Microsoft’s newly redesigned 12-inch Surface Pro just dropped to $685 during Prime Day. And honestly? It’s the first Surface in years that feels like a proper hybrid worth carrying everywhere.
The discount—$115 off the sticker price—makes it one of the most tempting tech deals floating around this week. Especially when you realize how close this thing is getting to iPad-level portability while still running full-fat Windows 11.
A Smaller Surface Pro That Doesn’t Feel Like a Compromise
You know how sometimes “smaller” can mean “less useful”? Not here.
Microsoft shaved off just enough to make the 12-inch Surface Pro feel light and mobile—without turning it into a toy. It’s basically a tighter, more polished version of last year’s Snapdragon X Plus Surface. The company rounded off the corners, trimmed down the bezels, and gave it a bit more polish all around.
That portability doesn’t come at the cost of performance either. The new Surface is powered by Qualcomm’s Arm64 Snapdragon X Plus chip, a solid performer that gets most work done without throwing heat or draining the battery too fast. And yes, it’s fanless, so it doesn’t sound like it’s prepping for takeoff when you’re editing a spreadsheet.
Honestly, it feels like Microsoft finally got the balance right between tablet and laptop.
A Real Computer That Still Feels Like a Tablet (Well, Almost)
For folks who are sick of the limitations of iPads—or just need something that actually runs desktop apps—this Surface is a breath of fresh air.
That’s the thing. The Surface Pro isn’t trying to be a media consumption device with a keyboard slapped on. It’s a full Windows machine. You want Photoshop, Excel, or actual Chrome extensions? Done. No weird app workarounds, no clunky cloud hacks.
Still, let’s not pretend it’s perfect. Microsoft’s tablet software still feels a little behind. Scrolling through tablet mode menus, you can almost hear them whisper “we’ll fix this eventually.” If you need a screen just for reading or scrolling Reddit, the iPad’s still better. But for typing, working, or getting serious stuff done on the go? Surface wins this round.
What’s New: Rounded Edges, Better Keyboard, and a Fresh Feel
Surface fans will notice a bunch of small but meaningful tweaks.
Microsoft rounded the edges, updated the keyboard (which still costs extra—of course it does), and made the whole thing feel sturdier. That keyboard’s sturdiness? Big deal. Older Surface keyboards sometimes felt like they’d snap in half if you typed too hard. This one’s a lot more solid under your fingers.
Here’s where it gets more practical:
-
The keyboard is sold separately for $150, but the Prime Day deal’s $115 savings almost covers it.
-
The fanless build keeps the device cool without noise.
-
Battery life is genuinely good—easily 10+ hours with mixed use.
-
And yes, it finally feels like a device that can be used on your lap without tipping over.
There’s no magical revolution here. Just a bunch of small improvements that add up to a smoother, better device.
Let’s Talk Price: Prime Day Makes This a No-Brainer for Some
Tech sales come and go, but this deal feels unusually well-timed. Best Buy, Amazon, and the Microsoft Store are all offering it for $699.99, but Best Buy undercut them with a slightly deeper discount: $685.
This might seem like a small difference, but for shoppers looking to get the keyboard too, it matters. With the keyboard being $150, that little dip helps sweeten the deal without having to wait for a bundle.
Here’s how the current pricing breaks down:
| Retailer | Surface Pro Price | Keyboard Cost | Combined Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Buy | $685 | $150 | $835 |
| Microsoft Store | $700 | $150 | $850 |
| Amazon | $700 | $150 | $850 |
If you were eyeing a premium tablet-laptop hybrid anyway, this is one of those rare moments when the stars line up and the math works out.
How It Compares to Apple’s iPad Pro—And Why That Matters
Now for the elephant in the room: the iPad Pro.
Apple’s latest M4-powered iPad Pros are incredibly fast. But speed isn’t everything. A lot of professionals still run into friction when trying to do actual work on iPadOS. That might change when iPadOS 26 lands with better multitasking, but today? The Surface Pro handles multitasking like a grown-up computer. Because, well, it is one.
The Verge’s Tom Warren put it well in his review. He praised the Surface’s fanless design, battery life, and keyboard—but also pointed out the weird gaps in the tablet experience. Same here. For actual tablet-y stuff like sketching, news reading, and chill web browsing? iPad still leads. But when it’s time to get work done on the train or in a hotel room? This new Surface might just be the better call.
And let’s be honest: If your job revolves around Windows anyway, there’s no need to fight your tools.
Verdict: Finally, a Surface Pro Worth the Hype—and the Price
It’s been a long time since a Surface Pro really turned heads. Most upgrades felt like spec bumps—fine, but nothing exciting.
This year’s 12-inch Surface Pro feels different. It’s not a revolution, but it’s a return to form. Clean hardware. Smart updates. Fewer compromises. And at $685, it suddenly feels more like a well-priced tool than a status symbol.
If you were waiting for a reason to give the Surface line another shot—or finally jump ship from the iPad for work purposes—this might be the model worth taking a chance on.
