On May 20, 2024, Microsoft announced the new Surface Pro tablet with ARM processors from Qualcomm. The latest version is one of the biggest updates to the lineup, which was initially introduced 12 years ago. For the first time ever, the tablet is available exclusively with ARM chips, optional OLED displays, optional 5G connectivity, and more.
The new Surface Pro (it is actually called "Surface Pro 11th Edition") is now available for preorder starting at $999. However, you can still find the previous generation on sale, often with big discounts. Therefore, here is a detailed spec-by-spec comparison between the three generations to help you make a decision.
The biggest update in the new Surface Pro is unquestionably the processor. Instead of Intel chips, Microsoft's flagship tablet now uses ARM processors exclusively. Customers can pick between the cheaper Snapdragon X Plus with 10 cores or the more expensive 12-core Snapdragon X Elite.
According to Microsoft, the shift to ARM chips enables significant performance and efficiency improvements, and the under-the-hood improvements in Windows 11 allow for much better emulation in software that is not yet optimized for Windows on ARM. As for the battery life, the new Surface Pro is rated for up to 14 hours of video playback on a single charge.
Although many popular apps already have native ARM64 versions, you should mind potential compatibility issues before ordering the new Surface Pro. Luckily, with quite a lot of manufacturers supporting Qualcomm's latest chips, we can expect more developers to port their projects to Windows on ARM.
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Besides offering performance and efficiency improvements, the new Surface Pro has some exclusive features. Recall is one such thing (previously rumored as "AI Explorer"), and it will let you go back in time to any app, file, email, conversation, or anything else on your computer. More information about Windows 11's Recall feature is available here.
Another important change is OLED displays. However, it is worth saying right off the bat that OLED displays are only available in much more expensive configurations. In fact, the cheapest Surface Pro with an OLED display will set you back $1,499 (OLED models also have a slightly bigger battery). The more appealing $999 version comes with a regular IPS display that still features plenty of pixels, a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and more.
In addition to the new tablet, Microsoft announced fresh accessories, such as the Surface Keyboard Pro Flex, which is more rigid, works wirelessly, and has a haptic trackpad. However, the keyboard supports the previous generations, such as the Surface Pro 10 for Business, Surface Pro 9 and Surface Pro 8.
As for colors, the Surface Pro 11th Edition is available in Platinum, Black, Dune, and Sapphire:
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Here are the key changes summed up in a list:
- Optional OLED displays with rounded corners
- Snapdragon X Plus and X Elite processors instead of Intel
- A minimum of 16GB of RAM with 32GB max
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
- Optional 5G connectivity (coming later in 2024)
- New accessories and new colors
- New 1440p ultra-wide front-facing camera
- "Copilot+ PC"
Here is a more detailed spec-by-spec comparison:
| Surface Pro (11th Edition) | Surface Pro 9 | Surface Pro 8 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chassis | 11.3" x 8.2" x 0.37", 1.97lbs 287 x 209 x 9.3 mm, 895 g |
11.3" x 8.2" x 0.37", 1.94 lbs 287 x 108.28 x 9.3 mm, 879.9 g |
11.3" x 8.2" x 0.37", 1.96 lbs 287 x 108.28 x 9.3 mm, 889 g |
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| Colors | Sapphire, Dune, Platinum, Black | Platinum, Graphite, Sapphire, Forest | Platinum, Graphite | |
| Display | 13" IPS PixelSense Flow 2880x1920 (267 ppi) Dynamic refresh rate up to 120Hz 1200:1 contrast ratio 600 nits (SDR) 600 nits (HDR) |
13" OLED PixelSense Flow 2880x1920 (267 ppi) Dynamic refresh rate up to 120Hz 1M:1 contrast ratio 600 nits (SDR) 900 nits (HDR) |
13-inch 3:2 PixelSense with narrow bezels 2880x1920 (267 ppi) Dynamic refresh rate up to 120Hz |
13-inch 3:2 PixelSense with narrow bezels 2880x1920 (267 ppi) Up to 120Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Snapdragon X Plus Qualcomm Hexagon NPU Qualcomm Adreno GPU |
Snapdragon X Elite Qualcomm Hexagon NPU Qualcomm Adreno GPU |
Intel Core i5-1235U Intel Core i7-1255U Microsoft SQ 3 |
Intel Core i5-1135G7 Intel Core i7-1185G7 |
| Memory | 16GB LPDDR5X | 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5X | 8GB, 16GB, 32GB LPDDR5 | 8GB, 16GB, 32GB LPDDR4x |
| Storage | User-removable PCIe Gen4 SSD 256GB, 512GB |
User-removable PCIe Gen4 SSD 512GB, 1TB |
User-removable SSD 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
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| Security | Microsoft Pluton TPM 2.0 Windows Hello face sign-in Windows 11 Secured-core PC |
TPM 2.0 Chip Windows Hello face sign-in Windows 11 Secured-core PC |
Firmware TPM Windows Hello face sign-in |
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| Network |
Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 Optional 5G (coming later in 2024) |
Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1 Optional 5G |
Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 | |
| Battery |
47Wh Up to 14 hours of video playback |
53Wh Up to 14 hours of video playback |
Up to 15.5 hours of typical use (Intel) Up to 19 hours of typical use (ARM) |
Up to 16 hours of typical use |
| Cameras |
Front-facing 1440p ultra-wide camera with Windows Hello 10MP rear-facing camera with 4K video support |
Front-facing camera with 1080p video and Windows Hello 10MP rear-facing camera with 4K video support |
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| Ports | 2x USB-C/USB4 1x Surface Connect |
Intel: 2x USB-C Thunderbolt 4/USB 4.0 (Intel) ARM: 2x USB-C 3.2 |
2x USB-C Thunderbolt 4/USB 4.0 3.5mm headphone jack 1x Surface Connect |
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| Accessories | Surface Slim Pen 2 Surface Pro Flex Keyboard Surface Pro Keyboard Surface Pro Signature Keyboard |
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| Price | $999+ | $1,499+ | $999+ | $1,099 |
It is also worth noting that the ARM-based Surface Pro is not the only tablet Microsoft released this year. A couple of months ago, the company revealed the Surface Pro 10 for Business. Check out its Specs Appeal article here.
The Surface Pro 11th Edition is now available for preorder in the Microsoft Store. Are you buying it?
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