Is a Surface Pro 11 worth it for the average person? (Surface Pro 11 for productivity Review)

Summary

The Surface Pro 11 is Microsoft's refined Windows on ARM device, offering a premium feel with its aluminum chassis and OLED display. It provides solid performance for everyday tasks like social media and video watching, with battery life lasting over eight hours. While some legacy apps may face compatibility issues, most modern apps run smoothly. Priced competitively with other high-end tablets, it's a strong option for those not requiring heavy technical use, with the flexibility to customize based on needs and budget.

Takeaways

• 📅 The Surface Pro 11 is considered the pinnacle of Microsoft's Windows on ARM efforts since 2012.
• 🚀 Despite initial challenges, current Windows on ARM devices like the Surface Pro 11 are significantly improved from the first Surface RT tablets.
• 💼 The device may not be ideal for everyone due to certain caveats, particularly with legacy Windows apps and heavy technical use cases.
• 🎨 For casual use like social media, movies, and sketching, the Surface Pro 11 is a thin and light laptop substitute that feels good to use.
• 🔌 The hardware is premium with a sturdy aluminum chassis, but lacks a headphone jack. It includes two USB 4 ports and one Surface connector, all capable of charging.
• 🖥 The display is a 3:2 3K 120 Hz panel with dynamic refresh rate and stylus support, with OLED offering better contrast and battery efficiency in dark scenes.
• 🌞 The display's brightness could be better under direct sunlight, but is adequate for indoor use.
• 🔉 The microphone and camera quality are good, suitable for video chats without the need for external devices.
• 🔋 The battery life is impressive, lasting eight hours or more under typical usage, and holds charge well when not in use.
• 💻 The Surface Pro 11's price is competitive when compared to similar devices like the iPad Pro or MacBook Pro, but there are cheaper configurations available for less demanding tasks.
• 🛠️ For those needing native ARM versions of apps, the compatibility layer can affect performance and battery life, but most common apps are already optimized.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Surface Pro 11 in Microsoft's Windows on ARM journey?

The Surface Pro 11 represents the pinnacle of Microsoft's efforts with Windows on ARM since the launch of the first Surface RT devices in 2012, showcasing significant advancements over the years despite the challenges faced.

What are the key caveats that might prevent the Surface Pro 11 from being ideal for everyone?

The caveats include compatibility issues with legacy Windows apps favored by businesses and the performance limitations for the heaviest technical use cases, such as video editing or machine learning, which require dedicated GPUs.

What are the typical use cases for the Surface Pro 11 according to the script?

The typical use cases for the Surface Pro 11 are for light tasks such as checking social media, watching movies, and casual sketching, rather than heavy-duty tasks like video editing or machine learning.

How does the hardware of the Surface Pro 11 compare to other Windows tablets on the market?

The Surface Pro 11 is described as the nicest Windows tablet on the market with its aluminum chassis, sturdy kickstand, and premium design, although it lacks a headphone jack.

What are the differences between the LCD and OLED displays on the Surface Pro 11?

The OLED display on the Surface Pro 11 offers more contrast and consumes less battery when the screen is mostly black, while the LCD version is included in the cheaper X+ versions.

How does the battery life of the Surface Pro 11 fare during typical usage?

The Surface Pro 11's battery life tends to last eight hours or more during typical usage, with minimal battery drain when the device is put to sleep.

What impact does running apps without native ARM versions have on the Surface Pro 11's performance and battery life?

Running apps without native ARM versions triggers the compatibility layer, which consumes more battery and processing resources, potentially leading to reduced battery life and performance penalties.

How does the price of the Surface Pro 11 compare to its competitors?

The Surface Pro 11's price is competitive with other high-end devices like the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro, with the base model offering a more affordable option for those not requiring the top-tier specs.

What are the advantages of the flex keyboard and Slim Pen 2 for the Surface Pro 11?

The flex keyboard and Slim Pen 2 offer versatility and screen protection, with the Slim Pen 2 providing a charging cradle. However, they are optional and come at an additional cost, with the keyboard facing some software connectivity issues.

What advice does the script give for potential buyers of the Surface Pro 11 regarding app compatibility?

