Microsoft’s Surface Pro 12 is built around a clear proposition: a compact Windows 11 Pro computer that can accommodate keyboard work, pen input and external connectivity without abandoning tablet proportions. The specification supports that versatility, although its 686g weight means portability is not simply a matter of choosing the smallest screen.
A flexible Windows format
Windows 11 Pro gives the device a full desktop operating-system foundation, while support for the Surface Pro 12-inch Keyboard and Surface Slim Pen (2nd Edition), alongside Microsoft Pen Protocol, broadens the intended modes of use. That combination should suit buyers who want conventional document work alongside direct screen interaction. The keyboard is supported rather than presented here as an integrated component, so the product’s most laptop-like configuration depends on that compatible accessory.
The 12-inch PixelSense LCD has a 2196 x 1464 resolution at 220 PPI and a 90Hz refresh rate. The refresh rate gives the panel technical headroom for more fluid motion than a conventional 60Hz display, while the resolution should provide a suitably detailed desktop canvas for its physical size. Its 12-inch dimensions keep the format compact, but they also establish a clear trade-off: there is less physical screen area for documents, timelines or side-by-side work than on larger devices.
Modern internal platform
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 is an eight-core processor, paired with either 16GB or 24GB of RAM. Those configurations provide a defined choice between two memory capacities, and the processor architecture places the Surface Pro 12 within a current Windows-on-Qualcomm design. Storage options of 256GB, 512GB and 1TB add useful capacity choices for buyers whose local file requirements differ.
Connectivity is one of the stronger parts of the specification. Two USB-C ports support USB4 and Thunderbolt 4, with DisplayPort 1.4a also listed, so the device is designed to accommodate fast accessories and external display connections. There are only two USB-C ports, however, making that flexibility dependent on careful peripheral planning when several wired connections are needed simultaneously. Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth Core 5.4 provide current-generation wireless standards.
The buying decision
Microsoft states battery life of up to 16 hours, a substantial headline figure that should appeal to buyers prioritising untethered use. The 10MP rear camera and 1080p Full HD front camera cover the basic camera hardware, while the Surface Slim Pen support gives the display a defined creative and note-taking role.