Microsoft - Surface Pro - 12" Touchscreen - Snapdragon X2 Plus (6 Core) - 16GB Memory - 256GB UFS - Device Only - Platinum

The Surface Pro 12-inch (2nd Edition) takes Microsoft's compact 2-in-1 concept and gives it a few notable upgrades. This will be my third Surface tablet since Microsoft started developing their Surface devices and, other than the internal specs, they all really look and function similarly. The Snapdragon X2 Plus, six core processor at 4.03 GHz, is the headline change, while the fanless design helps its quiet and portable design. The version I’m reviewing has 256GB of storage, 16GB of RAM and 128MB Qualcomm Adreno X2-45 GPU however there are other builds with different specifications. The real attraction of the Surface tablet remains the ultra-portable design. Being able to move between touch, pen, and keyboard input gives the Surface Pro a level of versatility that most conventional ultra-portables can't duplicate. It’s compact enough to carry around without feeling weighed down, while the touchscreen design makes it easy to switch between tablet, laptop, and writing or sketching modes. Microsoft also continues to support keyboard, touch, pen, and voice input, which is one of the biggest reasons to choose a Surface Pro over a traditional laptop. After using it for about a week, I did find using the on-screen keyboard as somewhat of a nuisance therefore I ended up investing in the compatible keyboard that magnetically snaps onto the bottom providing some protection when closed. I’m not an artist and I’ve never had the need to have the optional Slim Pen with any of my devices, but it can be a great option if that’s something you’re into. Unfortunately, there is no micro-SD card port to upgrade the storage but there are two USB-C ports on the side where you could connect an external port or drive if you run out of room on the SSD. The touchscreen and software is very quick and responsive, however I did experience some issues, such as lagging and freezing, during heavy multitasking and while attempting to run a GPU and high-memory demanding game which was expected. The Surface Pro can handle most other functions, tasks and applications you would expect from a low to mid-range laptop with no dedicated graphics card for those more demanding tasks. For everyday productivity and people who prioritize portability, however, the new Surface Pro 12-inch is a compelling evolution of Microsoft's 2-in-1. However, in my opinion, there may not be enough of a major upgrade for some users to justify investing more money into who already own a previous generation Surface tablet. Overall, it is a great option for portable convenience and versatility and would be great for someone just wanting a basic computer style tablet at an affordable price, just don't expect all the bells and whistles of a high-end laptop.

I have owned many tablets over the years from iPads to Android. This was my first opportunity to use a tablet that gives you the freedom of having the Windows OS and all that comes with it. While the price of a Surface Pro tablet can exceed some of the other options I mentioned, the craftsmanship is excellent and I loved having access to features that I am not accustomed to when using a tablet. Pros: - Set up was simple, like most any Windows PC. Boot up speeds far exceeded my expectations. - The display is one of the best features with a large 12" HD screen that provides incredible visuals. - While some laptops have touch screen features, they usually end up being too bulky to conveniently use in that way. The Surface Pro solves that problem by making touch the primary interactive method. You can easily connect keyboards via Bluetooth or a specially designed case/keyboard combo if you prefer that interaction method. But this tablet really shines through its touch screen capabilities. - I've never owned a tablet that I could install Steam on so I was incredibly excited to see which of my library's video games would work well with touch controls. I was also able to connect a controller over Bluetooth to play a variety of other games. I loved how this device makes gaming on the go very easy. - The built in pop-up stand works perfectly if you don't have a case with one built in (like me). - You can pretty much do anything on this device that you can do with a Windows laptop or a Windows desktop PC. It just lets you do those things in a far more portable and versatile way. Cons: - It would be nice if a device at this price point would come with a protective case, even if it's very basic. You'll need to plan to purchase one that you like on your own. Any significant drop onto a hard surface could do damage. This device was very impressive and I look forward to continuing to explore its vast amount of features and uses.

I have been a fan of the Surface Pro lineup since I purchased the original first-generation model back in 2013. This version is a great continuation of that lineage, delivering a core Windows experience in a slim, ultraportable body. With the Snapdragon X2 Plus and 16GB of RAM, there is plenty of performance to handle daily tasks. The 256GB base storage could be a limiting factor for some, but if you rely on cloud or external portable storage, you will be fine. Handling tasks like spreadsheets, documents, and web browsing is insanely easy. In fact, the upgrades over the previous 12-inch Surface Pro X line are significant: the 2026 version starts at 16GB of RAM (with a 24GB option), features a much faster GPU, and offers far better battery efficiency all while getting a 90Hz display that reaches 500 nits of peak brightness. Just keep in mind that outside of basic time-killing titles, it will not be an option for gaming. My main gripe with the Surface Pro lineup remains the same: while it is marketed as an ultraportable PC, getting a great experience requires buying the Surface Pro Keyboard and/or the Surface Slim Pen (or budget-friendly third-party alternatives). At this overall price point, there are other options on the market where you might get more hardware for your money. Overall, it is still a great device if you are honest with yourself about your use case and expectations. For me, it serves as the perfect secondary device whenever I need a dedicated Windows environment to complement my 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro.

