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    Surface Pro 9 (Core i5)
    A 13.0-inch detachable laptop tested with Windows 11 Home, an Intel Core i5 1235U 2.5GHz processor, 8GB of memory, integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics, a touchscreen, and 128GB solid-state drive.
    Description
    A 13.0-inch detachable laptop tested with Windows 11 Home, an Intel Core i5 1235U 2.5GHz processor, 8GB of memory, integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics, a touchscreen, and 128GB solid-state drive.
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    We investigate, research and test so you can choose with confidence.

    Become a member to compare products & get access to ratings.

    We investigate, research and test so you can choose with confidence.

    Become a member to compare products & get access to ratings.

    We investigate, research and test so you can choose with confidence.

    CR Expert Take

    How did it perform in our owner surveys and expert lab testing?

    Overall Score

    The Overall Score for this model incorporates our expert lab test results, as well as ratings for that brand’s reliability and owner satisfaction from our annual product owner survey of members.
    Unlock ratingswith membership.
    Current Range of Tested Laptops

    What goes into the Overall Score?

    OWNER SURVEYS

    Learn More
    Predicted Reliability
     /  5
    Owner Satisfaction
     /  5
    Portability
     /  5
    Performance
     /  5
    Display
     /  5
    Ergonomics
     /  5
    Versatility
     /  5
    Battery Life - web (hr.)
     /  5
    Battery Life - video (hr.)
     /  5
    Weight (lbs.)
     /  5
    OS
     /  5
    Touch screen
     /  5

    Detailed Test Results

    Performance: Overall this laptop's performance was only fair, well below that of many models but still good enough for routine tasks like email, word processing and web browsing. Compared to other tested laptops, performance was okay but on the slow side for common tasks such as web browsing or video conferencing. You would notice this most when opening up applications. Performance was okay but on the slow side when composing documents, working on data spreadsheets, and running other productivity tasks, and it was slow for manipulating images, editing videos, and calculating simulations.

    Portability: This laptop is a very good choice for traveling. Battery life lasted 14.25 hours in a light load of web browsing tests, and 8.5 hours in a heavier load of 4K video playback tests. Results were notably longer than many similar laptops, under a workload of mixed use. In heavier loads, the battery lasted shorter than expected, so you're more likely to need a charge as you run more performance intensive tasks. At 2.5 lbs, weight was typical for a laptop of this size category.

    Ergonomics: Some features of the keyboard, touchpad, and labeling, were well-designed, and were comfortable or convenient to use. The keyboard has large keys and was comfortably sized. Its high contrast letters were easy to read, and the backlighting can be useful in dark rooms. The power button labeling was hard to read when the laptop is off, and it was inconveniently placed, either difficult to reach or too easy to accidentally press. The touchpad was uncomfortably small, providing less space for gestures than most others tested. The keyboard can be detached, allowing the screen to be used like a tablet. The touchscreen is smooth enough for fast swipes, and fingerprints clean off easily. Testers liked the sturdy build of the chassis.

    Display: The display quality was very good overall. Colors were near-accurate, and mostly realistic and natural looking. The display has a wide viewing angle, especially important if more than one person needs to see the screen at a time, say, for a video or presentation.

    Useful features and attributes on this model include: Laptop detaches from the keyboard for use as a touchscreen tablet. You can connect common external devices such as hard drives and Blu-ray burners using USB4 Gen 3x2 (40 Gbps) for maximum performance. This laptop supports DisplayPort over USB-C for connecting to an HDTV or monitor.

    Downsides: There is no memory-card reader, so you'll need to buy an external reader or connect your digital camera directly to this laptop to transfer photos. It lacks any full-sized USB-A ports, so you will need an adapter if you have accessories that require this USB type.

    About

    The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Core i5) is a 13-inch detachable laptop with a screen resolution of 2880 x 1920. The display has a refresh rate of 120. It has 8GB of memory and 128GB solid-state drive. It has an Intel Core i5 1235U 2.5GHz processor and integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics. It was tested with Windows 11 Home installed.

    It has a touch screen, 2 USB-C ports built-in on the laptop. Video outputs include: supporting Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps) and DisplayPort over USB-C. WiFi 6E is also supported with a compatible router, which can use the 6GHz band for better throughput, and can be helpful in dense apartment buildings. It has Bluetooth 5.1 built-in. It has a 2.7MP webcam for video conferencing and an 8.9MP rear-facing camera for taking videos or photos. It was tested with the Surface Pro Signature keyboard, sold separately. Other optional accessories include the Surface Pen 2, which has a holder and can charge on the Signature keyboard. Battery tests were run with "Smart Charging" turned off, which allows a full battery charge; turning this feature on will pause battery charging at 80%, which can extend battery durability.

    The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Core i5) measures 11.4 inches wide by 8.4 inches deep by 0.7 inches high, and it weighs 2.5 lbs. It's backed by a 12-month warranty with 12 months of free tech support over telephone.

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