Microsoft Surface Pro X Tablet (2020 update)

MSRP 1000 USD67% External
Keywords: 4kalways-connectedarmflagshipmicrosoftmicrosoft-surfacetabletwindows

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Product Overview

Microsoft has updated the Surface Pro X with the Microsoft SQ 2 second generation custom ARM chip, a new Platinum finish option, and new color choices for the Surface Pro X Keyboard.
These updates also lead to an improved battery life that now extends to 15 hours of typical usage as well as growing app support for Windows on ARM, including the newly optimized Microsoft 365 applications.
The Surface Pro X represents a departure from previous iterations of Microsoft Surface Pro line of tablet computers both in terms of exterior design and architecture: The 13-inch PixelSense display is surrounded by thin bezels, and the device has been the thinnest Surface Pro yet. Microsoft has also chosen to include a custom ARM chip in place of the traditional Intel processors.
The Surface Pro X is an always connected device, thanks to its LTE connectivity. FHD front-facing camera, 4K rear-facing camera, and improved audio performance make it a great option for multimedia and video conferencing applications.

Ratings

What we found**

Pros
  • Slim, premium design
  • Slim bezels
  • Long battery life
  • Comfortable keyboard
Cons
  • Lacks microSD card slot

What external reviewers found***

External score 67% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
  • Good performance
  • Good cameras
  • Great battery life
Cons
  • Middling performance
  • Poor app compatibility
  • No headphone jack
  • No detachable keyboard
  • No Thunderbolt 3 port
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Price Comparison

Specifications

Microsoft SQ 1Microsoft SQ 2

Connectivity

Ports2x USB-C 3.2 Gen2 + 1x Surface Connect
Wireless ConnectivityWiFi 5 + Bluetooth 5.0 + LTE

Construction

Battery | Capacity39.2 Wh
Camera | Front5.0MP front-facing camera + Windows Hello face authentication camera
Camera | Rear10.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera
ColorsMatte Black, Platinum
MaterialSignature anodized aluminum with carbon composite fan less thermal cooling
MicrophoneDual far-field Studio Mics
Speakers2W stereo speakers with Dolby Audio

Dimensions

Size | Depth208 mm
Size | Height7.3 mm
Size | Width287 mm
Weight774 g

Display

Aspect Ratio3:2
Display Diagonal13 inch
Display TypePixelSense IPS
Pixel Density267 ppi
Resolution2880 x 1920

Function

GPSAssisted GPS and GLONASS support
GraphicsAdreno 685 GPUAdreno 690 GPU
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home on ARM / Windows 11 on ARM
ProcessorARM Microsoft SQ 1 or Microsoft SQ 2 (new for 2020)
SecurityFirmware TPM chip for enterprise security and BitLocker support + Enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in
SensorAccelerometer + Gyroscope + Magnetometer + Ambient light sensor
SIMNano SIM
Touch Screen10-point multitouch
Video Recording | Front1080p full HD video
Video Recording | Rear1080p HD and 4k video

Performance

Battery LifeUp to 15 hours of typical device usage
Memory | Capacity8GB or 16GB
Memory | TypeLPDDR4x
Power Supply60W power supply with additional 5W USB A charging Port
Storage128, 256, or 512GB SSD

Production

AccessoryDigitizer: Surface Pen
Debut2020-10-01

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Launch Comparison
Clear List

External Reviews

gizmodo[1]

Reviewer score 70%
Reviewers from gizmodo have found the following***:
Microsoft's Surface Pro X has an ARM-based processor. Some apps like Photoshop don't have ARM64 support. The Pro X's real target audience is business users who want something that's portable, responsive, and has great longevity. If you're looking for a real all-rounder, Microsoft says the Surface Pro 7 will be a better fit.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Slim, lightweight design
  • Excellent performance
  • Good battery life
Cons
  • No Thunderbolt 3 port

laptopmag[2]

Reviewer score 57%
Reviewers from laptopmag have found the following***:
The Surface Pro X has the best webcam I've ever seen on a laptop or tablet. The tablet's 5-megapixel front-facing camera was so sharp that I could see pores on my skin. Microsoft jumped the gun with the SQ1, which offers middling performance on top of app-compatibility issues.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Gorgeous display
  • Slim, portable design
  • Long battery life
Cons
  • Middling performance
  • App compatibility issues
  • No detachable keyboard

laptopmag[3]

Reviewer score 81%
Reviewers from laptopmag have found the following***:
The Surface Pro X has the best webcam I've ever tested on a laptop or tablet. The tablet's 5-megapixel, 1080p front-facing camera was so sharp that it alerted me to my grilly appearance after nearly a year of living in a world struck by pandemic. An emulator is on the way, but some popular apps are only available as 64-bit, x86.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Sleek, lightweight design
  • Great performance
  • Great battery life
  • Comfortable keyboard
Cons
  • Only 64-bit, x86 apps

notebookcheck[4]

