The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 combines the flexibility of a laptop and tablet, encouraging you to work in the way that best suits you. You can tap into this productivity anywhere, thanks to its slim design making it easy to slot into your bag, with a 12th Generation Intel Core i5 processor ensuring that your performance is smooth when you're ready to tackle tasks. Don't fear the struggle of setting up when you're out and about, thanks to the built-in kickstand commencing work time, any time.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 combines the flexibility of a laptop and tablet, encouraging you to work in the way that best suits you. You can tap into this productivity anywhere, thanks to its slim design making it easy to slot into your bag, with a 12th Generation Intel Core i5 processor ensuring that your performance is smooth when you're ready to tackle tasks. Don't fear the struggle of setting up when you're out and about, thanks to the built-in kickstand commencing work time, any time.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 combines the flexibility of a laptop and tablet, encouraging you to work in the way that best suits you. You can tap into this productivity anywhere, thanks to its slim design making it easy to slot into your bag, with a 12th Generation Intel Core i5 processor ensuring that your performance is smooth when you're ready to tackle tasks. Don't fear the struggle of setting up when you're out and about, thanks to the built-in kickstand commencing work time, any time.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 combines the flexibility of a laptop and tablet, encouraging you to work in the way that best suits you. You can tap into this productivity anywhere, thanks to its slim design making it easy to slot into your bag, with a 12th Generation Intel Core i5 processor ensuring that your performance is smooth when you're ready to tackle tasks. Don't fear the struggle of setting up when you're out and about, thanks to the built-in kickstand commencing work time, any time.
Last updated at 06/09/2026 16:45:12
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 13" (256gb Ssd, Intel Core I5 12th Gen., 3.30
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Microsoft Surface Pro 9 2 in 1 Device (13", i5, 256GB/8GB) - Platinum
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Microsoft Surface Pro 9 13-inch i5/8GB/256GB SSD 2 in 1 Device - Platinum
originally posted on bestbuy.com
This quite honestly has to be the best feeling and best looking windows based tablet on the market and assuming your just using it for general usage/very light gaming this is probably the best windows experience you can get in such a small form factor. Starting with the display, it's absolutely beautiful IPS touch screen with an almost 4k display. Really can't overstate how good this screen looks in comparison to my 2 other laptops that use a TN panel and VA panel respectively. The display is also 120hz capable to my surprise which makes motion and inputs feel very fluid. Moving on to the rest of the system specs, the system I have comes a 12 gen Intel i5 processor with iris xe graphics, 8GB ddr5 ram, 256GB SSD, wifi 6e nic, and 2 thunderbolt 4 ports along with the ... MoreThis quite honestly has to be the best feeling and best looking windows based tablet on the market and assuming your just using it for general usage/very light gaming this is probably the best windows experience you can get in such a small form factor. Starting with the display, it's absolutely beautiful IPS touch screen with an almost 4k display. Really can't overstate how good this screen looks in comparison to my 2 other laptops that use a TN panel and VA panel respectively. The display is also 120hz capable to my surprise which makes motion and inputs feel very fluid. Moving on to the rest of the system specs, the system I have comes a 12 gen Intel i5 processor with iris xe graphics, 8GB ddr5 ram, 256GB SSD, wifi 6e nic, and 2 thunderbolt 4 ports along with the proprietary connector ports for the charger/keyboard attachment. Staring with the good here I love that the device actually comes with a wifi 6e card. The surface pro connect to my wifi 6e router at a link speed of 1.9Gbps on the 6hz band which is vastly better than my old laptop and well above the speeds of what my isp actually delivers to me which is fantastic. The 256GB SSD is a good size and should be good enough for most people though and you can easily use a usb-c external drive for more if needed. Moving onto the OS, Windows 11 is by far much better than W10 especially for tablet usage and I think at this screen size it's really nailed usability and scale with practicality. I am disappointed with the 8GB RAM a bit. It hasn't impacted my usage yet and likely won't matter if you're not a power user however it can definitely cause some issues if you're a content creator or trying to game with it and in 2022 16GB should be considered the minimum standard to shoot for. Speaking of gaming, the Intel iris xe graphics here simply aren't up to snuff unfortunately. For the vast majority of games you're going to be limited to 1080p low settings for older games at 30fps with newer games requiring 720p to get anywhere near playable framerates. I would've much rather had an amd based APU since they offer much better performance especially for gaming for a miniscule loss in efficiency overall tho I understand why they went with Intel since it has better integration with how Windows 11 works. The Intel xe igpu might be good enough however for emulators if you wanna play older games from the GameCube or even 3ds era. The thunderbolt 4 capability does open the door for possible eGPU usage however I do not have the means at this time to actually test if it would work well. Moving onto the peripherals the optional keyboard attachment is something I would deem essential and Microsoft really should include it with the tablet rather than making you pay extra for it, especially if it's marketed as a 2 in 1 laptop and not as just a tablet. Overall though I think if you're in the market for a new laptop and you're not concerned with gaming performance, this is a top tier buy.
