Microsoft Surface Pro 10

I work in enterprise IT and need Windows for everything — Active Directory tools, legacy software, VPN clients with specific drivers. The iPad and Android tablets simply cannot do what I need. The Surface Pro 10 is the only device that fits in my bag and runs everything without compromise. The new OLED display is genuinely beautiful for a business device. My frustrations are the keyboard pricing (I paid $250 for a keyboard to use with a $1,200 tablet, which is insane) and battery life — I carry a USB-C battery pack every day. But for pure Windows compatibility in tablet form, nothing competes.

I bought this thinking it would be the best of both worlds — tablet portability plus laptop power. The problem is it's not quite excellent at either. Battery life of 6-7 hours in real use means I always need a charger, which defeats the tablet portability argument. The iPad Pro gets 10 real-world hours and never needs a fan. And now that most apps I use have good iPad versions, I'm not sure I needed full Windows. I'd buy the iPad Pro if I could do it again — it's more expensive but actually works all day without plugging in.

Our hospital evaluated multiple tablets for bedside documentation and chose the Surface Pro 10 for clinical staff because nothing else runs our EMR natively. The NFC authentication feature means staff can quickly log in with their badges. The touchscreen works well with gloves for basic navigation. Battery is the main operational challenge — at very busy stations we need to plug in during shifts. The form factor is excellent for this use case and IT appreciates the Windows compatibility with our managed software environment.