By The world ignored Microsoft’s earlier claims that tablets would be the next big thing in Windows. The business continues to produce Surface products while largely playing it safe with conventional laptops and mouse-friendly UI. The Microsoft Surface Pro, sometimes known as the Surface Pro 12 or Surface Pro 2025, is the most recent.
Built for office work and casual browsing, this little tablet is powered by a Snapdragon X Plus CPU. Although it isn’t expensive, it offers a reliable, fanless experience that Windows tablets have long found difficult to match. Additionally, Qualcomm’s Hexagon NPU provides remarkably fast AI.
Quiet and comfortably cool
Therefore, it cools silently, and I doubt that the tablet will ever become too hot to handle. Not terrible, but a bit unsettlingly lukewarm. When I use 3D graphics for extended periods of time, it throttles the graphics performance, but really, who buys a Surface to play games?
The base model with 256GB SSD storage is $799, while the configuration with 512GB SSD storage costs a bit more ($899). Additionally, you receive 16GB of RAM, which is sufficient for all of your daily office tasks, media streaming, simple photo editing, and communication.
The majority of my attempts at multitasking are successful. I have articles in progress open in Word, am syncing up a big video file for internet distribution, am in a Teams video call with the editorial staff, and am searching for information in a browser (sorry, this is a Bing household!). simultaneously, with neither one getting in the way of the other.
Naturally, it helps that the connection is quick and steady with both Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 6. This tablet does not have a 5G or LTE version. Then you have to increase the cost and size.
Compact design with minimal drawbacks
The tablet has a 12-inch screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio, making it notably small and narrow. The Surface Pro’s matte aluminum back, which is allegedly composed entirely of recyclable aluminum, and its pleasingly rounded corners and edges make it incredibly grip-friendly. It has a strong foldable back support.
It’s convenient to be able to use the Surface Pro as a little digital photo frame or film screen. In essence, though, it’s a Windows machine. Therefore, a keyboard and mouse controller are required. Additionally, a pen is required to fully utilize the touchscreen.
The matching Slim Pen costs $249.99 and can be purchased independently or in combination with the keyboard. It is designed for the Surface Pro and has a slot on the rear that the pen can attach to to charge using a magnet.
Everything is instantly operational after plugging in. I don’t have to deal with calibration or pairing by hand. From the beginning, the precision is superb. Additionally, the keyboard’s quality remains unwavering. Despite its small width, it doesn’t even feel like the keys are jammed together.
Just two USB ports, nothing more
With the right USB-C dock, you can attach your mouse, keyboard, and possibly a larger screen if that’s your preference. Everything you need to charge the battery with a USB-C dock is supported by the disc’s two connectors. There are no chargers supplied.
Although Microsoft does not disclose the size of the battery, it has a good lifespan, allowing for up to 21 hours of frugal use and three to ten hours of vigorous use with the screen brightness fully turned up. I wind up on the lower end of the spectrum if I’m working with generative AI, either third-party software or Microsoft’s features in the Copilot Plus package, or if I’m taxing the graphics card with a lot of 3D rendering.
The Surface Pro performs significantly better when I’m just using my computer for web browsing, email checking, and basic Excel computations, which is what most people do with their computers anyhow. It can perform those activities just as well as any tiny, light laptop. Although it might not be as quick, it is unquestionably quick enough.
You can obtain a small, capable laptop that can also be used as a touchscreen tablet with pen support if you have the appropriate peripherals. On the couch, it’s ideal for streaming movies. Is it sufficient to bring the Windows tablet concept back to life? Perhaps. Perhaps not. However, it’s a fantastic gadget for form factor enthusiasts.