originally posted on bestbuy.com
I own an iPad Pro 12.9 from 2018 so I'm not new to using tablets. Therefore, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 had some strict competition. My one week long experience with using the Surface has been very positive. While I lament the fact it doesn't have an 3.5mm port, I do like the fact that you have two USB C 4.0 ports as opposed to one on the iPad. Furthermore, the stand is built into the Surface as opposed to needing to buy a case that supports it. The display is incredibly bright at 2880 X 1920, and the refresh rate can go up to 120hz. Performance wise, it starts up fast like the iPad and the Intel i5 provides a snappy performance. It very much feels like using Windows on the go for me. The downside though is the Microsoft app store isn't as robust as the Apple app ... MoreI own an iPad Pro 12.9 from 2018 so I'm not new to using tablets. Therefore, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 had some strict competition. My one week long experience with using the Surface has been very positive. While I lament the fact it doesn't have an 3.5mm port, I do like the fact that you have two USB C 4.0 ports as opposed to one on the iPad. Furthermore, the stand is built into the Surface as opposed to needing to buy a case that supports it. The display is incredibly bright at 2880 X 1920, and the refresh rate can go up to 120hz. Performance wise, it starts up fast like the iPad and the Intel i5 provides a snappy performance. It very much feels like using Windows on the go for me. The downside though is the Microsoft app store isn't as robust as the Apple app store. On the other hand, you can practically install any desktop application (as long as it meets the specs for the Surface) on the Surface. This is great for work or schoolwork especially if you use any Microsoft Office programs. Battery life lives up to expectations so far. I really don't have too many nitpicks about the Surface. It is slightly heavier than the iPad Pro 12.9'' though not by too much. Although the power adapter uses a proprietary connector, you can charge using your phone charger with a USB C plug though it is slower. The auto rotate seems a bit spotty at time, but not so much that I would consider it a big annoyance. So iPad or Surface? At the end it depends on what you want. iPad is probably for a pure tablet experience, but if you're looking more something that's more of a hybrid between a tablet and laptop (especially if you buy the keyboard add-on), I would recommend the Surface more if you don't mind Windows 11.
originally posted on bestbuy.com
The surface pro 9 has been a great device for almost every task that I've thrown at it. I use it to run my business using QuickBooks and our AdCentral check-ins program mainly. However, I do connect it to a USBC docking station and hook it up to a 55-in TV from time to time and all seems to work well. I like the fact that it can be charged via USBC as well as the charger that came with the device makes it versatile and easy to use when plugged into the usbc docking station. There have been a few issues such as the HID sensor driver. All the sudden just showing up with a yellow exclamation mark In the device manager and having to be uninstalled and reinstalled as well as face unlock just simply not working even though the lighting conditions were perfectly fine. The ... MoreThe surface pro 9 has been a great device for almost every task that I've thrown at it. I use it to run my business using QuickBooks and our AdCentral check-ins program mainly. However, I do connect it to a USBC docking station and hook it up to a 55-in TV from time to time and all seems to work well. I like the fact that it can be charged via USBC as well as the charger that came with the device makes it versatile and easy to use when plugged into the usbc docking station. There have been a few issues such as the HID sensor driver. All the sudden just showing up with a yellow exclamation mark In the device manager and having to be uninstalled and reinstalled as well as face unlock just simply not working even though the lighting conditions were perfectly fine. The device feels good to hold in the hand and of course the built in kickstand is an added bonus which is perfect for any viewing angle as it folds completely back on itself. There is some bezeling along the edges as well as the top to compensate for the webcam on top and just enough space on the side so that your thumbs or fingers do not accidentally press on the screen clicking on things by accident. All in all, Microsoft has done a great job at adding to the features for this new model. I like that the storage is upgradable in the back with just a flick of a compartment. You can easily change out and upgrade your storage and some models even come with the ability to add it to your mobile broadband account. Build quality is excellent, of course and you're able to run full windows applications without any limitations, which is probably one of the biggest things about this device. I would say if you bought last year's model, there's no need to upgrade to the surface pro 9. But if you're a few years back I would say that this is a worthy upgrade.
