the new Surface Pro

Picking up the new Surface Pro, one of the first things you'll notice is how the edges are smoother and more rounded. Also changed are the radial vents that run around the top of the device. They are quite noticeable on the Surface Pro 4, but Microsoft has done a good job of trimming them down on the newer Surface Pro.

One other noticeable aspect on the Surface Pro 4 is the front-facing camera. The cutout in the bezel where it sits is sort of wide and is a different color than the rest of the bezel. Not so on the new Surface Pro. The camera has been blacked out, making it disappear into the bezel. No longer will the eye be drawn there.

The kickstand on the back of the new Surface Pro now opens further, allowing your device to sit at a 165-degree angle. The Surface Pro 4 does open quite wide — at a 150-degree angle — and is suitable for most people, but artists will love the extra 15 degrees.

Bottom line: The big difference here for a lot of people will likely be the extra degrees of rotation in the kickstand, but those concerned with the appearance of their device will also love the smooth edges, hidden camera, and reduced vents on the new Surface Pro.

• See at Microsoft | Surface Pro
• See at Microsoft | Surface Pro 4

New Surface Pro Type Covers also work with previous models

With the new Surface Pro comes a new collection of Type Covers, the slick keyboards that attach with magnets. These new Type Covers are all covered with Alcantara fabric, the luxury stuff found only on previous Signature Type Covers and on the new Surface Laptops.

These new Type Covers are available in three new colors: platinum, burgundy, and cobalt blue. Those who already have a Surface Pro 4 will be happy to know that these new Type Covers are backwards compatible.

Bottom line: This one is a draw. The new Type Covers will work with the Surface Pro 4, leaving the option open.

The new Surface Pen blows the old one away

One of the main features of the Surface Pro is inking, and the new Surface Pen has been updated to reflect the demands of users and advances in technology. Instead of 1,024 levels of sensitivity found in the old pen that comes with the Surface Pro 4, the new pen has a whopping 4,096 levels of sensitivity.

Also cut down is the latency. The new Surface Pen sits at 21 milliseconds, while the older pen is more than double that at 45 milliseconds. You can now also use the pen on more of a tilt, great for shading. The extra sensitivity, increased tilt, and decreased latency means an inking experience that's pretty much on par with a real pen on real paper.

The good news here is that the new Surface Pens are backwards compatible with the Surface Pro 4. However, not all features will be available due to different technology in the older displays. It appears that you won't be able to experience the same levels of latency or sensitivity, but a later update will bring the increased tilt support to the Surface Pro 4.

One more thing: the Surface Dial can now be used directly on the screen of the new Surface Pro, something mobile artists have been clamoring for.

Bottom line: For the absolute best pen and inking experience, you have to go with the new Surface Pro. The new Surface Pens will work with the Surface Pro 4, but you won't be getting the same experience.

Price and availability

Many people will turn to the price comparison as the final decider here. The 128GB SSD, 4GB of RAM, Intel Core m3 configuration of the Surface Pro 4 costs about $700, while the same configuration (albeit with newer hardware) in the Surface Pro costs about $800. Neither of these laptops includes a Surface Pen or Type Cover.

As you scale up the hardware, a Surface Pro 4 with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD costs about $2,400, but you also get a Surface Pen (last generation) with the deal. A new Surface Pro with the same specs and no included Surface Pen costs about $2,700.

As for availability, the new Surface Pro and new Type Covers will be available June 15 in the following countries:

• Australia.
• Austria.
• Belgium.
• Canada.
• China.
• Denmark.
• Finland.
• France.
• Germany.
• Hong Kong.
• Ireland.
• Italy.
• Japan.
• Korea.
• Luxembourg.
• Netherland.
• New Zealand.
• Norway.
• Poland.
• Portugal.
• Spain.
• Sweden.
• Switzerland.
• Taiwan.
• U.K.
• US.

Bottom line: If you need the least expensive Surface between these two devices, go with the older Surface Pro 4. The included pen (except for the Core m3 model) and price difference of a few hundred dollars can be a pretty heavy factor. The Surface Pro 4 is still a formidable laptop, especially for anyone not worried about the absolute latest hardware.

• See at Microsoft | Surface Pro
• See at Microsoft | Surface Pro 4

More resources

• Why isn't the new Surface Pro named 'Surface Pro 5?'
• Why Microsoft's new Surface Pro doesn't have a USB Type-C port
• Surface Pro pricing and availability
• Surface Pro full tech specs
• All the details on the brand new Surface Pen
• Windows Central Surface Pro hub

If you're a fan of Microsoft's Surface Pro line of devices, and have been waiting for a new Surface Pro since the Surface Pro 4 was released back in 2015, it looks like you may soon be in luck. A new leak from VentureBeat has taken the wraps off what appears to be the successor to the Surface Pro 4, simply called "Surface Pro" and sporting a design not much different from the Pro 4.

