The Surface Pro 12-inch is a compelling new entry in Microsoft’s evolving 2-in-1 Copilot+ PC lineup, signaling the company’s continued drive to cement itself at the center of premium tablet-laptop convergence. For users who have long craved the versatile freedoms a slate-style PC affords – thinner, lighter, and eminently more transformative for everything from notetaking to binge-watching – the hardware refinements on display here mark a new apex in Microsoft’s Surface saga. Yet even as the Surface Pro 12-inch hardware approaches perfection, the underlying software of Windows 11 shows cracks that keep this device from truly rivaling the seamless tactile experience of iPadOS and Android tablets. A weeklong, keyboard-less immersion into this device offers a tale of two halves: a triumphant story of refined, modern hardware, and a software narrative where the vision is clear, but execution remains just out of reach.
The first impression of the new Surface Pro 12-inch is almost universally positive. From the moment you pick it up, it's evident Microsoft has honed its industrial design, banishing the more angular, utilitarian trappings of prior generations for a product that is sleeker, rounder, and far more approachable. Its symmetrical bezels evoke a minimalist chic, while the fanless chassis keeps the device comfortable even under sustained workloads, a testament to the efficiency of its new internals.
Unlike the 13-inch Surface Pro, the 12-inch variant smartly integrates a charging slot for the Surface Slim Pen 2 directly into the tablet body itself. This small touch dramatically improves practicality – no more hunting for a keyboard-specific charging nook or worrying about detached stylus mishaps. The move, reminiscent of how Apple’s new iPad Pro magnetically stores its Pencil, highlights Microsoft’s intent to court both creatives and note-takers.
Having tested the device through the heat of software installations and marathon web conferences, the absence of fans is keenly felt – not as a compromise, but as an acceleration of the tablet experience. You can cradle it for hours, undistracted by whirring fans or uncomfortably hot corners. Battery life holds its own, comfortably making it through a full workday, rarely needing an unscheduled pit stop at an outlet.
The device’s signature kickstand, a staple since the first Surface Pro, feels as solid as ever, offering effortless adjustability for watching movies, jotting down diagrams, or joining video calls handsfree. Paired, the optional $150 Keyboard Cover and Surface Slim Pen 2 round out the hardware package, providing tactile keys with satisfying travel and magnetic latching. It's worth noting, however, that the keyboard’s glass trackpad, still hinging on a mechanical, “diving board” mechanism, now feels slightly dated next to the haptic feedback found in Apple and Lenovo’s newest keyboards.
Taskbar behavior, too, adapts contextually: Growing in height when in tablet mode for easier navigation, and collapsing to maximize screen real-estate during full-screen app operation. It’s clear that Microsoft has observed and borrowed selectively from both iPadOS and Android, catching up in those “attention to detail” moments that matter for end-users.
Window management, a longstanding Windows strength, is handled well in touch scenarios. Moving, resizing, and snapping apps to predefined regions works via finger drags, visual cues, and responsive feedback. Multitasking is decent, with edge gestures enabling quick mode shifts, although deeper, legacy interface components lag behind in touch responsiveness and visual fluidity.
Perhaps the most telling omission is found in legacy UI elements and touch optimization for third-party and older first-party Windows apps. While the core of Windows 11 benefits from a move towards Fluent Design and WinUI, many corners of the OS still sport small buttons, dense menus, and unrefined transitions. For tablet use, these can dampen flow, especially for casual or creative users less inclined towards traditional desktop metaphors.
For existing Surface fans, or those tempted by the idea of a do-everything PC that can also serve as a movie slate or digital notepad, this model represents the best synthesis yet of Microsoft’s hardware ambition and Windows’ potential. It’s telling, though, that even the keenest enthusiasts are left hoping Microsoft finishes what it has started on the software side.
Prospective buyers should view this device not as an iPad killer, but as an intelligent alternative for those invested in Windows and in search of the ultimate ultraportable flexibility. The hardware is ready; now it’s up to Microsoft to make the software truly sing.
