Download Raya Pro here:
My Surface Pro 4:
Bluetooth mouse:
You can see my exact model in the link below. Essentially it has 16gb RAM, a 512 GB SSD drive, and an i7 intel core processor.
I decided to get the surface pro 4 ahead of any other laptop because it was really light, so I could take it on location with me without too much extra weight. And it looked powerful enough for photo editing in Photoshop.
By the way, sorry guys, I haven’t tested this with Lightroom so I’m afraid I can’t comment on the machine’s performance using that particular software.
I absolutely love this machine. In fact, if tablet laptops like this continue to improve, I’ll probably never purchase another conventional laptop again. I mean, look at the size of this thing! I can do most of my work and watch movies on it and it barely adds any weight to my bag.
Now, at this stage, I should point out that I am a Mac user, as you can see by this beast here, and my wife’s Macbook. And usually with reviews like this Mac users will complain about Windows usability in the comments section below.
But I’m afraid those criticisms are less and less relevant now. Microsoft have created a far more user friendly operating system than previous versions of Windows, and it works beautifully in touch mode.
Interestingly enough, I’ve experienced more crashes and other issues with my iMac and Adobe’s software, than I have on my Surface Pro 4. I’m still a fan of the Mac operating system, but I think Windows 10 is now a great alternative that I’ve got no problem using instead.
So what exactly do I love about the machine?
Well, as I mentioned, Windows 10 is great to use. And the pen that comes with the Surface Pro is very smooth. When we combine the two, it’s just a really enjoyable experience. Sometimes I even find myself doodling and making sketches just for fun.
It works well enough in Photoshop, as you can see in the video.
But what about the down sides?
Well the battery is pretty useless. I can get a maximum of 2 hours use out of it in Photoshop. But then again, should we expect more? With the size of this machine, and the amount of work it is being asked to do, I think it’s pretty Impressive. With less demanding tasks the battery naturally lasts a bit longer.
I could have gone for the Surface Book which boasts a very respectable battery life, but I didn’t want the extra weight. And I don’t mind plugging the Surface Pro in when I’m working someplace like a coffee shop.
There’s no SD card reader slot.
Next, it is extremely expensive. At about £1700, or $1600, we’re talking Mac prices now. And that doesn’t even include the keyboard!
Another problem is that when you buy the Surface Pro, you need to update everything instantly. Microsoft had a huge amount of problems when it was first released, and have since corrected them, but if you don’t do an all-out update straight away, you may be in for problems.
And finally, the machine, despite its impressive specs, will not perform as quickly as a laptop with the same specs. Since this little thing is tightly encased, it tends to get hot, which means the performance is throttled to keep the temperature down. But as we saw earlier, the machine works well with Photoshop and doesn’t overheat. But, I doubt it would handle video editing particularly well.
Clearly I love this machine. And if, for whatever reason, I decide to upgrade to a full laptop, I doubt I’ll be looking at Macbook Pro’s. Chances are, I’ll go for the next generation of Surface Books, if the specs are good enough.
Hey, great summary of your experience using the Surface Pro 4. I've been using Macs since forever but I'm seriously considering making the jump to PC so I can have more hardware options, like the Surface Pro or HP ZBook or similar. Are you still using the Surface Pro? If not, what are you using now? Do you regret switching to PC? Do you still use your Mac?
Hello, I need a help sos please: does the surface pro use a sistem for mobiles like the iPad using ios? I bought an iPad pro 12.9 for graphic design and photo editing but it seems hard to get the classic versions of Adobe software on it, and I'm feeling very down about dunk what to do
Hey Jimmy. Wonderful review! I’m a Mac user as well for the past 25 years. Mainly illustrator and indesign. Looking for a small form factor machine to take with me when abroad. Do you know if this machine could handle those 2 adobe cc programs? Appreciate fonts might be an issue if running between my Mac and the surface pro. Thanks in advance for any advice you might be able to give 👍🏻
Been running PS CC on my Surface Pro 4 (8GB, Core i5) for about a year now, with no issues whatsoever. I am often editing large, multi-layered PSD files, and I can't really tell the performance difference between the SP4 and my big desktop setup. I edit on this machine everyday (running 3 monitors, BTW), and am utterly satisfied. It's a workhorse. Go for it!