The new Surface Pro appears to very much be a minor release, sporting an extremely similar design to the Surface Pro 4, but with updated internals and specifications bringing it up to par with other products being released in 2017. Outside of renders, not much else about the new Surface Pro has been revealed, with VentureBeat saying they'll have more to report on regarding specifications on Monday.

Alongside the Surface Pro renders, a number of new Type Cover and Surface Pen renders have leaked too, revealing new colors that are similar, but not identical to that recently announced for the Surface Laptop. Apart from new colors, it appears the Surface Pro accessories remain the same as the Surface Pro 4 accessories.

It's highly suspected that Microsoft will officially unveil a new Surface Pro at its China hardware event next week, alongside other announcements. The event will not be livestreamed however, soyou'll have to wait for an on-demand version of the event, or stay tuned to Windows Central as we'll have coverage on the event as it happens.

Before the Surface Laptop, every Microsoft Surface computer had a "plot twist" — be it a tablet with a kickstand and a detachable keyboard, like the Surface Pro, the giant hinged touch display of the Surface Studio, or the pop-off keyboard base of the Surface Book. The Surface Laptop? It doesn't do anything special, but its premium construction makes it a desirable piece of tech. It's best compared to devices like the MacBook Air, and interestingly, Microsoft's own Surface Pro 4.

If you're struggling to choose between the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Laptop, here's some specs and considerations I think you should make.

• Surface Pro 4 at Microsoft
• Surface Laptop at Microsoft

Surface Laptop vs. Surface Pro 4 tech specs

First of all, let's take a look at the raw tech specs. The Surface Laptop does beat the Surface Pro 4 on raw specs, sporting a modern Kaby Lake CPU and the latest Intel HD graphics, but that isn't the full story.

Battle of the specs

When it comes to raw specs, the Surface Laptop beats the Surface Pro 4 at almost every level. Sporting the latest Intel graphics and processors gives the Surface Laptop a decent boost over the Surface Pro 4. Additionally, to speculate, the fact that the Surface Laptop's internals are in a separate compartment to the screen itself should help with heat dissipation. The Surface Pro 4 can throttle under heavy load to prevent overheating, which prevents you from putting that Core i7 processor to its limit, without an external USB fan.

If you go all the way up to the Surface Laptop and Pro 4's most expensive tier, both sport Intel Iris graphics, but the Pro 4 will always suffer from heat throttling. We haven't been able to test the Surface Laptop's heat dissipation in a graphics context yet, but I think it's fair to speculate that the Surface Laptop will trounce it for light gaming and other GPU-intensive tasks.

As powerful as these devices are, both are best suited to light professional work, lighter gaming, and general desktop leisure activities. Whether you're browsing the web or using Microsoft Office, both devices will perform extremely well, and it's only when you head towards Adobe Photoshop and PC gaming that you will notice serious performance deltas between the two devices.

Specs aren't the full story, however. This is as much a battle of form factors as it is power.

Battle of the form factor

The Surface Laptop packs a lot of power into a small package, but the Surface Pro 4 remains almost an entire pound lighter. Neither device is going to put you over the weight limit at an airport, but the Pro 4 has an extra trick up its sleeve.

In situations where you don't need to type, such as using Cortana voice in the kitchen, or watching a movie on the plane — you can remove the keyboard (or indeed, not buy one at all, since it's not included in the price!). Using the Surface Pro's integrated kickstand, you have a wide range of versatile use cases for the Surface Pro, which might not be present in the Surface Laptop.

Oddly, Panos Panay demonstrated that the Surface Laptop has Windows Ink support and a pressure sensitive display, but it has no "canvas" mode, since the hinge doesn't support 360 degrees of rotation. Inking on the Surface Laptop will be a clunky, awkward experience, for quick notes and annotations at best. If you were a student planning to write lecture notes by hand, you'd have to lay the Surface Laptop flat on its back, with the keyboard sticking up in the air — which is super dumb.

The Surface Pro 4 on the other hand, combined with its kickstand and detachable keyboard, will support artists and intensive note taking sessions, either in OneNote or other compatible apps.

The Surface Laptop might have the Surface Pro 4 beaten on raw power, but when it comes to versatility and getting the full use out of the hardware features you're paying a premium for, the Surface Pro 4 will be a safer bet for anyone wanting to ink more frequently.

But what about the Surface Pro 5?

To throw a wrench in the works, a "Surface Pro 5" may be on the cards, set to be announced very shortly, perhaps even in the next few weeks. While we're not expecting a huge rethink of the Surface Pro tablet, at the very least an update with new Kaby Lake processors and upgraded Intel graphics could be coming.

