Tag: Microsoft Surface Pro X

Review: Microsoft Surface Pro X

Microsoft says the Surface Pro X—the latest version of its vaunted 2-in-1 tablet-puter—is the thinnest, fastest, lightest, longest-battery-lived, and fastest-charging Surface to date. Most of these superlatives are made possible by the inclusion of a brand-new CPU called the SQ1, which was designed not with Intel or AMD but rather with Qualcomm.

The catch is that, like the smartphone CPUs Qualcomm makes, it’s designed to be a small, cool, power miser … and not something to give you the full-blown Windows experience. Nonetheless, Microsoft’s stated goal with this machine was “to take a mobile architecture and push the technology to make it a fully functioning powerful PC.” Whether the Surface Pro X is actually “fully functioning” is open for debate.

Chip Switch

The new SQ1 chip runs at 3 GHz, and the review system Microsoft sent to me came with 16 GB of RAM and a 256-GB SSD. The 13-inch screen runs at 2880 x 1920 pixels. Connectivity comes via two USB-C ports (and that’s it).

There’s no question that the Surface Pro X will be a decidedly divisive device, an exercise in compromises that may be OK for many but which will be a nonstarter for power users. Let’s start with the biggie: The SQ1 can run Windows 10 and the Microsoft Office suite, but there’s also a lot that it can’t run. Namely, it can’t run any 64-bit Windows programs designed for Intel chips (which, today, is almost everything), and it can only run older 32-bit programs via a behind-the-scenes emulator.

I tried downloading a number of the most popular apps from the Microsoft Store and found that several wouldn’t install—nor would the vast majority of the standard benchmarks I run. Even apps that did install didn’t always work right. An old 32-bit version of PCMark 8 (originally released in 2013) crashed midway through its run, for example. Apps that do run, like the 32-bit version of Chrome, are noticeably slow. Running browser-based tests like Speedometer and JetStream on Chrome put performance on par with your typical $300 Chromebook. In other words, I hope you like Microsoft Edge. (It’s also worth noting: The system takes three times as long to boot up as the Surface Pro 7.)

Want to run Photoshop? Fortnite? You can’t—at least, not in any meaningful way. Critically, Microsoft says that Adobe’s Creative Cloud is being ported to run on the SQ1, but no one is offering a timeline, which may as well mean never. I did manage to get one gaming benchmark to run on the Surface Pro X: Monster Hunter. For the sake of comparison, I managed a score of 3,304 on the Surface Pro 7 and a mere 1,954 on the Surface Pro X.

But hey, you might be saying, I’m on board with Microsoft’s vision and really do just want to use my tablet for web browsing and writing the occasional poem in Word. I don’t need to run AutoCAD and never will. Is the Surface Pro X right for me?

Unfortunately, I still think not. Part of the concept behind the SQ1 is that the power-sipping ARM chip will give the system unheard-of battery life. That’s curious, because just last month, Microsoft bragged about the Surface Pro 7’s epic battery life, which topped eight hours in my testing. But when I ran the same rundown test on the Surface Pro X (a standardized YouTube loop at maximum brightness), I managed just over 6.5 hours. Sure, the Surface Pro X’s screen is about 10 percent brighter than the Surface Pro 7’s, but the claim still doesn’t add up. After I knocked the brightness down to a bit below that of the Surface Pro 7, I still only managed less than 7.5 hours of running time. Only when I dropped the brightness down to its absolute minimum (which makes the screen barely visible in daylight) did I manage to top the system’s claimed 13 hours of battery life.

Add It Up

OK, so compatibility is poor, performance isn’t great, and battery life doesn’t measure up, either. Surely that means the Surface Pro X is designed with affordability in mind, right? Sorry, as with anything with “X” in the name, the Surface Pro X is a premium-priced product that starts at $999. My test unit was $1,499 as configured. Again, to compare, the Surface Pro 7 starts at just $749.

That extra $250 does get you something, at least. The screen is slightly larger—13 inches versus 12.3 inches—and the system is virtually the same thickness and weight as the Pro 7. (Technically the Pro X is 1 gram lighter than the Pro 7.) The new Surface Pro X keyboard is slimmer and comes with a nifty magnetic tray that holds the bundled stylus, but these are still sold separately from the Pro X; the combo will run you an extra $270. One hands-down plus: LTE is included with every version of the Pro X; just add a SIM card and a data plan and you’re ready to go mobile.

I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention the bizarre behavior I experienced after my first day of using the Surface Pro X. Out of nowhere, the system began behaving as if possessed, scrolling through web pages, opening new tabs, selecting and clicking on text, and even repositioning the task bar from the bottom of the screen to the left. I eventually discovered that phantom screen taps were being registered when the system was otherwise not in use, and after some back and forth, Microsoft sent me a whole new unit to test. One potential diagnosis was that I was charging the system via one of its two USB-C ports instead of via the magnetic charger. That didn’t turn out to be the problem, but if that’s an actual issue, it’s an even bigger deal-breaker than any of the above complaints.

Additionally, my system crashed more than once, giving me an honest-to-God blue screen, even during minimal workloads. Several days into my testing Microsoft rolled out a hardware update designed to improve stability and battery life. I didn’t encounter any additional trouble after that, but it will take long-term testing for people to discover whether these kinds of problems will be ongoing.

After several days of working with the Surface Pro X, I remained confused as to why the product exists. It’s inferior to the Surface Pro 7 in nearly every imaginable dimension, and it smacks of either corporate hubris, greed, or both, with Microsoft attempting to position its own brand as a credible alternative to Intel. The way it stands now, that’s an utter fool’s errand.

