Surface Pro 11 A Top Windows Tablet For Professionals
Key Highlights of the Surface Pro 11
Microsoft has positioned the 11th-generation Surface Pro, starting at $1,000, as one of the premier work tablets for 2024. This device is among the latest Copilot+ PCs, boasting next-generation hardware, impressive battery life, and a brilliant OLED touchscreen. However, while the hardware shines, its generative AI features are still evolving and don't quite match the overall performance of the machine.
You can find the Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition starting at $999.99 at Best Buy.
Notably, at Amazon, the 512GB Microsoft Surface Pro is currently on sale for $900, representing a 25% discount.
Copilot+ PCs: The Next Wave of Computing
Copilot+ PCs have generated significant excitement since their announcement in May 2024. Microsoft has lauded their performance capabilities, positioning them as superior to the M3 MacBook Air and highlighting a host of new features. Early consumer response suggests a belief that Microsoft has finally developed a compelling Windows on ARM machine.
Having tested the Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition, the central question was whether it lives up to the considerable hype. After extensive use, it's clear the device meets expectations in some areas while falling short in others.
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Performance: Snapdragon X Elite and Real World Use
The Surface Pro 11th Edition features Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X Elite processor, touted as a potential "MacBook killer." In practice, it performs admirably. Web browsing remains smooth even with multiple video streams and numerous open tabs. First-party Microsoft software and several third-party applications also run efficiently.
Testing the hardware thoroughly presented some challenges. Due to the novelty of the Snapdragon X Elite chips at the time of review, many standard benchmark tests were not yet compatible. Geekbench was one of the few functional benchmarks, yielding a score of 14,564. This positions the processor ahead of the M3 MacBook Air but slightly behind the M3 MacBook Pro. While indicative of strong performance, a definitive comparison requires further testing as benchmark software is updated and Windows releases optimizations for the new chips.
It's anticipated that performance and efficiency will improve over the coming months with software updates.
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Regarding third-party app performance on Copilot+ PCs, some users might have heard reports of slowness or glitches. Microsoft's Prism emulator, similar to Apple's Rosetta for macOS, enables many non-native apps to run on Windows on ARM, though not all applications perform perfectly yet.
AI Capabilities: A Mixed Bag
As a Copilot+ PC, AI capabilities are a significant selling point. However, in practice, many of the immediately available AI features were somewhat underwhelming. The Cocreator AI image generator produced low-quality content. Live Captions functionality was slow and often inaccurate. On a more positive note, Studio Effects performed well, enhancing the excellent 1440p webcam by improving lighting, centering the camera, and providing background blur during video calls.
Immersive Visuals and Sound
Professionals will appreciate the stunning PixelSense Flow touchscreen. This 13-inch OLED display boasts a resolution of 2,880 x 1,920 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate for exceptionally smooth visuals. Combined with software enhancers, the image quality is truly impressive.
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The Surface Pro's speaker system also delivered surprisingly good audio. Instead of the anticipated tinny sound, the output features a pleasant bass response. While not room-filling, the audio quality is sufficient for an engaging movie-watching experience.
Enhancing the Experience with Accessories
Accessories are integral to the Surface Pro experience. The Surface Slim Pen and the Flex keyboard were both found to be enjoyable and well-designed. Tablet keyboards often compromise on quality, but Microsoft's Flex keyboard stands out. The new generation features a sturdier carbon fiber construction, resulting in a lightweight yet robust product that offers an excellent typing experience.
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The Surface Slim Pen impressed with its accuracy, faithfully capturing handwriting and detailed illustrations. A convenient button on the flat end of the pen can be double-tapped to launch a configured application for quick access.
All Day Power: Battery Performance
One of the Surface Pro 11th Edition's standout features is its phenomenal battery life. During a standard test involving a continuous YouTube live stream at 720p and 50% brightness, the device lasted just under 13 hours on a single charge. This is close to Microsoft's claimed 14-hour battery life. In practical, everyday use, the Surface Pro can easily last multiple days on a single charge.
ZDNETs Verdict and Pricing
Microsoft's Surface Pro 11th edition is an excellent choice for professional artists and users seeking a high-performance machine with a brilliant display. The era of Windows on Arm laptops has arrived, and this device is a strong contender.
Prices for the Surface Pro 11th Edition start at $999.99. The review unit, equipped with the 12-core Snapdragon X Elite chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, is priced at $1,699. It's important to note that accessories such as the Flex keyboard and Slim Pen are sold separately. The Flex keyboard and Slim Pen combination, for instance, costs an additional $449.
