Microsoft is launching its Surface Pro series in the ninth generation and is bringing the previously separate models with Intel and ARM CPUs closer together. Customers can therefore choose between different processors when purchasing. Our colleague knows how good the new Surface Pro 9 is Andrzej Tokarski tested.
Optionally available with Intel or ARM processors
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 was tested in the “cheapest” version with an Intel Core i5-1235U, 8 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD, which costs 1299 euros without accessories. Alternatively, Microsoft also offers its current top model with an Intel Core i7-1255U or the in-house ARM chip SQ3 – which unfortunately is the only one that offers 5G connectivity. Configurations with up to 32 GB of RAM and one terabyte of SSD storage are also available.
In the benchmark test with Geekbench 5 and 3DMark Wild Life, the new Surface Pro 9 is the fastest Windows tablet in the test field, but it only tops the previous model slightly and it is also significantly slower than the current Apple iPad Pro. Applications like Microsoft Office and Google Chrome run unsurprisingly smoothly, but if you want to use the tablet for image or video editing, you should definitely use models with 16 GB of RAM or more. If you also want to run games and not programs downloaded from the Microsoft Store, the Intel models are clearly preferable because they don’t always work on the ARM version.
Good display, case in the typical Surface design
The 13-inch display has a resolution of 2880 x 1920 pixels and an aspect ratio of 3:2. The refresh rate is 120 Hertz and at 450 nits it’s quite bright for a Windows tablet.
The housing of the Surface Pro 9 has a high-quality finish and is now made entirely of aluminum. There are two USB-C 4.0 ports with Thunderbolt 4, which can even be used to connect external monitors. Unfortunately, the ARM models only offer USB-C 3.2.
If the Surface Pro 9 is to be equipped with a keyboard, this is possible either with the Surface Pro Keyboard (around 150 euros) or the Surface Pro Signature Keyboard (around 180 euros). Pen inputs are possible with the Surface Slim Pen 2 as well as with its predecessor and the Surface Pen.
| Specifications for the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 | ||
|---|---|---|
| model | WiFi | 5G |
| operating system | Windows 11 Home (Business version Windows 10 Pro / 11 Pro) |
|
| screen | 12.9 inch (32.77 cm) PixelSense Flow display, 2880 x 1920 pixels, 120 Hz, 3:2 format, 10-point multi-touch, 267 ppi, Gorilla Glass 5 | |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-1235U or i7-1255U (Business i5-1245U or i7-1265U) | Microsoft SQ3 CPU |
| graphic | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Microsoft SQ 3 Adreno 8CX Gen 3 |
| random access memory | 8, 16 or 32GB LPDDR5x RAM | 8 or 16GB LPDDR5x RAM |
| Storage | 128, 256, 512GB to 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD | 128, 256, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD |
| connectivity | Surface Connect, Surface Keyboard, 2x USB-C, WLAN AX, Bluetooth 5.1 | |
| particularities | Windows Hello, Surface Slim Pen 2 Compatible, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Ambient Color Sensor | |
| Colours | Platinum, Graphite, Sapphire, Forest | Platinum |
| Duration | up to 15.5 hours with typical device usage | up to 19 hours with typical device usage |
| Dimensions | 287 x 208.3 x 9.4mm | |
| Weight | 0.879kg | mmWave 0.883kg; Sub6 0.878kg |
| Price | from 1299 euros (Business version from 1399 euros) |
from 1659 euros (Business version from 1649 euros) |
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