Surface Pro 11 review

Trade in Surface Pro 11 review

(Image credit: Future)

The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (starting at $999) is the first Windows tablet from Microsoft to feature an OLED screen and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X chips.

These additions make it the most exciting Surface Pro in ages, potentially offering significant performance improvements over older models like the Surface Pro 9 without any price increase.

The Surface Pro 11 is also the first Surface Pro Copilot+ PC, meaning it will support all the AI features Microsoft is incorporating into Windows 11 in 2024 and beyond. These features are enabled partly by the NPU built into the Snapdragon X Plus or Snapdragon X Elite chips powering the Surface Pro 11.

These new chips are advertised as delivering long-lasting performance with support for on-device AI, and we’re eager to test them out in a full review. Although we haven’t had the opportunity to conduct a full review yet, I have had hands-on experience with the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 and can attest that it is Microsoft’s most premium-looking Surface yet.

SURFACE PRO 11 HANDS-ON REVIEW: SPECS

SURFACE PRO 11 HANDS-ON REVIEW: PRICE & RELEASE DATE

The Surface Pro 11 is now available for preorder on Microsoft’s website, starting at $999, or $1,499 for the model featuring the new OLED display.

Officially named the Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Generation, the entry-level $999 model includes a 13-inch (2880 x 1920 pixel) touchscreen, a Snapdragon X Plus chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. The same model with a 512GB SSD upgrade is available for $1,199.

Upgrading to the $1,499 OLED Surface Pro 11 gets you the more powerful Snapdragon X Elite chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. You can also opt for a model with a 1TB SSD for $1,699 or one with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for $2,099.

All models come in Platinum and Black, with select models also available in Sapphire and Dune (gold). Deliveries start on June 18.

SURFACE PRO 11 HANDS-ON REVIEW: DESIGN

(Image credit: Future)

The design of the new Surface Pro 11 remains largely unchanged from its predecessors, except for one striking feature (more on that shortly). It still weighs in at 2 pounds, making it the ideal Windows 11 slate for those who don’t need the weight, ports, or power of a full laptop. The Surface Pro 11 retains a pair of USB-C ports and now supports Wi-Fi 7.

The most eye-catching aspect of the Surface Pro 11’s design is undoubtedly the new OLED display, which offers contrasts and depths of color that stand out even in Microsoft’s brightly-lit briefing rooms.

Both the LCD and OLED screens on the Pro 11 support Dolby Vision HDR and feature 120Hz adaptive refresh rates. However, the OLED upgrade boasts a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio compared to the 1,200:1 contrast ratio of the LCD display.

During the hands-on session, Microsoft only provided OLED models for testing, so I couldn’t directly compare the two. We’ll have to wait until we receive both models for testing to see how much nicer the OLED screen truly is compared to the LCD model.

SURFACE PRO 11 HANDS-ON REVIEW: DISPLAY

(Image credit: Future)

The base Surface Pro 11 features the same 13-inch (2880 x 1920 pixel) LCD 120Hz screen as its predecessors and continues to support Dolby Vision HDR.

These touchscreens have always been a highlight of the Surface Pro tablets, but the most exciting aspect of the new 11th Gen models is the addition of the OLED upgrade. While the OLED version costs around $500 more than the entry-level Surface Pro 11, it might be worth it based on my hands-on experience.

In person, the Surface Pro 11’s OLED display stood out across the room because the black background of Windows 11 had a depth of darkness that the LCD displays on Surface Laptop 7 units scattered around the room couldn’t match. This is likely why Microsoft had so many Surface Pro 11 demo units set to Dark Mode with black backgrounds — the effect is truly striking on these slim 13-inch OLED screens.

SURFACE PRO 11 HANDS-ON REVIEW: PERFORMANCE

(Image credit: Future)

The Snapdragon X Plus and Elite chips in the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 are new players that could significantly impact the performance landscape of Windows tablets.

The appeal of a premium Windows tablet like the Surface Pro lies in delivering the full power and versatility of Windows while maintaining the portability and long battery life of a tablet. Previous iterations have struggled to achieve this balance, but if these Snapdragon chips perform as promised, the Pro 11 could be a game-changer.

During my brief hands-on time with the Surface Pro 11 demo units, they seemed plenty fast for day-to-day tasks. I used a few models equipped with Snapdragon X Elite chips to test Copilot features and explore Windows 11, and they felt as fast as a modern MacBook.

However, we will need to run these slates through our performance benchmarks to see how well they truly compare against the competition.

SURFACE PRO 11 HANDS-ON REVIEW: OUTLOOK

(Image credit: Future)

The Surface Pro line has been in dire need of a shot in the arm for some time, and Microsoft may have delivered it in the Surface Pro 11.

While the base model could deliver meaningful improvements over its predecessors for the same price if the Snapdragon X Plus chip is as good as advertised, I have to admit it’s the OLED upgrade that has my attention. It’s a small thing that could make this Windows 11 slate feel a lot more premium, especially if it can deliver vivid colors in tandem with killer battery life.

We’re looking forward to finding out exactly how well these tablets live up to the hype in a full review, so stay tuned!

Source: Tom’s Guide