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Surface Pro 10 wishlist: All the features I want to see
Updated, December 28, 2024 (02:20 PM ET): We have updated this Microsoft Surface Pro 10 wishlist to better reflect new rumors about the laptop, specifically related to its rumored processors.
Original article: The Surface Pro 9 is now over a year old, meaning a successor could be just around the corner. Microsoft makes one of the best productivity tablets on the market, so I’m pretty excited to see what’s next for the Pro series. Here’s what I want to see from the Microsoft Surface Pro 10.
A design refresh
Microsoft hasn’t significantly changed its Surface Pro hardware since the 8th-generation model in 2021. I’d love to see a more prominent design change to celebrate the Pro’s 10th anniversary with a big bang, but every leak so far points to a more modest refresh in terms of design. One rumor, for example, is the possible introduction of curved edges on the display — cool, but hardly revolutionary.
That isn’t to say nothing exciting is coming. A strong rumor from Windows Central suggests an 11-inch model could debut alongside the Pro’s more typical 13-inch display. The same report claims the Surface Pro 10 could have smaller bezels, and both models could sport a 120Hz refresh rate. Considering the Pro 9 already has 120Hz on the 13-inch display, it’s unsurprising that the 11-inch model would also get the same refresh rate.
Snapdragon X Elite
The Surface Pro was originally an Intel-only affair until the Surface Pro 9 absorbed the Surface Pro X Arm-based line. While the Wi-Fi-only Pro 9 uses an Intel processor, the Pro 9 with 5G opts for an Arm-based Microsoft SQ3 SoC.
What about the Surface Pro 10? Will it have Arm and Intel flavors as well? Excitingly, if a recent rumor from Windows Central is to be believed, we could see Intel and Arm units launch simultaneously.
There will likely be an Arm and Intel version, and they might even launch at the same time.
Today, the Pro 9’s SQ3 SoC utilizes the latest Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 technology, making it about as good as it gets with Arm at the moment. With the Snapdragon X Elite, though, the Surface Pro 10 could be a total beast when it comes to Arm-based performance.
The Intel side of things is a lot clearer. The Surface Pro 10 will almost certainly utilize Intel’s 14th-gen processors with a choice between the Core 5 or Core 7 and maybe even the Core Ultra. These processors launched in October 2023 and are a logical upgrade path for Microsoft’s hybrid tablet. Just like in 2022, I imagine the Surface Pro 10 Intel model will not have a 5G option, but the Arm one probably will.
I really want more ports
The Surface Pro 9 has just two USB-C ports and a Surface Connect charging port. There’s no USB-A or HDMI here. While Microsoft has to make some concessions due to the Pro’s relatively slim profile, the least they could do is give us one legacy USB-A port, right?
An option with a dGPU
The Surface Pro already sets itself apart from Apple’s iPad Pro tablets by running a full desktop OS. The Intel variant can, therefore, run tons of legacy programs that help make it a great workhorse. As long as you keep the settings low, you can even game on it. One missing thing, though, is a dedicated graphics card, or dGPU.
I get it — this wouldn’t be easy. There are potential heat issues with putting a dGPU in such a thin and light machine, and there would likely be a few design trade-offs to make it work. But this would also give it a massive advantage over competing tablets, gifting users a device that can be used for high-end gaming and video editing.
The move to OLED would be lovely
The Surface Pro 9 has a great display and will get even better with a smaller screen choice, but I also would like to see Microsoft move away from its PixelSense IPS LCD panels. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing inherently bad about the Pro 9’s display, and the variable 120Hz refresh rate works well.
Nonetheless, a move to OLED or micro-LED would help it better compete with high-end options from Samsung and Apple. There’s no word on if such a change might happen, but it’s certainly a possibility.
Which upgrade would you like to see most on the Surface Pro 10
Will there be a Microsoft Surface Pro 10?
Microsoft has released nine different main iterations of the Surface Pro so far, making it almost guaranteed we’ll see a Surface Pro 10. It’s also worth noting that this would mark the tenth anniversary of the Pro, so it’s very possible Microsoft will go all out when it releases. As for when we’ll see it? It’s very likely the tablet won’t arrive on the scene until 2024.
The Surface Pro 10 release date isn’t known for sure, but we can certainly take a guess. The latest Surface Pro usually comes out sometime between September and October. However, given that it’s been over a year since the Surface Pro 9, Microsoft might end up launching the Surface Pro 10 earlier in 2024 to avoid a full two-year gap between the two products. At this point, it’s anyone’s guess.
Should you wait for the Microsoft Surface Pro 10?
If you’re looking for a high-end tablet that can also play nicely on productivity, the Surface Pro series is a great choice, and the Pro 9 ($830 at Amazon) already packs a ton of power. Still, the Surface Pro 10 is probably only a few months away, and for that reason, I’d wait. The Surface Pro 10 could have some extensive upgrades, for starters. It also means the Surface Pro 9 will likely be cheaper soon as stores look to unload their existing inventories.
Then again, there are other Pro-level tablets that you might consider if you’re not 100% sold on the notion of getting a Surface Pro 10. The most obvious alternatives are the Apple iPad Pro ($786 at Amazon) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra ($1119 at Samsung). However, neither product will run Windows, which could be a deal-breaker for some.