Announced alongside the Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 4 at Microsoft’s hardware event in October 2019, the Pro X was the latest new addition to the company’s ever-growing PC lineup.
Despite the ‘Pro’ moniker, this was a very different device to the 2-in-1s we’d previously seen from Microsoft, with ARM-based processors and significantly slimmed bezels.
With the Pro 8 and Laptop 4 now expected to be delayed until 2021, it looks like the next Surface Pro X will be the highlight of Microsoft’s next hardware launch. Here’s everything you need to know.
Microsoft Surface Pro X 2 release date
Following Microsoft’s admission of the impact of coronavirus on its Surface line, it was almost inevitable that the company’s late 2020 hardware would be impacted. However, Windows Central’s Zac Bowden suggests that a new Pro X will still be released this Autumn:
Surface Pro 8, Surface Laptop 4, and Surface Studio 3 are not coming this fall. I’m told they’ve been pushed back to 2021. This fall is new Surface Pro X, Surface ‘Sparti’, and accessories.
— Zac Bowden (@zacbowden)
September 16, 2020
Bowden’s strong track record on Surface releases means this is likely to be the case, signs point to an October 2020 launch once again. However, Microsoft might choose to do things differently this year, particularly as it’s not holding in-person events until at least July 2021.
Either way, expect the new Surface Pro X to be on sale well ahead of the busy Christmas period.
Microsoft Surface Pro X 2 price
Pricing is usually one of the last things to leak ahead of an official announcement, so our best guess currently comes from how much last year’s Pro X cost:
8GB RAM, 128GB storage – £999/US$999.99
8GB, 256GB – £1,269/US$1,299.99
16GB, 256GB – £1,449/US$1,499.99
16GB, 512GB – £1,819/US$1,799.99
While we’d love to see Microsoft drop the RRP slightly on the new Surface Pro X, we think it’s unlikely. It’s also important to note that these prices refer to the tablet itself, and don’t include the cost of accessories such as the Type Cover, Surface Pen or Surface Mouse.
Microsoft Surface Pro X 2 new features and spec rumours
While the original Surface Pro X did a lot of things well, the ARM-based internals held it back somewhat. Performance on the SQ1 was compromised compared to the Intel-powered regular Surface Pros, while Qualcomm chipsets still can’t run many traditional 64-bit apps. The average battery life and connectivity just wasn’t enough to make up for it.
As Windows Central is reporting, Microsoft will still partner with Qualcomm on the processor for the next Surface Pro X, which may be based on the new Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G. Qualcomm’s new compute platform promises much-improved performance, while this might also mean the new Pro X supports the latest cellular connectivity.
Elsewhere, there’s also set to be a new ‘Platinum’ variant, similar to the one seen on the Surface Pro 7. There may also be more colour options for the Type Cover, which Windows Central says will “bring it in line with the standard Surface Pro color offerings already on the market”.
Some of the compatibility issues surrounding the Surface Pro X may be resolved with app emulation improvements, which Windows Central says might enter preview “later this year”. Once fully rolled out, it might mean the Pro X can emulate 64-bit apps in the same way it currently does for legacy 32-bit software.
We’ll update this article as soon as we know more about the second generation of Surface Pro X. In the meantime, check out the best Surface PCs and best Surface deals.