Source: Pocket-lint I love the Surface Pro 12-inch, but Windows 11 is holding it back
Hardware Excellence: The Surface Pro 12-Inch Sets a New Standard
The first impression of the new Surface Pro 12-inch is almost universally positive. From the moment you pick it up, it's evident Microsoft has honed its industrial design, banishing the more angular, utilitarian trappings of prior generations for a product that is sleeker, rounder, and far more approachable. Its symmetrical bezels evoke a minimalist chic, while the fanless chassis keeps the device comfortable even under sustained workloads, a testament to the efficiency of its new internals.Unlike the 13-inch Surface Pro, the 12-inch variant smartly integrates a charging slot for the Surface Slim Pen 2 directly into the tablet body itself. This small touch dramatically improves practicality – no more hunting for a keyboard-specific charging nook or worrying about detached stylus mishaps. The move, reminiscent of how Apple’s new iPad Pro magnetically stores its Pencil, highlights Microsoft’s intent to court both creatives and note-takers.
Snapdragon X Plus: Power Meets Endurance
What truly powers this transformation, however, is the adoption of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus chipset. Marking a crucial shift away from the x86 architecture that has defined Windows PCs for decades, the ARM-powered SoC orchestrates a delicate balance: strong computational performance, impressive energy efficiency, and minimal heat. Benchmarks validate this leap – in Geekbench 6, the Pro 12-inch scores roughly 2,218 in single-core and 4,813 in multi-core tests. While these numbers may not eclipse Apple’s current silicon (the M4 iPad Pro, for example, comfortably surpasses them in both CPU and NPU metrics according to multiple independent reviews), what the Surface offers is more than enough for nearly all productivity and creative workloads.Having tested the device through the heat of software installations and marathon web conferences, the absence of fans is keenly felt – not as a compromise, but as an acceleration of the tablet experience. You can cradle it for hours, undistracted by whirring fans or uncomfortably hot corners. Battery life holds its own, comfortably making it through a full workday, rarely needing an unscheduled pit stop at an outlet.
Design and Display: Portability Perfected
With a 12-inch screen, Microsoft walks a narrow tightrope between compactness and usability. While some may pine for an even smaller “Surface Go”-style footprint, the 12-inch model makes an appealing compromise. It’s lightweight, easy on the wrists for sketching and reading, but spacious enough for split-screen multitasking or extended document edits – situations where smaller tablets struggle. The 90Hz panel ensures that scrolling and inking feel fluid, even if true pro-level artists might miss the color accuracy or sheer brightness available on high-end tablets from Apple and Samsung.The device’s signature kickstand, a staple since the first Surface Pro, feels as solid as ever, offering effortless adjustability for watching movies, jotting down diagrams, or joining video calls handsfree. Paired, the optional $150 Keyboard Cover and Surface Slim Pen 2 round out the hardware package, providing tactile keys with satisfying travel and magnetic latching. It's worth noting, however, that the keyboard’s glass trackpad, still hinging on a mechanical, “diving board” mechanism, now feels slightly dated next to the haptic feedback found in Apple and Lenovo’s newest keyboards.
Windows 11: Holding Back a Hardware Masterpiece
Yet, as any long-term Surface enthusiast knows, world-class hardware is only half the equation. Repeatedly, it has been Microsoft’s operating system where promise meets friction. Windows 11, for all its progress, remains a desktop-first OS at heart, and while its adaptability for touch has unquestionably improved, the experience still falls short when measured against Apple’s iPadOS or Google’s Android tablets.Touch Experience: Steps Forward, But Still a Journey
Detaching the keyboard and using the Surface Pro 12-inch strictly as a tablet is an illuminating exercise. The good news: Microsoft's recent improvements are palpable. Navigating Windows 11 exclusively with fingers or stylus is, for standard tasks, “good enough.” Core UI elements – taskbar, app snapping, and virtual keyboard – have been optimized for touch, offering larger hitboxes and thoughtfully adaptive behaviors. Swiping up the taskbar to access the Start menu, or from the bottom right for quick settings, feels natural and is reminiscent of mobile OS paradigms.Taskbar behavior, too, adapts contextually: Growing in height when in tablet mode for easier navigation, and collapsing to maximize screen real-estate during full-screen app operation. It’s clear that Microsoft has observed and borrowed selectively from both iPadOS and Android, catching up in those “attention to detail” moments that matter for end-users.