The script advises potential buyers to research the availability of ARM-native versions of essential apps before purchasing, as some apps may not perform optimally or be blocked from running on Windows on ARM devices.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Surface Pro 11: The Pinnacle of Windows on ARM

The Surface Pro 11 is hailed as the culmination of Microsoft's efforts in Windows on ARM since the Surface RT in 2012. Despite initial challenges, the device has evolved significantly. It's not ideal for everyone due to certain caveats, particularly with legacy Windows apps and heavy technical use cases. However, for most users, the Surface Pro 11 offers a premium feel with its aluminum chassis, sturdy kickstand, and dense design. It lacks a headphone jack but compensates with USB 4 and Surface connector ports. The display varies between LCD and OLED panels, both featuring a 3:2 3K 120Hz panel with dynamic refresh rate and stylus support. The OLED version offers higher contrast and lower battery drain in dark conditions. The device's portability and the quality of its microphone and camera make it suitable for video chats without the need for external devices. Battery life is impressive, lasting over eight hours under typical usage, although intensive tasks can reduce this. The compatibility layer for non-ARM optimized apps can affect battery life and performance, but common apps like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Microsoft Office Suite, Slack, and Spotify are already optimized.

05:02

🔋 Surface Pro 11: Battery Life and App Compatibility

The Surface Pro 11 offers robust battery life, easily lasting a full day on a single charge under typical usage scenarios. However, more demanding tasks like gaming or using certain apps can deplete the battery faster. The device's compatibility with ARM-optimized apps is generally good, but some popular apps like Discord and Clip Studio Paint have yet to provide ARM updates, which can result in suboptimal performance and battery life. The video suggests that users should research the availability of ARM-native versions of essential apps before purchasing. The price of the Surface Pro 11 is compared to other high-end devices like the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro, with the base model offering a more affordable entry point for productivity use. Upgrading storage is also an option, with easily replaceable SSDs available at a lower cost than official upgrades.

10:02

💰 Surface Pro 11: Pricing and Versatility

The Surface Pro 11 is positioned as a competitively priced device for its premium features, including a lightweight form factor, excellent battery life, and versatile usage scenarios. The video recommends the base model for those focused on productivity tasks like social media, emails, and streaming, as it offers sufficient performance without the need for high-end specifications. The option to upgrade storage and the flexibility to use the device with or without a keyboard make it adaptable to various user needs. The video also addresses potential software issues with the flex keyboard, such as trackpad responsiveness and charging, but overall, the Surface Pro 11 is praised as a well-rounded device. The video concludes by encouraging viewers to share their use cases and thoughts on whether the Surface Pro 11 meets their needs, and it hints at upcoming content focusing on prosumer use cases and potential performance updates.

Keywords

💡Surface Pro 11

The Surface Pro 11 is a high-end tablet device from Microsoft, representing the pinnacle of their efforts to integrate Windows on ARM architecture since the introduction of the Surface RT in 2012. In the video, it is described as a premium device with a sturdy aluminum chassis, kickstand, and a high-quality display. It is positioned as a thin and light laptop substitute, suitable for everyday tasks like checking social media, watching movies, and casual sketching.

💡Windows on ARM

Windows on ARM refers to the version of the Windows operating system designed to run on ARM-based processors, which are known for their energy efficiency. The video discusses the evolution of Microsoft's Surface devices in this context, noting the improvements and challenges faced since the first Surface RT devices. It also touches on the caveats related to legacy Windows apps and compatibility layers that can affect performance and battery life.

💡OLED display

OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diodes, a technology used in the display of high-end devices for its superior contrast and color reproduction. The video reviewer mentions that the OLED version of the Surface Pro 11 offers a substantial contrast advantage over the LCD version, leading to a better viewing experience, especially in conditions where much of the screen is black.

💡Dynamic refresh rate

Dynamic refresh rate is a feature that allows a display to adjust its refresh rate based on the content being shown, which can improve battery life and provide a smoother visual experience. The script mentions that both the OLED and LCD versions of the Surface Pro 11 come with a 3:2 3K 120 Hz panel that includes this feature, enhancing the user experience for tasks like web browsing and video watching.

💡Battery life

Battery life is a critical factor for mobile devices, referring to the amount of time a device can operate on a single charge. The video script discusses the Surface Pro 11's battery life, noting that it tends to last eight hours or more under typical usage scenarios, which includes a mix of web browsing, video watching, and light productivity tasks. This is a significant aspect for potential buyers considering the device for on-the-go use.

💡Compatibility layer

A compatibility layer is software that allows applications designed for one system to run on another, often with some performance trade-offs. In the context of the video, the compatibility layer is mentioned as a factor that can affect battery life and performance when running non-ARM-optimized apps on the Surface Pro 11. The script suggests that while most apps run well through this layer, some may experience reduced battery life or performance.

💡ARM native apps

ARM native apps are applications specifically optimized to run on ARM-based processors, which can offer better performance and efficiency compared to apps running through a compatibility layer. The video emphasizes the importance of ARM native apps for achieving optimal performance and battery life on the Surface Pro 11, and it notes that the availability of such apps has been increasing, improving the overall experience for users.

