Microsoft has expanded its Surface lineup with the announcement of two new, more compact devices: a 12-inch Surface Pro and a 13-inch Surface Laptop. Catering to users seeking portability without sacrificing performance, these additions offer smaller footprints for both the popular 2-in-1 tablet and the traditional laptop form factors.
Smaller Surface Pro Joins the Lineup with Arm Power
While the Surface Go holds the title of the smallest in the Pro tablet series, the newly unveiled “Surface Pro, 12-inch” offers a more premium experience in a smaller size than its larger counterparts. This new device is powered by an Arm-based Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus chipset and boasts 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM. Users will have the option of either 256GB or 512GB of internal storage. Although the exact battery capacity remains undisclosed, Microsoft claims the 12-inch Surface Pro can achieve up to 12 hours of “active web usage” or an impressive 16 hours of local video playback on a single charge.
The tablet features a 12-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 2,196 x 1,464 and a smooth 90Hz refresh rate. Its smaller dimensions necessitate a new, dedicated Type Cover keyboard. Connectivity options include two versatile USB-C 3.2 ports, supporting charging, data transfer, and external display connections. The device supports 45W charging.
Compact Surface Laptop Offers Enhanced Battery Life
Joining the compact lineup is the “Microsoft Laptop, 13-inch.” This laptop also uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus platform, paired with 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM. Similar to its Pro sibling, it offers removable storage options of 256GB or 512GB. The 13-inch laptop features a 1,920 x 1,280 touch display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
Leveraging its traditional laptop design, the 13-inch Surface Laptop boasts slightly longer battery life, promising up to 16 hours of active web usage and an impressive 23 hours of local video playback. In terms of ports, it includes the familiar two USB-C 3.2 ports, along with a convenient USB-A 3.1 port and a 3.5mm audio jack. The laptop also features a faster 60W charging capability.
Pricing and Availability
While local pricing and availability for Malaysia have yet to be announced, Microsoft has revealed the starting prices in the United States. The 12-inch Surface Pro will start at USD 799.99 (approximately RM3,389), while the 13-inch Surface Laptop will have a starting price of USD 899.99 (approximately RM3,813).
Stay tuned for further updates on the local launch and pricing of these new, more portable additions to the Microsoft Surface family.
