I’m a bit late to the Surface Pro 11 party but thanks to Qualcomm, I finally got my invite, and I wanted to share my thoughts on Microsoft’s tablet PC evolutionary jump.
As an owner of Microsoft’s previous detachable efforts dating back to Surface RT, I’ve welcomed each evolutionary jump the device has taken. I’ve lived through the rough evolution of Microsoft’s knee-jerk reactionary OS Windows 8 and 8.1 to the current Windows 11 offering and experimented with its short-lived variants like Windows 10 S all while the hardware these operating systems powered also matured.
From a stout 10.5-inch screen with an over-angular industrial design language attached to dueling concepts of attached typing that included the Touch and Type Cover keyboard, the Surface RT matured to the Surface Pro 3. The Surface Pro 3 introduced a jump in screen size up to 13-inches and unified the keyboard experience with the Type Cover. Eventually the Surface Pro softened its utilitarian hardware design and refined the screen and pen experiences with the Surface Pro X, and while each evolutionary jump presented its share of compromises compared to traditional clamshell laptop experience, a future of flexible computing remains the device’s best-selling point.
With the Surface Pro 11, Microsoft feels even closer to providing that dream device for a large swath of PC owners thanks to refinements in with the screen, accessibility, and most importantly the software.
First Impressions of the Surface Pro 11 Screen
The Surface Pro 11 introduces a 120Hz OLED display, and it is a meaningful change for Microsoft’s tablet lineup. The OLED technology brings a level of visual fidelity that was previously unseen in Surface devices.
Sure, the Surface Pro made a mark with its top-rated display tech but over the past couple of years, those specs sheets started looking pretty stale with the same LCD screen, same level of brightness, stagnant support for sRGB, and binary refresh rates.
Fortunately, for the Pro 11 the colors are vibrant and accurate, with deep blacks and bright whites that make everything on the screen pop. Whether you’re watching movies, editing photos, or just browsing the web, the display quality is top-notch. When put side by side with my older Surface Pro 8, the color profiles are starkly different despite both being set to vibrant. The OLED just chews up the LCD of the Pro 8 and spits it out.
One of the standout features of the OLED screen is its 120Hz refresh rate. This means smoother animations and scrolling, which is particularly noticeable when you’re using apps that involve a lot of motion, like games or video editing software. The high refresh rate reduces motion blur and makes the overall experience much more fluid and responsive.
The brightness levels on the Surface Pro 11 are impressive, making it easy to use in various lighting conditions. Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, the screen remains visible and clear. This is a significant improvement over previous models, which struggled in bright sunlight.
Another aspect worth mentioning is the color accuracy. The Surface Pro 11’s OLED display covers a wide color gamut, ensuring that the colors you see on the screen are true to life. This is particularly important for creative professionals who need precise color representation for their work.
Overall, the screen on the Surface Pro 11 is one of the best I’ve seen on a Windows device. It combines the benefits of OLED technology with a high refresh rate, making it a joy to use for both work and play. If you are looking for a tablet with a stunning display, the Surface Pro 11 should be at the top of your list.
I’ll have to do a follow up on how Microsoft manages the battery drain typically associated with OLED panels.
First Impressions of Windows on Snapdragon processors on the Surface Pro 11
The Surface Pro 11 marks a significant milestone for Microsoft with its transition to Windows on Snapdragon processors led by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processor. Microsoft has been chipping away at providing a more modern Windows experience but an overwhelming reluctancy from developers to drag their Windows users base along has hampered the efforts. Microsoft took a big swing with its Surface Pro X a few years ago, and just like Jerry McGuire, very few other Windows manufacturers followed. The chip powering that version of Windows on Snapdragon processors was still underpowered, and Microsoft’s translation layer was undercooked, which resulted in a computing dish few people wanted to try.
However, this time around it feels like the Microsoft and Qualcomm chefs have stumbled upon a recipe that only needs to simmer a bit more rather than scrapped altogether like back in 2017.
Performance and Responsiveness
One of the most striking aspects of Windows on Snapdragon processors on Surface Pro 11 is its performance. The Snapdragon X Elite processor delivers snappy performance, making the device feel incredibly responsive. Boot times are fast, and multitasking is smooth, even with multiple applications running simultaneously. This is a substantial improvement over previous ARM-based devices, which often struggled with performance issues.
Compatibility and App Support
Previous Windows on Snapdragon processor efforts have historically faced challenges with app compatibility, but Surface Pro 11 addresses many of these issues. Thanks to the new Prism translation layer, the device can run x86 applications with near-native performance. This means I’m using about 80 percent of my favorite Windows applications without worrying about compatibility problems. Back in 2017 that percentage was around 50 percent compatibility. While there are still some apps that aren’t fully optimized for ARM, the overall compatibility has improved significantly in just a few months since the official release of the Surface Pro 11 back in June.
The Surface Pro 11 is aging well so far.
Battery Life
Battery life is another standout feature of Surface Pro 11. The combination of the efficient X Elite processor and the optimized Windows on Snapdragon processor architecture results in impressive battery performance. Microsoft says I can expect up to 14 hours of video playback, making it ideal for on-the-go productivity and entertainment. While I’m still skeptical of the claim, the standby time on this device is at the next level and it’s definitely been a stark contrast to my previous Intel outings. This bump in extended battery life has been a welcome change so far, especially not having to nervously regret leaving your charger plugged in at home in a rush.
User Experience
The user experience on Windows on Snapdragon processors is more polished and seamless than ever before. The Surface Pro 11 feels like a cohesive system, with smooth transitions and a responsive interface. The device manages everyday tasks with ease, from web browsing to document editing, and even some light gaming. The improved compatibility and performance make it a compelling option for those looking to switch to ARM-based devices.
I’m not going to cover too much of the hardware in these first impressions because it’s very similar to the Surface Pro 9 in both look and feel beyond the new screen tech. The speakers have gotten some work, but I’ve haven’t really tested them extensively, and I’ll cover the camera improvements later as well.
However, getting the Surface Pro after the initial launch may have been a blessing in disguise for me. I’m getting a device that supports an ARM version of Davinci Resolve, and fairly well translated version of Adobe Premiere Pro for my video editing itch while apps like Affinity, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom run like butter on this device. The list of developers supporting ARM seems to keep growing with each passing week and that’s more promising than when Microsoft tried this back in 2017, and the landscape answered back with cricket sounds.