💡Stylus support

Stylus support refers to a device's ability to interact with a stylus pen, allowing for precise input and creative tasks like drawing and note-taking. The script praises the Surface Pro 11's stylus support, suggesting that it enhances the device's utility for creative professionals and those who require precise input for tasks like sketching.

💡Price comparison

Price comparison involves evaluating the cost of a product against its competitors to determine value for money. The video script compares the Surface Pro 11's price with that of other high-end devices like the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro, suggesting that while the Surface Pro 11 is premium-priced, it offers competitive value when considering its features and performance.

💡Upgradability

Upgradability refers to a device's ability to have its components, such as storage or RAM, upgraded after purchase. The script mentions that the Surface Pro 11's SSD is easily replaceable, allowing users to upgrade the storage at a lower cost than through official upgrades, providing flexibility and longevity to the device.

💡Studio Effects

Studio Effects is a feature that includes system-wide background blurring, auto-framing, and additional brightness adjustments for video calls. The video script highlights that these effects work well on the Surface Pro 11, enhancing the video chat experience without the need for external webcams, and are a valuable addition for those who frequently engage in video communication.

Highlights

Surface Pro 11 represents the pinnacle of Microsoft's efforts with Windows on ARM since 2012.

Current Windows on ARM devices are significantly improved from the original Surface RT tablets.

Caveats for Surface Pro 11 include limitations with legacy Windows apps and heavy technical use cases.

The device is ideal for everyday use such as social media, movies, and casual sketching.

Hardware features include a premium aluminum chassis, sturdy kickstand, and dense design.

The lack of a headphone jack is noted, but USB 4 and Surface connector ports compensate.

The display varies between LCD and OLED panels, both offering a 3K 120 Hz refresh rate.

OLED display provides more contrast and consumes less battery in dark screen conditions.

The device's brightness is adequate for indoor use but struggles slightly under direct sunlight.

The compact form factor makes it perfect for travel and portability.

Microphone and camera quality are good, with clear voice pickup and well-exposed video.

Studio Effects provide system-wide background blurring and auto-framing.

Battery life typically lasts eight hours or more under typical usage.

Battery life can be affected by running intensive programs or using the high-performance power profile.

Apps with native ARM versions will have better battery life than those using the compatibility layer.

Price comparison shows the Surface Pro 11 is competitive with similarly spec'd iPad Pro and MacBook Pro models.

The base model Surface Pro 11 offers good value for money for productivity purposes.

Upgrading storage is cost-effective as SSDs are easily replaceable.

The flex keyboard and pen are optional, and alternatives can be used for a lower cost.

The Surface Pro 11 offers a versatile and premium tablet experience with competitive pricing.

Compatibility issues with certain apps are the main drawback, but these are becoming less common.

The Surface Pro 11 is a great computer for users who aren't seeking the most powerful machines.