USB-C Thunderbolt 3 would take a Surface Pro 5 to the next level, but considering Microsoft doesn't think the market is "ready" for USB-C just yet and opted to include it in the Surface Studio or Laptop, it doesn't seem likely. Before purchasing a Surface Laptop, you might want to wait until the Pro 5 gets announced — it might edge the Surface Laptop into second place for bang for your buck. Speaking of which, let's discuss price.

Battle of the $$$

The Surface Pro 4 is cheaper than the Surface Laptop at every price tier, but not by a huge amount. There are a couple of "hidden" costs associated with both devices that you should be aware of.

The Surface Laptop comes with Windows 10 S, which is a battery-life focused version of Windows 10 that only runs approved apps from the Windows Store. For general browsing and every day laptop use, the Windows 10 Store is more than adequate to serve most people's needs, with a steadily improving array of editing apps, games, and office-type applications. Until December, 2017, Microsoft will allow you to "unlock" Windows 10 S and upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for free, after which, there will be a $50 charge.

The Surface Pro 4 on the other hand comes with full Windows 10 Pro out of the box, so there's no need to consider the upgrade cost if you're planning to buy after December 2017. However, the Surface Pro 4 doesn't come with the keyboard Type Cover, which adds another $130~ to the overall cost. While you can use a Surface with any Bluetooth or USB keyboard, trust us, you'll want a Type Cover.

Final thoughts

While the Surface Pro 4 is slightly cheaper, the gap is closed when you factor in the Surface Pro's type cover. At which point, this becomes a battle of functionality.

The Surface Laptop beats the Pro 4 on specs, but the Surface Pro 4 has a removable keyboard and a highly retractable hinge for inking, which defeats the Surface Laptop for any interested artist or ink-favoring student.

For every day use, and if you just want something a little more usual, the Surface Laptop will likely be the better option, with upgraded internals, and more than likely, superior heat dissipation, leading to less throttling. You will want to escape the confines of Windows 10 S, however, to get the most out of those powerful internals.

Take a look at the links below for the most up to date pricing information, and if you're interested or already own one of the devices, let us know your thoughts in the comments.

• Surface Pro 4 at Microsoft
• Surface Laptop at Microsoft

If you call the UK home, you can take advantage of the latest in a string of recent discounts on the Surface Pro 4. Right now, the UK Microsoft Store is offering discounts of up to 19 percent off on its entire Surface Pro 4 lineup (via Neowin), including nearly £380 off its top-end model.

Here's a look at the discount pricing for each model:

• Intel Core m3 / 4GB RAM / 128GB - £674.10 (10 percent off)
• Intel Core i5 / 4GB RAM / 128GB - £764.10 (19 percent off)
• Intel Core i5 / 8GB RAM / 256GB - £971.10 (12 percent off)
• Intel Core i7 / 8GB RAM / 256GB - £1,169.10 (15 percent off)
• Intel Core i7 / 16GB RAM / 256GB - £1,304.10 (16 percent off)
• Intel Core i7 / 8GB RAM / 512GB - £1,619.10 (15 percent off)
• Intel Core i7 / 8GB RAM / 1TB - £1,979.10 (16 percent off)

Overall, those aren't bad savings, particularly if you've been holding out for a good deal before springing for Microsoft's popular tablet. That said, the Surface Pro 4 is getting a bit long in the tooth, and it's entirely possible we could see a Surface Pro 5 land before the year is out.

In any case, if you're up for grabbing one of these deals, they'll be available through May 21. If the Surface Book is more your style, keep in mind there are still discounts of up to £665 available for select models through May 31 as well.

See at the Microsoft Store UK

One of the side benefits of Microsoft's Surface Pro becoming a modern computing option for the masses is the abundance of accessories. Mozo has been around for a few years, getting its start with unique cases for the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL.

Besides its Surface Sneaker sleeve, the company has a new option in the brown or black Folio for your Surface Pro 3 and Surface Pro 4. I've been sporting one of my Surface Pro 4 for a few weeks now. Here is what I think of the $54 (€49.90) add-on.

Materials and design

Approved through the "Designed for Surface" program, the Mozo Folio is a unique. The Mozo Folio is form fitted for the Surface Pro 3 and 4, and it reminds me of the Huawei MateBook's protective case, including its color and functionality.

Made from colored polyurethane leather, the Mozo Folio comes in brown or "black golf" colors. The base of the Folio is stiff but somewhat flexible. The reinforced bi-cast leather is what gives the Folio its protective abilities, as well as a base for the Surface to stand on during use.