| Storage Size | 256GB |
| Screen Size | 13 inches |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E- 802.11ax compatible |
| Display Resolution | 2880 x 1920 |
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 13" (256gb Ssd, Intel Core I5 12th Gen., 3.30
Delivery $60
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Microsoft Surface Pro 9 2 in 1 Device (13", i5, 256GB/8GB) - Platinum
Free next-day delivery
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 13-inch i5/8GB/256GB SSD 2 in 1 Device - Platinum
This quite honestly has to be the best feeling and best looking windows based tablet on the market and assuming your just using it for general usage/very light gaming this is probably the best windows experience you can get in such a small form factor. Starting with the display, it's absolutely beautiful IPS touch screen with an almost 4k display. Really can't overstate how good this screen looks in comparison to my 2 other laptops that use a TN panel and VA panel respectively. The display is also 120hz capable to my surprise which makes motion and inputs feel very fluid. Moving on to the rest of the system specs, the system I have comes a 12 gen Intel i5 processor with iris xe graphics, 8GB ddr5 ram, 256GB SSD, wifi 6e nic, and 2 thunderbolt 4 ports along with the ... MoreThis quite honestly has to be the best feeling and best looking windows based tablet on the market and assuming your just using it for general usage/very light gaming this is probably the best windows experience you can get in such a small form factor. Starting with the display, it's absolutely beautiful IPS touch screen with an almost 4k display. Really can't overstate how good this screen looks in comparison to my 2 other laptops that use a TN panel and VA panel respectively. The display is also 120hz capable to my surprise which makes motion and inputs feel very fluid. Moving on to the rest of the system specs, the system I have comes a 12 gen Intel i5 processor with iris xe graphics, 8GB ddr5 ram, 256GB SSD, wifi 6e nic, and 2 thunderbolt 4 ports along with the proprietary connector ports for the charger/keyboard attachment. Staring with the good here I love that the device actually comes with a wifi 6e card. The surface pro connect to my wifi 6e router at a link speed of 1.9Gbps on the 6hz band which is vastly better than my old laptop and well above the speeds of what my isp actually delivers to me which is fantastic. The 256GB SSD is a good size and should be good enough for most people though and you can easily use a usb-c external drive for more if needed. Moving onto the OS, Windows 11 is by far much better than W10 especially for tablet usage and I think at this screen size it's really nailed usability and scale with practicality. I am disappointed with the 8GB RAM a bit. It hasn't impacted my usage yet and likely won't matter if you're not a power user however it can definitely cause some issues if you're a content creator or trying to game with it and in 2022 16GB should be considered the minimum standard to shoot for. Speaking of gaming, the Intel iris xe graphics here simply aren't up to snuff unfortunately. For the vast majority of games you're going to be limited to 1080p low settings for older games at 30fps with newer games requiring 720p to get anywhere near playable framerates. I would've much rather had an amd based APU since they offer much better performance especially for gaming for a miniscule loss in efficiency overall tho I understand why they went with Intel since it has better integration with how Windows 11 works. The Intel xe igpu might be good enough however for emulators if you wanna play older games from the GameCube or even 3ds era. The thunderbolt 4 capability does open the door for possible eGPU usage however I do not have the means at this time to actually test if it would work well. Moving onto the peripherals the optional keyboard attachment is something I would deem essential and Microsoft really should include it with the tablet rather than making you pay extra for it, especially if it's marketed as a 2 in 1 laptop and not as just a tablet. Overall though I think if you're in the market for a new laptop and you're not concerned with gaming performance, this is a top tier buy.
I own an iPad Pro 12.9 from 2018 so I'm not new to using tablets. Therefore, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 had some strict competition. My one week long experience with using the Surface has been very positive. While I lament the fact it doesn't have an 3.5mm port, I do like the fact that you have two USB C 4.0 ports as opposed to one on the iPad. Furthermore, the stand is built into the Surface as opposed to needing to buy a case that supports it. The display is incredibly bright at 2880 X 1920, and the refresh rate can go up to 120hz. Performance wise, it starts up fast like the iPad and the Intel i5 provides a snappy performance. It very much feels like using Windows on the go for me. The downside though is the Microsoft app store isn't as robust as the Apple app ... MoreI own an iPad Pro 12.9 from 2018 so I'm not new to using tablets. Therefore, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 had some strict competition. My one week long experience with using the Surface has been very positive. While I lament the fact it doesn't have an 3.5mm port, I do like the fact that you have two USB C 4.0 ports as opposed to one on the iPad. Furthermore, the stand is built into the Surface as opposed to needing to buy a case that supports it. The display is incredibly bright at 2880 X 1920, and the refresh rate can go up to 120hz. Performance wise, it starts up fast like the iPad and the Intel i5 provides a snappy performance. It very much feels like using Windows on the go for me. The downside though is the Microsoft app store isn't as robust as the Apple app store. On the other hand, you can practically install any desktop application (as long as it meets the specs for the Surface) on the Surface. This is great for work or schoolwork especially if you use any Microsoft Office programs. Battery life lives up to expectations so far. I really don't have too many nitpicks about the Surface. It is slightly heavier than the iPad Pro 12.9'' though not by too much. Although the power adapter uses a proprietary connector, you can charge using your phone charger with a USB C plug though it is slower. The auto rotate seems a bit spotty at time, but not so much that I would consider it a big annoyance. So iPad or Surface? At the end it depends on what you want. iPad is probably for a pure tablet experience, but if you're looking more something that's more of a hybrid between a tablet and laptop (especially if you buy the keyboard add-on), I would recommend the Surface more if you don't mind Windows 11.
