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Microsoft Surface Pro 11
While the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 boasts numerous strengths, it’s not without its shortcomings. These issues may not be deal-breakers for everyone, but they do take away from what could be considered an almost perfect 2-in-1 device. Let’s dive into some of the key drawbacks:
AI Features Fall Short
One of the major selling points of the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, along with other Copilot+ PCs, is the integration of AI to streamline your workflow. However, after evaluating several AI-powered laptops this year, the results are underwhelming, and the Surface Pro 11 is no exception.
For instance, some of the most anticipated AI features, such as Recall, have already been discontinued. While the available AI capabilities are decent, they’re far from groundbreaking. Take the AI Cocreator feature in MS Paint, for example. It allows you to input prompts like “walking cat” to generate a drawing. However, the results often leave much to be desired, based on my personal attempts.
Another AI feature, Live Captions, promises real-time translations. I tested it on an old Dragon Ball Z episode dubbed in Spanish. While the translations were largely accurate, there were noticeable delays in the appearance of captions, which can be frustrating during fast-paced content.
Additionally, the Copilot key on the Surface Pro 11 keyboard is not as reliable as it should be. At times, it fails to function properly or merely opens the display settings. Although you can still use the Copilot app, it runs from the cloud rather than locally, which feels like a missed opportunity.
As it stands, Copilot+ PCs, including the Surface Pro 11, have yet to make a strong case for incorporating AI into laptops—though future updates may bring more meaningful improvements.
High Cost of Peripherals
If you’re planning to get the most out of your Surface Pro 11, you’ll need to invest in the new Surface Flex Pro keyboard. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come cheap. The keyboard alone is priced at $349, and if you add the Slim Pen, the total jumps to $449. If you pair these accessories with the OLED Surface Pro 11, which costs $1,499, the total price skyrockets to a hefty $1,949.
For comparison, the base model of the M4-powered iPad Pro along with the Apple Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro costs $1,777—still expensive, but notably less than the full Surface Pro 11 setup.
Compatibility Issues
The Snapdragon X Elite chip powering the Surface Pro 11 is a major selling point for performance and efficiency. However, it comes with some app compatibility issues that may frustrate users. Many apps and games are currently not optimized for CoPilot+ PCs.
For example, some Adobe software such as Illustrator and InDesign won’t run natively on Arm until mid-2024, though they will be available through emulation. Native Arm versions of Premiere Pro and After Effects are expected later this year, while Photoshop and Lightroom already support Arm64.
Gaming also poses a challenge. Popular titles like League of Legends and Halo Infinite are not yet compatible with Snapdragon-powered devices, though over 1,000 games on platforms like Steam, Battle.net, and Epic Games Launcher can run at full HD with 30+ frames per second. Thankfully, cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass and GeForce NOW are supported.
As developers optimize apps for Arm architecture, these compatibility problems may improve. However, it could take time before all the apps you need work seamlessly on the Surface Pro 11.
Final Thoughts
Despite its underdeveloped AI features and the steep price of accessories, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 still shines as the best version of the Surface lineup to date. Its sleek design and the introduction of the Snapdragon X chip bring a noticeable boost in performance and efficiency. While the price of the Surface Pro Flex keyboard could be more reasonable, it’s a significant improvement over previous models, helping the Surface Pro 11 remain a competitive option in the world of 2-in-1 laptops.