Microsoft Surface Pro fails to solve any problem for any user?

Don’t be fooled by Microsoft’s stodgy reputation. The company is an innovator willing to take huge risks on its most popular products. Vista, Xbox, Office’s ribbon interface, Kinect – all of these were huge risks that (eventually) paid off. Now, Microsoft is facing its greatest manufacturing challenge since the launch of the first Xbox console with its attempt to become a player in computer hardware.

First came the Surface RT, a small and inexpensive tablet that received mixed reviews; and now, the Pro. Though short for “professional,” the “Pro” moniker may as well stand in for “real PC.” Unlike the ARM-powered RT, our review unit was equipped with an Intel Core i5-3317U processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 64GB hard drive. Pricing starts at $899 but with the Type Cover, the final sum is $1,030.

Both the pricing and hardware appear competitive with a typical Ultrabook, yet the Surface Pro is anything but. The stand isn’t designed for use on a lap, so this isn’t a convertible. Instead it’s a tablet that can transform into a portable all-in-one. Can this unusual hybrid provide a real alternative to Ultrabooks and tablets?