Microsoft Surface Pro 4 copycats run riot: Samsung, Dell, HP and others offer better options

Samsung rolled out pre-order sales of its Galaxy Book 12 with Windows 10 Pro, a 2-in-1 device that rhymes with Microsoft's Surface Pro. The hybrid hits an increasingly familiar theme: The imitators are better choices than the original.

The Galaxy Book 12 comes with an S Pen and Keyboard Case and is designed for enterprise use. The price tag: $1,429, with pre-orders starting April 21. Shipments start May 23.

According to Samsung, there's demand for 2-in-1s in the enterprise and verticals such as finance, healthcare, and retail are natural markets. For Samsung, the Galaxy Book 12 is part of an enterprise continuum that may include the Galaxy S8 and its DeX virtual client.

The specs for the Galaxy Book 12 aren't that surprising -- Intel Core i5, plenty of memory options, and up to 11 hours of battery life. But the big takeaway from Samsung's Galaxy Book effort is that it's not hard to find Microsoft Surface-ish devices. Samsung also has a 10-inch Galaxy Book for $1,299 with LTE from Verizon Wireless.

A brief history of Microsoft's Surface: Missteps and successes

In fact, ZDNet looked at Lenovo's MiiX 510, which is a mid-range device that can compete with the Surface Pro 4 in terms of design. CNET has aggregated Surface Pro alternatives that run Windows 10. Dell is in the Surface Pro replacement game too. For purposes of this discussion, we'll leave out non-Windows devices such as Apple's iPad Pro.

Is the Surface vulnerable? Perhaps.

• First, let's state the obvious. Microsoft needs to update the Surface Pro. A May 2 event, confirmed by Mary Jo Foley, isn't likely to include a Surface Pro 5 either. Microsoft has enabled the competition to use Surface as a reference design and run with it.
• And then there are the Surface issues. A year ago, Ed Bott outlined six months with the Surface Pro 4. He noted the ongoing power issues that took months to resolve and weak tablet apps. Bott also had Surface Dock issues.
• Those problems may be resolved, but the perception about Surface issues will stick around and open up the door for more PC-oriented players. Note HP has surged in part because of its designs.

Bottom line: The Surface is the flagship hardware brand for Microsoft, but it could be vulnerable.