Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 Offers Intel or Arm Options in the Same Chassis

News
By
last updated

There are a few other spec differences under the hood.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
7

Microsoft revealed the Surface Pro 9 today, and for the first time, its flagship detachable 2-in-1 comes with either Intel processors or Microsoft's custom SQ3 processor in the same chassis. It's a pivotal moment for the lineup, which was previously divided into separate designs for the different chips.

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Andrew E. Freedman
Andrew E. Freedman
Senior Editor

Andrew E. Freedman is a senior editor at Tom's Hardware focusing on laptops, desktops and gaming. He also keeps up with the latest news. A lover of all things gaming and tech, his previous work has shown up in Tom's Guide, Laptop Mag, Kotaku, PCMag and Complex, among others. Follow him on Threads @FreedmanAE and BlueSky @andrewfreedman.net. You can send him tips on Signal: andrewfreedman.01

7 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Maikk
    Up to 19 hours doubt
    Reply
  • Kamen Rider Blade
    Yet they won't offer the latest that AMD has to offer for some reason.

    Somehow I think somebody in MS has a Intel bias or a Anti-AMD bias.
    Reply
  • Findecanor
    Notice that it does not have a headphone jack!
    Only two USB C ports and the charging/dock port.

    They probably merged the ARM and Intel lines so that people won't notice that they accidentally bought an ARM tablet until it is too late.

    And BTW, MS-Windows is still really bad in tablet mode, even after all these years. Actually, worse now in than early revisions of Windows 10 even.
    Reply
  • jp7189
    How can they charge more money for the arm version which has lower specs and less compatibility?
    Reply
  • mk72
    Findecanor said:
    Notice that it does not have a headphone jack!
    Only two USB C ports and the charging/dock port.

    Most people who will want 5G will also use BT headphones. You don't want to be tethered to your tablet when it isn't tethered to anything else. And if you aren't tethered, then just get a USB-C hub or the Surface Hub that does have a headphone jack. If the Surface Hub is too much for you (only the really high-end users need it), I'd highly recommend getting a USB-C hub that has power pass through plus a USB charger, that way you only need one connection.

    Findecanor said:
    They probably merged the ARM and Intel lines so that people won't notice that they accidentally bought an ARM tablet until it is too late.

    The only people who will notice are the ones who know they need an x64 (or at least a powerful processor) in the first place. x64 executables run just fine in ARM64 emulation mode. And if you do need power and know it, I'd have to question why you didn't opt for an i7, especially when you consider they are priced the same given the same memory and storage options, and the i5's are even cheaper.

    Findecanor said:
    And BTW, MS-Windows is still really bad in tablet mode, even after all these years. Actually, worse now in than early revisions of Windows 10 even.

    I agree if you are trying to use desktop apps in tablet mode. Apps that are designed for one will always be bad at the other, and apps that try to be both will always be bad at both. That includes the window manager, but a window manager only really needs to be good enough if the other apps are doing their job. My biggest problem with using a Surface as a tablet is the bulk. It's not too heavy and the software is fine assuming you have the right software for the job, but it's just too large to hold in your hand for extended periods of time.

    My issue with the SQ3 is that the ONLY incentive to get it is because you want/need 5G. You aren't saving money, and I think it's safe to assume it won't perform as well as an i7. And the longer battery life? I'll believe that when I see the test results, but even then, test results rarely match real world usage.
    Reply
  • mk72
    jp7189 said:
    How can they charge more money for the arm version which has lower specs and less compatibility?
    It doesn't have less compatibility anymore, it runs x64 programs in emulation just fine. You get 5G in exchange for the lower specs. If you don't need 5G, there is no incentive to choose the SQ3. Unless perhaps you are a programmer who wants to test on an ARM machine or something like that.
    Reply
  • watzupken
    Maikk said:
    Up to 19 hours doubt
    I think it may be possible with ARM based processors and doing light work. I've used an M1 Macbook Air before and with 1 hour net surfing, and watching an hour of Youtube, I've only managed to drop the battery by 3% when it was new. With Intel chips, 19 hours is highly questionable if not impossible.
    Reply