Microsoft unveils fastest, lightest and most powerful Surface Pro yet
Microsoft has unveiled a new Surface Pro laptop that is faster, lighter and lasts longer than any other device in the range.
Simply called Surface Pro, the device was announced at a special event in Shanghai on Tuesday, by Panos Panay, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice-President of Devices.
The completely redesigned two-in-one – which can be used as a tablet or a laptop – boasts a 12.3-inch PixelSense Display at 267 pixels per inch, optimized for touch and Pen. It will also be the first laptop to support Dial, which was unveiled with Surface Studio last year.
Surface Pro features 13.5 hours of battery life, 50% better than the Surface Pro 4, and 20% more power. Two models, the 4M and core i5, will be fanless, while the new core i7 will be the quietest Surface Pro ever released.
The unique Surface hinge, which has been a key feature of the Surface Book, has been enhanced so the laptop can recline almost flat to 165-degrees. This will make it easier for people to write and draw on the device.
A new keyboard, wrapped in a coated Alcantara material that’s durable and stain resistant, offers more accurate typing, and a five-finger multi-touch trackpad.
4G LTE will be available later this year, completing a laptop that contains an unrivalled combination of performance, battery, sleek design and connectivity.
“People’s expectations for what their devices should help them accomplish are high – and the Surface team works to exceed those expectations,” said Panay. “People want beautiful and powerful devices, with all-day battery life and amazing digital inking experiences. They want to better express their ideas creatively while being able to work whenever, wherever and however they choose. The new Surface Pro delivers all that and more, building on our heritage of pushing the idea of a ‘computer’ forward while harnessing all the innovation of Windows 10 and Microsoft Office 365 to empower people to do their best creative work.”
The Surface Pro will be released in 27 markets, including the UK, on June 15 and can be pre-ordered from today.
Panos Panay unveils the Surface Pro in China
The Chinese event comes just weeks after Microsoft unveiled a host of products and services inspired by teachers and students. These included the Surface Laptop, powered by the new Windows 10 S, which is engineered to start fast and stay fast with a 7th-generation Intel Core processor and up to 14.5 hours of battery life. It features a vibrant 13.5-inch PixelSense display, optimized for touch and inking, along with optically-bonded Gorilla Glass for durability.
The devices join the Pro 4, Book, Studio and Hub in the Surface family.
Surface Pro technical specifications
| Operating System | Windows 10
Microsoft Office 30-day trial |
| Exterior | Dimensions: 11.50†x 7.9†x 0.33†(292mm x 201mm x 8.5mm)
7th Generation Intel Core m3 weight: 1.69lbs (768g) 7th Generation Intel Core i5 weight: 1.70lbs (770g) 7th Generation Intel Core i7 weight: 1.73lbs (784g) Mechanical features: Magnesium body, kickstand with full-friction multi-position hinge to 165 degrees, magnetic attach for keyboard fold stability Color: Platinum Physical buttons: volume, power |
| Display | Screen: 12.3†PixelSense Display
Resolution: 2736 x 1824 (267 PPI) Aspect Ratio: 3:2 Touch: 10 point multi-touch |
| Processor | 7th Generation Intel Core m3 7Y30
7th Generation Intel Core i5-7300U 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7660U |
| Graphics | IntelHD Graphics 615 (m3)
Intel HD Graphics 620 (i5) Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 (i7) |
| Memory | 4GB/8GB/16GB RAM 1866Mhz LPDDR3 |
| Storage10 | Solid State Drive (SSD) 128/256/512GB or 1TB PCIe NVMe |
| Security | TPM 2.0 chip for enterprise security
Enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in |
| Network | Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compatible, Bluetooth Wireless 4.1 technology |
| Battery | Up to 13.5 hours of battery life1 |
| Cameras, Video and Audio | Windows Hello face sign-in camera (front-facing)
5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p HD video 8.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p HD video Dual microphones Stereo speakers with Dolby Audio Premium |
| Ports | Full-size USB 3.0
microSDXC card reader Surface Connect 3.5mm Headphone jack Mini DisplayPort Cover port |
| Sensors | Ambient light sensor
Accelerometer Gyroscope |
| Power supply | 24 W power supply (Intel Core m3)
44 W power supply with USB charging port (Intel Core i5 and Core i7) |
| In the box | Surface Pro
Power Supply Quick Start Guide Safety and warranty documents |
| Warranty | One-year limited hardware warranty |