Updated, December 28, 2024 (02:20 PM ET): We have updated this Microsoft Surface Pro 10 wishlist to largest reflect new rumors well-nigh the laptop, specifically related to its rumored processors.
Original article: The Surface Pro 9 is now over a year old, meaning a successor could be just virtually the corner. Microsoft makes one of the weightier productivity tablets on the market, so I’m pretty excited to see what’s next for the Pro series. Here’s what I want to see from the Microsoft Surface Pro 10.
A diamond refresh
Microsoft hasn’t significantly reverted its Surface Pro hardware since the 8th-generation model in 2021. I’d love to see a increasingly prominent diamond transpiration to gloat the Pro’s 10th year-end with a big bang, but every leak so far points to a increasingly modest refresh in terms of design. One rumor, for example, is the possible introduction of curved edges on the exhibit — cool, but whimsically revolutionary.
That isn’t to say nothing heady is coming. A strong rumor from Windows Central suggests an 11-inch model could debut slantingly the Pro’s increasingly typical 13-inch display. The same report claims the Surface Pro 10 could have smaller bezels, and both models could sport a 120Hz refresh rate. Considering the Pro 9 once has 120Hz on the 13-inch display, it’s unsurprising that the 11-inch model would moreover get the same refresh rate.
Snapdragon X Elite
The Surface Pro was originally an Intel-only topic until the Surface Pro 9 undivided the Surface Pro X Arm-based line. While the Wi-Fi-only Pro 9 uses an Intel processor, the Pro 9 with 5G opts for an Arm-based Microsoft SQ3 SoC.
What well-nigh the Surface Pro 10? Will it have Arm and Intel flavors as well? Excitingly, if a recent rumor from Windows Central is to be believed, we could see Intel and Arm units launch simultaneously.
There will likely be an Arm and Intel version, and they might plane launch at the same time.
Today, the Pro 9’s SQ3 SoC utilizes the latest Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 technology, making it well-nigh as good as it gets with Arm at the moment. With the Snapdragon X Elite, though, the Surface Pro 10 could be a total yahoo when it comes to Arm-based performance.
The Intel side of things is a lot clearer. The Surface Pro 10 will scrutinizingly certainly utilize Intel’s 14th-gen processors with a nomination between the Core 5 or Core 7 and maybe plane the Core Ultra. These processors launched in October 2023 and are a logical upgrade path for Microsoft’s hybrid tablet. Just like in 2022, I imagine the Surface Pro 10 Intel model will not have a 5G option, but the Arm one probably will.
I really want increasingly ports
The Surface Pro 9 has just two USB-C ports and a Surface Connect charging port. There’s no USB-A or HDMI here. While Microsoft has to make some concessions due to the Pro’s relatively slim profile, the least they could do is requite us one legacy USB-A port, right?
An option with a dGPU
The Surface Pro once sets itself untied from Apple’s iPad Pro tablets by running a full desktop OS. The Intel variant can, therefore, run tons of legacy programs that help make it a unconfined workhorse. As long as you alimony the settings low, you can plane game on it. One missing thing, though, is a defended graphics card, or dGPU.
I get it — this wouldn’t be easy. There are potential heat issues with putting a dGPU in such a thin and light machine, and there would likely be a few diamond trade-offs to make it work. But this would moreover requite it a massive wholesomeness over competing tablets, gifting users a device that can be used for high-end gaming and video editing.
The move to OLED would be lovely
The Surface Pro 9 has a unconfined exhibit and will get plane largest with a smaller screen choice, but I moreover would like to see Microsoft move yonder from its PixelSense IPS LCD panels. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing inherently bad well-nigh the Pro 9’s display, and the variable 120Hz refresh rate works well.
Nonetheless, a move to OLED or micro-LED would help it largest compete with high-end options from Samsung and Apple. There’s no word on if such a transpiration might happen, but it’s certainly a possibility.
Will there be a Microsoft Surface Pro 10?
Microsoft has released nine variegated main iterations of the Surface Pro so far, making it scrutinizingly guaranteed we’ll see a Surface Pro 10. It’s moreover worth noting that this would mark the tenth year-end of the Pro, so it’s very possible Microsoft will go all out when it releases. As for when we’ll see it? It’s very likely the tablet won’t victorious on the scene until 2024.
The Surface Pro 10 release stage isn’t known for sure, but we can certainly take a guess. The latest Surface Pro usually comes out sometime between September and October. However, given that it’s been over a year since the Surface Pro 9, Microsoft might end up launching the Surface Pro 10 older in 2024 to stave a full two-year gap between the two products. At this point, it’s anyone’s guess.
Should you wait for the Microsoft Surface Pro 10?
If you’re looking for a high-end tablet that can moreover play nicely on productivity, the Surface Pro series is a unconfined choice, and the Pro 9 ( ) once packs a ton of power. Still, the Surface Pro 10 is probably only a few months away, and for that reason, I’d wait. The Surface Pro 10 could have some wide-stretching upgrades, for starters. It moreover ways the Surface Pro 9 will likely be cheaper soon as stores squint to unload their existing inventories.
Then again, there are other Pro-level tablets that you might consider if you’re not 100% sold on the notion of getting a Surface Pro 10. The most obvious alternatives are the Apple iPad Pro ( ) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra ( ). However, neither product will run Windows, which could be a deal-breaker for some.
