The differences also go beyond the CPU: the Pro 9 offers 5G support and some tricks for video calls, but only with the SQ3 model. Together with a battery life of 21 hours, this makes the SQ3 Pro 9 the ideal choice for mobile users who value longevity and Internet connectivity. Unfortunately, both models do without the 3.5 mm audio jack. The basic design of the new Surface Pro is recognizably the same as it was eight years ago, when Microsoft invented the fully adjustable stand and keyboard that folded against the screen to increase stability and prevent the entire device from wobbling on a table or lap. Since then, the design has continued to evolve: USB-C ports have been added, the display bezels have been shrunk, the display itself has been enlarged, and it’s gotten faster and bigger. The biggest change came last year, when Microsoft redesigned the front of the tablet to be incompatible with older Surface Type covers, but increased the screen size from 12.3 to 13 inches. The Surface Pro 8 mirrors the design changes Microsoft made for the Arm-based Surface Pro X a few years earlier, and both are compatible with the same keyboard covers and other accessories. Since most Surface 9 updates focus on components and features, the physical design is largely unchanged. We’ll detail the introduction of Arm, the move to 12th-generation Intel Core processors, and the feature differences between the various models, but first let’s start with the build. The Surface Pro 8 really modernized the Pro lineup by taking cues from its Pro X counterpart to shrink and reduce screen bezels. So the Pro 9 didn’t need a design update, so Microsoft stuck with what worked a year ago. The high-quality aluminum chassis remains, and at 0.37 x 11.3 x 8.2 inches (HWD) and 1.94 pounds, it has exactly the same dimensions as its predecessor. There is one small exception here: our SQ3 5G-enabled model is only slightly heavier at 1.95 pounds, which is due to the antennas. While not exclusive to the Surface Pro 9, there are a few additions to Windows worth mentioning that make the operating system a little better for tablets. These should be the same for any Surface tablet that can run Windows 11. Update 22H2 introduced new edge swipes for the screen: Swipe up from the bottom center or bottom left to show the Start menu, or from the bottom right of the screen to show the Quick Actions menu. Swiping inward from the left will display the Widgets menu, and swiping inward from the right will display Notifications. If you slide a window with your finger and drag it to the top center of the screen, you’ll see a number of snap layout options that let you quickly organize all your windows.