Window management, a longstanding Windows strength, is handled well in touch scenarios. Moving, resizing, and snapping apps to predefined regions works via finger drags, visual cues, and responsive feedback. Multitasking is decent, with edge gestures enabling quick mode shifts, although deeper, legacy interface components lag behind in touch responsiveness and visual fluidity.
Where the UX Still Stumbles
Despite this progress, using the Surface Pro 12-inch as a pure tablet uncovers lingering pain points. Multi-finger gestures for switching apps or invoking Task View feel clunky and inconsistent compared to the effortless glides on iPadOS. There’s no intuitive, single-swipe gesture for closing apps – a hallmark of every major tablet OS – forcing users back to dated X-button tapping. Animations can be inconsistent; Task View stutters where iPadOS would maintain smooth, “live” transitions. The Widgets Board also lacks kinetic, natural-feeling rubber-banding when scrolled or manipulated by touch.Perhaps the most telling omission is found in legacy UI elements and touch optimization for third-party and older first-party Windows apps. While the core of Windows 11 benefits from a move towards Fluent Design and WinUI, many corners of the OS still sport small buttons, dense menus, and unrefined transitions. For tablet use, these can dampen flow, especially for casual or creative users less inclined towards traditional desktop metaphors.
Digital Inking and Accessories
On a brighter note, inking on the Surface Pro 12-inch is a high point. The Surface Slim Pen 2, though priced at a premium, delivers impressively low latency and a believable pen-on-paper feel, thanks to haptic feedback. Handwriting recognition is snappy, and the customizable buttons add welcome flexibility. While third-party ink-enabled apps and deeper OS integration would enhance its value, artists and notetakers finally have a responsive, refined drawing surface on Windows accommodations that were once exclusive to iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab lines.Comparing the Surface Pro 12-Inch to the Competition
Apple iPad Pro and iPad Air
Apple’s flagship iPad Pro, especially the new M4 variant, still trounces Windows tablets in raw performance, battery life, and ecosystem synergy. However, until recently, iPadOS lacked true floating window multitasking – something Windows nails – and support for finer pro-grade applications, like full-featured desktop DAWs and IDEs. Third-party app support and touch-first optimization are stronger on iPadOS overall, but the Surface Pro’s versatility – running every Windows app from Adobe Suite to Visual Studio – gives it unmatched flexibility.Android Tablets
Android tablets, while improving rapidly with Google’s renewed focus on large-screen experiences, remain a fractured landscape. Premium Samsung slates like the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra offer superb AMOLED screens and pen experiences but lack the productivity breadth that classic Windows applications provide. Multitasking on Android is now excellent, but professional-grade software selection still lags behind Windows.Chrome OS and Other Alternatives
Chromebooks and devices like Lenovo's Duet series have made inroads with touch-optimized UIs and great value, but limitations arise in terms of native application ecosystems and the flexibility offered by a complete OS like Windows 11.The Software-to-Hardware Gap: Critical Analysis
Strengths
- Powerful, efficient hardware – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus punches above its weight in both speed and battery life, delivering a fanless, cool, and reliable experience.
- Thoughtful industrial design – Sleeker, more portable, with clever features like the integrated Slim Pen charging slot.
- Enhanced multitasking – Windows remains unmatched for productivity, with superior window management and the ability to run full desktop software.
