Microsoft has unveiled its latest flagship devices, the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7, marking a significant shift as they now exclusively run on Arm processors. This move represents a long-standing effort by Microsoft to establish Windows-on-Arm processors, a journey that has seen ups and downs over the years.
The Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 maintain the signature Surface design elements, such as a 3:2 aspect ratio display, touch input support, and face-scanning webcams for Windows Hello authentication. These devices offer a familiar user experience akin to previous Intel-powered Surface devices, with minor tweaks to enhance functionality.
In terms of performance, the Snapdragon X Elite chip in the Surface Pro 11 delivers impressive results, positioning it favorably against recent processors from Intel and AMD. While the integrated GPU performance is commendable, it falls short of Apple’s offerings, indicating room for improvement in future iterations.
Windows-on-Arm has made significant strides in app compatibility and performance, with a growing number of native Arm-compatible apps being developed. However, challenges persist, particularly in gaming and hardware compatibility. Microsoft and Qualcomm continue to address these issues to enhance the overall user experience on Arm-based Windows PCs.
The Surface Pro 11 offers a versatile form factor, allowing users to utilize it as a tablet with a built-in kickstand and a wireless keyboard. The device’s speakers deliver clear audio, outperforming the Surface Laptop 7 and the M3 MacBook Air. Additionally, the Surface Pro 11 features a 4K webcam and a rear camera that can be used for taking pictures of whiteboards and scanning documents.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 has made a strong case for Windows-on-Arm, thanks to its snappy performance, excellent battery life, and stunning OLED display. The Surface Pro 11’s battery life was an amazing 12 hours and 10 minutes during our test for online browsing, and in our test for local video playback, it achieved 14 hours and 33 minutes. The Surface Pro 11 is a contender for the best laptop of 2024, offering a true iPad Pro alternative with its versatile 2-in-1 form factor and all-day battery life.