Microsoft Updates Surface Pro and Laptop with New Processor, Raises Prices

Microsoft unveiled the latest iterations of its 12-inch Surface Pro and 13-inch Surface Laptop on September 23, during Qualcomm's Snapdragon Summit. Both devices are now equipped with Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X2 Plus processor, and their base memory has been upgraded from 8GB to 16GB.

These new models are scheduled to go on sale in select markets starting October 13. However, the pricing reflects a notable increase compared to previous generations. The Surface Pro 12-inch will start at $1,149.99, up from $799.99 previously. The Surface Laptop 13-inch sees its starting price rise from $899.99 to $1,199. A new Surface Mouse with haptic feedback was also introduced, priced at $79.99.

In terms of performance, Microsoft claims significant improvements. The new chips feature a six-core CPU that boosts Office productivity workloads by up to 17%. Graphics performance is said to be enhanced by over 60%, and local AI processing speeds have reportedly increased by as much as 95%. Battery life is also cited as improved by up to 18%.

The Surface Pro 12-inch retains its fanless design and features a 12-inch PixelSense touchscreen display with a 2196x1464 resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. A new black color option is available. Battery life for web browsing is rated at 13 hours. The Surface Laptop 13-inch comes with a 13-inch display at 1920x1280 resolution and 60Hz refresh rate, offering up to 22.5 hours of local video playback.

Additionally, Microsoft introduced Microsoft Ink Canvas, an AI-powered application designed for note-taking and creation, which will be pre-installed on the new Surface Pro. The company is also offering 5G connectivity options for the Surface Pro and has highlighted enterprise-focused security and management tools for both devices.