Microsoft has officially unveiled two new ARM-based devices powered by the Snapdragon X Plus processor: a 12-inch Surface Pro and a 13-inch Surface Laptop. These devices aim to offer longer battery life, lightweight portability, and enhanced wireless capabilities, all built on the efficiency-focused ARM architecture.
Surface Pro (12-inch): Portable Power with Long Battery Life
The new 12-inch Surface Pro is built around the Snapdragon X Plus (8-core) chipset, delivering solid performance for day-to-day productivity tasks. It features a 2196 x 1464 LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, 400 nits brightness, and 10-point multi-touch support, making it ideal for smooth web browsing, note-taking, and content viewing.
One of its standout highlights is up to 16 hours of battery life, made possible by the power-efficient Snapdragon platform, perfect for users who are always on the go.
Here’s a quick look at the specs:
- Display: 12-inch LCD, 2196×1464 resolution, 90Hz, 400 nits brightness
- Memory & Storage: Up to 16GB LPDDR5x (non-expandable), up to 512GB storage (base model: 256GB)
- Ports: 2x USB 3.2 Type-C (no Surface Connect port)
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
- Weight: ~1.5 lbs (680g)
- Speakers: Dual 2W
- Charging: No charger included; requires USB-C charger (27W or higher)
- Colors: Platinum, Ocean, Violet
- Price: Starts at $799
- Pre-orders: Open from May 20
Surface Laptop (13-inch): Affordable but Slightly Trimmed Down
Alongside the Surface Pro, Microsoft also introduced a more compact 13-inch Surface Laptop also powered by the Snapdragon X Plus chip. However, this model features slightly toned-down specs compared to the larger Surface Laptop siblings.
It sports a 1920×1080 Full HD display with a 60Hz refresh rate and lacks HDR support. Memory is capped at 16GB, with 512GB storage, which may feel limited compared to higher-end Surface Laptop models offering up to 64GB RAM and 1TB storage.
Here’s what to expect:
- Display: 13-inch Full HD (1920×1080), 60Hz, non-HDR
- Processor: Snapdragon X Plus (8-core)
- Memory & Storage: 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
- Ports: 2x USB-C, 1x USB-A (no Surface Connect)
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
- Weight: ~2.7 lbs (1.22 kg)
- Colors: Platinum, Ocean, Violet
- Price: Starts at $899
- Pre-orders: Start May 20
Who Are These Devices For?
Both the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop are designed for users who prioritize lightweight design, solid battery life, and modern wireless connectivity. These ARM-powered machines are best suited for everyday computing tasks like web browsing, email, note-taking, and document editing.
However, a few things to keep in mind:
- No AC adapter is included, so you’ll need a compatible USB-C charger (27W or higher).
- Limited port options may affect users who rely on legacy peripherals.
- Memory is non-upgradable, so choose your configuration wisely at purchase.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s move into ARM-based PCs with the Snapdragon X Plus marks a significant shift toward energy efficiency and mobility. While power users might find these models a bit restrictive, casual users and students will likely appreciate their long battery life, sleek design, and next-gen connectivity. Especially the new Surface Pro stands out as a compelling option for those dipping their toes into ARM-powered Windows devices.