The Folio oddly attaches to your Surface via some special adhesive on the upper back. In that sense, the Folio is something you put on and plan to leave on for the foreseeable future. The benefit of such a system is that the Folio feels more integral to the Surface and acts as an extension of the design rather than "just another case." No slipping, sliding or readjustments are ever needed.

A magnetic flap keeps the Folio latched closed, and it protects the rear camera during travel.

One of the satisfying benefits of the Mozo Folio is that it creates a solid base between the Surface and the kickstand, which is usually left as an open gap. Some people don't quite like the somewhat sharp Surface kickstand putting pressure on their legs when used in the lap, and this case fixes that.

Taking it for a flip

Using the Mozo Folio for the Surface is straightforward, but it requires some slight finesse. You just open the flap, push up the Surface and then extend the Surface kickstand. That last part requires the finesse, because the Folio somewhat obstructs the kickstand – not fully, just enough that you must reach in to open it.

Despite the back of the Folio covering the Surface kickstand, the Surface can still slide forward leaving it unhindered. That means you can lay the Surface down at any angle without encumbering the kickstand.

In day-to-day activities, the Surface Pro loses a bit of speed from going closed to open due to the Folio, but it's not a major drawback. And closing the Surface with the Folio is quite satisfying. My Surface Pro 4 now feels 100-percent protected and secure in the Folio.

Besides being able to just toss it into a backpack without worrying what is at the bottom, the Surface with Folio feels great in hand. The Surface keyboard no longer flops open on its own, and the system has more grip.

Finally, one of the biggest complaints about the Surface is that it's unclear what specifically you should do with the Pen during travel. The pen's magnets notoriously do not hold up when in a bag, making it something extra to concern yourself with (and later dig out). With the Surface Folio's magnetic flap, you can attach the Surface Pen to it and have it secured during transit. And it looks great.

Wrapping it up: Should you buy the Surface Folio?

I recall once putting my Surface Pro 3 in one of those airport bins to go through security. When it came out from the scanner, there were some minor scratches on the Surface, likely due to the rigid plastic of the bin and the Surface sliding around. I'd had the device for only a week. Situations like that one make the Folio an excellent choice. Obviously, had I had it in a Folio such an incident would not have happened.

I like the design and functionality of the Mozo Surface Folio. It's different than traditional sleeves or separate bags, both of which take up more room if you pack them. It's also one of the thinnest solutions to protect the Surface that I have come across. If you don't like bulk, this Folio is a solid choice.

I also like the way the whole thing looks when closed, including when the pen is locked down.

The two downsides I see are pricing — $54 is not cheap — and the permanent nature of the Folio, due to its adhesive. I'm not too concerned with removing it because the adhesive is modest and won't mar the Surface's chassis. But it does it mean that once you put the Folio on you will have to leave it there. I should also mention that the brown version is more susceptible to "leather wear," giving it a worn look with some "distressed" marking. Some like that look, others do not.

That permanence may be a good thing if you, like me, appreciate the classy look and functionality of the Mozo Folio. The Folio is the kind of case that feels like an extension of the device and not an external wrapper.

• See Brown Surface Folio at Mozo
• See Black Golf Surface Folio at Mozo

Pros:

• Neat and thin design.
• Looks professional.
• Locks down Pen during transit.
• Provides a larger, more comfortable base for Surface.

Cons:

• Not cheap.
• A little clumsy to open.
• Adhesive makes it a semi-permanent solution.

Microsoft is rolling out its second batch of firmware updates for the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 this month. According to the release notes posted to the Surface Update History page, the updates are only available for Surfaces with the Creators Update installed, and they include fixes for video playback and Cortana speech recognition.

Here's a look at what's new for each Surface:

Surface Pro 4:

• Intel(R) Smart Sound Technology(Intel(R) SST) Audio Controller in System devices - 09.21.00.2102 improve video playback on installed apps while offline.
• Intel(R) Smart Sound Technology (Intel(R) SST) OED in System devices - 09.21.00.2102 improve video playback on installed apps while offline.

Surface Book:

• Realtek High Definition Audio(SST) in Sound, video, and gc's - 6.0.1.7895 improves Cortana speech recognition.
• Intel(R) Smart Sound Technology(Intel(R) SST) Audio Controller in System devices - 09.21.00.2102 improve video playback on installed apps while offline.
• Intel(R) Smart Sound Technology (Intel(R) SST) OED in System devices - 09.21.00.2102 improve video playback on installed apps while offline.

If you own a Surface Book or Pro 4 and have the Creators Update installed already, you should be able to grab these firmware releases via Windows Update now.