Transcripts

without hyperbole the Surface Pro 11 is

the Pinnacle of what Microsoft has been

trying to achieve with Windows on arm

since the first Surface RT devices

launched in 2012 there have been massive

bumps and bruises along the way but the

devices available right now are far

removed from those original tablets even

still uh there are caveats in Key areas

that will prevent the Surface Pro 11 or

any windows on arm machine from being

ideal for

everyone however a lot of those caveats

are currently related to either the

Legacy Windows apps favored by

businesses or the heaviest technical use

cases favored by the same folks who

actually have a reason to buy laptops

with dedicated gpus I've already covered

some of those exceptions with my initial

gaming review and I'll cover much of the

rest in a future video for this video I

want to be a bit more realistic most of

yall watching this video aren't planning

to use a Surface Pro for tasks like

video editing or machine learning rather

this would be a thin and light laptop

substitute mostly used for checking

social media watching movies or casual

sketching if that's you the main things

you're going to care about in deciding

whether the Surface Pro 11 is right for

you are does it feel good to use how

long does the battery last and how does

its price compare to the competi

ition and that's what I want to focus on

in this video if you have one specific

Factor you want to know about the most

feel free to check out the video

chapters let's start by talking Hardware

upfront this is pretty much the nicest

Windows tablet on the market the

aluminum chassis sturdy kickstand and

dense design scream premium the lack of

a headphone jack is sorely missed but

the two USB 4 and one surface connector

ports all three of which can handle

charging by the way are more than enough

for a tablet around front is a display

which will vary based on the internal

processor the cheaper X+ versions have

an LCD display whereas the X Elite

version I have comes with an OLED

display both come with a 3x2 3K 120 HZ

panel which includes Dynamic refresh

rate and Stellar stylus support the main

difference is that the OLED version has

substantially more contrast and made

drain less battery in conditions where

most of the screen is black whether I'm

watching YouTube videos or responding to

emails and Outlook my OLED display feels

good enough that I never really have to

think about it but still enjoy using it

it's clear while reading articles and

smooth while browsing web pages helped

quite a bit from my ex Elite processor's

solid General performance in general

there's this softness to it that I'd say

feels comfier overall than the LCD on my

Surface Pro now

though not enough to call it a must-have

difference between the machines my

source spot with the display comes from

its brightness which could be better

under direct sunlight everything remains

visible but only just barely the

reflectiveness of the display also means

battling Reflections from any light

sources pointing directly at it luckily

in more practical indoor use cases

brightness has felt more than adequate

even if still not excellent at home I've

had no issues kicking back on my couch

reading Tech articles meanwhile typing

out a script in a local cafe never left

me wanting for a different device all of

which is great because the compactness

of this machine with or without a

keyboard makes it feel perfect to stash

in a bag and take with me on my trips

around Chicago finally for the hardware

let's talk microphone and camera because

they're actually relatively decent here

the camera exposes well whether under

normal ceiling lights or in a mostly

dark room meanwhile the microphone does

a great job clearly picking up my voice

without it sounding distorted or grainy

if you're someone who often has video

chats with others this is a tablet that

will keep you from looking and sounding

like a potato without an external webcam

it's all without enabling Studio Effects

by the way Studio Effects allow for

systemwide background blurring and autof

Framing and a bit of additional

brightness to the portrait

they work well and will be great for

anyone who needs to make sure their

background is always blurred or wants to

have a call without sitting in front of

their computer all the time I dig it of

course surface Pros can have all the

Nifty features in the world but would

still suck if their battery life weren't

up to par fortunately during my typical

usage the Surface Pro 11's battery

tended to last eight hours or more

before the low battery warning popped up

when put to sleep it's also kept its

charge exceptionally well with less than

10% drain from a full day of non-usage

for context I tend to set my display to

auto brightness and 120 HZ Dynamic

refresh rate alongside a recommended

power profile Edge word and phone link

tend to always be open for me alongside

steam running in the background I've no

doubt folks looking for a bit longer

usage would be able to optimize their

setup more than mine to squeeze even

more life out of this device but I felt

no need to make changes to my usage like

the Surface Pro 9 before it this is a

computer I could easily take on a

weekend trip and leave my charger at

home however it is worth noting that

getting worse battery life is also

pretty easy obviously running more

intense programs will drain the battery

faster during my recent sessions playing

steam world dig 2 I found myself getting

5 to 7 hours of battery life without

issue likewise using Adobe Fresco to

sketch a ciper lended me in more of the

4 to 5H hour range as a rule of thumb if

you're performing any tasks that

necessitate the best performance power

profile or cause the fans to kick in

battery life will likely take a hit but

the bigger factor for battery life among

folks viewing the pro 11 as a

productivity machine will be whether the

apps they want to use have native arm

versions if developers haven't yet

released versions of their software

optimized for Windows on arm the pro

11's compatibility layer kicks in that

extra layer of processing consumes a bit

more battery in processing resources in

general as a result my typical usage May

yield different results than your

typical usage due to the apps you like

to use luckily that's become even less

of an issue over time the biggest web

browsers Chrome Edge and Firefox all

have arm optimized apps available

meanwhile common Standalone apps like

the Microsoft Office Suite slack and

Spotify are also optimized for these

systems realistically most folks

shouldn't run into any

issues but there are edge cases certain

popular apps like Discord or clip Studio

paint have still yet to provide an arm

update how those apps will perform

varies greatly based on how the app was

