Microsoft launches new Surface Pro: Breakthrough performance for AI PCs

Microsoft has just launched the new Surface Pro, the latest generation in its line of tablet/laptop hybrid devices and the first product in the all-new generation of PC Copilot Plus. The device name no longer has a model number, marking a complete reboot of the product line. “Compared to previous generations of Surface, it is completely different,” said Brett Ostrum, Microsoft’s vice president of Surface, at the launch event.

Powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X processor (Elite and Plus versions), Microsoft says this new Surface Pro is up to 90% faster than the previous model. It also has a 5G option, which usually comes with a Qualcomm chip.

Battery life is also improved: Microsoft says the Pro can play video for up to 14 hours, which isn’t as good as the new Surface Laptop’s 20 hours but is still a good sign.

There’s also a new (optional) OLED display, Wi-Fi 7 support, and a new attachable keyboard called the Surface Pro Flex Keyboard. This keyboard has two USB 4 ports and four colors, including a beautiful new blue. It also comes with significantly improved cameras: an ultra-wide-angle, Quad HD quality dual camera system on the front, which Microsoft is expected to use for many AI purposes; and a 10-megapixel sensor on the back. The entire device weighs nearly 2 pounds (about 0.9kg), the size is unchanged from the previous Surface Pro. The main highlight lies in the internal hardware.

The Surface Pro’s starting price is $999, and it comes with an LCD screen, X Plus processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. If you want the X Elite and an OLED screen, you have to spend at least $1,500, the highest-end version with 32GB RAM, 1TB storage and platinum color costs $2,100.

The new Flex Keyboard, priced at $450 and comes with a Slim Pen, can be attached or detached from the Surface Pro and is said to be more sturdy than the previous model. Microsoft also said there is a new keyboard option with prominent buttons and a 14% larger touchpad to make it easier for users to use.

Surface Pro has always had good hardware – the full set with keyboard and stylus can be quite expensive, users demand more ports, but the design and build quality of the Surface Pro 9 is not much of an issue. The main weakness is the processor chip. You can buy a Surface Pro 9 with a Qualcomm processor inside, which comes with some additional camera features, 5G connectivity, and significantly reduced performance. Windows on ARM has steadily improved over the years, but it’s still a slow, buggy, and frustrating experience even in 2022. Models using Intel chips have significantly worse battery life but much more reliable performance.

The new Surface Pro, in theory, combines the best of both worlds. With the Snapdragon X series of processors, Qualcomm promises that its chips are finally fast enough to compete with Apple, AMD and Intel. Microsoft seems confident that this is the year Windows on ARM really works.

Of course, all that performance is in service of artificial intelligence (AI). Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella kicked off Monday’s event by talking about building computers that “not only understand us but predict what we want” and said that the next phase of Windows and computing starts with Copilot. The event also introduced a new AI feature called Recall and more Copilot integration in File Explorer, notifications, and other areas of Windows. With better devices, Nadella said, you can address latency and privacy issues, while also better powering AI systems. He calls PC Copilot Plus “the fastest, most AI-ready PCs ever.”