The best Windows tablet you never owned
Kevin Sait
Cloud Specialist at SAIT.EDU Limited, enabling people, businesses, and schools to get the best from technology in an ever-changing world.
Alot of people have asked me, what do you think is the best Surface device? It has been a popular question since I joined the Surface team in 2018. Believe me I have thought about and have tried all the devices as they have been released over the years. Now here is where I stick my neck out and my choice is the original Surface Pro X device!
Why may you ask? why not the Surface Laptop Studio or indeed the glorious Surface Pro 9? We'll let me lay out my thought process for you:
The design of the device
I first saw the Pro X in the flesh in 2019 (before the launch) and when handed it was blow away about how thick the device was compared with the then Pro 7. Of course, this was due to architecture, this was of course the first mainstream ARM Surface. Using a badged SQ1 processor (8cx) the device just did not generate the same heat an Intel version did do therefore the cooling capabilities were less and therefore the chassis could be thinner
With the new keyboard (and in-built Slim Pen 1 charger) it really was something you could slip into a bag and not notice you are carrying it.
The screen bezels were reduced on Surface Pro X giving you more usable screen size, which when added to the thin size of the chassis meant you feel like (even now) that you have a device that turns heads in the meeting room!
Now to the significant part, Windows on ARM, the Surface Pro X was Microsoft's v1 at ARM and back then it had its detractors, and still does, but here me out. Windows on ARM has always lagged behind since its inception, originally due to an Intel legal patent, Windows on ARM could not run x64 applications and could only just about run 32bit applications through emulation.
With Windows 11 on ARM then you can run both and with improved performance of the SQ2 and SQ3 it makes running these applications a lot more bearable, however we are still on the journey of improvement with ARM.
However with the improvements of Windows 11 especially around the tablet UI none of the performance issues really matter, because the Surface Pro X simply becomes the best ever Windows tablet money can buy.
If you need to run those big x64 apps Windows on ARM is still not the way forward for you, you need Intel. However if you want mobility and portability for you day to day work the Windows on ARM is the correct choice. Windows 11 on ARM is fully functional version of Windows giving you all the abilities of the Intel version, from Accessibility to device management with Intune.
Choose your apps wisely
Native ARM apps are optimised, so more software companies are optimising for ARM, and of course leveraging the power of a Progressive Web App (PWA) through Microsoft Edge on a always connected device means really you don't need to worry about apps at all.
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I am currently running the native ARM version of Office, Teams and of course Spotify! Everything else I do on my machine is PWA based.
Enjoy the battery life while others fail
Due to the nature of ARM if you are running on non-emulated apps you will enjoy superb battery life, my Surface Pro X still enjoys a good 12 hours + in between charges, and I often forget to take a charger with me at all when going to see customers.
Windows 11 tablet experience is slick
Tablet mode has always been a half-baked house until recently on Windows. However, it is now slick, meaning when you in plug the keyboard, apps go full screen the taskbar autohides and you have the perfect Windows tablet. By sliding you finger from the bottom of the screen brings up the taskbar and then the start menu fluidly, making launching apps and using the device in tablet mode really sublime and like never before.
The best digital inking experience
I need to say no more when we talk about digital inking and the benefits it brings in the classroom as well as for you own productivity. Taking the Slim Pen 1 from it holder and being in inking mode gives that multi use role even more importance. Keyboard, tablet or pen the choice is absolutely yours.
So in summary
The Surface Pro X is my personal favourite device because:
Sr. Technical Trainer | cancelled russian MVP Teams x5 | cancelled russian Authorized AudioCodes Technical Trainer x6 and Training Partner
1 年Kevin Sait Hi! Hello! I bought a Surface Pro X SQ2 and upgraded it to Windows 11 23H2. Please tell me what Camera Effects are on yours? I only see Eye Contact. Screenshot taken on SQ3 Surface Pro 9.
Product Designer at National Grid
1 年The original one was amazing in its day and even many years afterwards was still a very usable tablet. The Pro 3 did the most to change the range and really take the Surface name to the mainstream, I think. I was also impressed by the original Go. Worst were the RT, Pro 4 (when it came out, luckily got better over time!), first SurfaceBook (also bad when it released) and the 3 (not the Pro 3). The first Windows 10 devices from Microsoft were just all awful on release - including the Lumia 950 phones. These days though if I wanted a portable device and had the money I'd get a MacBook with an M1 or M2 chip. Since I've used an M1 MacBook Pro at work for over a year it's just totally blown any Windows device out of the water for me I'm afraid - and the Windows devices honestly aren't much cheaper these days either.
Retired from 29 years at Microsoft
1 年When I retired I bought a surface laptop and it has been brilliant. Well built and love the metal rather than the plastic of other makes. Durable and good battery life and never gone wrong
Senior Cyber Security Auditor
1 年The Surface Pro 5 - it had the longest support making it a good investment for schools and an environmentally responsible purchase. The 4 year support of the newest devices is 2.5 years less than the support for the Pro 5 which had 6.5 years support. Microsoft need to think hard about the effect this.