Here’s my prediction: The Surface Pro X will go down in history alongside Microsoft Bob and Clippy as one of the worst mistakes it has ever made. I expect it will be quietly discontinued in a year or so.

Also, you should not buy one.

Microsoft Surface Pro X vs. Surface Go: Which should you buy?

These two Surface devices are built with mobility in mind, and they’re both built to a high standard. The Go is more of a casual device that you can tuck under your arm and take to the cafe, while the Pro X is more of a professional’s tool with better performance and a larger display. Let’s take a look at the specs that make up these two devices.

The Surface Pro X is a bit of a departure from the Pro design we’ve come to expect. It still has roughly the same footprint as the Surface Pro 7, but the display has been stretched out to 13 inches thanks to slimmer bezel along the sides. It’s also quite a bit thinner than the Pro 7, and it even manages to come it a hair thinner than the ultraportable Surface Go.

The Surface Go still reigns when it comes to weight, starting at just 1.15 pounds (522g), but the Pro X isn’t far behind at 1.7 pounds (774g). Both devices should prove to be welcome travel companions, but if you want the most mobility, opt for the Go. It also provides a more rounded selection of ports, including one USB-C 3.1, a microSD card reader, Surface Connect, and a 3.5mm audio jack. On the other hand, the Pro X comes with two USB-C 3.1, Surface Connect, and a Nano SIM slot. Note also that the Pro X is capable of handling two external 4K displays at 60Hz through USB-C (Gen 2), while the Go is only capable of a single external 4K display with USB-C (Gen 1).

While the front-facing camera on both devices is essentially the same at 5MP (1080p), the rear-facing camera on the Pro X bumps things up to 10MP (4K). The Go’s rear-facing camera is stuck at 8MP (1080p), so if you’re concerned about image and video quality, the Pro X is no doubt the better choice. Both devices offer LTE connectivity to keep you connected even when there’s no Wi-Fi, but only the Pro X offers eSIM and physical Nano SIM options.

Both the Pro X and Go employ a folding kickstand on the back to keep the tablet propped up, and combined with an attachable keyboard and touchpad, you can turn either into a productivity machine. However, keyboards for both models are sold separately, and you’ll also have to shell out extra for an active pen. The Surface Go’s Type Cover offers a comfortable (if slightly cramped) backlit keyboard and Precision touchpad, and the Surface Pen connects magnetically to the side of the tablet when not in use.

The Pro X’s keyboard is larger to match the overall size of the tablet, and it has a backlit keyboard and Precision touchpad. Built into the hinge portion is a storage bay for the new Surface Slim Pen, which keeps the pen charged and better protected when you’re on the move.

Display and inking

The Surface Go has a smaller 10-inch touch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and 1800×1200 resolution. Pixels-per-inch (PPI) measures out to 217, which is really not bad at all. The picture is quite beautiful, and the Surface Pen can be used with it for a quality inking experience. If you’re interested in multi-tasking, though, the Pro X’s larger 13-inch display is probably better suited.

It also has a 3:2 aspect ratio for a boxy look, and it has a 2880×1920 resolution for a 267 PPI. The picture is going to be sharper, and it reaches up to about 450 nits for easier outdoor work. The Surface Slim Pen is likewise going to offer a natural feel. Overall, artists or design pros are likely going to want to opt for the Pro X thanks to the larger display and better performance from the Adreno 685 graphics.

Performance and price

All models of the Surface Go cost less than even the introductory Pro X model, but for a good reason. While the Go is using an Intel Pentium 4415Y CPU, the Pro X is ARM-powered with a custom SQ1 CPU that’s essentially a beefed-up Snapdragon 8cx. The Pentium chip has two cores and a base clock of 1.60GHz, while the SQ1 boasts a 3GHz clock and eight cores. You’re going to get far better CPU performance from the Pro X, and it also boasts an Adreno 685 GPU with two teraflops of power. Again, this easily trounces the Go, so if you want the best performance possible, you have to stick with the Pro X.

However, ARM-based PCs do have some limitations. OpenGL games won’t work on ARM, and the device is overall better suited for web and scripted apps. Despite ARM chips having to emulate x86 apps, they should still run better on the Pro X. In terms of fun, we’ll have to do our own testing to see precisely how well the Pro X runs, and don’t expect it to be your next gaming machine. Keep in mind that Project xCloud, Microsoft’s upcoming game-streaming service, can turn almost any device with a steady internet connection into a quality gaming platform.

Storage is another point of contention, with the Go offering either 64GB of slow eMMC storage or a speedier 128GB SSD. The Pro X can be had with up to 512GB of SSD storage, and the hardware is removable if you want to upgrade in the future. Finally, the Pro X can be configured with up to 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM, while the Go is capped at 8GB of LPDDR3.

Bottom line? Introductory Pro X models start at about $999, but they’re going to offer far better performance and battery life than you get with the Surface Go. If you just want a casual 2-in-1 for light productivity work, web browsing, and a bit of light gaming, the Go starts at about $390.

The Surface Pro X is better cut out for professional performance

The ARM-powered Pro X brings a thin and light chassis, knockout 13-inch touch display with pen support, and LTE connectivity to keep you connected everywhere. It beats out the Surface Go in raw performance and battery life, making it the better pick for anyone who has more professional goals in mind. It does, however, cost significantly more than the Go.

The Surface Go is an affordable and portable 2-in-1

This miniaturized Surface Pro doesn’t match up to the performance in the Pro X, but it’s much more portable and will still offer an excellent 2-in-1 experience. Optional LTE connectivity can keep you connected anywhere, and the 10-inch touch display is brilliant, especially combined with a Surface Pen. It’s also a much cheaper option compared to the Pro X.