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Surface Pro 4 Review: Features, Performance & User Insights

The Surface Pro 4, released nearly a decade ago, combines all the key strengths of a tablet and a laptop into one package. However, users have raised concerns about numerous issues like battery degradation and performance limitations. So, how does the Surface Pro 4 performance hold up in 2025? In this complete Surface Pro 4 review, I’ll dive into its current performance, user experiences, and compatibility with modern tools like WPS Office, to help you decide if it's the right fit for your needs.

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Surface Pro 4 Review

Surface Pro 4 Overview

The Surface Pro truly impressed me right out of the box with its sleek design and versatility. From the moment I picked it up, the magnesium alloy body felt premium, while the kickstand provided me flexibility to adjust it however I liked. The display still holds up quite well, despite being a decade old, and provides enough real estate to multitask easily. I really enjoyed doing all my work on this device, from editing documents to designing detailed presentations, it handled everything seamlessly. It does show its age in some aspects, but in terms of pure design and usability, it holds up surprisingly well even in 2025.

Surface Pro 4 Laptop Form

Key Features

Design & Build: I really liked the slim and lightweight body, featuring a magnesium casing and an adjustable kickstand for added versatility.
Display: 12.3-inch PixelSense touchscreen displays accurate colors with great visual clarity, offering a high resolution of up to 2736x1824 which is very helpful for my creative tasks.
Performance: I found a wide variety of models ranging from low-end processors like Intel Core m3 all the way to powerful Intel Core i7 CPUs, offering up to 16GB RAM and 1TB lightning-fast SSD.
Accessories: Detachable Type Cover keyboard and Surface Pen support, which really enhance the overall work experience especially if you’re an artist or a professional working on the go.

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Performance & Longevity

Surface Pro 4 performance has been a topic of discussion for many years, as it comes with its own set of strengths and struggles. After using it extensively, I found it to handle casual usage and my routine work with ease. However, its performance really started to show its age under heavier workloads.

Surface Pro 4 and Stylus

When running multiple applications like WPS Office simultaneously or during resource-intensive tasks, the performance dips significantly and suffers from heating issues. The system still benefits from the responsiveness of the SSD, but the battery life has degraded drastically over time. For casual usage and light usage, it remains functional, but it is not made to be pushed beyond simple tasks.

Key Points

Processing Power: I found the Surface Pro 4 user experience to deliver smooth performance for basic tasks, but struggled a lot when I tried running processor-intensive applications due to aging hardware.
Battery Life: Surface Pro 4 battery life is originally rated for 9 hours of use, though my testing now shows significantly reduced battery life (typically 4–5 hours).
Thermal Management: It’s efficient enough for light workloads, however in my prolonged use or demanding tasks, overheating and fan noise were a major nuisance.
Software Compatibility: It fully supports Windows 10 with stable performance, but lacks official Windows 11 compatibility due to hardware limitations.
Modern Comparison: In my benchmark tests, its scores fell 60–70% below current-generation tablets in CPU and GPU performance tests.

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Staying Productive with WPS

Whenever I’m using my Surface Pro 4, especially in warm environments, I have to be careful with demanding apps or it starts overheating. I rely on lightweight and efficient tools like WPS Office to complement the features of my Surface Pro, providing me with all the productivity software I need in just one place. Seamlessly integrating into my workflow, it runs smoothly even on aging devices like the Surface Pro 4. For students, professionals, or casual users who need reliable productivity on the go, combining WPS Office with the Surface Pro 4 is the perfect productivity combo that still holds up well even after 10 years.

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Highlights

Seamless Compatibility: WPS Office delivers full office functionality, providing seamless compatibility with all Microsoft Office formats.
Enhanced Touch & Pen Support: The Surface Pen turns WPS into a digital notebook, ideal for handwritten notes, document edits, and easy navigation.
Ultra-Portable Workflow: Its lightweight design and minimal resource usage make WPS ideal for remote productivity on the Surface Pro 4.
Cloud Integration: Sync documents effortlessly across all your devices with WPS Cloud, ensuring access to your files anywhere.
Customizable UI: You can optimize your workspace with adjustable toolbars and dark mode for comfortable extended usage.

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WPS Office offers me a comprehensive productivity suite that equips me with all the essential tools I need to work efficiently, while boosting my productivity with its AI features that handle my repetitive and tedious tasks for me. It integrated seamlessly across all my devices, while maintaining a familiar and intuitive interface that ensured a smooth transition for me. For anyone looking for a reliable, AI-driven productivity suite that effortlessly optimizes productivity, WPS Office is the ideal choice.

Comparison Table Summary

My experience with the Surface Pro 4 was relatively good, I'd say it still works surprisingly well for light work, studying, or everyday tasks. It's definitely not made for heavy multitasking or demanding creative work, but if you're on a tight budget, it gives you a decent balance between performance and comfort. When I pair it with modern tools like WPS Office, I get a smooth and efficient workflow that's pretty impressive for a nearly 10-year-old device. Before you finalize your decision, just make sure to check the Surface Pro 4 pros and cons carefully so you can choose what's best for you.

Feature	Description	Notes
Display	12.3” PixelSense, 2736x1824 Resolution	Sharp Visuals, Accurate Colors
Processor	Intel Core m3/i5/i7	Adequate for General Tasks
RAM & Storage	Up to 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD	Fast Storage, Limited by Age
Battery Life	~9 hours (originally)	Degrades over time
Operating System	Windows 10 Pro	Not Eligible for Windows 11 Upgrade
Accessories	Type Cover, Surface Pen	Enhances Productivity

FAQs

Q1: Is the Surface Pro 4 still worth buying in 2025?

While it is quite outdated, it can handle basic tasks and is suitable for users with minimal performance demands.

Q2: Can the Surface Pro 4 run WPS Office efficiently?

Yes, WPS Office is a lightweight and efficient tool which runs smoothly on the Surface Pro 4 with Windows 10.

Q3: What are common issues with the Surface Pro 4?

Some users have reported common issues like battery degradation, overheating, and screen flickering as the laptop ages.

Q4: Is the Surface Pro 4 compatible with Windows 11?

No, the Surface Pro 4’s hardware is too outdated for the system requirements of Windows 11.

Summary

The Surface Pro 4 is an innovative blend between tablet portability and laptop functionality, making it an ideal choice even for today’s users. While it runs well enough for everyday usage, it struggles greatly under heavy workloads. In this Surface Pro 4 review, I've shared my honest experience, from its key strengths to its very real struggles, so you can determine if this aging device fits your needs.

To maximize my Surface Pro 4's potential, I pair it with efficient tools like WPS Office. If I'm editing documents offline or syncing files through the cloud, it integrates perfectly into my routine. Being fully compatible with older devices, WPS Office has become my go-to productivity suite for getting work done on my Surface Pro.