Microsoft Refreshes Surface Line With New Chips, Including Arm-Based Silicon

For the first time, Microsoft is releasing a Surface tablet that can be configured with an Intel processor or an Arm-based chip. 

During its Surface event today, Redmond introduced the Surface Pro 9, which looks identical to last year’s model. However, the new version can be configured with an Intel 12th Generation “Alder Lake” Core chip or Microsoft’s own Arm-powered SQ3 processor.

The change means the Surface Pro X—which previously contained the SQ processors—might be dead. Instead, Microsoft is elevating its Arm-based chips to one of its main Surface products. 

It also means consumers will need to carefully look out for the processor differences in the 13-inch tablet hybrid. The Intel-powered Surface Pro 9 uses the x86 architecture, meaning it can natively run Windows apps meant for Intel or AMD-powered chips. The Arm-based SQ3 chip, on the other hand, can only run x86 Windows apps with an emulator. So you may face some sluggish performance or compatibility errors with certain software. But on the plus side, Arm chips generally offer more battery life than Intel-based silicon.

If you buy the Surface Pro 9 with the SQ3 chips, the device also supports 5G mobile connectivity and can run up to 19 hours on a single battery charge, according to Microsoft. But the same model doesn’t come with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. For that, you’ll need to opt for the Intel-powered Surface Pro, which features two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4. 

The Intel-based model will start at $999, with a Core i5 chip, 8GB RAM, and 128GB of storage. Then they'll scale up to $1,899 for the Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB version or $2,599 for the Core i7, 32GB, 1TB model with many other configurations in between.

The Arm-based Surface Pro 9 will cost a little more, starting at $1,299 for 8GB RAM, 128GB 5G version. The product then maxes out at $1,899 for 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. 

Minor Tweaks for the 5th-Gen Surface Laptop

The other device Microsoft unveiled is the Surface Laptop 5. You won’t find huge changes here. But the new model comes with a Thunderbolt 4 connection, which was sorely missed in last year’s Surface Laptop 4. The product is also receiving Intel’s latest 12th Generation Core U-series processors.

But interestingly, the Surface Laptop 5 model won’t be available with AMD processors, at least for now. AMD’s Ryzen 7000 laptop processors are expected to release next year. 

The Surface Laptop 5 will start at $999 for the 13.5-inch model while the 15-inch will go for $1,299 and up. Both products have touch screens. 

Big CPU and GPU Upgrade for the Surface Studio

Microsoft is also finally refreshing the Surface Studio 2, which hasn’t had an update since 2018. The company is now giving us the Surface Studio 2+, which retains the same overall look as before, but contains upgraded specs. 

The Surface Studio 2+ swaps out the 7th Generation Intel processor for a newer 11th Generation Intel Core i7-11370H, a quad-core laptop chip with a max 4.8GHz boost frequency. The new version also contains a more powerful RTX 3060 laptop GPU, an improvement from the GTX 1060 or 1070 graphics chip found in the previous model.

As a result, Microsoft says the Surface Studio 2+ promises to be up to 50% faster in CPU performance and twice as powerful in graphics. 

The Surface Studio 2+ still features a 28-inch display with a 4,500-by-3,000 resolution. However, Microsoft says it “modernized” the display, cameras, and microphones for better quality. The other hardware enhancements include Thunderbolt 4 connectivity through the three USB-C ports, along with the addition of Wi-Fi 6.

The Surface Studio 2+ will cost $4,299. Buyers can also spend $4,499 to receive the Surface Mouse, Keyboard, and Pen. Microsoft said preorders for the three products start on Wednesday before officially going on sale on Oct. 25.