The early reviews for the ARM version of this year's Surface Pro 9 I've read elsewhere seem mixed, but if the promise of 5G connectivity, longer battery life and new AI features that make use of a built-in NPU it might be worth considering. However, I've had good experiences with ARM-based Windows PCs in the past so I wouldn't dismiss this alternative out of hand. My review sample ran on an Intel processor, so I can't speak too much to the difference in performance between the two models. Last time around, Intel was the only option unless you opted for the pricey and premium Surface Pro X. This marks something of a departure from tradition by Microsoft. Those looking at jumping aboard with (or upgrading to) this year's Surface Pro 9 also get the option of ditching an Intel chipset in favour of Microsoft's new flagship ARM processor, the SQ3. The Surface Pro 9's biggest draw might be inherited, but the appeal remains largely intact and undiminished. Casting the conversation in the opposite direction, it's difficult to imagine the Surface Pro 9 without the smooth scrolling afforded by the 120Hz refresh rate. The IPS panel here is colourful and sharp in all the right ways, though it lacks the pop and contrast that something with an OLED might be able to offer. Like its predecessor, the Surface Pro 9 is a detachable-style 2-in-1 laptop PC that comes with a built-in kickstand, a set of 2-watt Dolby Audio speakers, a Surface Connect port, a pair of Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports and a 1080p webcam with Windows Hello support.Ĭredit where it's due, the display on Microsoft's productivity PC is a delight to look at. The bezels are likewise identical, and the similarities don't stop there. The new Surface Pro 9 has a 13-inch screen with the same resolution as the previous model, but in this case, that familiarity is far from a bad thing.Īs with the Surface Pro 8, the touch-sensitive panel will play nice with your hands as well as Microsoft's Surface Pen stylus. As with most of Microsoft's house-brand Surface hardware, the star of the show here is the PixelSense display.
0 Comments
|