Microsoft has unveiled two fresh additions to its Surface lineup — a compact 12-inch Surface Pro tablet and a 13-inch Surface Laptop — both powered by Qualcomm’s new 8-core Snapdragon X Plus processor. These devices mark Microsoft’s latest step into the ARM-powered future, but they’re starting with the entry-level version of this chip, not the higher-performance 10-core Snapdragon X Elite.
Each device ships with 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage in the base model, which will set you back $799 for the tablet and $899 for the laptop. Considering today’s market, these are relatively affordable prices — but there’s a catch.
Limited Upgrades, Accessories Sold Separately
Don’t expect much room to customize. The Surface Pro only offers a single upgrade on Microsoft’s site: doubling the storage to 512 GB for $899. RAM and processor upgrades aren’t available, and oddly enough, the $799 base model doesn’t come with a charger. You’ll need to purchase the 45W USB-C charger separately for $70.
Microsoft Unveils Snapdragon X Plus Laptop and Tablet: Both Without Proprietary Charging Port
Oh, and that sleek keyboard and stylus showcased in Microsoft’s promotional images? They’re not included either. The keyboard will cost you $150, and the stylus adds another $130. By the time you piece together a complete setup, you’re approaching the price of a much more capable machine.
The Surface Laptop offers the same bump in storage — 512 GB for $999 — and thankfully includes a charger in the box. Since it’s a traditional laptop, the keyboard isn’t an extra cost, making it a more straightforward, value-friendly choice for those looking for a ready-to-use device.
Screens Take a Step Back
Display quality is another area where Microsoft made some trade-offs. The Surface Pro features a 12-inch LCD with a 2196×1464 resolution, 3:2 aspect ratio, and a 90Hz refresh rate — a downgrade from the previous Surface Pro 11, which boasted a smoother 120Hz panel. There’s no OLED option this time around.
The tablet’s built-in battery is enough for 16 hours of video playback from memory, and the laptop’s battery life in this scenario is as much as 23 hours.
Meanwhile, the Surface Laptop offers a 13-inch screen with a resolution of just 1920×1280 and a 60Hz refresh rate. That’s a noticeable drop in visual fidelity compared to the Surface Laptop 7, which offered a higher resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR support.
Battery Life and Cooling: A Mixed Bag
On the plus side, battery life is solid. Microsoft claims up to 16 hours of video playback for the Surface Pro and an impressive 23 hours for the Surface Laptop. The tablet also runs fanless — a quiet perk — while the laptop still includes active cooling.
Perhaps the most universally welcome change? Microsoft has finally ditched the proprietary Surface Connect charger in favor of USB-C. Both devices now rely entirely on USB-C for charging, peripherals, and external displays. However, you only get two ports total, which could feel limiting for power users juggling accessories and monitors.
Among the interesting innovations, it is worth highlighting the lack of active cooling in the Surface Pro tablet, but the new laptop still has this element.
Microsoft’s latest Surface devices are sleek, efficient, and powered by promising new ARM chips — but they come with compromises. The base models are attractively priced, but once you factor in essential accessories, you might be paying quite a bit more. And while the transition to USB-C is a step in the right direction, the limited ports, screen downgrades, and minimal upgrade options make these devices feel like modest updates rather than game changers.
