What the comparison actually shows
The test pairs two Microsoft machines that share the same six-core chip, the Snapdragon X2 Plus X2P-42-100. Microsoft updated its compact, fanless Surface Pro 12 with the new chip and a new screen. The Surface Laptop 13 uses the same chip with a fan.
Notebookcheck's published numbers:
| Benchmark | Surface Pro 12 (fanless) | Surface Laptop 13 (fan) |
|---|---|---|
| Cinebench R23 multi-core | 4,922 | 6,827 |
| Cinebench R23 single-core | 1,395 | 1,396 |
| Cinebench 2024 multi-core | 427 | 669 |
| Cinebench 2024 single-core | 130 | 130 |
Some caveats on those figures:
- The gap depends on the benchmark. In R23 multi-core the fanless Pro scores about 28% lower than the Laptop. The Laptop scores about 39% higher than the Pro. Notebookcheck's "around 35 percent" is a rough figure. Cinebench 2024 shows a larger gap.
- Single-core scores are effectively identical. That is the strongest point in the fanless argument, because light everyday tasks lean on single-core speed.
- It isn't a controlled cooling experiment. The two products have different chassis, and Notebookcheck lists different power limits. The Pro runs at 30 W short burst and 8 W sustained. The Laptop runs at 28 W short burst and 22 W sustained.
The sustained power figures explain the multi-core gap. Roughly 8 W sustained versus 22 W leaves a fanless tablet-sized body far less headroom under long, heavy loads.
A fanless chip is not a free lunch
Notebookcheck says the new chip's multi-core performance is slightly lower than last year's model, whose predecessor had an 8-core processor. So the Pro 12 isn't simply "same chip, no fan". It is also a six-core part replacing an eight-core one.
The earlier fanless Pro also drew criticism for performance. Notebookcheck found an earlier Surface Pro 12 averaged 844 in a Cinebench R15 multi-loop test, below the 1,293 of a 2023 Surface Pro 9 with an Intel chip. Another outlet's review said the fanless design hampers performance even more than the step-down processor does. The "barely noticeable in normal use" claim is Notebookcheck's judgment. It will not hold for people who compile code, export video or run long multi-threaded jobs.
The fanless Pro 12 also has costs beyond performance:
- Notebookcheck says the 2026 panel comes from Sharp rather than BOE. It measured a higher black level, much lower contrast of about 1,220:1, slower response times and visible ghosting.
- The SSD and RAM can't be upgraded.
- It has no 5G in the reviewed configuration.
- Notebookcheck calls it a good showcase for a fanless device but suggests the older model may be the better buy while stock lasts.
Microsoft's own specs for the business edition list replaceable parts, including a thermal module, for trained technicians. That is a different matter from user-upgradeable RAM or storage.
Is the Surface Pro really the only one?
Notebookcheck's news piece says the Pro 12 is the only fanless Windows device powered by a Snapdragon processor. I can't independently confirm that no other fanless Snapdragon PC exists. Treat it as Notebookcheck's claim.
There is also a conflict over the Laptop 13. Notebookcheck's Laptop review describes it as quiet, with a fan you will "hardly ever" hear. TechRepublic's launch coverage says both devices remain fanless. Notebookcheck's reporting treats the Laptop as fan-cooled, and its fan-behavior and power-limit data support that. If you are shopping, confirm the cooling design on the exact SKU before buying.
Why haven't other vendors done it?
Nobody in the reporting answers this, so what follows is my analysis from general industry knowledge, not sourced fact.
- Chassis constraints. A thin tablet body has little room for a bigger heat spreader. A conventional laptop gains more thermal headroom from a fan.
- Benchmark marketing. Vendors often sell on peak multi-core numbers. A fanless model would lose to its fanned sibling in those charts.
- Cost and risk. A fanless design needs its own thermal engineering and validation, for a niche audience.
- ARM compatibility. Notebookcheck's Laptop review advises checking that your apps and accessories work on ARM Windows before buying. Compatibility concerns could hold back some buyers and some makers.
Notebookcheck names the Dell XPS 13 and Asus Zenbook 14 as natural candidates. Those are the author's suggestions, not announced products.
What this means for Windows buyers
- If your work is browsing, Office, video calls and light development, a fanless X2 Plus looks adequate on the evidence.
- If you need sustained multi-core throughput, the fanned Laptop 13 has a clear advantage.
- Microsoft's battery claims are its own. Its specs page says testing used preproduction devices in August 2026 with 16 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. Notebookcheck independently measured up to 14 hours in its Wi-Fi test at 150 nits for the Pro.
- Pricing: Microsoft's starting MSRP is reported as $1,149.99, available from the Microsoft Store on October 13, 2026.
The takeaway: the Surface Pro 12 shows a fanless Snapdragon X2 Plus Windows PC is workable for everyday tasks, with real trade-offs. Whether the market will follow remains an open question. Notebookcheck's closing question to readers is a fair one: would you give up some multi-core performance for silence?