The Microsoft Surface line of tablets has been fairly divisive; for every evangelist there are plenty of skeptics who doubt the device can truly replace a laptop. Microsoft is forging on with the fourth iteration regardless, building the Surface Pro 4 ($1,299 as tested) on the strongest points of...

Sharp, vibrant touch display; Full-friction, adjustable kickstand; Improved Surface Pen and Type Cover from the previous iteration; Strong battery life in testing

Pricey; Type Cover sold separately; Still only one USB port

Imagine if you had a time machine that could send you back exactly 13 years. The rules of time travel don't let you change the past, but they do allow you to ask one question of a single person (time travel is, after all, very complicated).

Thin and light; Greatly improved kickstand; High-resolution screen

So-so battery life; Some software bugs; No full SD card slot

Moreover, as impressively thin and light as the Surface Pro 3 is, it's still relatively heavy to use for long periods as a tablet. And Microsoft's app store still has a long way to go before it even approaches the selection of quality software available from the Apple iOS and Google Android stores.

Thinnest and lightest Surface Pro to date; Attractive 3:2 screen; More versatile kickstand; Premium look and feel

Still heavy as a tablet; Keyboard adds $130 to the price; Runs hot under heavy workloads

While the new Surface Pro 3 is Microsoft's best PC to date, it's more successful as a tablet than a laptop replacement.

The Surface Pro 3 is thinner and lighter than the previous two versions, despite having a larger 12-inch display and higher screen resolution; A new kickstand makes it easier to set up and use, and the keyboard cover remains a best-in-class example.

That excellent keyboard cover is not included in the base price, and its improved touchpad still doesn't measure up; The chassis lacks pen storage, and even with tweaked kickstand and keyboard hinges, the Surface Pro 3 still doesn't fit perfectly on the lap

Now in it's third iteration, Microsoft is finally confident enough to say the Surface Pro is a worthy replacement for both your laptop and tablet. When announcing the Pro 3 Microsoft was quick to say it's a better option than buying an iPad and a MacBook Air - a bold claim, but one which the company...

Great design and build quality; Gorgeous screen; Fast and powerful

Windows 8 app selection still small; Type Cover is expensive and trackpad is poor; Lack of ports

Since Microsoft unveiled its first Surface Pro in 2012, it has been trying to push the line of devices to business users as the ultimate "all in one" machine. Specifically the firm claims that, when paired with a keyboard cover, the Surface Pro will be able to function equally well as both a tablet...

Clear display; good performance; wealth of productivity services; good battery life

Expensive by tablet standards; Type Cover costs an extra £110; stylus can lag

Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 is a HUGE step in the right direction for Microsoft and an excellent poster boy for Windows

Beautiful display; Awesome handwriting recognition thanks to the Surface Pen and software; Great new 3:2 aspect ratio

At 5-6 hours usage for moderate tasks; the battery life on the Surface Pro 3 leaves something to be desired

Microsoft combines the portability of a tablet with the raw power and input of a laptop. Despite its imperfections the Surface Pro 3 manages to live up to the claim of being a hybrid.

Superb screen; Excellent pen integration; Portable form factor; Good performance; Flexible kickstand

Type Cover not included; Windows scaling problems; Battery life isn't good enough; Difficult to repair

The Surface Pro 3 brings some very welcome improvements to the design of the previous model, with Microsoft retaining the tablet's high quality design while improving it in the places it needed most, namely the multi-angle kickstand, higher quality and bigger screen and, most of all, its much more...

Major design improvements; better battery life; more portable; bigger and better screen

Type Cover still feels substandard; The high price

: The Surface Pro 3 is a much better substitute for a laptop than its predecessors thanks to its fantastic design and great spec.

Top design and great build quality; Fabulous screen; Speedy and powerful

Little choice of apps; Type Cover pricey; and disappointing trackpad; Lack of ports