Microsoft Surface 2 & Pro 2: Comparison Charts (Worth the Upgrade?)
When thinking about purchasing a Surface Pro 2 to replace my current Surface Pro, I decided to look for a comparison chart (us tech nerds love a good comparison chart). After quite a while of searching though the internet, I came up empty. Plenty of articles explaining the new features but none of them giving a clear, anal-retentive chart like what I wanted. I simply wanted to answer one main question, “Is it worth it for me to sell my Surface Pro and buy the Surface Pro 2?” With that in mind, I made my own chart myself to answer just that and figured I’d post it here for anyone else interested in seeing the new vs old in such a manner.
Microsoft Surface vs Microsoft Surface 2
| Surface | Surface 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10.81 x 6.77 x 0.37 inches (274.5 x 171.9 x 9.38 mm) | 10.81 x 6.79 x 0.35 inches (274 x 171 x 8.9 mm) |
| Weight | 24.00 oz (680 g) | 23.84 oz (676 g) |
| Screen Size | 10.6 inches | 10.6 inches |
| Resolution | 1366 x 768 pixels | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 148 ppi | 208 ppi |
| Processor | Quad core, 1.3GHz, NVIDIA Tegra 3 | Quad core, 1.7GHz, NVIDIA Tegra 4 |
| RAM | 2GBs | 2GBs |
| Storage | 32GBs | 32GBs |
| Rear Camera | 1.2MP | 5MP |
| Front Camera | 1.2MP | 3.5MP |
| Ports | USB 2.0 | USB 3.0 |
| Battery | 8 Hours of Use | 10 Hours of Use |
| Included Extras | Office RT | Office RT w/ Outlook, 200GBs of SkyDrive (free for 2 years), Unlimited Skype Calling (free for 1 year), Kickstand with Two Angle Settings |
| Price | $349 | $449/$549 |
The Surface 2 seems to be a much needed upgrade to the original Surface in all aspects of the device. Full HD resolution means watching 1080P videos in actual 1080P, USB 3.0 means transferring of data is faster (important if plugging in a camera, for example), faster processor means improved performance (and less waiting for apps to open), better cameras mean better Skyping and pictures, and thinner/lighter is just always a good thing. Overall, if you have the old Surface, it could be worth it to sell on craigslist/eBay/etc. and grab the new one for not too much extra.
Microsoft Surface Pro vs Microsoft Surface Pro 2
| Surface Pro | Surface Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10.81 x 6.81 x 0.53 inches (275 x 173 x 13 mm) | 10.81 x 6.81 x 0.53 inches (275 x 173 x 13 mm) |
| Weight | 23.84 oz (907 g) | 23.84 oz (907 g) |
| Screen Size | 10.6 inches | 10.6 inches |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 207 ppi | 207 ppi |
| Processor | Quad core, 1.7GHz, Intel Core i5, 3rd Gen | Quad core, 1.7GHz, Intel Core i5, 4rd Gen (Better Power Management) |
| RAM | 4GBs | 4/8GBs (if you buy the 64/128Gb storage option you get 4GBs of RAM, if you buy the 256/512GB storage option you get 8GBs of RAM) |
| Storage | 64/128GBs | 64/128/256/512GBs |
| Rear Camera | 0.9MP | 0.9MP |
| Front Camera | 0.9MP | 0.9MP |
| Ports | USB 3.0, mini DisplayPort | USB 3.0, mini DisplayPort |
| Battery | 4 Hours of Use | 8 Hours of Use |
| Included Extras | None | Better Speakers, 200GBs of SkyDrive (free for 2 years), Unlimited Skype Calling (free for 1 year), Kickstand with Two Angle Settings |
| Price | $799/$899 | $899/$999/$1299/$1799 |
Less of a jump here for old Surface Pro users (unfortunately for me). Battery life is doubled (according the Microsoft) thanks to the new generation of i5 processor, better speakers, but the biggest jump will be that extra 4GBs of RAM. Sadly though, that extra RAM is only available on the 256GB and 512GB versions which cost $1299/$1799 respectively. On top of that, the 256GB and 512GB versions aren’t shipping until December 15th which means you’ll have to wait for all that extra storage and memory.
Ultimately, if you have a Surface RT, it’s probably worth it for you to resell it and buy the new Surface 2. A quick check of completed listings on eBay shows them selling today between $200-$300 for the 32GB version and that means it’s only another $100/$150 for a new Surface 2. With all the improvements, it might be worth it in my opinion.
Ah, now for us Surface Pro users. The situation isn’t as exciting, in fact, it’s slightly sad. First up the only big improvement if going for the 64GB/128GB version is going to be the battery life provided by the new generation processors. If that is a huge and I mean HUGE concern, you could THINK about selling and getting the new one but seems that they are selling for between $600-700 on eBay and that means the new one will cost you an extra $300-$400 just for battery life. Only way I’d want to upgrade, personally, is if I was also getting that extra 4GBs of RAM and extra storage, but, again, that only comes with the 256GB and 512GB options. That means it would cost an extra $600-$1100 to get those coming from the 64GB/128GB models. Plus, that also means waiting two more months to get the new version (and by then, your current Surface Pro’s value will further decrease). Getting why I said “sad” earlier? Yeah, no bueno.
So it seems, for Surface Pro owners, an upgrade doesn’t make much sense without having to shell out a lot more cash and waiting two months. Unless, of course, Microsoft will take back the Surface Pro in exchange at full retail for the new Surface Pro 2 (considering they DID take back my Surface RT not too long ago and gave me full retail for it towards my Surface Pro). One can hope, no?
In the meantime, everyone can at least be happy to get Windows 8.1 for free on their current Surface, right? Right?!
I’m a Surface Pro 1 customer who recently sold his pro on ebay to upgrade. I got $650 for it, including the type cover, and I fished out the extra ~300 preordering the new surface pro.
I’m rethinking that now because it doesn’t seem nearly as worth it without the extra 4GB so I might get the $899 pro and return it before 30 days then get the 8GB model.
Either way, the free 200GB Skydrive for 2 years is well worth the upgrade alone.
I just sold my 32GB Surface w/ cover for $400 on eBay and probably could have gotten a lot more. People outside the US are willing to pay a lot since they can’t get it. Just be aware that eBay takes 13-14% of each sale including13-14% of the shipping costs.
All said and done that came to around $345 for me after eBay took $60 in fees.
Thanks for the chart!
You should have exercised patience! The $1299 model is the only model worthy of mention. If you do not got it, wait for gen 3 than buy the gen 2. Keep gen 1 as a toy, at that point I can’t imagine it being worth much…
The Haswell is the chip that should have been there since day one, Microsoft launched the Pro too soon IMO, but they wanted those early adopters to throw away their money and build some brand recognition.
At this point if you are okay with the performance of the gen 1 I’d say wait until 3. I couldn’t stomach the gen 1 specs, was waiting on an actual Surface Pro, which is gen 2.
The difference between 256 GB and 512 GB is moot. Get an external USB 3.0 3 TB for < $100.