Discounts on the Surface Pro 4 haven't been hard to find, but if you have yet to pick one up, Microsoft has another tempting offer on the table. Right now, you can save up to $150 on select Surface Pro 4 models at the Microsoft Store, making it a bit easier to jump on the Surface wagon (via Neowin).

The full $150 discount is up for grabs on three models from the mid-range to the top end. Meanwhile, the entry-level Intel Core m3 model has received a much more modest $50 discount. Here's a look:

• 128GB / Intel Core m3 - $749
• 128GB / Intel Core i5 / 4GB RAM - $849
• 256GB / Intel Core i7 / 8GB RAM - $1,349
• 256GB / Intel Core i7 / 16GB RAM - $1,549

The only model not receiving a discount is the middle-of-the-road Intel Core i5 model with 256GB of storage and 8GB of ram. Still, there's a decent selection of discounts here. The sale prices are set to last through May 13, so you've got some time to decide. But if you're ready to pull the trigger, you can hit up the Microsoft Store now.

See at the Microsoft Store

Design patents sometimes offer insight into where a company may be steering its technology. Alternatively, the company may just be locking in an idea to prevent the competition from lifting it.

Whether this new Microsoft design patent for the Surface dated March 28, 2017, is going into actual production is unclear, but none of the observed changes would be unexpected.

The design patent in question is US d782,469 S and was initially filed on March 30, 2015, but updated a few weeks ago with some new drawings.

As a design patent, no technical specifications are noted on the Surface, but there are some apparent changes from previous filings e.g. US D680,530 S0 (PDF).

The two distinct alterations are the removal of the Surface Connector for powering the tablet and moving the standard headphone jack from the upper left side to the lower right one.

The idea of Microsoft moving away from a limited proprietary AC adapter to a standardized USB Type-C – preferably with full Thunderbolt 3 support – is very much in line with most manufacturers these days. Even Apple famously surrendered its MagSafe power adapter with its new MacBook Pro laptops.

Not only can USB Type-C act as the power port on a PC or tablet, but if configured for Thunderbolt 3 it can be used for data, peripherals, external GPUs, and powering 4K displays. Additionally, it's physically smaller than Microsoft's "fin" Surface Connector.

Of course, for the drawing it could also just be "generic port".

The other shift with the headphone jack also makes sense. One minor complaint about the current Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book is the headset jack location. It's a little odd to have headphones connected to the top of the tablet with the cord having more hang area. The moving of the jack to the lower side while not monumental would be a welcomed modification.

Keeping all the I/O to one side would also be a nice aesthetic design. Finally, it does look like the USB Type-A and Mini-DisplayPort are also represented in the updated Surface design patents suggesting they will remain.

Surface Pro 4 refresh or something else?

Whether Microsoft implements port changes for the rumored Surface Pro 4 hardware upgrade remains to be seen. Caution needs to be taken that a design patent in and of itself is not a "leak" confirming the existence or any approved plans by Redmond.

Indeed, there is nothing in the design patent that denotes USB Type-C making this strictly inference and therefore, unreliable as proof of anything.

Also, instead of Surface Pro 4 redux, Microsoft could be saving this either for a real Surface Pro 4 successor or perhaps for a non-Pro Surface running Windows 10 Cloud, which may be forthcoming.

Recent rumors suggest we may hear more about a new Surface in early May perhaps related to the Build developer conference. That refresh could bring minor changes (like above) along with 7th Gen Intel "Kaby Lake" processors for improved performance and battery life. None of that would at all be surprising.

For now, we'll just have to chew on the possibility that Microsoft may be at least considering another adjustment to the Surface line, one that we think most people will welcome.

Special thanks to Cassim Ketfi for the assist!

Another new batch of firmware updates is now available for the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book. According to the release notes posted to the Surface update history page, both devices have picked up minor stability improvements and bug fixes.

Both sets of release notes actually include the same changes, which you can check out below:

Update: As noted in the comments, these updates are only available if you've installed the Creators Update.

• Surface driver update for Surface System Aggregator - Resolves screen brightness issue when devices comes out of sleep.
• Intel Corporation driver update for Intel(R) Precise Touch Device - Improves system stability.
• Surface driver update for Surface Integration - Adjusts system Hibernation defaults.

So far at least, the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book appear to be the only Surface devices to have picked up an update this month. If you own either, you should be able to grab these new firmware releases from Windows Update now.

The Surface Pro 4 is an awesome piece of Windows 10 gear, but the hardware alone is only half the story. What you do with it is more important than the processor inside or how thin it is.

Naturally, we're big fans of the Surface lineup, and that extends beyond our editorial staff. The Windows Central community does things with their devices that some of us would never even think of.

And that's why we're turning it over to you.

