Microsoft Surface Pro 13" 11th Edition Sapphire 2024

The Surface Pro 11 is the best Windows tablet ever made, with a CPU that embarrasses the competition. Just don't expect it to play games or last all day on battery.

The Snapdragon X Elite 12-core processor sits at the 100th percentile in our database, which is a fancy way of saying it's the absolute best CPU we've seen in this category. The 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB SSD both land in the 93rd percentile, so everyday multitasking feels effortless. But here's the surprise: the GPU sits at the 2nd percentile. That's not a typo. If you're planning to edit 4K video or play anything beyond casual games, this chip will struggle. The Hexagon NPU handling 45 TOPS is impressive for AI tasks, but it doesn't make up for the weak graphics performance.

Against the Apple iPad Pro M5, the Surface Pro 11 wins on raw CPU power and the fact that it runs full Windows 11, not iPadOS. But the iPad Pro crushes it on GPU performance and battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra has a bigger 14.6-inch screen and better battery, but it's stuck on Android, which limits its laptop ambitions. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus is a solid budget alternative if you don't need the OLED or the Snapdragon X Elite. For most people who want a real computer in tablet form, the Surface Pro 11 is the pick.

Here's where it gets interesting. US prices swing from USD 900 to USD 1,800 across four listings, which is a massive spread. If you can snag it near the low end, it's a steal. At the high end, you're paying a premium for that OLED and CPU. Best Buy has the best deal right now if you're shopping in the US. In Canada, prices range from CAD 1,469 to CAD 2,600, and that top end feels hard to justify. Shop around before you commit.

The Surface Pro 11th Edition is Microsoft finally getting the formula right. The Snapdragon X Elite chip is a genuine leap forward, and paired with that gorgeous 13-inch OLED display, this is the first Surface that feels like it can truly replace both a tablet and a laptop. The one thing to know? This is the best Windows 2-in-1 we've tested, period.

If you're a gamer or someone who edits video, this isn't it. The GPU is nearly dead last in our database, and you'll be frustrated. Go get a proper gaming laptop or the iPad Pro M5 instead. If you need all-day battery without hunting for outlets, this also isn't your device.

Buy it if you want the best Windows 2-in-1 on the market and you don't need serious graphics power. The Snapdragon X Elite is a monster for productivity, and that OLED screen is a joy. Just know that the weak GPU and mediocre battery mean this isn't for gamers or anyone who needs all-day unplugged performance. For everyone else, this is the Surface to get.