Microsoft Surface Pro 9 improves in performance, but still pays no attention to connectivity and affordability

March 25 (EDIZIONS/Portaltic) –

microsoft surface Pro It has become an indispensable option for those who must work remotely and need to transport their devices on a daily basis, since they weigh little and offer the advantages of tablets and laptops in a single device.

The latest equipment that the Redmond company has introduced to the market is the Surface Pro 9, a convertible that weighs less than a kilo –specifically, 879 grams— and which promises to extend its battery until 15.5 hours, available from 1,299 euros.

This device comes in two versions: with Microsoft SQ 5G processor or with 12th generation Intel platform, with WiFi connectivity. It has been precisely the latter that we have had the opportunity to test in Portaltic.

This chip gives it a higher performance than the previous series, but fails to offer the autonomy that comments the brand. During the tests and with undemanding tasks, we have verified that it reaches 10 hours with difficulty. However, being in suspensionthe ‘surface’ conserves its battery well and extends it for days.

At first glance it does not seem different from the models of the previous generation, Surface Pro 8, since it maintains the platinum color on the cover -this device is also offered in the colors sapphire, graphite and forest- and its 13-inch PixelSense touch screenwith a resolution of 2,880 X 1,920 (267 dpi).

Another of the highlights of its design is its premium finish, with rounded edges and anodized aluminum, so that it seems to offer resistance to use and the passage of time; as well as its support foot, very flexible and foldable up to 360 degrees.

At the image level, Surface 9 Pro maintains the same technical specifications as the previous generation, that is, front camera with Full HD 1080P video, 10 megapixel (MP) rear camera with autofocus and 1080p HD video and 4K support.

It also repeats with the front-facing camera for Windows Hello face authentication, which can be configured the moment the device is first turned on. If a place on the face is preferred another way of accessing the device, this also allows fingerprint or PIN options.

In the sound section, the technology with which it is manufactured does not change either, since both the Intel and SQ models are equipped with 2W stereo speakers with a Dolby Atmos sound system, with the difference that the 5G version presents windows studio effects with voice focus. Thanks to them, background noises can be silenced during recordings or video calls so that voice sounds crisp and clear.

ACCESSORIES ARE KEPT SEPARATE

This device is designed both to be used as a tablet and to replace a computer, although it is in this second modality when you can take advantage of all the features it offers. Otherwise, its price would not be justified.

The problem with the brand’s Surfaces is that they continue to require the purchase of their accessories separately. Microsoft makes available to users keyboards, pencils, headphones or mice, among other ‘gadgets’.

Although some are dispensable for certain tasks -especially if you want to use it as a tablet-, those who wish to use the device as a laptop must pay between €149.99 and 279 euros on a keyboard, that include various features (from the fingerprint sensor to the stylus).

On this occasion, Microsoft has introduced more colors for its keyboards apart from the black of the previous generation, such as platinum, poppy red, forest green and sapphire blue.

Because the keyboard is easily attached and instantly recognized by the system, it’s easy to go from tablet to desktop. The device presents this same speed, by the way, when recognizing other devices via Bluetooth.

Its compatibility with Slim Pen 2 is one of the great attractions of the Surface, which promises to provide “a natural responsiveness to jot down notes”, according to the brand. With real time writing and realistic shading by introducing a finer pen tip than the Slim Pen, this pen has a very comfortable handling and fits the keyboard, placed on top.

Although the model is sold with the integrated pen, you can also buy the pen separately and the keyboard without this other accessory. The problem with buying just the Slim Pen is that it also you must buy your chargerwhich is priced at 34.99 euros, so the cheapest option always ends up being the one that combines the keyboard and the pencil (which reaches a price of 279.99 euros).

In any case, those who really use this tool on a daily basis will be able to verify that the Surface identifies the tip of the stylus in different angles of inclination, Although our experience has shown us that sometimes it is difficult for him to distinguish spellings. Especially, the letter ‘o’ and the ‘u’.

On the other hand, we must recognize that for those of us who are used to using computers with a physical mouse, they are missing a few centimeters of ‘touchpad’. This could be solved with another mouse, but if we don’t choose the ones offered by the brand, Microsoft Arc Mouse –which connect wirelessly via Bluetooth– we may have limitations when using our usual mouse.

His little variety at port level It is another of the negative points that we find in this ‘surface’, since it only has two USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 in selected models, as well as the Surface Connect charging port and a nano SIM slot in the case of the model with Microsoft platform SQ3/5GB.

Therefore, if you want to connect the ‘smartphone’, you must use a cable with a USB-C port at both ends. We can also find this same problem if we want to connect an external hard drive, speakers or headphones with a mini jack port.

In short, Surface 9 Pro offers all the features that are sought in a laptopboth in terms of performance and usability, so it is not worth buying it if you want to use it as a tablet, since there are much cheaper options on the market for this other purpose.

In case of opting for it, its limitations at the port level must also be taken into account, since it is likely that we will have to buy adapters to be able to connect other of our devices that, for example, use a USB port. That, again, adds a new cost to our pocket, along with that of the aforementioned accessories.