The surface pro 9 has been a great device for almost every task that I've thrown at it. I use it to run my business using QuickBooks and our AdCentral check-ins program mainly. However, I do connect it to a USBC docking station and hook it up to a 55-in TV from time to time and all seems to work well. I like the fact that it can be charged via USBC as well as the charger that came with the device makes it versatile and easy to use when plugged into the usbc docking station. There have been a few issues such as the HID sensor driver. All the sudden just showing up with a yellow exclamation mark In the device manager and having to be uninstalled and reinstalled as well as face unlock just simply not working even though the lighting conditions were perfectly fine. The ... MoreThe surface pro 9 has been a great device for almost every task that I've thrown at it. I use it to run my business using QuickBooks and our AdCentral check-ins program mainly. However, I do connect it to a USBC docking station and hook it up to a 55-in TV from time to time and all seems to work well. I like the fact that it can be charged via USBC as well as the charger that came with the device makes it versatile and easy to use when plugged into the usbc docking station. There have been a few issues such as the HID sensor driver. All the sudden just showing up with a yellow exclamation mark In the device manager and having to be uninstalled and reinstalled as well as face unlock just simply not working even though the lighting conditions were perfectly fine. The device feels good to hold in the hand and of course the built in kickstand is an added bonus which is perfect for any viewing angle as it folds completely back on itself. There is some bezeling along the edges as well as the top to compensate for the webcam on top and just enough space on the side so that your thumbs or fingers do not accidentally press on the screen clicking on things by accident. All in all, Microsoft has done a great job at adding to the features for this new model. I like that the storage is upgradable in the back with just a flick of a compartment. You can easily change out and upgrade your storage and some models even come with the ability to add it to your mobile broadband account. Build quality is excellent, of course and you're able to run full windows applications without any limitations, which is probably one of the biggest things about this device. I would say if you bought last year's model, there's no need to upgrade to the surface pro 9. But if you're a few years back I would say that this is a worthy upgrade.
I decided to test the new Surface Pro 9 to see how much Microsoft had improved the product over the older versions. Out of the box, the unit looks similar in size to an older model I had several years ago, but the Surface Pro 9 is more sleek, a bit thinner, and definitely lighter than my previous model. The one thing I noticed almost immediately is that there's no headphone jack; the case is thick enough for a jack, but for whatever reason, they chose to remove it. Granted, a Bluetooth headset can be used, but I always liked using a corded setup on my older model. The other glaring 'elephant in the room' is that Microsoft doesn't include a keyboard or pen with the unit. I really don't understand this decision; sure, you can use the device as a tablet, but to get ... MoreI decided to test the new Surface Pro 9 to see how much Microsoft had improved the product over the older versions. Out of the box, the unit looks similar in size to an older model I had several years ago, but the Surface Pro 9 is more sleek, a bit thinner, and definitely lighter than my previous model. The one thing I noticed almost immediately is that there's no headphone jack; the case is thick enough for a jack, but for whatever reason, they chose to remove it. Granted, a Bluetooth headset can be used, but I always liked using a corded setup on my older model. The other glaring 'elephant in the room' is that Microsoft doesn't include a keyboard or pen with the unit. I really don't understand this decision; sure, you can use the device as a tablet, but to get full use out of it as a lightweight laptop, you really need a keyboard and pen. Luckily, I was able to pick a keyboard/pen to test as well, but that would be an added cost for someone buying the Surface. The screen, as expected, is very nice, and the i5 configuration that I received has enough power and ram to handle about anything you'd expect to throw at it. I've averaged about 9-10 hours of battery life while working remotely and streaming content in the background. The app I've found the most use for is MS Whiteboard; I've found this app extremely helpful, but again, that is based, at least for me, primarily on the fact that I have a pen to use. Overall, I think this product makes a great work laptop, but in order for that to happen, you need to spend more and get the keyboard and pen. The Surface Pro 9 is a nice product... if it came with a keyboard and pen it would be a true home-run.
