Your problems are over. Think of the Microsoft Surface Pro as being an extremely powerful laptop computer packed into a very small size. Because that’s what it is.

When you edit a Microsoft Office document on your Surface Pro, you are actually using the real live Microsoft Office.

While Drop Box is a phenomenally useful app and you’ll continue to use it for other purposes, there is no need to use Drop Box to transfer files between your non-Microsoft devices and your Windows machine that sits on your desk. Since the Surface Pro is running Windows, you’ll see all of your familiar folders including “My Documents,” your C: drive, and even the network drives you use when connected to your network.

In fact, why not get rid of your old computer and just use the Surface Pro at your desk from now on. You can connect large monitors, keyboards, printers, and just about everything you want via a USB hub that you plug into the Surface Pro. Nobody even needs to notice since you keep using your same screens and keyboard as before. Then, when you are ready to leave the office, just unplug the single USB cord and head out carrying everything you need—all in a small portable device that is a “big laptop” packed into a very small package.

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If you want to get other work done, forget about using Microsoft Office for the Mac. It is bad.

You could use Apple’s boot camp. It goes like this: When you turn on the Mac, your Mac will ask if you want to run Windows or Mac OS. You choose. The advantage is that your Mac basically “becomes a Windows Machine” when you want it to—and can still be a Mac the rest of the time.

Maybe the best solution is to use Fusion or Parallels. It goes like this: You boot the Mac as usual. Now, you can run Windows programs inside the Mac OS. The Microsoft Office you are used to runs fine right next to your Apple programs on the same screen. Cool.

Frankly, IT probably gave up trying to control what you do with your personal computer years ago. Ask IT to use Fusion Unity or Parallels Coherence on your Mac. Now you can “be cool” with your Mac and run all of your Windows programs, too. (With Windows 8, Microsoft may become “cool” too. Eventually.)

Please share this with your fellow executives—you may help them increase their ability to express their inner coolness, too!

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