Microsoft’s latest Surface tablet promises to be a generational upgrade that goes beyond being faster, quieter and more efficient – ​​all thanks to a change in the type of processor at its heart.
The Surface Pro 11 isn’t the first Microsoft machine to swap traditional Intel or AMD PC processors for Arm-based chips like those in your smartphone or Apple’s recent Macs and iPads. However, it is by far the most successful, leaving even recent editions like the Surface Pro X 2020 and last year’s Surface Pro 9 5G in the dust.
At the heart of the change is a set of dramatically improved Qualcomm Snapdragon X chipsets powering the new “Copilot+ PC” range from a number of different manufacturers, the Surface Pro 11 being one of Microsoft. But their move to Arm chips comes with compromises in software and accessories that could be a deal-breaker for some.
Aside from the new chips, Microsoft has stuck to the winning formula of its predecessors, including an excellent built-in kickstand, quality aluminum frame, great speakers, and fast Windows Hello facial recognition. The new 13-inch OLED screen on the top model is the star of the show – one of the best on a PC or laptop, making watching HDR movies a treat.
But it is not and never has been a cheap PC. The new model starts at £1,049 (€1,199 / $999 / A$1,899) with an LCD screen and Snapdragon X Plus chip, but does not include a keyboard, the cheapest of which costs £140 (€160 / $140 / A$240) . The higher-end tablet with a new OLED screen and a faster Snapdragon X Elite chip – as tested – costs from £1,549 (€1,799 / $1,499 / A$2,699), making it an expensive proposition.
Without a keyboard, the Surface Pro works well as a tablet, but it’s not as pleasant to the touch or for media consumption as the iPad. In fact, the detachable keyboard is essential to get the most out of the Surface as a laptop. Microsoft has several options to choose from, including the new flagship Flex keyboard for £339 (€410/$350/AUD$600). It has a new and improved haptic trackpad similar to high-end laptops, and unlike cheaper options, it can be used separately from the tablet via Bluetooth for more flexibility. The Flex is great, but £340 is a lot for a keyboard.
Specifications
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Screen: 13-inch LCD or OLED 2880×1920 (267 PPI) 120Hz
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Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus or X Elite
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FRAME: 16 or 32 GB
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Storage space: 256, 512 GB or 1 TB
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Graphic Design: Qualcomm Adreno
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Operating system: Windows 11 Home
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Camera: 10.5MP rear, 12.2MP front, Windows Hello
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Connectivity: Wifi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 2x USB-4, Surface Connect
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Dimensions: 287 x 209 x 9.3 mm
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Mass: 895 g (without keyboard)
Snapdragon performance
The move to the Arm-based Snapdragon X Elite has two big advantages over the x86-based Intel chips of its predecessors: efficiency and performance.
Tests put it on a par with current top-of-the-line Intel laptop chips and similar to Apple’s M3 in the MacBook Air, which is a huge leap from Arm’s previous Surface chips.
For the most part, the Surface feels quick and snappy in day-to-day use, and the fans are only heard when really pushed when gaming, so it’s effectively silent most of the time.
Battery life is similar to the Intel-powered Surface Pro 9, lasting around 8 hours using a mix of browsing, typing and chatting apps. It’s sturdy enough for a day’s work, but not much more, which was a little disappointing. However, battery life is better compared to the Intel versions under heavier workloads, so those who do a lot of creative work should get more time out of it than an equivalent Intel machine.
Application compatibility
However, there is one significant potential problem. While many applications have already been updated to run on Arm systems, Windows software is traditionally written for x86 PC chips. This means that some apps require a translation system to run on the new Surface chip.
Applications that need this translation system run much slower than those that have been updated. Performance is generally acceptable for programs like the note-taking app Evernote, which doesn’t have an Arm-compatible version. But heavier programs like Valve’s Steam gaming platform are noticeably slow.
