Microsoft unveils Surface Pro 9 with Intel and ARM chips, 5G support, and new colors to mark 10th anniversary
Microsoft merges Surface Pro X with main Surface Pro line.
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What you need to know
The new Surface Pro 9 is official, featuring the same design found on the Surface Pro 8 last year, but now available in a gorgeous new Sapphire (blue) or Forest (green) colorway in addition to the classic Platinum and Graphite options.
Microsoft is also merging theSurface Pro Xwith the main Surface Pro line, meaning the Surface Pro 9 can be configured with either IntelorARM chips for the first time.
On the Intel side, the Surface Pro 9 featuresIntel’s latest 12th-generation U-series chips, which feature ten cores and offers up to 50% more performance over the 11th-gen chips found in theSurface Pro 8. The display also now supports adynamic refresh rateof up to 120Hz out of the box.
Battery life is rated at 15.5 hours for the Intel model, which is a 1/2 less than the 16 hours estimate for Surface Pro 8. Dimensions for both devices are precisely the same, although Surface Pro 9 is a tiny bit lighter at 1.94kg instead of 1.96kg of Surface Pro 8.
While the chassis may be similar between Surface Pro 8 and Surface Pro 9, Microsoft did make some other changes. The two Type-C Thunderbolt ports are now on the left side with the volume and power button moving to the top. Surface Connect remains on the right. This configuration is similar to Surface Pro X.
In addition to the new color options, Microsoft is partnering with London-based global design house“Liberty”to offer alimited editionSurface Pro 9 with a unique laser-etched pattern in a vibrant blue floral design (inspired by the Windows 11 Bloom) to celebrate ten years of Surface Pro. Along with it is a matching Type Cover, also featuring a floral blue print.
The Surface Pro 9 with ARM features Microsoft’s newest SQ3 SoC, a slightly customized version of theSnapdragon 8cx Gen 3. The Microsoft SQ3 variant of the Surface Pro 9 comes with 5G built-in, which marks the first time 5G is now available on a Surface PC. The SQ3 version also includes anNPU (neural processing unit.)
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The inclusion of an NPU offers additional features and functionality that the Intel variant misses out on, including camera and microphone AI effects such as native background blur, eye contact, automatic framing, and enhanced voice clarity and voice focus.
Microsoft also touts the ARM version as having an additional 3.5 hours of battery life in typical usage! Sadly, the Surface Pro 9 with ARM is only available in one color: Platinum. This limitation means you won’t be able to configure an ARM-based Surface Pro 9 in any of the new colors, including the limited edition Liberty pattern.
Lastly, the ARM version of Surface Pro 9 uses the same chassis as the Intel one, meaning the ARM model is slightly thicker and features a vent around the top portion of the device, unlike the Surface Pro X, which was thinner and featured no vents in its design.
Surface Pro 9 is expected to start shipping on October 25 with a starting price of $999 for the Intel model and $1,299 for the ARM model. Pre-orders are open now!
Now available in Intel or Arm variants, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 some new limited edition colors and a laser-etched design as well, giving it added personality. Microsoft’s iconic detachable tablet also gains 5G connectivity options for the first time.
Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch onTwitterandThreads
