By Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Microsoft has been producing hybrid laptop-tablet Surface devices for ten years now, and the latest release is a culmination of all the advancements made over the years. The Surface range consists of three models, with two being Wi-Fi only and the third having 5G connectivity.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Specifications
Specifications
- Ten-core Intel Core i7-1255U processor
- 8GB of memory
- Intel Iris Xe graphics
- 13in 120Hz 2880×1800-pixel IPS screen
- 256GB SSD
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth 5.1
- 2x USB-C ports
- Windows 11 Home
- 208x287x9.4mm (HxWxD)
- $879 price
- One-year warranty
The Wi-Fi models are powered by Intel processors, offering a choice of either the Intel Core i5-1235U priced at £1,099 or the Core i7-1255U priced at £1,599. On the other hand, the 5G version priced at £1,299 uses a mobile processor – the Microsoft SQ 3, which is based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 chip. Although not as powerful as the Intel processors, it has a longer battery life.
In this review, we are focusing on the i7 version of the Surface Pro 9, which boasts impressive performance. However, the i5 model, while not as powerful, is more affordable and suitable for everyday tasks like web browsing, email management, and working with documents and spreadsheets.
In terms of performance, the i5 version strikes a balance between the i7 and 5G versions, and is also more affordable. We tested the i7 model with demanding tasks such as editing a 4K video and running Photoshop, and it performed well, although it did get a bit warm and the fans were audible under pressure. The battery life was average at around six hours, but the SQ 3 processor version lasted 10 hours in our tests. Keep in mind that the prices mentioned are for the tablet only, and additional costs for the Surface Pro Signature keyboard and cover as well as the Surface Slim Pen 2 stylus should be considered.
All three Surface Pro 9 models have a beautiful 13-inch touchscreen with dynamic refresh rates and a resolution of 2880×1800 pixels.
