Yesterday, Microsoft introduced the 12-inch Surface Pro and 13-inch Surface Laptop, which are both budget-friendly versions of their premium Copilot+ PC line. They achieved this by scaling back on certain high-end features found in the larger Pro models.
After a full day’s immersion with my 12-inch Surface Pro review device, I thought it would be helpful to offer some personal insights and address some frequently asked questions about this device.
Should there be any details you’d like me to cover that I might have overlooked, feel free to ask in the comments below, and I’ll make sure to address them when writing my comprehensive review. This will enable us to decide if the Surface Pro 12-inch deserves a spot on our top picks for 2-in-1 laptops list.
Let’s get to it!
Surface Pro 12-inch performance
For some time now, I’ve been quite fond of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series processors, and I’ve had the pleasure of utilizing the mid-range Snapdragon X+ in several devices.
So, how does it fare in the Surface Pro 12-inch, which has no fan or vents?
It’s awesome.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus System on Chip outperforms both the Surface Pro X and Surface Go from 2020, as shown by Geekbench 6 results which put the Surface Pro 12-inch at 2422 for single-core performance and 11,080 for multicore.
On the subject of performance comparison, you’ll find that the 2024 HONOR 14-inch laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H series processor fares better on multi-core tasks compared to the Surface Pro 12-inch, but the Surface Pro 12-inch takes a slight lead when it comes to single-core performance.
Unlike the Snapdragon X Plus, the Surface Pro 12-inch model operates silently without a fan, features no vents, and boasts superior battery life. Additionally, Intel’s processor offers 16 cores compared to the 8 cores found in the Snapdragon X Plus.
remarkably capable given the past performance issues with Surface Go and Pro X models, and it falls in line with the performance capabilities of other Snapdragon X+ processors, such as the updated ASUS ZenBook A14 (anticipated new review forthcoming).
In short, it’s swift and responsive. This chip is fantastic in this device.
Absolutely, I’ll conduct additional tests for the evaluation, focusing on endurance tasks to observe any decrease in performance as temperatures rise. However, for daily activities such as browsing the web, watching videos, using Slack, emails, Office applications, AI tools, photo editing, and so forth, there are no issues that concern me.
Surface Pro 12-inch vs. Surface Pro 11?
The difference in display size between the Surface Pro 13-inch (11th Edition) and the Surface Pro 12-inch is just one inch, so you can expect that the variation isn’t drastic.
As anticipated, it’s a bit more compact, lighter, and agile, making it perfect for fitting into smaller storage spaces.
The main distinction lies in the screen, as the exceptional Surface Pro 11 boasts an OLED display. For a comprehensive comparison between the two models, take a look at our latest guide: Surface Pro 12-inch vs. Surface Pro 11: Which 2-in-1 PC best suits you? Or delve deeper into the Surface Pro 11 with my thorough review.
Is the Surface Pro 12-inch display good?
No worries, it’s not outstanding, but considering the price, I’d anticipate a screen with a resolution of about 2196×1464 (2.1K), approximately 220 pixels per inch (PPI), an LCD panel, a 3:2 aspect ratio, a refresh rate of 90Hz (with the default being 60Hz), and a brightness level of 400 nits.
Although this budget screen does exhibit a slight afterimage effect (ghosting) and could benefit from increased color intensity, especially in its Enhanced mode, it generally performs well and surpasses the average standard.
But make no mistake, Surface Pro 11’s top-tier OLED panel crushes it by comparison!
It ships at 150% scale, but I had to bump it to 175% for easier reading.
In essence, the screen, build quality, and dimensions of the Surface Pro 12-inch are reminiscent of an Apple iPad that is just a bit larger than the usual 11-inch model.
What about Surface Pro 12-inch as a tablet?
First glance suggests it’s satisfactory, but could be improved in terms of lightness. The user interface for tablets on Windows 11 shows improvement, yet there’s room for further refinement. However, when it comes to reading eBooks, browsing the web, or simply watching videos, these aspects are largely influenced by the significantly faster processor, which significantly boosts the overall experience.
Similarly, the battery life appears quite promising.
Is the Surface Keyboard with Slim Pen good?
Microsoft consistently excels in keyboard technology, and I consider them one of the top players in the laptop industry. Notably, the latest 12-inch Surface Pro Keyboard with Slim Pen ($249; $149 without pen) boasts backlighting and a superb trackpad. Although it is slightly compact, it’s significantly more spacious than the Surface Go, which was borderline usable but just managed to make the cut.
Working on a 12-inch screen provides ample room, as standard letter-sized notepads measure approximately 11 inches; thus, you’ll have extra writing area.
Is the Surface Pen’s magnet strong?
This pen is quite strong and secure; it fits tightly and won’t move unless you deliberately pull it out. Additionally, its slightly recessed design along with the flat Slim Pen makes it difficult to accidentally knock off in your bag, reducing the chance of it coming loose. I must say, Microsoft has done an excellent job ensuring stability with this pen design.
Anything else about Surface Pro 12-inch?
The speakers are truly top-notch. Although they don’t feature Dolby Atmos support found in larger Surface Pro models, they compensate with impressive volume, clarity, and outstanding spatial capabilities.
Furthermore, although it’s not an inexpensive option at $69, the Surface 45-watt USB-C Wall Charger boasts a compact design with foldable plugs for convenience.
In essence, the key point here is that Qualcomm and Microsoft have developed a high-speed tablet PC that boasts exceptional battery life and requires no fan or ventilation system – something many users have eagerly anticipated for quite some time now.
Over to you! Ask me about Surface Pro 12-inch.
Instead of saving my detailed thoughts for the comprehensive Surface Pro 12-inch review, I’m open to addressing your queries right away. Some questions will be answered here, while others will be included in the upcoming review. Feel free to ask your questions in the comments section!
The pre-sales for the 12-inch Surface Pro ($799) and the 13-inch Surface Laptop ($899) are now active, with deliveries anticipated to start on May 20th. Just like before, Microsoft extends this offer to students, making these devices more budget-friendly than their listed prices of $799 and $899.
As an analyst, I’m excited to share that along with the latest Surface PCs, Microsoft unveiled several new Windows experiences heading to Windows 11. Among these updates, we can anticipate enhanced Copilot+ AI functionalities, such as integrating an AI agent into Windows Settings.
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2025-05-08 01:55