Last week FAULT Focus were present at the launch event for Microsofts latest tablet Microsoft Surface Pro 4 tablet. From the get go it was obvious that they were gearing to more of a creative market with this one. Held at one of Camden’s most recognisable music venues, Koko and with a musical performance by Rudimental accompanied by a classical orchestra lead by David William Hearn the whole evening was centred about breaking convention and creating something new. Did we mention that the musical performance took place in front of a mural by artist Will Barras?! Like we said, creatively was on display by the bucket load!

All three came together so beautifully to not only show off their talents but also show off the technology that made it all possible. Surface Pro 4 is truly a powerhouse and a far cry from other tablets which are nothing more than larger smartphones. The Surface Pro 4 allowed composer David William Hearn to recreate some of Rudimental’s greatest hits adding in an unusually fitting and appropriate classical score.

You can see the awesome performance below:

After the performance FAULT had the chance to sit down with artist Will Barras who supplied the visuals for the evening and get his thoughts on the evening and working with the tech hands on.

FAULT: How have you found the project and working with the new Surface Pro 4?

Will: For me the project really started at Abbey Road. I was sat down in the middle of the orchestra which was amazing and I was surrounded by music and I tried to capture it as best I could.

FAULT: How has the Surface Pro 4 shifted the way you work in general?

Will: I’m old school but I like how simple to use this is. For me, it needs to be idiot-proof and the Surface Pro 4 was simple to use and I just gelled with it. In the end of the day it’s just painting and drawing so whether it’s on paper a wall or tablet surface, it’s all the same process…straight away I could use it

Hands On

We only had a small chance to use the tablet on the night but from what we saw, they have definitely made this product with the consumer in mind. The stylus on the screen felt far superior to any device we have used before. The mixing of paint and brush strokes felt and importantly looked true to life. We only wish we’d be able to get a more hands on feel with the device as it could potentially revolutionise not only the illustration industry but also the way fashion designers, architects, photographers, graphic designers create masterpieces.  We are hard-pressed to find an industry artist who wouldn’t benefit from the new surface tablet, we’re eager to see a field test of the device and how it holds up.

Key Specs

The new Surface Pro 4 is Microsoft’s thinnest, lightest and most powerful tablet that can replace your laptop, features include:

8.4 mm thin and features a stunning 12.3-inch PixelSense Display and 6th Generation

Intel® Core™ m, Core™ i5, and Core™ i7 processors, enabling everyone from students to

professionals to get more done on the go

The new Surface Pro 4 Type Cover takes Surface Pro 4 from tablet to laptop in an instant

and features a redesigned mechanical keyboard with optimal key spacing for fast and

fluid typing that is also backwards compatible with Surface Pro 3

The redesigned Surface Pen packs 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity, letting you write

and draw and mark documents with precision ink on one end and an eraser on the other.

 

Surface Pro 4 starts at £749 (including the Surface Pen) or £859 (including the Surface Pen and Type Cover) and is available from the Microsoft Store, Amazon, Argos, Dixons Travel, John Lewis, Harrods, PC World / Currys, Selfridges, Staples and Very.co.uk.