The Surface Pro 9, the newest Windows 11 tablet from Microsoft, offers more options than ever before while also being faster and simpler to maintain. 

Microsoft has combined the two premium tablet product lines under a single model designation. The basic Surface Pro 9 picks up where the Surface Pro 8 left off in 2021, sporting faster 12th-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 chips along with an upgraded interior design, and without a keyboard.

However, the Surface Pro 9 5G, which is a continuation of Microsoft's Surface Pro X line and uses ARM-based CPUs comparable to those found in smartphones, joins it under the same roof. It is a very different idea that comes with some significant costs. 

The most recent Surface Pro 9 computers resemble their predecessors virtually exactly, albeit they weigh 12g less than the devices from the previous year. They include Microsoft's fantastic kickstand out the back for adjusting the tablet to a variety of angles. They are sleek, well-made, and available in a variety of pleasing colors. 

The excellent 13-inch display can dynamically switch between a 60Hz or 120Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling while preserving battery life. The Surface Pro 9 tablet is also marginally brighter than last earlier model. With the exception of the fact that they are not included in the package and cost some extra money when purchased together, the keyboard and Slim Pen 2 stylus are identical to the earlier models. 

The tablet's interior has been improved for repairability. It features a user-upgradable storage system under a small flap at the back, an easier-to-replace battery, a service manual, and replacement parts. Although it is not quite the user-repairable dream exemplified by the Framework laptop, Microsoft has made a significant advancement in the right direction. 

The main drawback of this Microsoft’s tablet is that there is no longer a headphone jack, so your only options are Bluetooth or a USB-C dongle (which is not supplied). While call audio quality is worse than when using a wired headset, pairing the Surface with a variety of Bluetooth headphones that have been out since the previous years has generally worked well.

Specifications

• Screen: 13in LCD 2880x1920 (267 PPI) 120Hz
• Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7 (12th generation)
• RAM: 8, 16 or 32GB
• Storage: 128, 256, 512GB or 1TB
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
• Operating system: Windows 11 Home
• Camera: 10MP rear, 5MP front-facing, Windows Hello
• Connectivity: Wifi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, 2x Thunderbolt 4/USB-4, Surface Connect
• Dimensions: 287 x 209 x 9.3 mm
• Weight: 879g (without keyboard)

Intel vs. Microsoft SQ3 ARM CPU

There is an option between the Intel Core i5-1235U and the i7-1255U processors that come standard with the Surface Pro 9 that is only compatible with wifi. These processors have approximately the same power efficiency as the previous generation, but they are up to 35% quicker. This maintains the Surface Pro 9's speed at a level comparable to that of its PC competitors. 

Compared to its direct predecessor, the top Core i7 version has a significantly quicker response time when it comes to restarting from standby and performing other day-to-day tasks. It is able to perform sophisticated picture modifications using Affinity Photo 2 with ease and runs silently the majority of the time. The only times the fans are noticeable are when it is plugged into a Thunderbolt dock with an external monitor or when it is conducting intense benchmark testing.

It is expected that the battery of Surface Pro 9 would survive for the whole of the working day, but it is not expected to endure for much longer than eight hours of continuous work. It is not as good as certain laptops, which can last for sixteen hours without needing to be charged, but it is fairly comparable to tablets that are designed for personal computers. 

There is a significant difference in the narrative for the version that use the Microsoft SQ3 ARM CPU. Its raw computing power is comparable to that of the Intel version, which means that it functions very well when utilizing applications that are designed to run on ARM chips. These applications include a variety of Microsoft products, such as Office and the Edge browser. 

The majority of Windows programs, on the other hand, are written for either Intel or AMD CPUs. Therefore, in order for them to be able to execute on the ARM processor, they require the assistance of tools that are included into Windows 11. However, because of this "emulation layer," applications developed by Intel, such as Evernote, Affinity Photo 2, Chrome, or even just the WhatsApp desktop client, are excruciatingly slow. The software that Google uses to sync Drive is one example of a program that simply refuses to run at all.

Windows 11 Integration and Android App Experience on Surface Pro 9

Windows 11 is installed on the Surface Pro 9, and it is compatible with Windows Hello, which allows users to authenticate themselves within applications or make payments using their faces on the tablet. As it has developed into a reliable operating system, it has lately added support for running applications that are designed for Android. 

It is possible to locate these mobile applications within the Microsoft Store and to download them through the Android app store offered by Amazon; however, the current selection is extremely limited. The majority of the most popular applications, such as Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video, already have versions available for Windows. Accordingly, these applications are not available as Android apps for Windows. The most notable exception is the Kindle Android app, which functions extraordinarily well and provides an experience that is roughly comparable to that of an Android tablet or iPad.