Reviewer score 45%
Reviewers from notebookcheck have found the following***:
The 13-inch touchscreen has a native resolution of 2880x1920 pixels and a 3:2 aspect ratio. Microsoft’s slate offers two USB-C ports and a special Surface Connector. The two good cameras are a big strength of the Surface Pro X. The slate only supports applications from the Microsoft Store and 32-bit programmes.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Very good performance
  • Good battery life
  • Good cameras
Cons
  • Low-frequency PWM flickering at 50% brightness
  • Only supports Windows Store and 32-bit programmes

pcmag[5]

Reviewer score 54%
Reviewers from pcmag have found the following***:
The Surface Pro X is a well-engineered tablet, but it bites off more than it can chew. It's not yet possible to cherry-pick the best parts of the Surface Pro 7 and the iPad Pro. It might get there, in time, but you need to use your new tablet today, not a year from now.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Sleek, lightweight design
  • Excellent battery life
  • Good performance
Cons
  • Poor app compatibility

techadvisor[6]

Reviewer score 59%
Reviewers from techadvisor have found the following***:
ARM chips can't run traditional Windows apps natively. You'll have to find an alternative app - or an alternative 2-in-1. Windows Hello works swiftly and reliably to log you in. A 30-minute charge will boost the battery by around 35% - just about enough for half a day's work.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Excellent performance
  • Always-on display
  • Excellent battery life
Cons
  • Keyboard isn’t quite firm enough

techradar[7]

Reviewer score 75%
Reviewers from techradar have found the following***:
The Surface Pro X looks and feels thinner, lighter and better than previous Surface Pro models. However, it dropped the headphone jack to achieve that thinness, and that's a really tough pill to swallow. The Surface Pen Slim feels just as pleasing and accurate to doodle and draw with.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Gorgeous display
  • New Type Cover
  • Long battery life
Cons
  • No headphone jack
  • No 3.5mm audio

tomsguide[8]

Reviewer score 84%
Reviewers from tomsguide have found the following***:
The Microsoft Surface Pro X could be the first ARM-powered 2-in-1 laptop that's worth buying. This $999 detachable is also a direct competitor to the iPad Pro that steals a trick from Apple. It features the expected built-in stand and a custom SQ1 CPU designed in partnership with Qualcomm. Just be prepared to spend a lot once you add the keyboard and pen.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Sleek design
  • Long battery life
  • Built-in stand
Cons
  • Slim bezels
  • No pen holster

tomshardware[9]

Reviewer score 70%
Reviewers from tomshardware have found the following***:
Microsoft sells the Surface Pro X with a one-year hardware warranty. The only notable extra piece of preloaded software is the Surface app. Windows 10 still has a share of bloatware and links to Microsoft Store apps. If you're looking for a beautiful tablet, and you don't want an iPad, this is for you.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Bright, beautiful display
  • USB Type-C
  • Solid build quality
Cons
  • App compatibility issues
  • No headphone jack

wired[10]

Reviewer score 71%
Reviewers from wired have found the following***:
The second generation of the Surface Pro X is really the same computer as before. Microsoft has made some cosmetic upgrades, including a new platinum color option and an updated keyboard/stylus combo. Base pricing hasn't changed, though the top-end model now tops out at a heady $1,800.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • All-day battery life
  • SQ1 chip is a huge step in the right direction
  • Improved performance
Cons
  • Still a work in progress
  • No 32-bit version

User Reviews

Comments

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References

  1. ^ Microsoft's Surface Pro X Goes Full Batman. [gizmodo]. https://gizmodo.com/microsofts-surface-pro-x-goes-full-batman-1839618721. 2019-11-05. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  2. ^ Microsoft Surface Pro X Review. [laptopmag]. https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/microsoft-surface-pro-x. 2019-11-08. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  3. ^ Microsoft Surface Pro X (SQ2, 2020) review. [laptopmag]. https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/microsoft-surface-pro-x-2020. 2020-11-21. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  4. ^ Microsoft Surface Pro X Review - Microsoft's ARM-based tablet with poor compatibility. [notebookcheck]. https://www.notebookcheck.net/Microsoft-Surface-Pro-X-Review-Microsoft-s-ARM-based-tablet-with-poor-compatibility.529218.0.html. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  5. ^ Microsoft Surface Pro X Review. [pcmag]. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/microsoft-surface-pro-x. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  6. ^ Microsoft Surface Pro X review. [techadvisor]. https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/review/microsoft-surface-pro-x-3775951/. 2020-02-26. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  7. ^ Microsoft Surface Pro X review. [techradar]. https://www.techradar.com/reviews/microsoft-surface-pro-x-review. 2019-11-21. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  8. ^ Microsoft Surface Pro X review (hands on). [tomsguide]. https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/surface-pro-x. 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  9. ^ Microsoft Surface Pro X Review: We’re Just Not Compatible. [tomshardware]. https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/microsoft-surface-pro-x. 2019-11-12. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  10. ^ Review: Microsoft Surface Pro X (2020). [wired]. https://www.wired.com/review/microsoft-surface-pro-x-2020/. 2020-12-15. Retrieved 2021-10-14.

The MSRP provided on this page may not apply to all regions equally. For the current price, please refer to the Price Comparison section.

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These key takeaways ("pros" and "cons") and summaries are identified from third-party reviews. They may differ from the original texts.

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