Mary Jo says the Surface Pro will be heavily redesigned for 2019 and that makes sense, considering the Surface Pro 3, 4 and 2017 are pretty much identical (just the insides changed). I have an educated prediction for the device: I think Microsoft will switch from the current ‘flap’ style kickstand to a bar-style kickstand seen in Surface Pro clones such as the HP Spectre (do a google image search for HP Spectre kickstand to see the bar style kickstand if you aren’t familiar). I know the Surface team puts a lot of attention on component packaging and weight balance/weight distribution and a bar-style kickstand would be a significant improvement over the flap-kickstand. I also believe a bar kickstand could allow the device to be slightly thinner. We have an HP spectre 2-in-1 at home and the bar kickstand just makes for a nicer overall device than the flap on the surface pro.
jean
<blockquote><em><a href="#361601">In reply to Chris_Kez:</a></em></blockquote><p>personally I would rather have NO kickstand at all – this is even lighter and allows for an even thinner package. If you'd need a Kickstand – why not something ultra light you can attach to favorably in two modes: Kickstand or lap-able (like a laptop shell) : something like a Lenovo Yoga-ish experience – ideally with a second battery pack to further improve the battery life and resolve some of the top-heaviness </p><p><br></p>
Bats
<p>I have the HP Spectre 2-in-1, as well. It's clearly a more elegant looking computer than the Surface Pro. I was ready to buy the Surface Pro last year, than I opted for the better looking Spectre. </p><p><br></p><p>Design-wise/Looks-wise, the best kind of portable computers are the one that are wrapped in leather or other material like the IPad Pro or the HP Spectre Folio. We are talking not just 360 degree protection, but the simply and elegance of leather to material disguise and object made of electronic parts. </p><p><br></p><p>Microsoft has never been great with design. I don't know why Microsoft doesn't try. If they did, Surface Pro popularity would improve, IMO. </p>