Microsoft has introduced the latest 11th version of its Surface Pro, bringing notable upgrades to its hybrid tablet-laptop series. The new device, part of the Copilot Plus PC lineup, emphasizes advanced AI capabilities and significant performance improvements.
Major Hardware Upgrades
The new Surface Pro, which drops numerical model designations, is reported to be up to 90 percent faster than its predecessor. It offers optional 5G connectivity, a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for on-device AI tasks, and an optional OLED screen. The device supports Wi-Fi 7 and features what Microsoft describes as “the best Surface camera ever“. It is available in four colors, including a new shade of blue.
AI and Performance Integration
The Surface Pro's hardware has been robust in previous models, but the new version aims to address performance issues. Equipped with Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon X processors, both the Elite and Plus variants, Microsoft asserts that the new Pro model delivers up to a 90 percent speed boost over its predecessor. Qualcomm contends that these processors are competitive with CPUs from Apple, AMD, and Intel. Additionally, there is an optional 5G edition, commonly supported by Qualcomm. Microsoft has conveyed a strong belief in the capabilities of Windows on ARM, indicating that the new Pro will provide a highly efficient user experience.
Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite, with its power consumption configurable up to 50 watts, remains a focal point. Meanwhile, Apple's M3 chip is noted for its thermal design power (TDP) of around 20 watts. Despite these differences, the Microsoft Surface Laptop, equipped with a 12-core X Elite, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of flash storage, is expected to be more cost-effective than Apple's MacBook Air, potentially offering better performance for the price.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the role of AI in the new Surface Pro, stating that the next phase of Windows and computing begins with Copilot. The event highlighted new AI features, including Recall and additional Copilot integrations in File Explorer and notifications. Recall is a feature designed to keep track of user activities and allow users to revisit any moment using natural language commands.
It can remember a wide array of user activities, including applications, websites, chats, files, and even specific locations within files, such as a particular slide in a PowerPoint presentation. Nadella described Copilot Plus PCs as “the fastest, most AI-ready PCs ever built“, aiming to solve issues related to latency and privacy while enhancing AI capabilities.
Additional Features and Specifications
The new Surface Pro Copilot+ can achieve 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS), significantly higher than the 18 trillion TOPS claimed by Apple's M3 processor. The device offers 14 hours of local video playback time and retains the familiar tablet-with-kickstand design. It now includes a 13-inch OLED screen with thinner bezels and is equipped with two USB-C ports and a “quad-HD” front-facing camera.
AI-powered features include live translations for video chats in over 40 languages and a Windows Photos tool called Super Resolution to enhance old images. Pre-orders for the Surface Pro Copilot+ start today, with availability beginning on June 18. The base model, which includes a Snapdragon X Plus chip, a standard LCD screen, 256GB of storage, and 16GB of RAM, starts at $1,000. The OLED model with the Snapdragon X Elite chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage is priced at $1,500. Models with built-in 5G are expected to be available later this year.
Enhanced Accessibility and Usability
Accompanying the new Surface Pro is the Surface Pro Flex keyboard attachment which can be used both attached and detached from the device and is designed to be more durable than previous versions. It features bold keys and a 14 percent larger touchpad, aimed at improving accessibility for a broader range of users. The Flex Keyboard also includes haptic feedback and is priced at $350, or $450 when bundled with a Surface Pen.