developed or what you're trying to do in

the app most will run just fine even

through the compatibility layer but come

with a small penalty to battery light

others like Discord may feel a bit more

sluggish in operation it's really hard

to tell until you try it for yourself to

be honest although if you run into a

case where performance isn't optimal but

there's a browser based version

available you could always try to

install a aggressive web app there's no

guarantee performance will improve but

hypothetically you should at least

bypass the compatibility layers

penalties

unfortunately even with the decent

amount of support available you may also

run into cases where certain apps like

Arc browser and Google dri's Desktop

Client are essentially blocked from

running on these machines by their

developers in those cases there's not

really much you can do except wait for

the developers to come around to Windows

on R in general if there's an

application you know you can't live

without it might be best to do some

research ahead of time to see if an arm

native version is available or if not

how performance has been for others in

the past few months before spending your

money on something like this Pro 11

which brings us to the price my ex Elite

Surface Pro 11 with 16 GB of RAM and 512

GB of storage alongside a slim pen 2 and

flex keyboard cost about

$2,000 that's a lot of money though

honestly maybe not a lot compared to the

competition a new 512 GB 13in iPad Pro

with magic keyboard apple pencil Pro

cost about the same price just with a

less useful operating system likewise a

similarly spec 13in M3 MacBook Pro or

Snapdragon X Elite equipped Dell XPS 13

will set you back about $1,600 to $1,800

when not on sale which is close enough

to consider the price difference as form

factor related more than anything at the

moment my Surface Pro 11 doesn't

actually seem like a terrible deal not

that you actually need to pay $2,000 for

a Surface Pro 11 if you're someone

mostly looking to use this tablet for

productivity purposes I'd sooner

recommend the base $1,000

plus model than mine you'll have

marginally slower performance not that

you'll likely notice and won't get the

nice OLED display but it'll be more than

enough for social media emails and

Netflix making that cheaper decision

also gives you a bit more flexibility

with your budget if the 256 GB of

onboard storage the basb aren't enough

for you you can spend the extra money

you saved replacing it for a few

Generations surface Pros have had easily

replace

ssds all you need to do is push on the

back panel with the system turned off

and unscrew the drive to remove it one

tbte drives can be easily found for

under $100 on Amazon and will save you a

ton of money compared to letting

Microsoft upgrade the storage for you

likewise the flex keyboard and Pen are

optional opting for no keyboard at all

is completely valid Touch navigation and

typing in Windows 11 is really good on

this device anyone planning to use a pro

11 first and foremost as a tablet

doesn't need to spend the extra money

plus nothing's stopping you from

connecting a USB or Bluetooth keyboard

and mouse you already own when you

actually do need it for those who know

they'd really like the extra versatility

and Screen protection of the keyboard

though the same surface keyboard with a

slim pen 2 charging cradle that's been

available for previous surface models is

still available for

$170 less than the flex keyboard well a

keyboard without a slim Pen charger only

costs

$140 folks should only be looking at the

flex keyboard if they aren't price

conscious and want a surface keyboard

that can still function while detached

though as a heads up the software

connecting the flex keyboard hasn't been

the cleanest experience the trackpad

often takes a second to wake up after a

few minutes of non-usage and I've

previously experienced the battery not

not charging while my Surface prob is

left the versatility of the design makes

up for a lot of those negative points

for my usage but know that you're

dealing with some Jank going in still if

you don't need a detached keyboard and

don't care about surface pens or already

own one of the older pens you could

easily grab an X Plus equipped Surface

Pro 11 with a Surface Pro keyboard and 1

tab of storage for around

$1,250 that's still a bit of a premium

price tag for a premium product but not

unreasonable for a device like this if

you're considering a Surface Pro as a

productivity machine my top tier setup

works wonders but know that you don't

have to go that round to get it Stellar

everyday performance in battery life

which from my perspective really ties

the Surface Pro 11 together as a great

computer for folks who already aren't

shopping around for the most powerful

machines on the market its dense

lightweight tablet form factor Stellar

battery life and competitive price tag

come together to make possibly the best

all-around surface device I've ever used

the only real hitch holding it back at

this point is the lack of compatibility

for certain apps though with the latest

windows on arm push increased adoption

Hardware options should help reduce that

issue further over time just know that

if you're new to Windows on arm a lot of

those compatibil issues are becoming

rare and more Niche for most folks

anything they'd use this computer for is

already going to work great on this

platform having a versatile reasonably

performant tablet to access that

platform is just going to make their

lives a bit more comfortable those aren

my thoughts though I'd love to know

yours what are the biggest use cases you

have for your laptops and does the

Surface Pro 11 seem to fit your needs

let me know down in the comments as

always if you found this video helpful

or informative go ahead and give it a

like to let me know and then get

subscribed for more surface related

videos in the near future as I mentioned

at the top of this video I'm working

through the script for more prosumer use

cases and you know it's going well so

far this video was actually edited in

Premiere Pro on my service pro 11 it

works pretty great I just didn't want to

drop a 40-minute video on y'all

discussing use cases for two very very

different types of consumers I'm also

kind of hoping that the rumored Qualcomm

graphics driver updates will drop before

I record that video so I can give you

all an update on game

performance if there's anything else

you'd like to know about the Surface Pro

11 from the performance side of things

feel free to post it down in the

comments if it's something reasonable

and within my skill set I have no

problem providing additional

info anyways that's going to be all for

this video thank you so much for

watching all the way until the end and

till next time catch you later