Mr.Jimmy. My Photoshop CS3 icons/tools etc are extremely small as to be almost unusable on Surface Pro 4. Please, can you tell how did you fix scaling problem? Any help or advice from yourself or your followers would be greatly appreciated.
2800 DM😎 das sind Kriminelle!1000 DM ist okay.
I can't find tablet pro or raya pro here in the U.S.. is there something comparable here that you know of?
👍Terrific, thank you. 💞
Very nice review. I have been using my SP4 for editing big PSD files for a long time now (connected to a really big screen), and I can't tell the difference in performance between that and my big desktop setup. Seriously, this thing totally rocks. Is it perfect? No. Is it really close? Yes. And, it has never, ever, crashed while running PS (after hundreds of hours of use). And, despite Jimmy's experience, heat has never been an issue. Don't hesitate; it's a great investment.
which Photoshop software are you using please
Jimmy, Are you still using your Surface Pro? Long time Mac user but using a Surface Pro on the road Is very tempting. I tried an iPad only workflow but its cumbersome.
How can you be this manly that hair grows on your fingers?
Thanks a lot for the review…. it will help on my decision. I need a machine when I am away from home for Photoshop.
make a review on surfacebook 2
Why my photoshop become small when run that program in sufrace pro4
Hi! Do you think that it's possible to use Photoshop and Premiere with a Surface Pro 4 i7 8gb? I'm talking about light use, nothing too intensive. Cheers!
If the surface studio has solid performance with photoshop/lr, I will absolutely get one and never look back.
Hello what screen recording software are you using on your surface 4?
I have overheating problem on my sp4 i5, 8gb ram. Anyone experiencing? Any solution?
Great review, best I've seen for the Surface Pro thanks. Im a mac user too but frustrated with current offerings. Im waiting for the iMac Pro and hope it comes with a matt screen option?
It occurs to me that this computer would be perfect for live view in Lightroom, what do you think?
Are you from South Wales?
The surface pro 4 is amazing. But I do not recommend buying it for photoshop users. Not because of the laptop/tablet itself but because of photoshop. Photoshop doesnt care at all about their customers so they havent made it compatible with small high resolution screens. The menu bar will be so freakishly small that you wont be able to work with it.
And the photoshop CS6 doesnt even have the scale UI option.
am I gonna face unacceptable problems with Photoshop if I'm using SP4 i5 8gig RAM?
Good review. However I felt it was a little bit harsh on it from the perspective that it's not intended to be used as your main workhorse productivity machine. I know you mentioned that, but I felt you were perhaps expecting a bit too much from what is possible with technology today. For example, battery life and resource using hungry applications are going to be mutually exclusive.
photoshop is free on surface pro ?
lol. windows has been the better os ever since xp.
Do you use screen protector?
I looooooove your accent
I think if you're running a 16gb RAM. lightroom should work fine.
Love the video. I have a Surface 3 and it's awesome! I will definitely be getting a Surface 4 when I can.
what is your take on using graduated neutral density filters?
Thanx for this review, have you used it for tethered shooting ? Im thinking of getting a Surface pro 4 i7 16gb for shooting tethered to C1Pro 10.
I've been consistently using Photoshop everyday now since my last comment. I feel i'm learning very fast, when will I know that I am ready for RayaPro?
Nice review 🙂
Hi – Great video and very informative! I'm interested in the same Surface Pro 4 and my question is how are the colours on screen in comparison to say a final print? Have you calibrated the Surface? I'm currently using an old desktop pc with a new 4K monitor and thinking ahead here I want to replace my desktop with the Surface pro 4. Thank you for any info.
Do you have a case to put on it? I have read reviews of all the cases available and have not found one that really works.
Did you put a screen protector on your surface? If so, what brand did you use?
what is your workflow like? like, saving and backing up your work? how do you keep things sync'd between your pc and your laptop? have you run out of space on your ssd?
does the surface pro come with Photoshop?
There is an sd slot behind the kickstand.
still great video 🙂
I am a photographer and i really love the Surface and want to replace my Macbook pro. But now i also need video and i am sure this will not do 4K video editing?