Microsoft Surface Pro 12.3" 6 2018, Core i7-8650U, 16GB, 512GB, Platinum

The Surface Pro 6 is a 2018-era Windows tablet with a great screen, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD, but a weak CPU and GPU by today's standards. Prices range from $249 to $1,620, so shop carefully and don't overpay. It's still a solid choice for students and artists who need Windows and stylus support on a budget. For everyone else, newer tablets offer better performance and battery life.

Let's talk about the Core i7-8650U. It's a 4-core, 8-thread chip from Intel's 8th generation, and in our database it lands in the 17th percentile for CPUs. That's not a typo. Compared to modern tablets and laptops, this thing is slow. But here's the context: for the kind of work the Surface Pro 6 was designed for, it's still usable. Office apps, web browsing, light photo editing, and note-taking all run fine. The 16GB of RAM helps a lot here, sitting in the 87th percentile, which means you can keep a bunch of tabs and apps open without the system choking.

The 512GB SSD is a genuine highlight, ranking in the 93rd percentile for storage. That's more space than most tablets offer even today, and it's fast enough that boot times and app launches feel snappy. The GPU is where things get rough, at the 19th percentile. This is integrated Intel UHD 620 graphics, which means no real gaming, no heavy video editing, and no GPU-accelerated creative work. If you're an artist using the Surface Pen for sketching or painting, you'll be fine. If you're trying to render 3D models or play anything beyond indie games, look elsewhere.

The Surface Pro 6 sits in a weird spot against its competitors. The Apple iPad Pro M4 absolutely destroys it on performance, with a chip that's generations ahead and a display that's brighter and smoother. But the iPad runs iPadOS, which means no full desktop apps, no proper file system, and no legacy Windows software. If you need Windows, the Surface Pro 6 is still the better choice despite the age gap.

The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus and Xiaomi Pad 7 are Android tablets that offer better battery life and newer processors, but they don't have the Surface's keyboard and trackpad ecosystem. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is a strong all-rounder with a great screen and S Pen support, but again, it's Android. The Vekfulpc T60 Pro is a budget option that undercuts the Surface on price but feels cheap in hand. For pure Windows productivity in a tablet form factor, the Surface Pro 6 still holds its own, even if it's no longer the fastest kid on the block.

Here's where things get interesting. The Surface Pro 6 is listed anywhere from $249 to $1,620 across four US listings. That's a $1,371 spread, which is absurd for the same core hardware. The difference comes down to condition, seller, and whether you're getting a renewed unit or a used one. At $249, this is a steal for a 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Windows machine with a great screen. At $1,620, you're paying more than a new Surface Pro or a MacBook Air, and that's just not smart.

Our advice: if you're buying this, buy it renewed or used from a seller with good ratings. The Best Buy and Newegg listings tend to be more consistent than random Amazon marketplace sellers. And don't pay more than $400 to $500 for this hardware. Above that, you're better off putting the money toward something newer, even if it means less storage or RAM.

The Surface Pro 6 is one of those devices that feels like it was ahead of its time, even if the spec sheet shows its age in a few spots. You're getting a 12.3-inch 2736x1824 display, an 8th-gen Intel Core i7-8650U, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD in a package that weighs about 1,361 grams. That's a lot of laptop in a tablet body, and it's the kind of thing that made the Surface line famous. The pitch here is simple: one device that can be a laptop when you need to type, a tablet when you want to draw or scroll, and a desktop when you dock it.

Who's this for? Honestly, it's for people who want Windows in a portable form factor without carrying a full laptop. Students, artists, and anyone who lives in OneNote or Photoshop will find a lot to like. The stylus support and keyboard connector mean you can genuinely replace a laptop for most daily tasks. But if you're expecting modern performance or all-day battery, you'll need to adjust those expectations. This is a 2018-era device, and the benchmarks reflect that.

What makes it interesting in 2025 is the price. We're seeing listings from $249 to $1,620 depending on condition and seller. At the low end, you're getting a renewed unit with specs that would cost way more in a new machine. At the high end, you're overpaying for old hardware. The trick is knowing which one you're getting, and we'll dig into that below.

If you need a tablet for gaming, video editing, or any kind of GPU-heavy work, skip the Surface Pro 6 entirely. The integrated graphics are simply not up to the task, and you'll be frustrated within minutes. Look at the iPad Pro M4 or a Windows laptop with a discrete GPU instead.

Also skip this if battery life is a priority. The 30th percentile battery ranking means you'll be hunting for outlets by mid-afternoon. Modern Android tablets like the Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus or Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 will easily outlast it. And if you're not tied to Windows, the iPad Pro M4 is the obvious choice for performance and longevity, even if it costs more upfront.

If you're a student or artist who needs Windows, a real keyboard, and stylus support without spending a fortune, the Surface Pro 6 is still a solid buy at the right price. The 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD mean it'll handle daily work without feeling cramped, and the display is genuinely lovely for reading, drawing, and watching video. Just don't expect it to be fast by 2025 standards.

For anyone else, think carefully. If you don't need Windows, the iPad Pro M4 or a recent Android tablet will give you better performance and battery life. If you do need Windows, consider a used Surface Pro 7 or 8, which add USB-C charging and newer CPUs. The Surface Pro 6 is a good device that's been left behind by time, and the only reason to buy it now is the price.