- Improving touch optimizations – Windows 11 is better than ever in pure tablet mode, with a dynamically adapting interface and consistent virtual keyboard performance.
- Excellent digital pen support – The Slim Pen 2 makes inking genuinely pleasant; haptic feedback and low latency bring it close to the iPad’s drawing feel.
Risks and Weaknesses
- Incomplete touch-first UI – Windows 11 has yet to fully bridge the gap between traditional desktop and modern touch experiences. Many UI elements, gestures, and legacy apps remain awkward for finger-based navigation.
- Performance delta vs. Apple Silicon – While Snapdragon X Plus is efficient, it’s not quite at the level of Apple’s M4 in raw power or integrated NPU performance for AI workloads.
- Accessory costs – The keyboard and pen are essential for many, but add significant cost – a complaint echoed for both Surface and iPad competitors.
- App compatibility – ARM support is improving, but not every legacy Windows app runs natively or efficiently, particularly 64-bit x86 software; Office and Microsoft’s own apps are the most reliable, while others may require emulation.
- Inconsistent gesture and animation fluidity – Key parts of the OS, like Task View and Widgets, still suffer from choppy animations and a lack of “live” touch responsiveness.
- Lack of intuitive gestures for core functions – No easy way to close apps with a swipe or snap through running apps as on iPadOS, which diminishes the “tablet-native” feel.
Recommendations for Microsoft
Microsoft stands on the verge of a tablet breakthrough with the Surface Pro 12-inch, but continued, focused investment in Windows 11 touch-first experiences is crucial. To truly rival Apple and Google:- Prioritize next-gen gestures: Revisit innovations from Windows 8, bringing back intuitive swiping to close apps, switch between them, or expand widgets.
- Polish animations and transitions: Match Apple for smoothness, especially in Task View, Widgets, and window snapping.
- Accelerate Fluent Design migration: Fully transition legacy controls and system dialogs to touch-optimized WinUI and Fluent styles, eliminating small buttons or fiddly, outdated UI elements.
- Enhance inking and pen support: Broaden haptic support to third-party apps and integrate handwriting recognition more deeply across the OS.
- Expand ARM-native compatibility: Encourage developers to optimize their apps for ARM Windows, ensuring robust performance and battery life without compromise.
What It All Means for Buyers
With a $799 base price (excluding keyboard and pen), the Surface Pro 12-inch finds itself in a competitive but justifiable sweet spot. Users seeking a device to toggle between work documents, creative pursuits, and entertainment will find a well-rounded companion, especially if their workflows center on Microsoft’s own apps or modern web tools. For pure tablet users or iPad diehards, however, the iterative pace of Windows’ touch improvements may still feel a generation behind.For existing Surface fans, or those tempted by the idea of a do-everything PC that can also serve as a movie slate or digital notepad, this model represents the best synthesis yet of Microsoft’s hardware ambition and Windows’ potential. It’s telling, though, that even the keenest enthusiasts are left hoping Microsoft finishes what it has started on the software side.
Conclusion: A Tablet on the Cusp of Greatness
The Surface Pro 12-inch is a signpost pointing to the future of Windows hardware, perfectly aligning sturdy, attractive design with efficient, modern silicon. For productivity, pen input, and multitasking, it remains a peerless ultralight Windows machine for those willing to adapt to its strengths and limitations. But until Windows 11 fully completes its touch-first transformation—eliminating jarring legacy UI fragments, perfecting gesture fluidity, and outpacing both iPadOS and Android in raw usability—the Surface Pro 12-inch will continue to exist in that liminal space: a hardware marvel, slightly constrained by the very operating system meant to unleash its powers.Prospective buyers should view this device not as an iPad killer, but as an intelligent alternative for those invested in Windows and in search of the ultimate ultraportable flexibility. The hardware is ready; now it’s up to Microsoft to make the software truly sing.
Source: Pocket-lint I love the Surface Pro 12-inch, but Windows 11 is holding it back
