Buzz
Microsoft Surface Pro X Review: Design and Aesthetics
Think of the Surface Pro X as the BMW of convertible tablets. While the design is based on previous-generation Surface Pro devices, there are certain aspects that make this premium hybrid device stand out.
Firstly, Microsoft has shaved off the edges of the display, giving it a modern look. It still features a 13-inch PixelSense display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, supporting multi-touch and the Surface Slim Pen. Unlike the Surface Pro 7, the Surface Pro X has a slightly curved design while maintaining the excellent aluminum structure.
With a thickness of only 7.3mm, the Surface Pro X feels very much like the iPad Pro – premium, fanless, lightweight, and professional-looking. On the back of the Pro X is the Surface Kickstand, providing multiple viewing angles. I wish the iPad Pro had an integrated kickstand; it would be fantastic.
Thanks to Pro X's stand, I can place the device almost flat and turn it into a canvas for drawing. Beneath the stand is a small compartment hiding a removable SSD, although Microsoft advises replacing it only by technicians. There are two USB-C ports on the left side, along with a Surface Connect port for charging. On either side are volume keys on the left, with the power button on the right.
Unfortunately, there's no headphone jack or microSD card slot. Since Microsoft charges a hefty fee for integrated storage, I recommend choosing the right type of device. My review unit, targeting consumers, comes with a 128GB SSD. Storage costs escalate in the upper tiers, and you might notice a price difference of 55,900 Rs between the lowest and highest storage capacities.
Review of Microsoft Surface Pro X: Display and Speakers
Oh, and that display. The 13-inch screen (up to 450 nits) is vibrant and high-contrast. The resolution of 2880 x 1920 pixels with a comfortable 267 pixels per inch (PPI). Badhaai Do's trailer looks stunning, with deep and vivid colors. Browsing the web on the 60Hz screen is an absolute pleasure, but I missed the 120Hz output available on the Surface Pro 8. Of course, you can switch between the 'enhanced' color setting with a more vibrant interface and higher contrast, and the sRGB mode with a more neutral tone.
The Windows Hello facial recognition camera above the screen is fast and responsive. Pro X features a 5-megapixel 1080p front camera, positioned in the middle of the screen when it's in landscape orientation. On the back is a 10-megapixel camera capable of 4K video recording. The front camera is excellent for video calls. The audio quality is not as good as the iPad Pro, but the dual front speakers are large and get the job done.
Keyboard and Surface Pen
The Surface Pen and Smart Keyboard have undergone a complete makeover. The Signature Keyboard with Slim Pen adds an extra 24,499 Rs to the overall ownership of the Surface Pro X, but they are worth every penny. You can also purchase these accessories separately.
When the keyboard magnetically attaches to the bottom bezel frame of the Surface Pro X, right below the screen, it transforms into a full-fledged laptop. The keyboard also acts as a protective cover for the Pro X. The keyboard is comfortable to type on, has excellent backlighting, and you can use it flexibly on your desk or at an inclined angle. Easy to set up, connect instantly, and safeguard your Surface Pro X when placed in your bag.
One of my favorite features of the Surface Pro X is the Surface Slim Pen 2. The first thing you notice is the shape of the stylus. The Surface Pen gives you the feeling of using a carpenter's pencil. Because they have a larger surface area, they are easier to grip than standard pencils. In terms of functionality, the Surface Slim Pen has a Bluetooth button at one end, also serving as an eraser. You will also find two buttons near the tip that can be customized. The slim pen supports tilt and has 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity. In my test, I had no issues jotting down notes or signing documents. Thanks to the haptic feedback, writing with the Surface Pen 2 on the Pro X feels like real paper. If you're an artist, you can use the Surface Slim Pen for drawing or sketching.
Review of Microsoft Surface Pro X: Performance and Battery
The Surface Pro X differs from the Surface Pro 8 or any Surface computer introduced in the past. Why? Well, the chip inside the Surface Pro X is not manufactured by Intel but uses ARM architecture. Instead, it uses an ARM chip produced in collaboration with Qualcomm and Microsoft. Imagine the Surface Pro X like your smartphone but in tablet form.
Microsoft is selling the Surface Pro X running Windows 11 with the SQ1 or SQ2 processor, with the second version slightly faster than the first-generation SQ1 chip. Strangely, Surface Pro X support for SQ2 is exclusively reserved for business customers. So, consumers only have the single option of buying the Pro X (8GB RAM / 128GB storage) with SQ1 configured for Wi-Fi only and priced at 93,999 Rupees. With a price of 113,299 Rs, I received the model with SQ1, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage.
As mentioned earlier, the Surface Pro X utilizes ARM architecture, the processor powering your smartphone. There are several key benefits of using the ARM platform, such as improved battery life, instant startup, better performance, and a thinner and lighter design. However, there are considerations when transitioning to ARM, especially on the Windows platform. If you're a developer, you must build your apps to run natively on the ARM architecture, or Microsoft has to provide tools to enable apps to run in emulation. The issue with Microsoft's approach is currently deploying ARM-based apps from third-party developers has been slow, but I hope things will improve in the future.
In terms of raw performance, the Surface Pro X with SQ1 is very fast, making everyday tasks seamless. I can switch between multiple open tabs, work on Google Docs, watch YouTube videos, listen to Spotify, browse through my Facebook feed, and chat with colleagues on WhatsApp Web. Not once did I encounter lag or any performance issues. The Surface Pro X handles the basics of computing that I typically do on a computer. But what about running apps or older Windows programs (32-bit, X86)? It's a mixed bag, at least for now.
To test popular apps, I opened the Microsoft Store and began downloading apps. Apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Hotstar Plus, Zoom, Spotify, iTunes, and Twitter are either designed for ARM devices or optimized to run on the Surface Pro X. Microsoft's Edge browser, Teams, and Office are also optimized for the Surface Pro X. However, to run Photoshop, you need to install the Creative Cloud 64-bit app. However, Lightroom works well on the Surface Pro X.
Apps not optimized for ARM will test your patience. The Sophos Connect client app, a VPN software, is not compatible with the Surface Pro X. That means I can't upload and publish a story through our CMS on the Pro X, killing the purpose of using this device as my daily computer.
The Surface Pro X lasts about eight hours on a single charge when using Google Chrome, WhatsApp Web, Spotify, and other apps running in the background. Although 8 hours is decent for a full day's work, it doesn't come close to Microsoft's promise of all-day battery life. Because the ARM processor is more power-efficient, I'm somewhat disappointed with the Surface Pro X's battery life.
Microsoft Surface Pro X: Should You Buy It?
The Surface Pro X represents Microsoft's bet on ARM processors, envisioning the future of Windows laptops. Pro X takes the first step in that direction – a bold move, indeed. Surface Pro X is intriguing but simultaneously discomforting. Both Microsoft with the Surface Pro X and Apple with the iPad Pro aim to create a new kind of computer, but both devices feel less polished than traditional Windows laptops or MacBook running macOS. Currently, the Surface Pro X is a somewhat complex device but holds great potential for the future. The success of a device like the Pro X is closely tied to how developers react to the ARM platform on Windows. Until that happens, I advise considering the Surface Pro 8, which shares a similar design with the Pro X but comes with an Intel processor inside.
