1. The Revolutionary Intel 12th Gen and Microsoft SQ® 3 Processor Options
The heart of the Surface Pro 9 is its processing power, offering a choice that caters to two distinct user philosophies. The Intel® variant is equipped with 12th Gen Intel Core™ processors (i5 or i7), featuring the performance hybrid architecture. This design intelligently distributes workloads between Performance-cores (P-cores) and Efficient-cores (E-cores), delivering a significant leap in speed and multitasking capability over its predecessors. It handles everything from complex spreadsheet calculations and dozens of browser tabs to light photo editing with effortless efficiency. Conversely, the 5G-enabled model is powered by the Microsoft SQ® 3 processor, a custom ARM-based chip developed in partnership with Qualcomm. This processor is not about raw, traditional computing power; it’s about intelligent, efficient, and always-connected performance. Its Neural Processing Unit (NPU) is a game-changer, offloading AI tasks to enable features like automatic speaker focusing and voice clarity in video calls without draining the main CPU. The choice is clear: unparalleled traditional performance with Intel, or groundbreaking mobility and battery life with the SQ3 and built-in 5G.
2. A Stunning PixelSense Flow Display with Dynamic Refresh Rate
The 13-inch PixelSense™ Flow display remains a centerpiece of the Surface Pro experience, refined to near perfection. It boasts a 2880 x 1920 resolution with a 3:2 aspect ratio, providing more vertical real estate for reading documents and browsing the web compared to wider 16:9 screens. Color accuracy is exceptional, covering sRGB and Dolby Vision IQ, making it a reliable tool for creatives. The most significant advancement, however, is the introduction of a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate. Borrowed from high-end smartphones and gaming monitors, this technology allows the screen to smoothly render scrolling content and pen input. The “dynamic” aspect is key; the display intelligently switches between 60Hz and 120Hz based on the on-screen activity, preserving battery life when the extra smoothness isn’t needed and ramping it up for inking or scrolling. This creates a palpably more responsive and fluid interaction with the device, making even mundane navigation feel premium.
3. Unprecedented 5G Connectivity for True Mobile Workflow Freedom
With the Surface Pro 9 with 5G, Microsoft fully embraces the era of ubiquitous connectivity. This is not a minor add-on; it’s a fundamental redefinition of the device’s purpose. By integrating the SQ3 processor and a 5G modem, this model liberates the tablet from the confines of Wi-Fi. Professionals can now be genuinely productive anywhere—uploading large files from a client’s office, joining a high-definition video conference in a park, or streaming data-intensive applications on a train. The low latency and high bandwidth of 5G transform the Surface Pro 9 into a truly portable workstation. This eliminates the security risks and performance bottlenecks of public Wi-Fi, offering a private, high-speed internet connection wherever there is cellular coverage. It’s the ultimate tool for the modern, nomadic worker who requires a constant and reliable link to their digital world.
4. A Sleeker, More Modern Design with New, Sustainable Color Options
Microsoft has subtly but effectively evolved the Surface Pro’s iconic design. The most noticeable change is the removal of the separate headphone jack, which, while controversial to some, contributes to a cleaner aesthetic. More significantly, the device now features a anodized aluminum chassis that is both durable and luxurious. Microsoft has also introduced new color options, including Sapphire and Forest, alongside the classic Platinum. These colors are not just for show; they are part of Microsoft’s commitment to sustainability. The housings are made with a significant amount of recycled materials, including 100% recycled aluminum in the enclosure and 100% recycled rare earth metal elements in the magnet. This proves that premium design and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive, offering consumers a choice that aligns with their values.
5. The Enhanced Surface Slim Pen 2 and Seamless Inking Experience
The digital inking experience on the Surface Pro 9 is the most authentic it has ever been, thanks to the synergy between the hardware and the redesigned Surface Slim Pen 2. This stylus features a new motor that provides subtle haptic feedback, creating the sensation of friction as you write or draw, mimicking the feel of pen on paper. This “tactile signal” technology significantly improves precision and control. When stored and charged magnetically on the new Signature Keyboard (sold separately), the Pen 2 is not only secure but also instantly ready for action. The Pro 9’s display works in concert with the Pen, featuring Microsoft’s proprietary G6 chip that minimizes latency to near-imperceptible levels. For artists, note-takers, and designers, this combination delivers a natural, fluid, and incredibly responsive creative tool that is seamlessly integrated into the device’s ecosystem.
