Microsoft has a new Surface Pro for Business, and this one is very clearly aimed at companies with proper IT budgets — not the average student hunting for a Shopee laptop deal.
The 12th edition Surface Pro for Business is a 13-inch Windows tablet with the usual Surface formula: slim tablet body, built-in kickstand, detachable keyboard support, pen support, and proper laptop-style internals. The big upgrade here is Intel’s new Core Ultra Series 3 chip, better known by its Panther Lake codename.
At launch, the entry model uses an Intel Core Ultra 5 335 processor with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. That sounds decent, but the painful part is the price: it starts at US$1,950. For Malaysia, that is roughly RM9,000+ before even thinking about local pricing, taxes, accessories, or enterprise procurement markups. Memang premium gila.
And yes, the accessories still matter. Despite that high base price, Microsoft does not include the detachable keyboard or Surface Slim Pen in the standard package. So if you want the full Surface experience — basically the whole reason to buy a Surface Pro instead of a normal laptop — prepare to spend more.
Spec-wise, the machine is properly high-end. Microsoft supports configurations with up to 64GB of LPDDR5x memory and up to a 1TB user-replaceable PCIe NVMe SSD. That user-replaceable storage is genuinely useful for business buyers, especially companies that need easier servicing, data control, or upgrades down the line.
The display is a 13-inch panel with a sharp 2880 x 1920 resolution, 3:2 aspect ratio, and 120Hz refresh rate. Microsoft will offer both IPS LCD and OLED versions. LCD models come with a 47Wh battery, while OLED models get a larger 53Wh battery, likely to balance out OLED’s extra power needs.
The chassis is anodized aluminium and comes in black or platinum. The kickstand can open up to 165 degrees, which is still one of the Surface line’s best practical features if you move between desk work, meetings, and tablet mode.
For ports, you get two Thunderbolt 4 connections with DisplayPort 2.1 output, up to 40Gbps data transfer, and support for charging at 60W or higher. There is also a 10MP rear camera, a 1440p front camera with Windows Hello face unlock, dual microphones, and stereo 2W speakers with Dolby Atmos.
Microsoft is also planning Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 versions later this year, which could be interesting for users who care more about battery life and always-on mobility than raw Intel compatibility.
For Malaysian and SEA buyers, the key question is simple: who is this actually for? If you are a freelancer, student, or gamer looking for value, this is probably not it. You can get strong creator laptops, gaming laptops, or even premium ultrabooks for less money once you factor in the keyboard and pen.
But for corporate teams, consultants, executives, and enterprise users who need Windows 11 Pro, optional 5G, pen input, easy portability, and IT-friendly hardware, the Surface Pro for Business still has a clear niche. It is expensive, yes — but it is built for companies that value flexibility, security, and fleet management more than pure specs-per-ringgit.
Basically, this is not the Surface you buy because it is a bargain. This is the Surface your company buys because the procurement team has a Microsoft account manager.
Source: Liliputing