There are also Windows apps and games that simply refuse to launch. It won’t be a problem if you don’t need them, but the big issue for me is that the Google Drive desktop software won’t run at all on the Surface Pro 11. Google will have to update their software for Windows on Arm to fix this, or I will have to change the file sync service.
Except for those who rely on older software, most will find that most applications run smoothly on the Arm. Of the 14 non-Microsoft apps I regularly use, only five didn’t have an Arm version, and only Google Drive refused to actually run. The same can be said for using accessories like printers, most things connect to and work with built-in drivers in Windows. But those devices that require special drivers to be installed probably won’t work unless the manufacturer has written Arm-compatible versions.
The Surface Pro 11 also has several new Microsoft AI tools that are exclusive to Copilot+ computers. It has instant access to Microsoft’s Copilot AI chatbot, but the bot is limited to a web app, so it basically gives you the same experience you’d get using it in a browser on any system. It also lacks the controversial “Recall” feature, which was delayed due to privacy concerns.
The live caption system works like most smartphones for videos and calls, with automatic translation when needed, although caption accuracy is variable. The webcam also has new effects that can be used for video calls. The auto-scroll and scan feature works well, but the portrait lighting and blur aren’t the best, and most video calling services already have something similar baked in, so they’re not revolutionary.
More interesting is the Cocreator system in Paint, which brings your drawing to life with a text prompt to give it some direction, such as a theme or description of the object you’re trying to draw. A slider allows you to manually adjust how much creative license the AI ​​is allowed. With a little practice, you can turn a rough outline of something into a fully formed piece of art. The AI ​​works locally so it’s very fast, but requires an internet connection as it checks a list of banned entities to prevent abuse.
Sustainability
The tablet is generally repairable, a service manual and a replaceable SSD are available. The out of warranty service charge for battery replacement is £467.10 and the screen is £622.80 when repaired by Microsoft. The tablet was awarded eight out of 10 for repairability by specialists iFixit.
The tablet contains 72% recycled material, including aluminum and rare earth metals. Microsoft operates recycling programs for old machines. It also publishes a company-wide sustainability report and a breakdown of each product’s environmental impact.
Price
The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 starts at £1,049 (€1,199/US$999/A$1,899) with Snapdragon X Plus and an LCD screen. The Snapdragon X Elite version with an OLED screen costs from £1,549 (€1,799 / $1,499 / A$2,699).
Keyboard options start at £139.99 (€159.99 / $139.99 / A$239.95), up to £339 (€409.99 / A$349.99 / A$599.95) for a new the Flex keyboard.
Statement
Surface Pro 11 sets a new standard for Arm-based Windows tablets. It is thin, light, quiet and very powerful. But how great it is depends entirely on what apps you use.
If all the software and accessories you need are already updated to run on the new Snapdragon X chip, you’ll have an excellent experience. But if that one program or device you’re relying on is only compatible with Intel or AMD’s traditional x86 systems, then your path may be rocky or blocked entirely.
Performance may be excellent, but the promised increase in battery life has not been delivered. The Surface can handle an eight-hour workday, but it’s disappointingly similar to its Intel predecessors and can’t match the best that can handle twice that.
The new OLED screen is excellent on the top model, as is the new Flex keyboard. But the price to get them is very high indeed. You can get plenty of PCs or Macs elsewhere for the best part of £1,900.
I’m not entirely convinced that Arm chips are the future for all Windows PCs, but for thin and light devices the benefits are very clear. However, the AI ​​part of Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC initiative doesn’t live up to the hype and isn’t a reason to buy it over an Intel or AMD computer just yet.
Pros: fantastic 120Hz OLED screen, excellent performance, runs great, USB4, excellent stand, Windows Hello, great speakers, good camera, solid build, removable SSD, easier to repair.
Disadvantages: Extremely expensive with no included keyboard, app and accessory compatibility issues remain with the Arm chip, no USB-A port, no microSD card slot, no headphone jack, AI features are disappointing.