If you are like me and want fancy things that are of the highest standard and quality, and that work perfectly as they should, then this is for you. Build Quality: The build quality of this tablet is impeccable. This is one of the more expensive tablets, but it shows. I’ve had other Microsoft devices, and they are all are of the highest quality. It is made from aluminum and glass and there isn’t an ounce of plastic on the outside of this thing. However, while the screen resists some fingerprints, the back is a fingerprint magnet. If you spend time holding it, you will see the back completely covered in them. There is a aluminum stand on the back that folds out. It is quite strong and has no problem holding the tablet up. It does require getting your fingernails under it to fold it out. Performance: The performance of this is very good. It runs internet, email, and office applications without any problems. Streaming works perfectly too. It boots up very quickly in just a few seconds and shuts down almost instantly. Wi-Fi is very fast. I have a Wi-Fi 7 router and ISP speed of 2Gbps. I can get download speeds of 1.2Gbps and upload speeds of 350Mbps. I have several laptops and tablets, and this is up there as one of the fastest. Now there is one problem. It has a Snapdragon processor. What that means is that while most programs work fine, there are a few that don’t. My Norton anti-virus doesn’t work, and the classic version of Outlook 365 doesn’t work. You must use the new version of Outlook. Companionlink doesn’t work either. If there is a program that you need, make sure it runs on a Snapdragon processor before investing in this. This is really my biggest and only complaint about this tablet. Display and Sound: The display is very bright and can easily be used outside. The colors are vibrant. It is not an OLED screen, but the image quality is fine for the productivity and entertainment applications I use it for. I have a separate gaming laptop and that is where OLED matters. The touchscreen works really well with perfect sensitivity. The on-screen keyboard is surprisingly easy to type on. The sound quality is decent. It is very clear and doesn’t have the bad tinny sound a lot of laptops have. It also lacks bass, but laptops and tablets generally do. The volume can get loud. Camera: There is a front camera and a rear camera. They are serviceable but nothing great. They seem to make things grainy and distorted. There is also a Windows Hello camera that is extremely fast and accurate for signing in. It signs in with a second after the login screen comes up. Battery: It takes maybe an hour to charge and will last all day. I turn it on in the morning, use it all day until I go to bed and that is when it needs charging. It has a setting to limit charging to 80% which is a good idea to use to protect the longevity of the battery. I’m glad more devices keep having this. It also has adaptive charging where it decides if it should stop charging at either 80% or 100%. I don’t know how it decides though and it has done both for me. Ports: It has 2 USB-C ports and that is it. One of them is used for charging the device. One major omission is an SD card port. So, you can’t get photos directly off one and can’t use a card to expand its storage. Software: It runs your standard Windows 11 Home operating system, so you know what to expect. The only thing beyond that is the simple Surface app. It allows you to do the following: • Show device information • Setting battery to full, 80%, or adaptive • Customize the Fn and media keys • Set pen pressure • Display battery level If you are looking for a high-quality Windows tablet that is easy to use and carry around, this is it. The build quality is excellent which is important to me. While it is almost perfect, my only complaints are that some software I have won’t run on the Snapdragon processor, and there is no SD card slot. Make sure you buy one with a large enough SSD because you can’t upgrade or increase the storage. My final comment is that there is an optional keyboard cover that is essential so plan on getting that as well. It should have come with one.

I've been using this 'tablet' for a couple of weeks and it's been great. I say 'tablet' because that's what you get with this purchase, is just the tablet. But it's speed, screen and possible accessories make it a full off laptop. I've been using almost this exact setup with the ChromeOS for a while and I honestly just prefer Windows. I've made due with Chrome but it hasn't been smooth. I love the versatility of being able to remove the keyboard and use it as just a tablet for work when I'm walking through options with clients, it's much easier than holding a laptop. The pen also makes this a much more useable tablet as I can sketch out ideas precisely while going over layouts with customers. The screen on this is great. I dims to a nice low level for when it's late or dark out, but also gets very bright for in a well lit room. I don't know that it would do great outside but I'm sure it would be just as good as any other option out there not build specifically for being in the sun. The colors are precise and the resolution is great. I like that it has 2 ports built in. My previous tablet only had one and there are a number of times I wanted to charge and use a USB at the same time, which meant carrying another part. This one is great as you can do both with the built in ports. The processing is plenty fast for anything I have tried to do with it. It plays videos smoothly and I can switch between any number of apps while all being open without it bogging down. Battery wise it will last me all day. I've been very happy with it as I have no problem making it through work without having to recharge. The charger is also very easy. I didn't find any USB-c PD that it didn't charge from, which is nice to have that flexibility. Overall I've been very happy with this and it feels like it will hold up for a very long time. I would recommend getting a case, and the keyboard and pen, it makes it work in any situation you'll have.