Microsoft tries to make Surface Pro X a better iPad Pro rival

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Surface Pro X 2020 has an quicker SQ 2 processor.
Surface Pro X is Microsoft’s chief rival for the iPad Pro. A new version should offer improved performance.
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft unveiled a faster version of the Surface Pro X on Thursday. This updated tablet/laptop has an improved version of the Arm-based processor that debuted in the original last autumn. Performance of first-generation model didn’t impress reviewers or power users. Hence the new iteration.

The Surface Pro X competes head-to-head with Apple’s iPad Pro line. Both even use similar processors.

The Surface Pro X is built around an Arm-based chip created in collaboration with Qualcomm. All iPads run an Arm-based processor designed by Apple.

Putting the Surface Pro X on overdrive

Microsoft didn’t replace the original version of this 2-in-1 tablet/laptop. The only change is the new SQ 2 processor, and that’s only in some configurations.

And the company is keeping mum about how much faster its new chip will be than the original SQ 1. Microsoft calls it “the fastest processor in its class,” but that class only includes other PCs running Arm chips.

As mentioned, the first-generation Surface Pro X drew criticism for lackluster performance. It scored around 3010 on the Geekbench 5 multi-core test. For comparison, the 2020 iPad Pro scores 4645 on the same test. Whether the SQ 2 will be able to match that score is, as yet, unknown.

More on Microsoft’s latest tablet

The display in Microsoft’s Arm-based tablet/laptop has a 2880 by 1920 resolution, and with the 13-inch screen has 267ppi. There’s a pair of USB-C ports. And LTE is built in.

Surface Pro X does not come with a clip-on keyboard with trackpad. This is an additional $139.99. The same goes for the Surface Slim stylus, which is $144.99.

The base model has the SQ 1 chip, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage for $999.99. The most affordable version with the new SQ 2 processor has 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage for $1,499.99.

For comparison, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro includes 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, but no LTE and a single USB-C port. It costs $999. Apple’s clip-on keyboard for this model is $199. An optional Apple Pencil is $129.

Improving Windows for Arm

A challenge for users of the Surface Pro X is that it’s one of the first devices with Windows for Arm. Other Windows versions are for Intel processors, but this one is only for PCs with Arm-based chips, which promise longer battery lives and easy integrations with LTE networking. And no fans needed.

The downside is a lack of compatibility with software compiled for Intel processors. This version of Windows can run software that’s been compiled for Arm chips (of course), and there’s an emulator for 32-bit Intel apps.

But there’s no emulator 64-bit Intel apps. The Surface Pro X and similar PCs simply can’t run these. But Microsoft announced on Wednesday it’s nearly finished work on an 64-bit Intel emulator.

Apple handles Arm-based processors differently

iPad Pro line that competes with the Surface Pro X does so only with iPadOS applications. Apple’s tablets can‘t run macOS software. That keeps many power users away from Apple’s tablet/laptop.

While Apple is moving MacBook, iMac, etc. to Arm-based processors, that won‘t bring Mac apps to iPad. Instead, iPad applications are coming to Macs.

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