Surface Pro 9: As we all know that the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 was released in October 2022, which is a 2-in-1 pack, with an 11th Gen Intel processor, a 13-inch 120Hz display, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a removable SSD. The device also comes with Windows 11 operating system. No doubt, it is the best in 2-in-1 packs of Microsoft’s line of Surface devices. But the question is what can we expect from the inevitable Microsoft Surface Pro 9 5G?
The company releases a new version of the Surface Pro every year. Since the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 was released last year, it’s no doubt that the company will release another version of Surface this year and it’s going to be the Surface Pro 9. The latest device, the Surface Pro 8 comes with expected refinements such as a larger display with thinner bezels and Thunderbolt ports. Since the current Surface Pro got such big improvements, it’s likely the Surface Pro 9 will see iterative updates.
Here are what we expected to see in a Microsoft Surface Pro 9.
12th Gen Intel Alder Lake Processor
We do not need to think further before we know that the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 will run on Intel’s 12th-generation Alder Lake processor. Just like Apple’s new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, Alder Lake chips rely on a similar hybrid architecture of high-performance and high-efficiency CPU cores on a single chip. A 12th Gen Intel processor would make the Surface Pro 9 a powerhouse.
However, we have manufacturer-provided benchmarks for Alder Lake desktop chips. The numbers make us excited for the future of PC performance. We were disappointed with the low performance of the Surface Pro 8 when used as a gaming machine. The Alder Lake could make the Surface Pro 9 a decent little when it comes to gaming performance, depending on the device configurations you buy.
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Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Signature Keyboard and Pen
The Slim Pen 2 and Signature Keyboard are a bit indispensable tools during our testing of the Surface Pro 8 but the touch controls and virtual keyboard work great. These features are no match for a proper stylus and keyboard. Both peripherals need to come with the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 5G.
We understand Microsoft’s desire to sell these two accessories separately, but it would be wise to include the Slim Pen and Signature keyboard with the Surface 9 when it is finally released. This would save customers money and at the same time make it easier for people to dive right into their new device.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Ports and Connectivity
The Surface Pro 8 comes with a minimal amount of ports. The 2 USB-C ports and a Surface Connect port were all you needed for everyday use but it would be great if Microsoft Surface Pro 9 5G comes with more ports for easy day-to-day productivity.
This is especially true if the new device will, like the current model, let you connect monitors, external hard drives, and GPUs. while you can connect devices like mice or gaming controllers via Bluetooth, having more ports available on the Surface Pro 9 would be appreciated.
However, this is one of the changes we expect Microsoft will also make; as nice as it would be to have a broader array of ports on the Surface Pro 9, it’s probably a long shot.
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The Surface Connect port
As we said above that the Surface Pro 9 needs more ports for more productivity, and the laptop could do also away with the Surface Connect port entirely. Unless you have a Surface Dock, there is no need for the Surface Connect port. Why? Because you can already charge the device via its USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports, and the Thunderbolt ports also offer higher transfer speeds. Thus, axing the Surface Connect port could make room for more useful ports.
Unless Microsoft plans to improve the Surface Connect’s bandwidth for the Surface Pro 9, there’s no reason to keep it around.
Other incidental things we would like to find in the Surface Pro 9 include 5G connectivity, thinner bezels, and higher-megapixel front and rear cameras. Price-wise is something that we also expect the company to look into. It would be great for Microsoft to keep entry-level Microsoft Surface Pro 9 price configurations in the $1,000 to $1,200 range. An Alder Lake CPU and bundled pen and keyboard peripherals may drive costs up, but it should not be impossible to keep prices reasonable for those on a modest budget.
The Surface Pro 9 release date is still a long way, so it is difficult to tell what to expect or demand from it. We do not expect a huge upgrade from the Microsoft Surface Pro 8, but a few incremental improvements would make for a better device. We are interested in seeing what Intel’s 12th gen CPU brings this year. The processing boost provided by Alder Lake could be enough to justify upgrading from the Surface Pro 8 to Microsoft Surface Pro 9.
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