I replaced my laptop with Microsoft’s 12-inch Surface Pro for weeks – here’s my buying advice now

Microsoft’s 2025 12 inch Surface Pro It’s thinner, lighter and a little more affordable with a battery-efficient Snapdragon X Plus processor and updated design. The latest version of the Surface Pro rounds out the lineup with more affordable options focusing on extremely long battery life, new colors and redesigned accessories, showing off the latest Copilot+ PC features from Windows.

Also: This HP laptop is recommended for creatives and business professionals alike – especially close to 50% off

I recently replaced my laptop with a 12-inch Surface Pro for over two weeks. The SurfacePro appears to be adding to the current lineup more than a standalone upgrade, especially compared to Microsoft, which was released in January.

The 2025 Surface Pro has relatively modest hardware with 16GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of UFS storage, and instead targets everyday consumers who use on-device AI and rate their ultra-fat percentage.

In addition to the smaller form factor, this year’s Surface Pro comes in two new colors. Violet and Ocean (blue gray). The default platinum colour starts at $799, while the other two run at $899, bringing the starting price even further from the advertised low prices (I haven’t bought the keyboard yet).

I have to admit that the design of a 12-inch tablet looks better. It looked like a premium tablet (and iPad-like) with rounded corners, a thin bezel, and the webcam moved to the back corner of the device.

Also: Microsoft announces new AI agent customization and monitoring capabilities at Build 2025

Plus, I’m a fan of the new Violet and Ocean Colorway. This isn’t what I would call “bold,” but at least it’s the same as the saturated pastels you’ll find elsewhere. The colour extends to the Surface Pro keyboard, and is updated by removing the Alcantara fabric on the front of the keyboard and removing the cleaner, solid-colored matte look.

Instead, the fabric is relegated to the back of the keyboard case. The keyboard case has a more premium tablet feel for storage and transportation. The surface keyboard is functional and satisfying with resilient keys and responsive premium trackpads.

Additionally, the tablet has no gaps in the hinge, giving it a slightly smaller footprint on the desk as it gets a little tighter on the tablet and approaches it.

Additionally, the surface pen magnetically snaps to the 12-inch back instead of storing it on the keyboard. This requires you to keep your device facing the fabric, as you don’t want to crush the pen. When you throw your Surface Pro into your bag, you tend to leave your pen on top of it, but it’s appropriate if you’re not paying attention.

Microsoft wants to show off the new AI-driven Copilot+ features, and the 12-inch Surface Pro is a good conduit for marketing to consumers, especially with its attractive price range and 45 Tops Qualcomm Hexagon NPU.

Also: I’ve tested dozens of work laptops – but I take this Lenovo to the office every day

For example, the much-anticipated recall feature is still in preview mode, but it is approaching its useful state. Other applications that leverage AI processes, especially those for creators such as Capcut, Davinci Resolve and Djay Pro, should feel smooth and snappy. This makes it a very AI Ready device for everyday users who don’t need high-end hardware to demand creative projects.

Running Windows with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus Chip doesn’t really matter to most users in this category. This is because the areas where compatibility issues are most common, such as connecting to games and legacy software, are likely not applicable to target users.

The 12-inch Surface Pro’s modest hardware is positioned as a competitive device in the family lineup. The aforementioned 16GB of RAM and Max 512GB of storage are paired with Snapdragon X Plus and 2196 x 1464 resolution (220 PPI) LCD display, allowing the 13-inch sibling to load with more premium hardware.

Also: This super-aportable Windows laptop has raised the bar for MacBook Air (and everything else)

That being said, the Snapdragon X Plus processor is great for tasks that average consumers care about, whether in laptop or tablet mode, including fast startup and app load times, smooth multitasking, and solid battery performance, making the Snapdragon X Plus processor quicker.

During the benchmark of the 12-inch Surface Pro, I got numbers to place around other thin laptops in the same price range, including the Asus’ Zenbook A14 with a Snapdragon X Plus processor, and the ASUS’ Zenbook A14 with an Omnibook X 14 from HP.

The display is sharp and crisp, but concludes with a 400 nits brightness and a 90Hz refresh rate. It’s a tablet so it’s very shiny. For example, I noticed that in the office, I readjusted the angle of the device multiple times throughout the day to explain the glare from the overhead lighting.

Also: How to clear cache on Windows 11 PC (and why does it make a huge difference)

When it comes to using your Surface Pro in the office, it works just like a laptop or tablet, depending on what you need. It’s detached from the keyboard and armed with a Surface Pen, making it a productivity tablet that allows you to take notes in the Windows whiteboard app, prototyping, and generate freeform ideas.

You can also assign various actions to the pen, such as using buttons on your device to launch the app or using “click” at the end to perform the function. However, I think the performance of the pen may fluctuate. If you have multiple programs open in the background, you may notice a delay while writing, especially if it’s running quickly.

Similarly, the kickstand can support it very high, meaning that while connecting to the keyboard, the front-facing HD camera position means that it has a slightly downward orientation while connecting to the keyboard. For example, consider a clamshell laptop that can sit at an angle of less than 90 degrees.

In that sense, unlocking the keyboard and using it as a tablet may be better suited for users who frequently make video calls.

Also: The Best Laptop for Graphic Designers in 2025: Tested and Reviewed Experts

Regarding battery life, the Snapdragon X Plus processor ensures that the device is simply trickle-emitted when it is not in use, and a one-day charging is enough for more than a day of work. Microsoft has been promoting a 16-hour battery life, and it’s just over 15 in video playback tests. Regarding more sustained use, I spent over 10 hours on a single charge. This isn’t too far from the 12 hours advertised without using all the maximum battery efficiency settings.

Combine this with the fact that your Surface Pro is charging very quickly. From a completely dead battery, it will take about 50% in 30 minutes and about 80% in 1 hour. Of the Surface Pro family, the 12-inch is certainly the most efficient and fastest to charge.

ZDNET purchase advice

12 inch Microsoft Surface Pro Complete your family lineup with a refreshing, thinner, lighter, and more battery-efficient tablet/laptop hybrid in colour and design. It comes with slightly more modest hardware (16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage) due to its low starting price of $799.

If you are looking for a functional 2-in-1 tablet/laptop, enjoy using a stylus. This is a great option, especially for long-term batteries, if you don’t need a lot of local storage. This is a versatile, sharp device, and the premium keyboard case provides a satisfying tactile experience.

Also: How to clear cache on Windows 11 PC (and why does it make a huge difference)

Surface Pro costs can be added immediately as Surface keyboards, Surface Arc Mouse, and Power Adapter are sold separately. Combined with local storage and modest amounts of memory, this device is recommended for users who commit to a 12-inch form factor and require a reliable battery life.

Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editors’ favorites I recommend ZDNET.