Microsoft Surface Pro 11 Microsoft Surface Pro 11 Copilot+ PC Tablet - 13" Review

So you're looking at the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, the latest in the line that basically invented the high-end Windows tablet. It's a 13-inch 2-in-1 with a sharp OLED screen, and this Copilot+ PC model is the first to ditch Intel for a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip. That's a big deal. People searching for a 'Windows tablet with long battery life' or a 'Surface Pro for digital art' are going to land right here. With 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, this is the high-end config, and it's priced like it, ranging from about $1,200 to $1,700 depending on where you shop. It's built for on-the-go productivity and creative work, and it's aiming straight at the iPad Pro.

Let's talk about that new chip. The Qualcomm X1E-84-100 is a 12-core beast, and in our benchmarks, its CPU performance landed in the 100th percentile. That means it's the fastest we've tested in this category. For everyday stuff like having fifty browser tabs open while editing a document and streaming music, it doesn't even break a sweat. The GPU is right there with it, hitting the 99th percentile. That makes it great for photo editing, light video work, and even some casual gaming. The 1TB SSD is super fast too, in the 97th percentile, so apps launch instantly and big files transfer quick. The one performance caveat? The battery life is just average, sitting at the 50th percentile. It'll get you through a workday, but don't expect multi-day endurance.

The price spread is real here. You can find this config for as low as $1,195, but some vendors are charging up to $1,700. Shop around. At the lower end, it's a compelling package for the power you get. At the high end, you're really paying for the Surface brand and design. Remember, you'll need to budget another $200-$300 for the Surface Pro Flex Keyboard and Slim Pen 2 to make it truly functional. If your main question is 'is the Surface Pro 11 worth the money?', the answer is yes if you find a good deal and need a premium Windows 2-in-1. If you're on a tighter budget, last year's Intel model or a good laptop might serve you better.

This puts it in a direct fight with the Apple iPad Pro. The iPad Pro has a better screen for pure media consumption and arguably better apps for artists, but the Surface Pro 11 runs full Windows 11. That means real desktop software like full Adobe Creative Suite and proper file management. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is another competitor with a fantastic screen and great speakers, but it runs Android, which is more limited for real work. If you need a rugged device, the Panasonic Toughbook is in another league for durability but is much heavier and slower. The Lenovo Legion Go is a gaming handheld first, not a productivity machine. For most people choosing between a Surface Pro 11 and an iPad Pro, it comes down to needing macOS/iPadOS apps or needing full Windows programs.

Should you buy the Surface Pro 11? If you're all-in on the Windows ecosystem and want the most portable, powerful 2-in-1 you can get, then absolutely, especially if you snag one closer to $1,200. It's fantastic for productivity, great for digital art and design, and that new chip makes it feel future-proof. But if your main concern is all-day battery life, you might be disappointed. And if you don't need the tablet form factor, a traditional laptop like a Dell XPS 13 will give you more performance for the money. For the right person—a mobile professional, a digital artist on the go, or someone who just loves slick hardware—this is an easy recommendation.