The computer itself is great, when it works. I purchased this in August of last year and noticed issues with the screen dimming on its' own. Thought maybe it was just the auto brightness and figured it was just supposed to be like that. Then the touch screen stopped working randomly, and I would have to shut everything down and restart the computer for it to start working again. I reached out to Microsoft regarding both issues and asked for help. We factory-reset the computer, and the problems are still present. They advised we needed to replace it through their warranty program. I work from this computer 7 days a week, so the representative promised advance replacement but that I would get a refurbished device. I explained to the rep, that a month prior my Surface ... MoreThe computer itself is great, when it works. I purchased this in August of last year and noticed issues with the screen dimming on its' own. Thought maybe it was just the auto brightness and figured it was just supposed to be like that. Then the touch screen stopped working randomly, and I would have to shut everything down and restart the computer for it to start working again. I reached out to Microsoft regarding both issues and asked for help. We factory-reset the computer, and the problems are still present. They advised we needed to replace it through their warranty program. I work from this computer 7 days a week, so the representative promised advance replacement but that I would get a refurbished device. I explained to the rep, that a month prior my Surface Pen stopped working after a few weeks of owning it. When microsoft replaced that one, they sent me a refurbished (aka severly USED) pen, that had dirt around the top which clearly showed someone has been using this for quite a while, and then the protective coating on the little button down on the pen, is scratched off indicating lots of usage. So understandably, I don't have high expectations when it comes to refurbished devices. At this point, Microsoft is denying me advanced replacement saying that my device and my account no longer qualifies, but I have not been given a reason. When I purchased this computer, I was sure I would be a microsoft customer for life because I truly enjoyed the computer and how lightweight and portable it is. However, their absolute disgrace of customer service is just unacceptable. I look forward to get this issue resolved with a NEW device and ADVANCE replacement. I should not be inconvenienced any further because Microsoft can't make devices that actually work.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 The Good: • Great Portability vs Performance ratio • Ultra-Clear Display with 120Hz refresh rate (Optional) • Sturdy Keyboard and great feeling pen that integrate with the Surface • Quick, Snappy hardware and software make for an overall excellent experience The Bad: • Keyboard and Pen cost extra and are not included. • No headphone, HDMI or SD card port on the device. • Cost of specs vs form factor. So far in the time I have used my surface pro 9, I can honestly say I have been reaching for it more and more, not only to test it out and see how well it can handle anything I throw at it, but because its truly a fun experience. The full power of a computer in such a small, sleek and portable form factor just inspires you to use it. I have ... MoreMicrosoft Surface Pro 9 The Good: • Great Portability vs Performance ratio • Ultra-Clear Display with 120Hz refresh rate (Optional) • Sturdy Keyboard and great feeling pen that integrate with the Surface • Quick, Snappy hardware and software make for an overall excellent experience The Bad: • Keyboard and Pen cost extra and are not included. • No headphone, HDMI or SD card port on the device. • Cost of specs vs form factor. So far in the time I have used my surface pro 9, I can honestly say I have been reaching for it more and more, not only to test it out and see how well it can handle anything I throw at it, but because its truly a fun experience. The full power of a computer in such a small, sleek and portable form factor just inspires you to use it. I have plenty of other devices that are close to the size of the surface, but none compared to the capabilities and just overall experience that this delivers. Using the surface to sign into my work environment to work on some of my projects is super cool because its something I normally would have to use a regular computer. I also love having the full power of office 365 at my fingertips because normally its some scaled down version on ay or my other portable devices that I normally carry with me. Since I have gotten the surface, it’s been my daily carry and with it, there’s nothing that I feel I cannot do while being on the road and at the same time I do not even notice I’m carrying it because of the small footprint it has when folded up. Its truly like having a small notepad with you. In the last week I have literally thrown everything I can think of at this device and it has handled it very well. Only in 3 areas have I noticed problems that could hinder the experience of using this device. 1. The speakers have exhibited a static crunchy sound when listening to music and the CPU is under load. I have tried to replicate it and it does seem to happen when the Surface is working hard on multiple tasks at the same time. 2. The windows hello login with face. I have experienced multiple times where I’m right in front of the camera perfectly centered and plenty of light and the computer says I couldn’t be recognized, and I have to use a PIN. This has been able to be resolved by a simple restart of the computer, but none the less it is something I have delt with more than a few times. 3. The Kickstand has some free play in it. This may be by design or it may not be, but for the price point I would think the amount it has, is too much and gives a feeling of, this might be a problem in the future. Without the kickstand I have to say the device is simply not the same device. You would lose the ability to use this as a computer with the screen propped up in front of you while you use the keyboard. The Pen on this device I have to say I was skeptical about because my experience in the past just hasn’t been that great, However I can say it’s a pretty good experience. Microsoft did a good job with the pen. Its comfortable in the hand to hold and has haptic feedback that makes it feel as if you are actually writing on paper with that little bit of resistance you normally experience from tip to paper. It has customizable buttons that you can set to open different applications and has great battery life as well, though the design of the keyboard type cover is another amazing this because the pen neatly and magically tucks inside and disappears when not in use. You will always have it with you when you need it. The Keyboard type cover as mentioned above is one of my favorite features of this computer and honestly if this wasn’t done correctly the entire experience would be different with this computer so I feel if they didn’t get this right, the device would of suffered greatly. You see there are so many devices on the market that offer this computer and tablet convertibility while also trying to do it in a small form factor. But because of the way the surface type cover interacts with the device itself and the end user, I believe its what makes this such a nice device to use. I truly love it and while I am typing on it now, I