Microsoft’s Surface Pro X

Microsoft’s Surface Pro X has a whole new design with some very interesting features.

Microsoft’s Surface Pro X adds a formerly missing piece to the Surface lineup: an always-on, always-connected device that enables productivity wherever you go. 

What it changes on the inside—especially the custom Snapdragon 8cx-based processor that Microsoft co-designed with Qualcomm is reflected by dramatic changes on the outside: a pair of USB-C ports, a rechargeable pen tray and the unfortunate removal of the headphone jack, USB-A, and the MicroSD slot. There’s also a SIM slot for connectivity, though it’s well hidden.

The 14-inch Surface Pro X tablet is priced from $999 to $1,799 and will ship on November 5. That base price is a few hundred more than the cheapest $799 configuration of the Intel-based Surface Pro 7. As shown below, users will get to select from various memory and storage options, as well as consumer and business versions. A new Surface Slim Pen and Surface Pro X Signature Keyboard are also specific to the platform. Both the Slim Pen and keyboard appear to be sold separately, though we don’t have prices for either.

Whole New Design Of Microsoft Surface Pro X

It’s sort of hard to believe that the first thing worth highlighting is the Surface Slim Pen, but it absolutely is. With the Type Cover inclined, there’s absolutely no indication that anything’s changed. Detach the Cover, though, and a small cubby is revealed: a new, flattish Surface Slim Pen! That recharges when tucked away! That launches the Whiteboard app! And that won’t get lost!

The Slim Pen is flattish, rather than perfectly cylindrical as the regular Surface Pen is. It felt comfortable in the hand and inks with 4,096 levels of pressure, which is pretty standard for competitive styluses.

Equally appreciated: not one but two USB-C slots on the left side of the tablet. Microsoft will still use the Surface Connector to power the tablet, but it sounds like USB-C might be an option in a pinch. Each port can supply 15W of power.

On the plus side, one of the understated features of the design is Microsoft’s ability to squeeze a 13-inch, 2880 x 1920 display into what it calls a 12-inch chassis. (The tablet measures 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.28 inches, slightly smaller than the Surface Pro 7.) The bezels are extremely thin. One of the Surface family’s signature features is a bright, pixel-rich display, and the Surface Pro X lives up to that tradition.

After years of ignoring USB-C, it’s sort of hard to believe Microsoft jumped into it with both feet, but it certainly did. Three ports that you’d expect to see in a Surface the USB-A port, the microSD slot squirreled away under the kickstand, and the headphone jack has all disappeared. It’s a plus for all those who have made the leap to Bluetooth earbuds, but ditching so many legacy ports so quickly is disconcerting.

Microsoft’s Surface Pro X Specs:-

• Display: 13-inch (2880x1920) (267ppi) touch PixelSense display
• Processor: Microsoft 3GHz 8-core SQ1 (co-designed with Qualcomm and based on the Snapdragon 8cx)
• Graphics: Adreno 685
• Memory: 8GB-16GB LPDDR4x 
• Storage: 128/256/512GB SSD
• Ports: Surface Connect, nanoSIM, 2 USB-C
• Camera: 5MP (user-facing) with Windows Hello; 10MP (rear) with 1080p video
• Battery: 13 hours (estimated)
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)/Bluetooth 5.0/Qualcomm Snapdragon X24 LTE
• Operating system: Windows 10 Home (consumer) / Windows 10 Pro (business)
• Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.28 inches (7.3mm)
• Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Color: Aluminum (matte black)
• Additional features: Quick charging: 80 percent in an hour
• Price: Preorders start at $999 on Microsoft.com.