ZDNET's key takeaways The 12-inch Microsoft Surface Pro is available now starting at $799 for the 256GB option, and $899 for the 512GB model.
The 12-inch version is exceedingly thin and light with a fast-charging battery, and the refreshed form factor looks more premium.
The 256GB of storage is not enough for a device at this price point, and the cost adds up quickly, as the keyboard, mouse, and even the power adapter are sold separately. $899.99 at Walmart $899.99 at B&H Photo-Video more buying choices
Microsoft's 2025 12-inch Surface Pro is thinner, lighter, and a little more affordable, with a battery-efficient Snapdragon X Plus processor and refreshed design. The latest version of the Surface Pro rounds out the lineup with a more affordable option focused on ultra-long battery life, new colors, and redesigned accessories to show off Windows' latest Copilot+ PC features.
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I replaced my main laptop with the 12-inch Surface Pro for about two weeks, and the Surface Pro seems to me to be more of an addition to the current lineup than a standalone upgrade, particularly in comparison to the enterprise models Microsoft released back in January 2025.
The 2025 Surface Pro has relatively modest hardware, with 16GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of UFS storage. It is being marketed at the everyday consumer who uses on-device AI and appreciates the ultra-portability.
Besides the smaller form factor, this year's Surface Pro comes in two new colors: Violet and Ocean (a blueish gray). The default Platinum color starts at $799, whereas the other two will run you $899, bringing the starting price a little further away from that advertised low price (and we haven't even bought the keyboard yet).
I must admit that the design on the 12-inch tablet looks better. It looks more like a premium tablet (and more like an iPad) with rounded corners, thin bezels, and the webcam moved to the back corner of the device.
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