Review: Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 provides flexibility at a cost

Microsoft’s latest Surface Pro 9 might be $50 cheaper than its laptop counterpart, but to get the same capability you’ll end up paying more than $400 more.

Microsoft’s new Surface Pro 9.

It’s been 10 years since Microsoft first dived into the tablet market, unleashing its Surface Pro device as a direct competitor to Apple’s already established iPad range.

Arriving about 2½ years late, and with limited power, the first Surface was hardly an assault on Apple. But within a few years, with Microsoft doubling down on its decision to run laptop hardware as opposed to that of a ­mobile device, a genuine competitor had arrived. And today, that competition continues with its latest device, the Surface Pro 9.

Microsoft’s latest device is the 11th edition of the Surface Pro, a 13-inch 2-in-1-style laptop that ­offers two different processors; the 12th generation Intel core processor or the Microsoft SQ3 processor. The device comes in four options with 5G connectivity available on its LTE models.

One of the first pain points of the new device starts with the price, ranging from $1649 – which buys you the 12th Gen processor Core i5 with 8GB of ram and a 128GB hard drive – to $4149 for the Evo Core i7 model with 32GB of ram and a 1Tb hard drive.

But that’s not everything. To get the full experience, customers will need to fork out an extra $429.95 for the keyboard and Surface Pen Slim 2. Sold separately, these begin at $219.95 for the keyboard and $139.95 to $189.95 for a pen.

Without the pen and keyboard, the Surface Pro 9 hardly seems worth the price. Together, the verdict is far different, but is one that will cost you a little over $2000 – and that’s without any of the Office apps.

Using the new Surface, the Pro Keyboard and Slim Pen 2 is a relatively nice experience, although it’s not one you’d want to do full-time.

One advantage the Surface has over the iPad is that it’s a more comfortable typing experience. Microsoft has stuck with its Alcantara material keyboard and the tilt of the design when in use – which attaches to the bottom of the screen via magnets that store and charge the pen locked in when not in use – does provide some relief on the wrists. The simplicity of wireless charging and the security of storing the pen is miles ahead of Apple and its pencil charging and connectivity troubles.

When it comes to drawing, the sensitivity of the Surface Pen is about accurate as it gets and the kickstand’s flexibility allows the user to get comfortable from all angles, including laying on the stomach in bed.

For those on the go, the ­Surface Pro 9’s battery life is quite impressive, boasting 17 hours with the Intel Core model and a full 19 hours – just over two days’ work – with the Microsoft SQ3 processor.

The verdict? It’s a great device, but it doesn’t come cheap and one has to wonder where to draw the line.

For $50 more the Surface Laptop 5 is complete with a hard drive twice the size.

Originally published as Review: Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 provides flexibility at a cost