cant wait to use it for my next task. Gaming A lot of users will wonder how gaming on the surface pro 9, can it handle it and what’s it like? I have used it mainly with the included XBOX app and I have streamed games from the cloud using Microsoft’s cloud gaming feature and everything on that has worked perfectly. The games load fast and are fast and fluid. I have also downloaded some games right to the Surface HDD and played them and again games like Need For Speed and Call Of Duty WW2 have played fine with only small hiccups in framerates, the overall experience has been good, but because the surface is using integrated graphics your only going to be able to push it so hard when it comes to gaming. Its very fun still. The Surface Pro 9 has so many features that make it a cool device. The magnetic charging adapter is nice and has a LED light on it to tell you when its charging and connected to the device. The Refresh rate of the screen can be set to 60 or 120Hz, depending on how much battery life you need, I would say leave it on 60Hz if you need to maximize time away from the charger and 120Hz if power is not an issue. The 120Hz setting I have to say changes the entire experience. The screen is like liquid and is pleasing to the eyes. The Surface Pro 9 has the latest in wireless technology featuring Wi-Fi 6E 802.11ax and Bluetooth 5.1 The wireless experience has also been great. The device is super snappy opening up webpages and browsing. Its never skipped a beat so far. I’ve also connected via Bluetooth my Xbox game controller in order to play the games I have mentioned and pairing that device was fast and painless. No complaints in the connectivity department until we get to the ports on this device. Where I feel they should of left some things is when it comes to the Headphone jack and the SD Card reader. Both ports take up very minimal space and being that they did not change the form factor from the 8 to the 9, I do not see why those ports were removed as I know a lot of people were not happy with that decision. I feel like people still use headphones with wires, especially when it comes to audio accuracy projects, wireless just isn’t something you use when your editing audio or video files with audio for a project. I also feel a lot of photographers could use the SD Card slot while they are on the go. Yes you can fix this by using a dongle but its one more thing the end user needs to remember to bring with them. So to wrap things up, I just want to say I think this device is awesome, and I believe it will be my go to daily carry for the future. The small things I mentioned above could all be better, but everything in life is going to have an upside and a downside. In the end I believe this device is fun, useful and unique. If your in the market for one of these devices, I say give it a try, you might just love it!
The Microsoft Surface 9 is compelling, which bills itself as the best of a thin and light laptop, with the features that only a touch screen tablet might offer. It runs a full version of Windows 11 rather than a separate tablet operating system. The Surface 9 (Intel 12th gen. Core i5-1235U) weighs 2.6 lbs, and it comes with 8GB of RAM and 256 GB of SSD storage. It has 2 USB C (Thunderbolt 4) ports. The Surface 9 comes supplied with a proprietary (non-USB) charger with non-USB plug. However, you can charge via the USB-C ports and it will support fast charging if you have a USB-C cable and a PD charging source of sufficient power (generally over 60 W). If you have a Type-C PD charger, you could leave the Microsoft charger at home when you travel, and not have to carry ... MoreThe Microsoft Surface 9 is compelling, which bills itself as the best of a thin and light laptop, with the features that only a touch screen tablet might offer. It runs a full version of Windows 11 rather than a separate tablet operating system. The Surface 9 (Intel 12th gen. Core i5-1235U) weighs 2.6 lbs, and it comes with 8GB of RAM and 256 GB of SSD storage. It has 2 USB C (Thunderbolt 4) ports. The Surface 9 comes supplied with a proprietary (non-USB) charger with non-USB plug. However, you can charge via the USB-C ports and it will support fast charging if you have a USB-C cable and a PD charging source of sufficient power (generally over 60 W). If you have a Type-C PD charger, you could leave the Microsoft charger at home when you travel, and not have to carry any extra weight in chargers with you. Surface signs you in with either a facial recognition (Windows Hello), or use of a self selected PIN. The facial recognition was brisk and accurate, but if wearing a face mask I got a “Couldn’t recognize you” response. Other options exist, using the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone, or a prior password to sign in to your Microsoft account. This model does not have fingerprint recognition, a feature that some of the Surface add on keyboards do incorporate. FaceID on iPhone with current versions of iOS will work with even an N-95 mask, which was an update with iOS 16. Using the Surface as a laptop, with the accessory keyboard, is a bit challenging in low light situations, since the keyboard is not backlit. This is similar to using the accessory keyboard for an iPad, which also is not backlit. The keyboard for an iPad from Apple does not have a trackpad, whereas the Surface keyboard has a generously sized touchpad. There are third party keyboards for an iPad that do have very serviceable trackpads. Microsoft Slim Pen charges wirelessly while stored in a small recessed slot in the attached screen protector / keyboard. More secure and always handy; the Apple Pencil2 charges when magnetically attached to the edges of the iPad. Both devices seem to work equally well, and quite precise and dependable. Headphone jack. The MacBook indeed has a headphone jack which is missing from the Surface 9. This is a trend that has been accelerating in the past few years, with phones dropping a headphone jacks, as well as other tablets. The move to Bluetooth connection seems to be the wave of the future across the board. If you feel deprived for this lack of output, an optional USB-C to 3.5mm Audio Adapter lets you connect 3.5mm audio accessories, like earbuds or headphones, to your Surface using one of the USB-C ports The Surface’s tablet heritage is apparent with having 2 cameras: forward facing and a rear camera, just like your phone. Unlike the iPad line (until the 10th gen iPad was just released) the camera has always been on the top when held in the portrait orientation. For videoconferencing, the laptop is usually in a landscape / horizontal stance, and indeed that is how the Surface is set up: with the camera at the top when in the horizontal position. Since the Surface is running on Windows 11, the software universe available is extensive. Unlike a dedicated tablet such as the iPad, the PadOS offerings are large, but entering columns of numbers, etc. can be tedious. f you are using the Surface Pro as a laptop replacement, then the Signature Keyboard and bundled Slim Pen 2 are important additions, at a cost of $280 additional. The keyboard is sturdy and affixes securely to the Surface, and utilizes the kickstand whether you have it on a desk or perched on your knees. The is a generous trackpad, and has a full row of function keys at the top. Just beneath the lower edge of the screen is a magnetic hinge that covers the storage and charging slot for the stylus. It is light in the hand, comfortable to use, and has two push buttons to switch commands. I found the stylus as a handy tool for noting changes or add annotations, without having to move the cursor to that spot. I found the built in kick-stand to be surprisingly delightful. It was secure, so making entries on the screen with the stylus did not shift the angle or collapse the laptop. It was adjustable easily, but held its position. The speakers were also a nice surprise; generous enough volume to serve up a streamed movie for a small audience without distortion. As a source for background dinner music at a lower volume, it would also excel.