The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 has recently been one of the best 2-in-1 tablets in 2016 and it seems intent on keeping its place at the top with the rumored Surface Pro 5. Samsung, for its part, has unveiled the Galaxy Book which it hopes will keep Microsoft on its feet. The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 does not get an extra point for its cameo in the Marvel film "Doctor Strange". It does, however, get major props for its brilliant marketing campaign. As for the Samsung Galaxy Book, its immediate claim to fame is its affordability. The Samsung Book is way cheaper than the Surface Pro 4, but is it better? We're here to find out.
As per BGR, Samsung unveiled a couple of Windows 10 2-in-1 tablets at the 2017 Mobile World Congress - the Galaxy Book 10 and the Galaxy Book 12. The former costs only $629.99 while the latter almost doubles in price at $1,129.99. A more high-end version of the Book 12 goes for $1,299.99. The Surface Pro, meanwhile, costs at least $799.
The 10.6-inch Galaxy Book 10 with TFT touchscreen is powered by Intel Core m3 processor and 4GB of RAM. It also has a 30.4Wh battery and comes with Wi-Fi only. The 12-inch variant sports an AMOLED screen and is powered by the fanless Core i5 processor also from Intel. It has 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and a 39.04Wh battery. As GSMArena reported, there are two versions of the 12-inch Galaxy Book - the Wi-Fi only and the LTE variants. All three models come with the S Pen stylus and keyboard each.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 runs on Windows Pro. The lowest-end model is powered by Intel Core m3 processor while the highest-end comes with the 6th-gen Core i7. It has 4GB to 16GB of RAM and 128GB to 512GB of storage. Unlike the Galaxy Book, it does not come with a stylus or keyboard cover.
The LTE-equipped Samsung Galaxy Book 12 will be up for pre-order from Verizon starting tomorrow, April 21. The Wi-Fi only Galaxy Book models can be pre-ordered from Samsung's official website and a few Best Buy outlets also beginning tomorrow. This means it's just a matter of time, one month to be exact before tech pundits get their hands on the hybrid device and get a full grasp of what it can and cannot do.
On paper, the Samsung Galaxy Book looks better than the Surface Pro 4. Its specs are equal to that of the current Microsoft flagship 2-in-1 though it can be had at a much cheaper price. While it's easy to say that the Galaxy Book is better, it must be noted that the true test will come once it is released.