We know what apps we love to use on the Surface Pro 4, but we're more interested in finding out about the software you use on your device. So, please help us out by hitting the link below, dropping into our forums and sharing details on all your apps.

What are your must have apps for the Surface Pro 4 in 2017

Microsoft is making it easier to get your hands on a Surface Pro 4 with a $100 discount on its entry-level model. Right now you can pick up the Intel Core m3 Surface Pro 4 for $699 directly from the Microsoft Store. On top of that, Microsoft is also throwing in a $25 gift code to spend on apps and games on the Windows Store.

For your money, you'll pick up the Core m3-powered model with 128GB of storage and 4GB of RAM. The one big downside with this particular model is that it doesn't come with a Surface Pen, which is one of the big draws of the Surface line. To start inking, you'll have to shell out an extra $60 for a Surface Pen separately.

All said, that's not a bad deal at all if you're looking for a relatively cheap way to jump into the Surface ecosystem. If you need a little more power, there are ongoing deals on the Core i5 and Core i7 models as well, with each dropping $200 off of their base price.

See at Microsoft

The fallout from the UK's decision to leave the EU this past summer has already driven price increases on some products, and now the Brexit bump is hitting something dear to Microsoft fans: Surface. As first spotted by TechChrunch, Microsoft has bumped the price of Surface Book models by £150 across the board. That's not all, however, as the Surface Pro 4 has seen price increases ranging up to £100 on all but its entry-level model.

In a statement to TechCrunch, Microsoft confirmed that the price changes went in effect today because the company is "adjusting the British pound prices of some of our hardware and consumer software in order to align to market dynamics." The company did clarify that these price increases only apply to individual buyers and organizations without volume licensing contracts.

The net effect of the increase is that the cost of buying into the entry-level Surface Book is now £1,449 — a bump from its original £1,299 price point. At the top end, the 1TB Intel Core i7 model with 16GB of RAM is now going for $3,049.

Microsoft is by no means alone in this. Apple and Sonos are also among some of the prominent tech companies that have increased their prices in response to the fall in value of the British pound. Microsoft itself even bumped some of its enterprise product prices in October.

See at Microsoft

Microsoft will sell you a refurbished Surface Pro 3 or Surface Pro 4 in various configurations, and as you'd expect the starting prices are lower than if you went and bought a brand new one.

But refurbished isn't new, by definition. It's a used product made good again. So what do you actually get, and is it worth the investment?

The cost

Based on current Microsoft Store pricing, here's what you're looking at for a certified refurbished Surface Pro 3 and Surface Pro 4

Surface Pro 3

Surface Pro 4

The Surface Pro 3 is a last-gen product so there's no current pricing to compare to, but $499 for the 128GB Core i5 model is the best value you can currently get.

The Surface Pro 4 has recently had some price cuts and starts right now at $699 for the 128GB Core m3 model, so refurbed versions offer less savings. You have to go up to the Core i7 256GB with 8GB of RAM to see a savings of $220, which might make a bit more sense. At the lower end, you save less than $100, and frankly, you'd be better off stumping for the brand new ones.

What does certified refurbished mean?

Each refurbished product is a pre-owned device that Microsoft puts through a rigorous course of love and care, with new parts and repairs when necessary.

As part of the refurb process, each Microsoft-Certified Refurbished Product:

• is screened and tested to be fully functional.
• is reloaded with the Windows OS and software updates.
• is put through a thorough cleaning process and cosmetic inspection.
• is repackaged with appropriate manuals, cables and power cord in a new box.

When you receive your product it should be indistinguishable from a brand new one. You also get a 12-month limited warranty from Microsoft with all refurbished products should anything go wrong.

Should you buy one?

There's no reason not to buy a refurbed device from Microsoft, because you're getting a professionally-refurbished Surface Pro at a discount price directly from the source. If you want an older, cheaper Surface Pro 3 this is probably a better idea than buying a used model from a third-party.

However, if you're looking at the Surface Pro 4 it only really makes sense at the higher-end, so you get substantial savings. Sure, savings are savings, but at the lower end you won't save enough with recent price drops to justify taking the plunge.

See at Microsoft

If you're in the market for a moderately powerful Surface Pro 4, now's your chance to score a pretty good deal from Microsoft. Right now, Microsoft's online store has the Core i5 Surface Pro 4 with 128GB of storage and 4GB of RAM on sale for $799 (via Neowin). If you're keeping track, that's a full $200 discount on the tablet's normal $999 price tag.

None of the other Surface Pro 4 models are on sale at the moment. However, that price cut knocks the Core i5 model down to the same price as the Core m3 without a pen, and it's actually cheaper than the Core m3 with a pen. In other words, this is a pretty solid deal if you don't happen to need the power of a Core i7 processor or more RAM.