6. Versatile Thunderbolt™ 4 Ports for Unmatched Expandability
In a major step forward for connectivity, the Intel-based Surface Pro 9 includes two Thunderbolt™ 4 / USB 4 ports. This is a monumental upgrade from previous generations. Thunderbolt 4 supports blazing-fast data transfer speeds (up to 40 Gbps), can output to dual 4K displays or a single 8K display, and provides high-speed charging. This opens up a world of possibilities for desktop-style setups. Users can connect to a Thunderbolt dock for a full workstation experience with multiple monitors, wired networking, external storage, and peripherals—all through a single cable. It also allows for direct connection to high-performance external GPUs, a feature previously unavailable, giving the tablet unexpected graphical prowess for gaming or 3D rendering. This level of expandability blurs the line between a tablet and a desktop PC more than ever before.
7. The Intelligent Windows Studio Camera and Enhanced Video Call Features
The front-facing camera on the Surface Pro 9 has been elevated from a simple webcam to an “intelligent” imaging system. This 1080p camera, coupled with the powerful NPU in the SQ3 model (and available via software on the Intel model), enables a suite of AI-powered features that dramatically improve video conferencing. Automatic Framing uses the NPU to keep you centered in the frame as you move around. Voice Focus uses advanced AI processing to filter out background noise like typing, dog barking, or traffic, ensuring your voice comes through crystal clear. The most impressive feature is Portrait Background Blur, which creates a natural, real-time bokeh effect without a depth sensor, using AI to accurately separate you from your background. These features work together to present a more professional and polished version of you in every call, directly from the native camera hardware.
8. All-Day Battery Life Tailored to Your Computing Needs
Battery life is a critical metric for any mobile device, and the Surface Pro 9 delivers admirably, though with a key distinction between its two models. Microsoft rates both for up to 15.5 hours of typical device usage, but the real-world experience differs based on the processor. The ARM-based SQ3 model is designed for exceptional power efficiency. Its architecture and the NPU’s ability to handle tasks with lower power draw mean it often exceeds expectations in general productivity tasks, web browsing, and media consumption, easily lasting a full working day and then some. The Intel model provides robust performance that can consume more power under heavy loads but offers exceptional longevity for a device of its class, especially when leveraging the efficiency of the 12th Gen hybrid architecture. Both configurations support fast charging, reaching up to 80% in just over an hour, minimizing downtime.
9. The Signature Keyboard with Slim Pen 2 Storage and Haptic Feedback
The Signature Keyboard (sold separately) is an essential component that transforms the Surface Pro 9 from a tablet into a legitimate laptop replacement. This generation refines the formula with a dedicated, secure storage slot and charging bay for the Surface Slim Pen 2. This integration ensures your stylus is never lost and always charged. The keyboard itself provides a best-in-class typing experience with decent key travel and a stable, responsive feel. The large glass Precision Haptic Touchpad is another highlight. Unlike traditional mechanical trackpads, it uses haptic motors to simulate clicks, providing a uniform, quiet, and customizable feedback sensation across its entire surface. This seamless integration of keyboard, touchpad, and pen storage creates a holistic and premium accessory that is fundamental to the Surface Pro 9’s 2-in-1 identity.
10. Optimized Performance with Windows 11 for a Cohesive User Experience
The Surface Pro 9 is meticulously engineered for Windows 11, and the operating system’s features are enhanced by the device’s hardware. The touch-centric interface of Windows 11, with its larger touch targets and new gestures, feels natural on the Pro 9’s display. Snap Layouts and Groups are incredibly useful on the high-resolution 13-inch screen, making multitasking on the go more efficient. For the SQ3 model, the experience is further refined through emulation. It can run the vast majority of x64 and ARM32 applications seamlessly, and native ARM64 apps, including Microsoft’s own suite, run with exceptional speed and efficiency. This software-hardware synergy ensures that whether you are using touch, pen, keyboard, or trackpad, the interaction is intuitive, powerful, and cohesive, solidifying the Surface Pro 9’s position not just as a tablet that can run a desktop OS, but as a device where the OS and hardware are in perfect harmony.