Verdict
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is an reiterative raise , give out to fix lingering shortcomings . Nevertheless , few equipment bid this much operation in such a stunningly portable packet . But , you ’ll be yield a bounty for the privilege .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The main marketing point of the Surface Pro line has always been its portability . The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 does n’t divert from this core missionary station , offering a sleek , luxuriousness machine that ’ll suit those on the move .
For a while , the Surface Pro range had few rivals . Few other lozenge could be used as a fully functioning laptop - like automobile with an operating system that allowed for actual work to be done .
Over the intervening years though , theHuawei MateBook due east ( 2022),Dell XPS 13 2 - in-1 ( 2022)and , most ferociously , theiPad Proteamed up its Magic Keyboard accessory . So , the Surface Pro 9 is far from the only 2 - in-1 in town , even if its Windows competition have n’t necessarily shone in their own right .
The invention has n’t changed much this year , but it ’s experience theSurface Pro Xconcept merge into the flagship lineup with the Surface Pro 9 5G. The gravid Surface Pro update was a welcome one but , with Intel devices , you could only load down so much power into such a small package . Something has bewilder to give and it ’s often barrage fire life , performance , or fan noise . The Surface Pro 9 will have to battle all three to justify its high-pitched cost , a starting monetary value that does n’t include the essentialSurface Pro Signature Keyboard ( £ 159.99 ) – then , another £ 100 for theSlim Pen 2 bundle .
Design and Keyboard
If you ’re someone who hates lug around cogent or sizable laptop and has long for something that you ’ll just acknowledge in a suitcase or can easily carry under your arm , it ’s hard not to look lovingly at the Surface Pro 9 . As a part of hardware excogitation , specially since the refresh last time out , few manufacturer compete with Microsoft for luxurious industrial build quality .
The colour options offered are Platinum , Graphite , Sapphire and , a new green shade , Forest . My review theoretical account is the blasphemous Sapphire color variance and it ’s a pleasing dad , but I much prefer the understated options . Though , those with more vibrant tastes will probably be glad to see more than just grim and Charles Grey to choose from now . you could , of course , jibe these up with keyboard hues of your choice too .
The compact packet consider just 879 g on its own , and 1.18 kilogram when match with the Slim Pen 2 bundle . The full package is just 14.2 mm slight . It ’s a step that feels little more than a weighty newspaper notebook computer when carried by your side . Those who move from meeting to meeting regularly will love this form divisor . The thin design does give having a wide range of porthole though , with just twoThunderboltports and a Surface Connect make up the I / O. It ’ll be the dongle life for those who involve to habituate HDMI , South Dakota wag and the corresponding .
Prior to the Surface Pro 8 revamp , I was a massive fan of the keyboard natural covering that Microsoft sell alongside its tablet loan-blend . Similarly , I loved the design of the Surface Pro X. But , crucially , not its accompanying covering . The design change has bring over the cover style from the concept gimmick and , while the key themselves still offer remarkable change of location for such a thin and weak accouterment , the flex is an highly detectable distraction .
The cover moves down with every keypress , ostensibly owing to the big hide compartment that put up the svelte Pen 2 . It ’s not a dealbreaker and it wo n’t have you to miss keys , but the movement leads to a feeling of something beingoff . The trackpad is also comically small but still offers an precise and satisfying click .
The slender Pen 2 itself is imposingly accurate and , compare with 360 - degree hinge laptops that come with a style , the tablet and its stand make for a super sturdy sail . The flat conformation does n’t look like it ’d be all that well-heeled to hold , but it is just that and gives a spirit to wielding a paintbrush more than a typical pen .
The onboard speakers offer a good reach of point , even if the highs can be harsh . There ’s a smidgen of bass that stops the speech sound from coming across as superficial and , at high volumes , it remains quite consistent . The webcam is a gamy point , with the front - facing 1080p tv camera offering a clearer figure of speech than most contender . The colours do skew a bit affectionate though . There is a 10 - megapixel television camera on the fundament … for some cause . Pleasedon’t take this to a concert and hold it up . The microphones are whole too , so if you ’re brusque of a mic or phone come meeting meter , the intragroup audio capabilities will serve .
Display
The Surface Pro mountain chain has always offered precise and pleasing displays , even when they have n’t score the heights on specification like resolving power and refresh charge per unit . The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 nearly has the total package .
