Storage options for Microsoft Surface Pro

So, I just got a Microsoft Surface Pro as a gift. It’s a really nice little device, but I was honestly pretty caught off guard by the storage capacity—it only has a 59 GB SSD. Once you factor in the OS and everything else, more than half of that is already gone. Now I'm stuck trying to figure out the best way to expand my storage space.

This Microsoft Surface Pro has a micro SD slot and a micro 3.0 USB port (I already picked up a cable to convert it to a standard USB port). So, my options seem to be getting a micro SD card or maybe some kind of USB flash drive. I don't really want to go the external HDD route because those feel way too bulky for me. The most expensive move would probably be swapping out the SSD for a larger one, if that's even an option.

One other thing—I'd love to play a few games on this, so I'm wondering if running games from an external source actually works? Nothing crazy, just things like Mount & Blade or some older RPGs.

What would you guys recommend? Thanks.

Honestly, it all depends on the specific game and whether it supports launching from an external source. You’ll just have to test it out yourself, because there aren't any set rules for this type of thing.

SD cards have gotten dirt cheap lately, so you can snag a 64 GB card for less than $67. USB sticks are an option too, but they stick out too much and it's way too easy to accidentally snag them and break something... just a headache...

Just make sure to check if your Switch supports up to 32GB or 64GB. When you're shopping, ensure you're getting a micro SD card that's at least Class 10—or better yet, go with UHS Class 1 or Class 3 if you want the fastest speeds.

As for gaming, what Kimberly Gomez34 said is true—there aren't any strict rules, but honestly, I don't see why not. It’s basically just acting like a Windows drive...

Swapping it out might be possible, who knows? But I really don't think it's worth the hassle 😬 given the SSD price and the inevitable cost of labor... plus, you'd definitely void your warranty...

I took a quick glance at the photos from the Notebookcheck review yesterday, plus checked out some battery replacement videos on YouTube, and I’m still scratching my head over whether you can actually swap out the 🤷
. In theory, there shouldn't be any reason why the SSD isn't removable, but I haven't seen any proof of it anywhere—there aren't any visible screws or a way to pop the cover off...

Honestly, I’d rather not mess around with the SSD itself, and I doubt anyone around here in Venice actually knows how to tinker with the Switch anyway. I think I'll just stick to a SanDisk micro SD card; they have those really fast ones in the Class 10 U3 category.

The device is pretty cool otherwise. The processor is solid—it stays incredibly quiet since it doesn't have its own dedicated cooler, yet the performance is still there. It’s got the standard 4 GB of RAM and Intel integrated graphics.

My main gripes are the glossy screen and how impractical it feels in tablet mode. The HP ads claim you get about 4 or 5 different ways to use it (desktop, laptop, tent, tablet...), but in reality, it feels way too heavy and bulky to use as a tablet, yet it's a bit too small to be a full-on laptop.

So, if you're looking at this, I'd suggest deciding whether you actually need a laptop or a tablet first. Buy the product that fits that specific need so you don't end up stuck in this weird middle ground. I'm not sure what the competition looks like in this niche, but to me, these hybrid devices just don't make much sense.

Anyway, that's just my two cents. Thanks to darkowl72 and Kimberly Gomez34 for the answers and suggestions.