This deal is set to last through February 4, so you've got a few days to decide if you want to pull the trigger.

See at the Microsoft Store

If you're looking to save a little bit of cash on a Surface Pro 4, the U.S. Microsoft Store is now offering a version of the tablet without a Surface Pen included (via Neowin). The option is only available on the lowest-end 128GB Intel Core m3 version of the tablet, but foregoing the Surface Pen knocks a solid $100 off of its price, dropping it down to $799.

The option to go sans Pen has been available with certain bundles at other retailers, like Best Buy, before, but this is the first time the U.S. Microsoft Store has offered such an option. Still, the Pen is a big part of the Surface experience, so it's curious that Microsoft would decouple the two with this configuration.

That said, if you still want a Surface Pen, there's still some savings to be had. The Surface Pen is available on its own for $60, meaning you can grab the Pen-less Surface Pro 4, throw in the pen separately, and still save about $40. Not too shabby.

Interested? If so, you can hit up the Microsoft Store to grab one for yourself. Do keep in mind that this option only appears to be present on the U.S. Microsoft Store at the moment.

See at the Microsoft Store

As we inch closer and closer to Super Bowl Sunday, Microsoft is offering up a solid deal on its NFL Type Covers for Surface Pro 4. Right now, you can pick up an NFL Type Cover for just $99 at the Microsoft Store (via Neowin). For those keeping track, that's a full $60 discount on its usual $160 price tag.

For your money, you'll be able to choose a Type Cover sporting the logo of your favorite NFL team. All 32 teams are represented, so there should be something for everyone. Given the fact that even the regular Surface Pro 4 Type Cover normally runs $130, this is a solid option if you're even vaguely interested in showing off your team's colors.

As you might expect, there are a couple of caveats to keep in mind. The deal is only available in the U.S. Microsoft Store, and it's only set to last through today, January 23. Still, if you're interested, you can take advantage of the discount at the Microsoft Store now.

See at the Microsoft Store

If you've been a Surface user for a few years now, you might have started with a Surface Pro 3 and upgraded to a Surface Pro 4. In this case, you might also have a Surface Pro 3 dock sitting around somewhere. Good news! You can use your old dock with your newer, thinner Surface Pro. Here's how to get the necessary adapter and how to put everything together.

• Get your dock adapter for free from Microsoft
• Print your own dock adapter
• How to use your Surface Pro 3 dock with a Surface Pro 4
• Where to get the Surface Pro 3 docking station

Get your dock adapter for free from Microsoft

To fit your Surface Pro 4 into the older dock, you'll need an adapter from Microsoft. The easiest way to get one is to visit Microsoft's device repair site.

1. Register your Surface Pro with Microsoft.
2. Click Replace an accessory.
3. Click Surface Pro 4 Adapter for Surface Pro 3 Docking Station.

You can also spend some time out of the house and head down to a local Microsoft store to pick up an adapter. Not sure if there's a physical Microsoft Store location near you? Check out this full list of Microsoft Stores.

Print your own dock adapter

If you're lucky enough to own or have access to a 3D printer, Microsoft has been kind enough to supply a template for the necessary adapter. This page contains all the instructions and files you need to print your own adapter.

How to use your Surface Pro 3 dock with a Surface Pro 4

The adapter for your Surface Pro 3 docking station simply slides in, allowing your Surface Pro 4 to sit atop it. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure you get everything set up correctly.

1. Pull out both sides of your docking station.

2. Place the adapter against the docking station and slide it down.

3. Place your Surface Pro 4 against the dock and adapter and slide it down.
4. Push both sides of the dock in so that it attaches to your Surface Pro 4 (Surface Pro 3 is pictured below, but it's the same process for the Surface Pro 4).

That's it! Your Surface Pro 4 will fit securely in your docking station and you can enjoy all your peripheral devices.

Where to get the Surface Pro 3 docking station

If you like the look and function of the Surface Pro 3 docking station, you can still get it from the Microsoft Store for about $200.

See at Microsoft Store

If you'd rather have a dock that works with the Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4, and Surface Book, the Microsoft Surface Dock is your best bet. It doesn't have the same stand-like design, but it works just as well to connect your peripherals. It is the same price as the Surface Pro dock — about $200.

See at Microsoft Store

Which dock do you use?

Do you have a Surface Pro 3 dock that you use with a Surface Pro 4, or did you go with the newer Surface Dock that is compatible with all Surface models? Let us know in the comments section!

Both the Surface Studio and Surface Pro 4 recently snagged a batch of firmware updates. As is usually the case, release notes for the updates weren't available right away, but Microsoft has since added changelogs for both updates to its Surface Update tracker.