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 may be a tablet, but it runs the full version of Windows and all the same software as my desktop and laptop computers, so it feels like much more than “just” a tablet. The device itself is slim and sleek, with fantastic build quality. It just feels sturdy, solid, and high quality. The screen is bright and goes almost all the way to the edges on the short sides, with relatively slim margins/bezels on the long sides. On-screen touch is accurate and responsive. The speakers sound surprisingly good, although I primarily use headphones. There’s no headphone jack (like most devices these days, I suppose), but I was able to connect my Bluetooth headphones quickly and easily. There's even a magnetic access door under the kickstand for upgrading ... MoreThe Microsoft Surface Pro 9 may be a tablet, but it runs the full version of Windows and all the same software as my desktop and laptop computers, so it feels like much more than “just” a tablet. The device itself is slim and sleek, with fantastic build quality. It just feels sturdy, solid, and high quality. The screen is bright and goes almost all the way to the edges on the short sides, with relatively slim margins/bezels on the long sides. On-screen touch is accurate and responsive. The speakers sound surprisingly good, although I primarily use headphones. There’s no headphone jack (like most devices these days, I suppose), but I was able to connect my Bluetooth headphones quickly and easily. There's even a magnetic access door under the kickstand for upgrading the SSD storage. As far as connections go, the Surface Pro 9 is minimalist, with just the proprietary Surface power port and two USB-C/Thunderbolt ports. Fortunately, those Thunderbolt ports are quite versatile, and can be used with hubs, docking stations, even to charge the tablet. As far as accessories go, my only complaint about the Surface Pro 9 might be that doesn’t come with two of its best features – the keyboard cover and pen. The Surface on its own is great. Add the pen, and it’s much more versatile. With the keyboard, and it’s entirely replaced my laptop. So overall, the Surface Pro 9 great, but it’s truly exceptional once you add the keyboard and pen. I’m glad I have both!
This is the second Surface Pro I have owned. I think mine was one of the first Surface laptops and it came with an Intel Atom processor. That processor was not really much of a performer but I really liked that overall package. Almost ten years later mobile CPUs have gotten much better for both performance and battery life. I had to retire that Surface laptop this year as the battery finally gave up. Still it was one of my favorite computers. The Surface Pro 9 is much the same. This formfactor has held up well over the years and it’s a pleasure to use the Surface 9. This model is equipped with the new Intel 12th Gen i5. And it runs everything I need just great. It has 10 total CPU cores. That is divided into 2 performance cores and 8 efficient cores. This is similar ... MoreThis is the second Surface Pro I have owned. I think mine was one of the first Surface laptops and it came with an Intel Atom processor. That processor was not really much of a performer but I really liked that overall package. Almost ten years later mobile CPUs have gotten much better for both performance and battery life. I had to retire that Surface laptop this year as the battery finally gave up. Still it was one of my favorite computers. The Surface Pro 9 is much the same. This formfactor has held up well over the years and it’s a pleasure to use the Surface 9. This model is equipped with the new Intel 12th Gen i5. And it runs everything I need just great. It has 10 total CPU cores. That is divided into 2 performance cores and 8 efficient cores. This is similar to the desktop CPUs that Intel is doing very well with. What this means is you are getting desktop-like performance with great battery life. And in this small package it works very well. In very real world use, with constant web browsing and watching videos I got six hours of battery life and still had 20% left. This was using the out of box defaults with just a bit higher brightness for the display. I never really got where I felt the battery life was a problem. But the good news is that with the efficient performance of this new mobile processor I never felt it slow down even with 12 browser tabs active. Not bad with only 8GBs of ram. That’s one of the great stories of these newer processors and Windows. Even though more ram is better for most use cases it’s not really needed. If you are doing more enterprise level work getting a model with more ram is a good idea, but for basic lite use and office tasks it's not necessary. Also for me I find the 256 SSD to be plenty of storage for my use case. If this is your only computer you might benefit from a bigger SSD. The display is crisp and clear which is typically of the Surface family. The Sapphire color is quite nice and adds a touch of class that my older gray aluminum Surface can’t match. But my favorite feature here is the addition of two USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4 ports. This adds a ton of options for connectivity that to me is a game changer in such a small device. USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4 allows high speed connections to a world of devices and is part of the Intel Evo branding. I am typing this review on a 4K monitor, using a full size keyboard and mouse. I am connected to a single USB Type C hub that has two HDMI connections, ethernet and USB type A. The hub is sending power to the Surface so I am charging all while connected using only one cable. I can just disconnect the one USB Type C cable and walk away with the Surface laptop. Just a great package for full on desktop use and sitting on the couch all in this small package. As with my first Surface the build quality is very good and I expect to get years of service. If you are doing heavier work loads then you might look for a bit more ram and SSD storage. But if you're doing lighter office work and the typical web browsing this package is just fine the way it’s currently specked. The Windows 11 home install found here is just fine for all but the enterprise folks. But if your needs include connecting to a network domain or you have to access this computer using a remote desktop, upgrading to Windows 11 professional is very easy. This is a competitive market but the Surface family still stands out for the formfactor and overall quality of this laptop. It's a pleasure to use and carry about and with the addition of the 12th Gen Intel CPU and USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4 it is now a true desktop replacement for most users with the added benefit of being one of the most portable laptops available.
