Our detailed handling
Odd market segment than that of hybrid laptops. Sometimes called “2-in-1 computers”, these devices combine the portability advantages of a tablet with the power of a laptop to increase the productivity of their users.
After taking over the likeable albeit lazy Surface Laptop 5, today we are interested in the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 in its Intel version. Indeed, this year, the Redmond giant is offering its hybrid computer in an ARM version taking advantage of the Snapdragon QC3 chip. Previously known as Surface Pro X, this edition brings with it permanent 5G connectivity and some additional AI features. But, we will see, the model that interests us today takes the lead in terms of performance and value for money.
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Getting started on a computer lent by the manufacturer.
Design and ergonomics
It’s becoming a habit at Microsoft: the design of the Surface Pro 9 does not change one iota compared to that of its elder. An attractive design, we hear well, but which no longer manages to impress us, unfortunately.
Ultrathin and among the lightest computers on the market (287x208x9.3 mm for 891 grams), the Surface Pro 9 knows how to be forgotten and can slip into any backpack (or hand). A device cut out for nomadism, especially since we always find this generously tilting support on the back of the screen to obtain the best viewing angle. It can also bend to regarding 160° to slightly raise the screen when using the Surface in tablet mode. Ideal for drawing or taking notes.
The stand of the screen can be generously tilted to adopt an ideal posture in all circumstances. ©Pierre Crochart/L’Éclaireur
Optional (but obviously highly recommended despite its price of €179.99 or €279.99 with the stylus), the Signature keyboard is magnetically attached to the lower edge of the tablet. Smart, the pocket dedicated to housing (and recharging) the Slim Pen 2 can be hidden by folding the keyboard up a notch. In doing so, we also obtain a more pleasant typing angle on the chiclet keyboard, but I personally prefer to have it lie flat. The reason ? The keyboard is so thin that a slightly forceful keystroke makes the plate “bounce” and bothers me during a long entry.
As on a traditional tablet, we find on the upper edge the power button as well as those to increase or reduce the sound volume. The sound also escapes through two speakers located on each side of the screen, which face the user. A plus for a successful immersion.
©Pierre Crochart/L’Éclaireur
©Pierre Crochart/L’Éclaireur
©Pierre Crochart/L’Éclaireur
©Pierre Crochart/L’Éclaireur
At the top of the screen, (the thick) border hides a webcam capable of capturing 1080p and two microphones to capture the user’s voice. To stay on the same theme, the Surface Pro 9 has a 10-megapixel rear camera, the characteristics of which Microsoft unfortunately does not detail (which is rarely a good sign, but, we assure you, it is not “not so bad”, as they say).
To conclude, the connectivity of the hybrid tablet is – as usual – quite poor. There are two USB-C ports (Thunderbolt 4.0) and a Surface Connect port for charging. On the model equipped with a Qualcomm chip, there is also a SIM card drawer.
screen
Once once more, Microsoft is recycling the slab from last year’s model. Namely an IPS LCD screen in 3:2 format, which in our opinion offers interesting brightness, but above all very saturated colors. Are they fair, however? We will wait for the Lab to give its verdict in a later test!
The screen offers a definition of 2,880 x 1,920 pixels, i.e. a pixel density of 267 dpi on this 13” panel. We also stack once more with a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz, but beware, this is not activated by default in the computer menus! New compared to the previous edition: a Dynamic mode would allow Windows to decide between the frequency of 60 Hz and the more fluid one of 120 Hz. However, following a few tests, it appears that this option adopts a more nebulous operation. We never saw a jump to 120Hz, even when running on mains power and choosing the “high performance” preset. Odd.
Finally, let’s remember (although it’s obvious here) that the Surface Pro 9 screen is touch-sensitive. It supports ten points, and the Slim Pen 2 stylus accepts 4,096 levels of pressure on its nib. This accessory has two shortcuts and offers quite satisfactory haptic feedback, which makes it (almost) essential for people addicted to taking notes or for artists at heart. Note however that it is quite possible to use any stylus certified MPP (Microsoft Pen Protocol).
Performance and speed
Our test configuration is among the most powerful offered by the manufacturer (Core i7, 16 GB of RAM; €1,859). It should therefore be borne in mind that the entry-level model (12th generation Core i5, 8 GB of RAM; €1,299) will inevitably offer lower performance than what will be described in this chapter.
The Core i7-1255U that drives our machine is an EVO range processor that has ten cores (20 threads) clocked at up to 4.7 GHz. On a daily basis, it offers very interesting performance for people who work on various applications. Note also that this is the same processor that equipped our Surface Laptop 5 in a previous grip.
Level felt, so we are on familiar ground. Applications launch quickly and the generous RAM capacity means you don’t have to bother closing any windows to free up the load. Everything you need to work properly throughout the day, in short.
For video games, things naturally get a little more complicated. Without a dedicated graphics card, the Surface Pro 9 can only rely on the integrated graphics chip, an Intel Iris Xe with 96 units clocked at 1,250 MHz. As such, the tablet will have no trouble launching games, especially independent and low-powered games, dating from a few years ago. You can even be tempted by a GTA V accepting some obvious graphic concessions. For more recent games, on the other hand, it will be better to move on. Not only is the performance delivered by the Surface Pro 9 too modest, but the active cooling will have a hard time regulating the temperature of the components over the long term. Not recommendable.
Autonomy
Surprisingly, the battery on board the Surface Pro 9 is of lesser capacity compared to the previous model. We go from a 51.5 Wh accumulator to 47.7 Wh. Nevertheless, the processors selected this year are less greedy (from 28 W to 15 W) and should make it possible to compensate in terms of autonomy.
In fact, we are neither impressed nor particularly disappointed. Fully charged, the Surface Pro 9 accompanied us all followingnoon to work comfortably, in wifi, and by combining word processing, intensive web browsing and reading streams on Twitch for an hour or two. To put it another way: the Surface Pro 9 will convince students or people who do not always have access to a power outlet. But to say that the tablet can compete with a MacBook Air or one Dell XPS… certainly not.
Still, the recharging of the hybrid computer is rather fast. Starting from a 5% battery, it only took an hour to reach 83% autonomy with the block provided. To recover 100%, count approximately 1h45.