Along with a 2.8 yard resolution , there ’s a 3:2 scene ratio and 120Hz gore that makes browsing the web a delightful experience with smoother scrolling .
There ’s no fancyMini LEDorOLEDtechnology , but my benchmarking outcome showed a strong showing , nonetheless . Brightness top out at a good 443 nit , which is plenty usable alfresco or in sticky firing . The principal drawback is a glossy display that is extremely reflective and something you just have to go with .
The recorded 99 % sRGB , 80 % Adobe RGB and 85 % DCI - P3 coloration coverage result are n’t right up there with the best of them like aMacBook Pro , but they ’re good enough for first appearance - level content creators .
All this adds up to a screen that ’s a great all - rounder , top - notch for productiveness and has big colour chops for take in videos and icon .
Performance
The redesign of the Surface Pro was necessary to keep up with thinner and lighter options from rivals , but it does n’t look to have done curiosity for the performance . Do n’t get me incorrect , the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is an extremely capable productiveness motorcar that , with my 12th Gen Intel Core i7 and 16 GB RAM shape , consume up upwards of 25 web browser app tabs before it blinked .
However , to keep carrying out steady , the Surface Pro 9 appear to be doing a lot of work . The behind of the tablet can get uncomfortably warm ( thankfully it wo n’t be resting on your lap ) and the fans can kick up surprisingly early . Though sometimes they do n’t , it ’s rather inconsistent . But , the fans always whirr up when pass beyond 15 Google Chrome tab .
Despite the best effort of the fan , the execution was consistently below key rivals , including itsSurface Laptop 5clamshell sibling . The SSD speed either feel just short of a rival or well behind , coming in at 3475MB / s read and 2519MB / s write . The overall results make clear that you ’re have to sacrifice performance power to get this silky design , which may be a deal you ’re willing to make but you wo n’t be getting the most bang for your buck .
Battery life
If you ’re someone who is going to crusade the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 to its maximum , you ’ll find that electric battery life story apace falls low than the 15.5 hours bluster .
My benchmarking mental testing do in just under 10 hour , which is n’t high-risk and it beats its closest hybrid competition , the Dell XPS 13 2 - in-1 . However , it falls well shortsighted of more functional competition like theAsus Zenbook S 13 organic light-emitting diode ( 2022 ) , coming in at over 13 minute , andMacBook Air ( 2022 ) , at 14 hours .
That does n’t tell the whole story though , with the strain this auto is likely under when you move up to more intense productivity body of work come along to enfeeble this battery much faster . In my examination , I get it to just reach a full working day , closer to 6 - 7 hours of screen - on time . That ’ll still suit most but , if you wish to be free from battery anxiousness , the Surface Pro 9 wo n’t be your saviour unless weak productivity is your day - to - twenty-four hour period .
As is often the case with modern laptop computer , lax battery life is saved by speedy recharge times . Using the Surface Connect battery charger will speed you back up from nigh empty to 100 % in under an hour .
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Should you buy it?
The Surface Pro 9 is made for those who thirst supreme portability above all else . If that ’s you , it ’s enough able and you wo n’t be disappointed on the invention front .
If you favour function over form , this loan-blend is a tough sell . There ’s a gamy monetary value , a lack of ports and a performance that is top by many rival . Keyboard enthusiast should avoid too , as the bouncing will drudge your gears .
Final Thoughts
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is an iterative upgrade and , as such , does n’t bring too many surprises . Like its predecessor , it ’s wondrously stylish , aggressively portable and requires a honorable amount of sacrifice . If you love the look of this machine then you ’ll be willing to make these sacrifices , those being lower major power , induction - happy rooter , a glossy presentation and a quirky keyboard .
The answer for many search at top - quality productiveness laptop will be to stick around with the good ol’ clamshell . The likes of theMacBook Air ( 2022),Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED ( 2022)and more do n’t require as much compromise .
Trusted Score
How we test
Every laptop computer we review goes through a serial publication of undifferentiated checks project to gauge key thing including build quality , performance , silver screen quality and electric battery life .
These include formal synthetic bench mark and scripted tests , plus a serial of veridical - world assay , such as how well it runs popular apps .
FAQs
The Surface Pro 9 does not come with a keyboard , and you must buy it ( and a Surface Slim Pen 2 ) singly .
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 set up in October 2022 .
Test Data
Full Specs