I have had my eye on the surface for sometime and I was finally able to get and I am glad that I did. I have used all manner of laptop, tablets, ultra portable devices but I must say that nothing at all compares to the surface. We will see why in my review. :::Initial impression::: I was super excited to finally get my surface because I have been following the evolution of the product and while it isn’t drastic you most certainly can see the refinement process. Upon opening the box it is a very simple unboxing you’ll find the device itself, a manual and power cord. Now as I’ve said before I have yet to own a surface until now but I closely follow Microsoft products so after finally getting my hands on it the feeling is just amazing the smooth feel of the device, the ... MoreI have had my eye on the surface for sometime and I was finally able to get and I am glad that I did. I have used all manner of laptop, tablets, ultra portable devices but I must say that nothing at all compares to the surface. We will see why in my review. :::Initial impression::: I was super excited to finally get my surface because I have been following the evolution of the product and while it isn’t drastic you most certainly can see the refinement process. Upon opening the box it is a very simple unboxing you’ll find the device itself, a manual and power cord. Now as I’ve said before I have yet to own a surface until now but I closely follow Microsoft products so after finally getting my hands on it the feeling is just amazing the smooth feel of the device, the kickstand is sturdy and well made the screen is as clear as day I was just taken back by the fact that this was my own. The device boots up nearly instantaneously and setup for Windows 11 was a breeze and took very little time once I connected it to the internet. Now I know that some people have their reservations about windows 11 but it really isn’t as bad as it is made out to be but we will leave that alone as this review isn’t about the operating system. That being said though I will touch on the features that make this device great. :::Specs::: I want to note that there are a few configurations available for the surface pro 9 but I have the Intel core i5 1235U (10 core & 12 threads) paired with 8 GB DDR5 memory and Intel IRIS XE graphics. There is a user replaceable 256GB SSD M.2 2230 which resembles a CF flash card. I have to admit that the 12th gen i5 is power efficient and doesn’t run hot. :::Battery::: Battery life is amazing and I have never had battery life in a mobile device last more than 6 hours. My Surface Pro 9 last a good 12 hours without a charge. I use it daily for school and sometimes for game streaming I have used both Game Pass and Remote Play with my PS5. :::Other things::: - Display The display on the surface is not OLED quality but I am more than satisfied with it the clarity is great and is plenty bright. The screen is 13 inches and has a resolution of 2880x1920 with a 3:2 display ratio and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. I also love the fact that the surface has a touch screen and a stylus input as well. I really feel like Windows 11 was made with all of this mind. :::Pros & Cons::: Pros - Many hardware options - Power efficient - Great battery life - Portable - Love the form factor tablet/laptop Cons - My only complaint is that the keyboard and stylus are separate accessories :::Closing thoughts::: I know I listed what seems to be a significant con but there is certainly a way around that albeit not as elegant as what is designed to go with the device but you can opt to purchase a wireless keyboard & mouse and use that and the stylus separately of course. Besides that, I really love my surface and would only trade it for another surface I say that having owned Chromebooks, Mac laptops, and various windows-based laptops and Samsung android-based tablets. There really isn’t anything like this on the market others have tried from what I have seen e.g. Samsung tablets and other PC manufacturers. :::TL;DR::: With so many options for school and or work it can be difficult to decide what to get and let’s be real the first thought is Windows or Mac. This is the way to go no Mac laptop can do what this does not even the ipad pro is as good as this. Heck not even a Windows laptop is as good as the Surface. Pick one up you’ll be glad you did.
| Storage Size | 256GB |
| Screen Size | 13 inches |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E- 802.11ax compatible |
| Display Resolution | 2880 x 1920 |
