Microsoft’s latest Surface tablet promises to be a generational upgrade that goes beyond just being faster, quieter and more efficient – it’s all down to a change in the type of processor at its heart.
The Surface Pro 11 isn’t the first Microsoft machine to replace traditional Intel or AMD PC processors with Arm-based chips similar to those in your smartphone or Apple’s latest Macs and iPads. But 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 dramatically improved Qualcomm Snapdragon X chipset powering a new line of “Copilot+ PCs” from a range of different manufacturers, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 11 being one of them . But their move to flagship chips brings with it compromises in software and accessories that could be deal-breakers for some.
Beyond the new chips, Microsoft has stuck with the winning formula of its predecessors, including a great built-in kickstand, a quality aluminum frame, excellent speakers, and fast Windows Hello facial recognition. The new 13-inch OLED screen on the top-end model is the star of the show – one of the best on a PC or laptop, which makes watching HDR movies a joy.
But it is not, and never has been, a cheap PC. The new model starts at £1,049 (€1,199 / $999 / $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 / $240). . The top-end tablet with new OLED display and faster Snapdragon X Elite chip – as tested – costs from £1,549 (€1,799 / $1,499 / AU$2,699), making it a pricey proposition.
Without a keyboard, the Surface Pro works OK as a tablet, but it’s not as touch-friendly or as good for media consumption as an iPad. In reality, the detachable keyboard is essential to getting the most out of the Surface as a laptop. Microsoft has several options to choose from, including a new £339 (€410 / $350 / A$600) Flex Keyboard. It has the new and improved haptic trackpad similar to high-end laptops and, unlike cheaper options, can be used disconnected from the tablet via Bluetooth for greater flexibility. The Flex is great, but £340 is a lot for a keyboard.
specification
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Display: 13-inch LCD or OLED 2880×1920 (267 PPI) 120 Hz
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Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus or X Elite
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RAM: 16 or 32 GB
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Storage: 256, 512 GB or 1 TB
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Graphics: 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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Weight: 895 g (without keyboard)
Snapdragon power
The switch to the Arm-based Snapdragon X Elite has two big benefits over the x86-based Intel chips from its predecessors: efficiency and performance.
The tests put its performance around the same level as current top Intel laptop chips and similar to Apple’s M3 in the MacBook Air, which is a massive step up from the previous Arm chips in Surface devices.
For the most part, the Surface feels fast and responsive in everyday use, and the fans can only be heard when really pushed during gaming, so it’s effectively silent most of the time.
Performance 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 strong enough for a day’s work, but not much more, which was a little disappointing. Battery life is better compared to the Intel versions under heavier workloads, however, so those who do a lot of creative work should get more out of it than equivalent Intel machines.
Application compatibility
However, there is an important potential problem. While many applications have already been updated to run on Arm systems, Windows software has traditionally been written for x86 PC chips. This means that some apps require a translation system to run on the new Surface’s chip.
Applications that need this translation system run much slower than those that have been updated. Performance is generally acceptable for programs such as note-taking app Evernote, which does not have an Arm-compatible version. But heavier programs like Valve’s Steam gaming platform are noticeably slower.
There are also Windows apps and games that simply refuse to run. If you don’t need them, it won’t be a problem, but the big sticking point for me is that the Google Drive desktop software won’t work at all on the Surface Pro 11. To solve this problem, Google will have to update its Windows software on Arm, or I’ll have to change my file sync service.
Outside of those relying on older software, most will find that most applications run smoothly on the Arm. Of the 14 non-Microsoft apps I use regularly, only five didn’t have versions of Arm, and only Google Drive refused to run. The same can be said for using accessories such as printers with most things that connect to and work with built-in Windows drivers. But those devices that need special drivers to install will likely not work unless the manufacturer has written Arm-compatible versions.
The Surface Pro 11 also has a handful of new Microsoft AI tools that are exclusive to Copilot+ computers. There’s instant access to Microsoft’s AI Copilot chatbot, but the bot is limited to a web app, so it basically gives you the same experience you’d get using it in the browser on any system. It also lacks the controversial Reminder feature that has been delayed pending privacy concerns.
The live caption system works like most smartphones for videos and phone calls, with automatic translation if needed, although subtitle accuracy is variable. The webcam also has new effects that can be applied to video calls. The auto pan and scan feature works well, but the portrait lighting and blur aren’t the best, and most video calling services have something similar already built in, making them less than revolutionary.
More interesting is the Cocreator system in Paint, which enhances your drawing with a text message to give it some direction, such as a subject or description of the object you are 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 sketch of something into a fully formed work of art. AI works locally, making it very fast, but requires an internet connection to work because it checks a list of banned entities in an effort to prevent abuse.
Stability
The tablet is generally repairable, with a service manual available and a removable SSD. 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 rated eight out of 10 for repairability by iFixit specialists.
The tablet contains 72% recycled material including aluminum and rare earth metals. Microsoft operates recycling schemes for old machines. It also publishes a company-wide sustainability report and an overview of each product’s environmental impact.
PRICE
The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 starts at £1,049 (€1,199 / $999 / US$1,899) with a Snapdragon X Plus and LCD display. The Snapdragon X Elite version with an OLED screen costs from £1,549 (€1,799 / $1,499 / US$2,699).
Keyboard options start at £139.99 (€159.99 / $139.99 / A$239.95) going up to £339 (€409.99 / $349.99 / A$599.95 ) for the new Flex keyboard.
verdict
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 have already been updated to run on the new Snapdragon X chip, then you’ll have a great experience. But if that software or hardware you rely on is only compatible with traditional x86 Intel or AMD systems, then your path may be rocky or completely blocked.
Performance may be great, but the promised battery life benefits haven’t been realized. The Surface can last an eight-hour workday, but that’s disappointingly similar to its Intel predecessors and can’t match the best that last twice as long.
The new OLED display is excellent on the top-end model, as is the new Flex keyboard. But the price to get them is really high. You can get plenty of PCs or Macs elsewhere for the better part of £1,900.
I’m not entirely convinced that wing chips are the future for all Windows PCs, but for thin and light devices the benefits are very clear. However, the artificial intelligence part of Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC initiative doesn’t live up to the hype and isn’t a reason to buy one on an Intel or AMD machine right now.
The pros: Fantastic OLED 120Hz display, great performance, great operation, USB4, great support, Windows Hello, great speakers, good camera, solid build, removable SSD, easier to repair.
Disadvantages: extremely expensive, not including the keyboard, apps and accessories, compatibility issues remain for the Arm chip, no USB-A port, no microSD card slot, no headphone jack, disappointing AI features.