Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Tablet PC, 12.3" (2736 X Review
The refurbished Surface Pro 4 offers a stunning screen and full Windows for under $200, but its 4GB of RAM and aging hardware make it a risky buy for anyone but the most budget-conscious and patient users.
Overview
Look, this is a refurbished Surface Pro 4 from 2015. That's the one thing you need to know. For under $200, you're getting a surprisingly capable Windows tablet that can handle basic tasks, but you're also buying a nine-year-old machine with some serious compromises. The screen is still fantastic, and the form factor holds up, but you're signing up for a project, not a polished, modern device.
Performance
Honestly, the biggest surprise is that it runs at all. A 6th-gen Intel i5 and just 4GB of RAM in 2024 sounds like a recipe for disaster, but it boots Windows 11 and handles web browsing and Office apps okay. Don't expect miracles, though. The GPU lands in the 72nd percentile, which is decent for its age, but that 4GB of RAM is a huge bottleneck and sits in the bottom third of all devices. Several buyers mentioned it being 'fast for its age,' but one-star reviews complaining about it being 'very buggy and slow' highlight the gamble you're taking with a refurb.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- That PixelSense display is still gorgeous. It's in the 83rd percentile for a reason. 83th
- The full Windows 11 Pro experience in a tablet form factor is incredibly useful. 79th
- At $187, it's one of the cheapest ways to get a decent Windows touchscreen device. 72th
- Build quality feels premium, even nearly a decade later. 72th
Cons
- 4GB of RAM is a deal-breaker for anything beyond the absolute basics. It's crippling.
- Battery life is a total lottery with a refurb this old. Some reviews say it's 'good,' others say it dies in an hour.
- Wi-Fi 4 is ancient and slow. Connectivity is mediocre across the board.
- You're buying someone else's problem. Refurbished means it could be flawless or a dud.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | 2.4 GHz core_i5 |
Memory & Storage
| RAM Generation | DDR4 |
| Storage Type | SSD |
Display
| Size | 12.3" |
| Resolution | 2736 |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 4 |
Features
| Stylus Support | Yes |
Physical
| Weight | 1.3 kg / 2.9 lbs |
| OS | Windows 11 Pro |
Value & Pricing
Worth it? Only if your budget is rock-solid at $200 and you need full Windows. It's a value play with massive asterisks. You're not getting a good tablet, you're getting a functional one for a specific, low-demand job.
vs Competition
Don't even look at an iPad Pro or a new Surface Pro here. They're in a different universe. The real competition is other cheap refurbs or a new budget Android tablet. Compared to a new Lenovo Idea Tab or Samsung Galaxy Tab, you lose app selection and battery life but gain full desktop software. Compared to a similarly priced used laptop, you gain the tablet form and touchscreen but likely sacrifice performance and reliability.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Tablet PC, 12.3" (2736 X | Apple iPad Pro Apple 11" iPad Pro M5 Chip (Standard Glass, 512GB, | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Samsung 12.4" Galaxy Tab S10+ 256GB Multi-Touch | Microsoft Surface Pro Microsoft - Surface Pro - Copilot+ PC - 13” OLED | Lenovo Yoga Tab Series Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus | Xiaomi Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2 Only WiFi (No Calls or Text) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 2.4 GHz core_i5 | Apple M5 | MediaTek 9300 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 | Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3, QCM8650 | 2.2 GHz mediatek_helio |
| RAM (GB) | - | 12 | 12 | 32 | 16 | - |
| Storage (GB) | - | 512 | 256 | 1000 | 256 | 256 |
| Screen | 12.3" 2736x1824 | 11" 2420x1668 | 12.4" 2800x1752 | 13" 2880x1920 | 12.7" 2944x1840 | 11" 2560x1600 |
| OS | Windows 11 Pro | iPadOS | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home | Android 14 | Android 15 |
| Stylus | true | true | true | false | false | false |
| Cellular | false | false | false | false | false | false |
Verdict
Only buy this if you're tech-savvy, have low expectations, and need a Windows tablet on a shoestring budget. For everyone else, save up another $100-$200 for something with at least 8GB of RAM and a newer processor. This is a niche tool for a very specific person who understands exactly what they're getting into.