This year, the Surface Pro turns 10, and Microsoft is likely to celebrate with a new device. Since the first one came out in 2013, which was an updated version of the first Surface from a few months earlier, Microsoft’s flagship 2-in-1 has changed a lot. Still, it has always had the same basic design: a big tablet with an optional keyboard that can be taken off.
But the Surface Pro 9 from last year got mixed reviews, so will Microsoft make any big changes to its replacement? At this early stage, this is all we know about a possible Surface Pro 10.
When will the Surface Pro 10 go on sale?
Microsoft seems to have decided to update the Surface Pro every year, with the exception of the two-year gap between the Pro 7 and Pro 8:
- Surface Pro 9 – October 2022
- Surface Pro 8 – September 2021
- Surface Pro 7 – October 2019
- Surface Pro 6 – October 2018
Keeping this in mind, it’s likely that the Surface Pro 10 will come out in late 2023. Most of the time, Microsoft holds an event in September or October, and the device goes on sale a few weeks later.
The company can do something different this year or wait until 2024, of course. In the second case, it could happen around the time Windows 12 comes out. But for now, a launch in 2023 is still the most likely thing to happen.
Surface Pro 10 price?
Once again, the costs of recent Surface Pro devices serve as a handy guide when estimating the cost of the Pro 10:
- Surface Pro 9 (Intel) – from €1169
- Surface Pro 8 – from €895
- Surface Pro 7 – from €849
It’s easy to see that the cost of living has not stayed the same over the past few years. Since the current rate of inflation in a number of countries is taken into account, it is possible that the Pro 10 will go up again, even if it’s just a small change.
Even though the versions powered by Intel are now the better buy for most people, you should still expect to pay more for 5G models that are powered by ARM.
Keep in mind, though, that the prices above only cover the cost of the tablet. To get the most out of the Pro 9, you must buy the Type Cover keyboard, which will cost you at least $129.99 more. The whole thing costs a total of $299.99, and it comes with a pen.
It would make sense to keep the same accessories on the Pro 10, but let’s hope this is the year that a Type Cover is finally included in the price because it’s already pretty pricey.
What about the specifications and design of the Surface Pro 10?
At this early stage, there are no solid rumors about the Surface Pro 10, but we have a good idea of what to expect. There will almost certainly be new processors, probably from Intel’s 13th-generation Raptor Lake line. Based on the models above, you’ll probably be able to choose between the Core i5 or i7 from the U-series, which are less powerful. But it should be enough to get a good job done every day.
Things are less clear on the ARM side, but the SQ3 chip in the Pro 9 may get an upgrade. It’s based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3, so it makes sense to expect something based on the next. 8cx Gen 4. But it all depends on whether or not Qualcomm puts it out on time.
Microsoft is likely to keep 5G support on the ARM model only, but the NPU (neural processing unit) might make its way to Intel models. That would let you use some of the Pro 9’s useful video-calling features.
In the same way, an SQ4 processor would let you use the faster USB4 standard, which the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 can’t do. But Intel makes Thunderbolt 4, so it won’t be available.
Again, all of the models probably only have the option of integrated graphics, but a discrete GPU from Nvidia would make a huge difference in the higher-end models.
Another area that needs work is the ports. On the Pro 9, there are only two USB-C and Surface Connect ports for charging, so most people will need an adapter or hub. At least a USB-A and an HDMI port would be a big improvement.
It would be nice if the 13-inch screen got an upgrade, maybe to OLED or Mini LED. But the PixelSense (IPS LCD) screens on the newest Surface Pros are still great. There’s also no need to go faster than the Pro 9’s 120Hz refresh rate.
It doesn’t seem important to make the bezels even thinner, especially since the Full HD webcam and separate IR sensor should stay. It would be nice if the Type Cover had a fingerprint sensor, and at least one version of the keyboard accessory could be made thicker to feel more like a real keyboard.
The battery life is already good on the Intel model and great on the ARM model, so it’s not necessary to increase the overall capacity.
It would be nice if Windows 11 had changes that made it better for tablets, but several updates will have happened before the Pro 10 is expected to come out. When we learn more about the Surface Pro 10, we’ll add it to this article.
