Microsoft Powers Up Smallest Surface Models with Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Processors
Microsoft has upgraded its smallest Surface Pro and Laptop lines to Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 series processors. The 12-inch Surface Pro and 13-inch Surface Laptop now join their larger counterparts in using these second-generation processors.
The new processors bring a boost in application performance, battery life, graphics performance, and local AI capabilities. According to Microsoft, the second-gen Qualcomm processors offer a 'tick up' in application performance and battery life, a 'larger leap' in graphics performance, and a 'giant jump' in local AI capabilities.
The 12-inch Surface Pro has been upgraded from a Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 to a Snapdragon X Plus X2P-42-100. This new processor offers a more advanced integrated GPU and neural processing unit (NPU), capable of 80 trillion operations per second, nearly double the NPU's performance in the previous model.
The 12-inch Surface Pro also sees an increase in memory options from 8GB and 16GB to 16GB or 24GB. The display remains the same, but is now 25% brighter with a maximum brightness of 500 nits. The new color option for this model is black.
The 13-inch Surface Laptop has also been upgraded to a Snapdragon X Plus X2P-42-100 processor and offers more RAM options from 8GB and 16GB to 16GB or 24GB. The display remains the same, but is now rated for 500 nits of brightness.
Both new Surface models come preinstalled with Microsoft Ink Canvas, an AI-powered app that allows users to sketch, annotate, generate images, and summarize text directly on the screen using the Slim Pen.
The 12-inch Surface Pro (2nd Edition) will be available on October 13 starting at $1,150. The 13-inch Surface Laptop (2nd Edition) will also be available on October 13, starting at $1,199. A new Surface Mouse has also been released with haptics for tactile feedback and a customizable action button.