For one thing, the Surface Pro 9 is pretty much what we expected: a jump to Intel’s 12th generation CPUs. But Microsoft surprised us with a major overhaul for its tablets. There’s also a Surface Pro 9 with a custom SQ3 ARM chip, which also comes with built-in 5G. Can an Intel x86 processor and a mobile ARM chip really go together? We got a chance to compare the two new machines at Microsoft’s hands-on event, and to be honest, we just have more questions.
Both models look and feel the same, except for the more visible 5G antennas on the Arm model. Microsoft reps say performance is also comparable between the SQ3 and Intel chips, something we’ll have to fully test to believe. (An early Geekbench 5 test on a demo unit came in at 978/4,760, which is much slower than the 11th and 12th generation Intel systems we’ve reviewed. Still, those numbers could improve with better software and firmware.) The same representatives also noted. app compatibility with legacy x86 apps has improved for ARM devices, and there are a growing number of native Windows apps that will work well on both platforms.
Either way, you get tablets that can easily be transformed into functional laptops with their keyboard covers. Unfortunately, they’re still sold separately, just like the Slim Pen 2 that Microsoft introduced last year. The Surface Pro 9 won’t change your mind about the viability of using a tablet as a PC, but from Intel’s side it’s nice to see a significant speed boost.
The SQ3 Arm model also has some features that the Intel version doesn’t have, thanks to its neural processor. This includes some real-time improvements to video chats, such as blurring your background. (Video quality on both systems looks great, too.) According to Microsoft, it’s possible to port these features to Intel chips when they have their own neural chips, but unfortunately those aren’t available in Intel’s current lineup.
Microsoft representatives admitted that there may be some confusion among some buyers, as they can easily walk out of a store with two very different computers. But it seems the company is willing to address these usability bumps, rather than split the Surface Pro line once again.
Stay tuned for the rest of our news from Microsoft’s Surface 2022 event.