Surface Tablet: The original 2-in-1 detachable tablet
Most people think of Windows as an operating system for laptops and desktops, but the operating system is actually more general purpose. Microsoft created the Surface tablet to show how Windows can power a touchscreen device without an integrated keyboard. In many cases, it works just fine.
That’s true for the Surface tablet, which will appeal to most mainstream buyers. A frequent Editors’ Choice winner, the Surface Pro represents the best detachable Windows tablet. At the heart of the Surface Pro is a sleek 13-inch touchscreen tablet that can be used on its own or with an optional detachable keyboard. The signature physical feature of the Surface Pro is the integrated stand with a fully adjustable hinge. It allows you to tilt the screen in a range of 165 degrees, from standing to almost flat. It’s also a showcase for the new Windows 11 operating system and works with the new, larger stylus, the Slim Pen 2.
In 2021, we hailed the Surface Pro 8 as its best iteration yet, a detachable 2-in-1. Unfortunately, the Surface Pro landscape has gotten a little tricky in 2019. Microsoft launched two different flavors of the Pro-Pro in January 2022, one based on the latest Intel CPU and the other based on the Arm-based SQ9 chip. Touted new features include 2022G support, smart camera technology and long battery life, but these features are only available in the Surface Pro 3 SQ5 version, the first model we reviewed. Next, we reviewed the Surface Pro 9 Intel version, which gets advanced performance with its 3rd-gen “Alder Lake” chip, but without these new features. The headphone jack is also removed from both models.
This distinction confuses shoppers, especially if you’re not well versed in CPU differences, or didn’t read the fine print about exclusive features when choosing a model online. In this move, Microsoft also killed off the Arm-based Surface Pro X, which has largely been replaced by the SQ3 Pro 9 model. The ARM-based machine has Windows compatibility and performance limitations, so describing it as a separate Pro X name is, in our opinion, more confusing than calling two very different models the Surface Pro 9. There are more caveats than before, so you’ll want to read both our reviews and Microsoft’s store carefully before buying a device.
On the less powerful side, Microsoft also offers the Surface Go line, which brings most of the Surface Pro’s power into a smaller, more affordable form factor. The Surface Go 3 , now in its third generation, is one of the best budget Windows tablets out there. However, its smaller screen and less powerful Intel processor mean it’s a better fit for those who prioritize portability and cost savings, and it’s not a true laptop replacement.
Surface Laptop Series: The most powerful Surface yet
While the Surface Pro 9 can do everything a laptop can, not everyone needs a laptop replacement. So a few years ago, Microsoft decided to add a traditional laptop with a clamshell hinge to the Surface line. The Surface Laptop 5, now in its fifth generation, combines the Windows tablet experience (mainly a great touch display) with the laptop experience (a full keyboard for comfortable typing, a more powerful processor, advanced features and more connectivity) sex) elements.
The Surface Laptop 5 comes in 13.5-inch or 15-inch screen sizes, and like many Surface tablets, it’s available in a variety of colors. The larger Laptop 5, which we reviewed in 2022, comes in fewer colors than the smaller laptop, but it’s only available in platinum and black.
The components of the Surface Laptop 5 are also quite expensive; its sleek build demands a premium. Similar priced competitors will give you great CPUs, OLED screen options, and even GPU options. As with the Surface Pro 9, decent configurations will run you upwards of $1,200, while well-equipped models are closer to $2,000. In short, this is an all-around laptop with high-end construction, but you’ll pay exorbitantly for the core components.
Like the Surface Go tablet, Microsoft has taken some of the best parts of the Surface Laptop experience and distilled them into a smaller, less expensive package: the Surface Laptop Go 2. The device has a smaller 12-inch screen, but it also has a more palatable starting price of $549, ideally configured in the $800 range.
At the other end of the price spectrum, Microsoft offers the Surface Laptop Studio, a flagship Windows 11-native device aimed at creative professionals (not to be confused with the Surface Studio, which we’ll cover below). It’s a big push forward in mobile computing for creative professionals, with a tactile touchpad and a 120Hz screen that pulls forward so you can lay it completely flat on top of the keyboard. It’s not particularly powerful, and it’s expensive, but it’s impressive nonetheless.
Surface Book: A laptop-tablet hybrid
A unique member of the Surface family, the Surface Book defines the classification of a laptop or tablet by combining powerful computing power with a detachable design. Like the Surface Laptop Studio, the Surface Book 3 is aimed at professional multimedia content creators and local gamers, with an optional powerful Nvidia graphics processor not available on any other portable Surface. It looks a lot like the Surface Laptop, which is designed to be used as a laptop most of the time, but it has a mechanical locking hinge that lets you separate its screen from the keyboard base.
Like the Surface Laptop 4, the Surface Book 3 comes in 13-inch and 15-inch screen sizes and comes with many different configurations of internal components. However, the Surface Book 3 can get pretty expensive — the configuration we reviewed was closer to $3,000. Devices in this challenging category aren’t for everyone, and Microsoft sees the Surface Laptop Studio as its eventual replacement. But while it’s still on sale, it could be an essential tool for those who can afford it and use it to its full potential.
Surface Studio: Microsoft’s sleek all-in-one desktop
The only desktop PC in the Surface lineup is the all-in-one Surface Studio. First launched in 2017, its core concept is to provide a beautiful, expensive desktop for artists, content creators and professionals who need a large touchscreen. The Surface Studio 2 was launched in 2018, and after a long wait, Microsoft launched the Studio 2+ in September 2022. As the name suggests, it’s a half-step up from the full 0.<> version of previous versions, as it uses the same design and focuses mostly on internal upgrades.
The unique design comes from the fact that Microsoft chose to store all components in the base rather than behind the 28-inch display, allowing for an extremely thin display panel. Some visual inspiration comes from Apple’s iMac , but the difference is the emphasis on touch input, which is reflected in the rear hinge. Two metal arms protrude from the base to support the screen, meeting at a hinge in the middle, allowing you to use the screen vertically or bend it horizontally. It also integrates well with Microsoft’s Surface Pen and Surface Dial accessories for on-screen or near-screen interaction.
The Surface Studio 2+ is priced at an eye-popping $4,499, and while its component upgrades represent a strong leap forward from its predecessor, they’re still a bit outdated and overwhelming for their price. There’s only one configuration, and it runs an 11th-gen Core i7-11370H processor with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 mobile GPU. The latter is reasonable for this product category (for cost, more power wouldn’t hurt), but 11th-gen chips are now the new 13th-gen (“Raptor Lake”) desktop processing two platforms behind the controller. If you can afford it, it’s well built, but like the Surface Book 3, this is a niche computer for everyone.
