When comparing ViewSonic Smart Display VSD231-BKA vs Microsoft Surface Pro 4, the Slant community recommends ViewSonic Smart Display VSD231-BKA for most people. In the question“What are the best touchscreen monitors?” ViewSonic Smart Display VSD231-BKA is ranked 4th while Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is ranked 6th. The most important reason people chose ViewSonic Smart Display VSD231-BKA is:
This monitor has all the internals needed to run Android 4.3.1 Jelly Bean (Tegra 4 processor, 2GB of RAM, 8GB of storage). This gives you the flexibility to run Android apps and games, or use it as a display for your computer or laptop. If you have limited desk space, or want a touchscreen on a budget (without the need to buy a computer), the ability to use it without a computer is a very intriguing option.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Can be used as a stand-alone Android computer
This monitor has all the internals needed to run Android 4.3.1 Jelly Bean (Tegra 4 processor, 2GB of RAM, 8GB of storage). This gives you the flexibility to run Android apps and games, or use it as a display for your computer or laptop. If you have limited desk space, or want a touchscreen on a budget (without the need to buy a computer), the ability to use it without a computer is a very intriguing option.
Pro Integrated peripherals make this a complete-package monitor
Built-in are two 2 watt stereo speakers, a 2MP webcam, as well as a microphone. These allow you to use it as a stand-alone Android device for Skype, Google Hangouts or other video chats, or they can be used in place of dedicated hardware when plugged into a computer (although dedicated hardware would provide better quality).
Pro Very stable and flexible base and stand
The monitor is help up by a traditional looking stand with a square base. The stand can be raised or lowered slightly (which the other touchscreen monitors in this category can't do), and the display can be tilted 90 degrees so that it can be perfectly vertical, or perfectly horizontal (or anywhere in-between) depending on your set-up preferences.
Pro Good display quality
The contrast ratio is important for having a wide depth of colors available, and the ViewSonic Smart Display doesn't disappoint with a very good 1000:1 contrast ratio. Response time is similarly good, and will display images 5ms after receiving them. This response time is good enough for even high-end gamers, but will also appear to make the entire system a bit more responsive and faster.
Pro Great pen support
The (included) Surface Pen has a very interesting set of features - it allows for 1024 points of pressure, has an eraser on top, and when you click the eraser it will open Cortana (Microsoft's new voice assistant). It's magnetized, so it will stick to the left side of the Surface. The Surface achieves all of this via its new N-trig technology (replacing the Wacom technology found in older generation models). There's also palm rejection technology, so whenever the pen tip it close to the screen is will ignore all finger or palm touches.
Pro Laptop-level specs
The Surface Pro 4 comes in configurations from core M up to a core i7. RAM starts at 4GB, and goes to 16GB. Storage caps out at 256GB of SSD storage, which should be enough for most users. These are all specs that can be found in most laptops - even beating out some budget-midrange desktop options.
Pro Good expandability options
The Surface has a USB 3.0 port that can be used for a mouse to be plugged in, or you can plug in a USB hub or Microsoft's own Surface Dock, which has 4 USB 3.0 ports, audio output, Gigabit Ethernet, and two HD video ports. The Surface Dock allows for as much expandability (or more) as most laptops out there. There's also a SD card slot if you need more storage (current SD card sizes range up to 200GB, although this won't be as fast as the internal SSD speeds).
Cons
Con Uninspiring design
This monitor looks like any old monitor. Other monitors in this category have much more interesting designs, and add form to the function of adding a touchscreen monitor to your setup. The un-original base and plastic bar beneath the screen are both aspects you'd expect to find on older, cheaper monitors but are still present here.
Con Android version is dated
Android Jelly Bean 4.3.1 was released in July of 2013, and is a dated operating system. While core features like web browsing will still work fine, some apps require new APIs (application programming interface) which are only available in newer versions of Android. If there are Android apps you want to run, make sure to check their compatibility on the Play Store
Con Expensive
You can find a computer with similar specs for about half the price of the Surface Pro 4. You are paying a premium for the high-end build quality, for the engineering required to manufacture a fully portable computer, as well as for the high resolution touchscreen.
Con Lack of touch-focused apps
Windows has traditionally been a mouse-and-keyboard operating system. Finally, third party apps are starting to become more touch friendly, although it's a long, slow process. The Windows Store still lacks many big titles, which means the only option is to download the regular Windows version of most apps, which are rarely touch-friendly.