Microsoft has taken the wraps off its newest Surface Pro device, marking a significant shift for the company’s popular tablet-laptop hybrid. This latest iteration, simply called “Surface Pro,” ditches the numerical naming scheme and ushers in a new era of “Copilot Plus PCs.”

At a recent launch event, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of Surface, Brett Ostrum, declared that the new Pro surpasses previous generations by a significant margin. This claim is backed by Qualcomm’s next-gen Snapdragon X processors (Elite and Plus versions) powering the device. Microsoft boasts up to a 90% performance increase compared to the prior model. The Pro also boasts optional 5G connectivity, a feature that frequently accompanies Qualcomm processors.

Battery life has also seen an improvement. While not quite matching the impressive 20 hours touted for the new Surface Laptop, Microsoft claims the Pro can manage up to 14 hours of video playback, a respectable figure for the device.

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Other notable upgrades include an optional OLED display, support for Wi-Fi 7, and a revamped keyboard attachment dubbed the Surface Pro Flex Keyboard. This keyboard features two USB 4 ports and comes in a range of four colors, including a striking new shade of blue. The camera system has also received a major overhaul. The front-facing setup now features an ultrawide, quad HD system designed for various AI applications by Microsoft. The rear boasts a 10-megapixel sensor. Despite these changes, the weight and size remain virtually identical to the previous Pro, with the focus being on internal improvements.

The starting price for the Pro is $999, which includes an LCD display, an X Plus processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Upgrading to the X Elite processor and OLED screen requires a minimum investment of $1,500. The fully loaded version, featuring 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a platinum finish, will set you back a cool $2,100.

The new Surface Pro Flex Keyboard costs $449.98 and includes a Slim Pen. This keyboard can be used both attached and detached, and according to Microsoft, offers improved sturdiness compared to its predecessor. Additionally, a new option with bold keys and a 14% larger touchpad caters to users seeking enhanced accessibility.

While the Surface Pro has consistently delivered solid hardware, the total package with keyboard and stylus could be pricey, and power users craved more ports. However, the Surface Pro 9’s design and build quality were largely unfaulted. The Achilles’ heel, as always, was the processor. While the Pro 9 offered a Qualcomm option with bonus camera features and 5G connectivity, it came at the cost of significant performance drawbacks. Windows on Arm had shown gradual improvement over time, but in 2022, it remained a frustrating experience riddled with lags and glitches. The Intel model, on the other hand, provided considerably worse battery life but delivered far more reliable and robust performance.

The new Pro, theoretically, bridges this gap. Qualcomm promises that its Snapdragon X processor lineup finally delivers performance that rivals Apple, AMD, and Intel. Microsoft seems confident that 2024 is the year Windows on Arm finally delivers on its potential.

But of course, all this enhanced performance serves the cause of AI. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, during the launch event, emphasized building computers that not only comprehend our needs but anticipate them. He proclaimed Copilot as the driving force behind the next phase of Windows and computing. The event also unveiled a new AI feature called Recall, alongside deeper Copilot integrations within File Explorer, notifications, and other facets of the Windows interface. Nadella emphasized that better devices enable improved AI systems by addressing latency and privacy concerns, granting them greater power. He christened Copilot Plus PCs as “the fastest, most AI-ready PCs ever built.”