Here's what I don't like though, and it's something that Apple has solved on its iPads. The power button and the volume rocker have been moved back to the top, and I like them there. Meanwhile, for the SQ3 variant, the one that Microsoft sent me for review, it starts at $1,299.

This time around, the regular Surface Pro 9 starts at $999, $100 less expensive than its predecessor. That narrative has flipped with the Surface Pro 9. If you wanted something less expensive, the messaging was clear: get the Arm-powered Surface Pro X. When Microsoft introduced the redesigned Surface Pro 8 last year, it came at a hefty price increase from the Pro 7, starting at $1,099.

The Surface Pro 9 starts at $999, while the Surface Pro 9 with 5G starts at $1,299.

It's 32% thicker to match the Intel chassisĬellular connectivity is a great feature for everyday use With the advantages of the Arm processor, Android app support, and more, it's a great everything device Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 still lacks support for modern technologies like LPDDR5 and USB4 The smooth 120Hz display looks awesome, and haptic feedback from the Slim Pen 2 feels like writing on paper 5G is great too, as is the new 120Hz display that comes with support for the Slim Pen 2. With the Surface Pro 9 with 5G, battery life is phenomenal. The big advantage over an Intel PC is battery life, something that Qualcomm has always claimed for Snapdragon PCs but I've seldom experienced. The Surface Pro 9 with 5G is the first product from the mainstream Surface Pro lineup to include an Arm processor. Living side-by-side with the Surface Pro 7, Surface Pro 7+, and finally the Surface Pro 8, the Redmond firm decided this year that Windows on Arm is mature enough to merge the two brands. In 2019, Microsoft introduced the Surface Pro X, the first ever Surface Pro not to include an Intel processor.

Should you buy the Surface Pro 9 with 5G?.

An update on Windows on Arm app support.

Performance: The Microsoft SQ3 is a huge leap forward, but it's not enough.

Surface Keyboard and Slim Pen 2: The pen feels like writing on paper.

Webcam: Microsoft continues to lead the pack.

Display: It's 120Hz and has Slim Pen 2 support.

Design: It looks like a Surface Pro 8, and that's a step back.

Microsoft pro x review