Microsoft has just announced a new Surface Pro, which is part of a new wave of Copilot Plus PCs. Technically “version 11,” the new Pro starts at $999, comes in four colors, and is powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X processor. The base model comes with a 13-inch LCD screen, but some higher-end models can be upgraded to OLED. The chip was the star of the show: It enabled many of the artificial intelligence features Microsoft touted on stage, made possible the 14 hours of battery life Microsoft promised, and more.
Aside from the new Flex keyboard accessory, the basic outline of the hardware hasn’t changed much. Tablets with integrated kickstands have been a Surface staple for years, and Microsoft continues to improve it rather than try to reinvent it.
I had a chance to try out this new Flex keyboard, and I was surprised how much more stable it was than the previous model. There’s no noticeable bounce when you use it on a desk, and even on my lap, it feels like it requires more learning than previous Surface Pro keyboards.
You can even use this keyboard away from your Surface Pro because it automatically switches to a Bluetooth connection as soon as you unplug it. Microsoft has a tiny battery inside the base that enables this feature, as well as new tactile feedback, on this Flex keyboard’s trackpad. Tactile feedback doesn’t feel as prominent as on the Surface Laptop Studio 2, but the inside of this new keyboard is still great.
The trackpad has been improved here, too, so that vertically it’s closer to the bottom row of keys, and it’s also wider than before. This made me feel more comfortable using it during the short time I got started.
Another big upgrade in this new Surface Pro is the 13-inch OLED display. It’s only available on the top-tier Snapdragon X Elite series, so you’ll have to pay extra to get this feature, but the display looks super sharp. I have a 32-inch OLED display at home that’s great for gaming, and I’ll never use any non-OLED display again, so it’s nice to see this option now on the Surface Pro.
Microsoft didn’t reveal what kind of OLED panel the Surface Pro uses, but it’s not LG Display’s tandem panel. Viewing angles are fixed, but there’s no anti-reflective coating here, so in bright light, you’ll see reflections. I haven’t had a chance to use it outdoors yet, but the Surface Pro seemed to handle the natural light hitting the display well in the Microsoft demo area.
The rest of the Surface Pro is very similar to previous models. There are two USB-C ports, Microsoft added Wi-Fi 7, and the device weighs just under two pounds. That means it’s not noticeably thinner or lighter than previous models, but Microsoft promises a massive increase in battery life to make these devices more efficient than before.
Overall, the Surface Pro feels very responsive, just like other Windows laptops.There’s no obvious Qualcomm chip here, which could be the case if Microsoft’s huge promises on app compatibility, performance, and battery life deliver. Very It’s an interesting time for the new generation of Windows devices like the Surface Pro.