Here's what's new with the Surface Studio:

• NVIDIA driver update for NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M [[ applicable to i7 platform devices ]] - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M 21.21.13.7620 - Reduces time to wake from sleep and improves compatibility with the latest games.
• NVIDIA driver update for NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M [[ applicable to i5 platform devices ]] - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M 21.21.13.7620 - Reduces time to wake from sleep and improves compatibility with the latest games.
• Microsoft - Firmware - Surface UEFI - 117.1394.768.0 - Improves time to wake up from sleep and speech recognition accuracy.
• Intel(R) Corporation driver update for Intel(R) Smart Sound Technology (Intel(R) SST) OED - Intel(R) Smart Sound Technology (Intel(R) SST) OED - 8.20.0.968 - Improves reliability of Skype call audio and notification alerts.
• Intel(R) Corporation driver update for Intel(R) Smart Sound Technology (Intel(R) SST) Audio Controller - Intel(R) Smart Sound Technology (Intel(R) SST) Audio Controller - 8.20.0.968 - Improves reliability of Skype call audio and notification alerts.
• Intel(R) Corporation driver update for Intel(R) Ethernet Connection (2) l219-LM - Intel(R) Ethernet Connection (2) l219-LM - 12.15.23.8 - Improves Ethernet connection stability.

And here's what's new with the Surface Pro 4:

• Microsoft – Firmware – 2.0.302.0 - Surface Pro 4 Firmware Update - 2.0.302.0 improves keyboard stability.
• Intel Corporation - HIDClass – 1.2.0.78 - Intel Precise Touch Device - 1.2.0.78 disables touch when cover is closed.
• Microsoft Driver update for Surface Integration Service Device - Surface Integration Service Device - 1.0.241.0 improves battery life during sleep.
• Microsoft Driver update for Surface Integration - Surface Integration - 1.0.121.0 improves battery life during sleep.
• Microsoft driver update for Surface Storage Firmware Update - Surface Pro 4 - Surface Toshiba Storage Firmware Update driver - 1.1.617.0 improves storage performance.
• Microsoft Driver update for Surface Embedded Controller Firmware - Surface Embedded Controller Firmware - 103.1414.256.0 adds support for an upcoming product release.
• Microsoft – System – 103.1413.258.0 - Surface System Aggregator - 103.1413.258.0 adds support for an upcoming product release.
• Microsoft – Firmware -106.1414.768.0 - Surface UEFI - 106.1414.768.0 improves system stability.

Have you noticed any performance improvements since grabbing the updates? Let us know in the comments!

Update: Microsoft has since posted release notes for this batch of firmware updates. You can check them out here.

If you own a Surface Pro 4, you may want to check Windows Update for a batch of firmware updates that are now rolling out. As per usual, the Surface Pro 4 update history page hasn't been updated with details yet, so its not entirely clear what's new.

Curiously, judging by a tip we received and an ongoing Reddit thread, this batch of firmware updates is actually labeled with older release dates. We're not sure what's going on, but it's similar to a firmware release that began rolling out to the Surface Studio last night, dated November 18.

We'll know more once Microsoft adds details to its Surface Update History page. In the meantime, if you own a Surface Pro 4, you should be able to grab these firmware releases via Windows Update now.

Thanks to Wes for the tip!

If you're in the market for a decent deal on a Surface Pro 4 or Surface Book in the UK, the Microsoft Store has a treat for you. Right now, you can pick up a pretty solid 15% on select configurations of both Surfaces, saving up to £195.

In all, there are only 3 models being offered with the 15% discount, including:

• Surface Pro 4 - 128GB / Intel Core m3 / 4GB RAM - 635
• Surface Pro 4 - 128GB / Intel Core i5 / 4GB RAM - 720
• Surface Book - 128GB / Intel Core i5 / 8GB - 1,104

Overall, not a bad discount all around — especially if you don't mind snagging a Surface at the entry-level. If you want to get in on the deal, these discounts are set to last through January 31. However, it's likely we may see an updated Surface lineup make its debut in the coming months, so don't be surprised if we see even more discounts on the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 as the months wear on.

• See Surface Book at Microsoft
• See Surface Pro 4 at Microsoft

Best Buy is offering the 128GB version of the Surface Pro 4 for just $699, a savings of $300. Featuring a 12.3-inch screen, the Surface Pro 4 also comes equipped with an Intel Core m3, 128GB of internal storage, a microSD slot for expansion and much more. The included Type cover will make creating documents, sending emails, and other daily tasks even easier while on the go.

If you are looking for a portable machine to carry around, this may be your best bet at this price. This deal is only good for today, January 18, so be sure to act quickly if you want to check one out!

See at Best Buy