Surface Pro 4 vs. Surface Pro 1: Full specs comparison

We thoroughly analyzed technical specifications for Surface Pro 4 and Surface Pro 1 models, including CPU, memory, storage, battery life, display quality, and other features.

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Surface Pro 4

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Surface Pro 1

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Surface Pro 4 Pros

Reasons that Surface Pro 4 is better than Surface Pro 1.

Significantly newer manufacturing

2015 vs. 2012

Much faster CPU performance

Intel Core i7-6650U inside Surface Pro 4 has a 72% better multi-core CPU performance score than the Intel Core i5-3317U inside Surface Pro 1.

Geekbench 5 multi-core score
Surface Pro 4 - Intel Core i7-6650U
1,757
Surface Pro 4 - Intel Core i5-6300U
1,319
Surface Pro 4 - Intel Core m3-6Y30
1,058
Surface Pro 1 - Intel Core i5-3317U
1,017
Supports larger memory

Surface Pro 4 supports a larger memory capacity than the Surface Pro 1. It supports up to 16GB versus 4GB of system memory on the Surface Pro 1.

Max system memory size
Surface Pro 4
16 GB
Surface Pro 1
4 GB
Supports faster memory

Surface Pro 4 supports a faster memory speed than the Surface Pro 1. It supports up to 1866MHz versus 1600MHz of system memory on the Surface Pro 1.

Memory type and speed
Surface Pro 4 - LPDDR3
1,866 MHz
Surface Pro 1 - DDR3
1,600 MHz
16% larger display

Surface Pro 4 has a 12.3-inch screen size 16% larger than the 10.6-inch Surface Pro 1.

Display size
Surface Pro 4
12.3-inch
Surface Pro 1
10.6-inch
About 16% lighter

Surface Pro 4 weighed 1.69 pounds, 16% lighter than the 2 pounds Surface Pro 1.

WeightSurface Pro 4Surface Pro 1
Pound
1.69 lbs.
2 lbs.
Kilogram
0.77 kg
0.91 kg
Has one more port and slot

Surface Pro 4 has more ports and slots count than the Surface Pro 1. It has six versus five amount of ports and slots on the Surface Pro 1.

PortsSurface Pro 4Surface Pro 1
headphone jackYesNo
microSD card slotYesYes
Mini DisplayPortYesYes
Surface Charging ConnectorNoYes
Surface ConnectYesNo
Surface Touch/Type Cover ConnectorNoYes
Type Cover portYesNo
USB-AYesYes
Total65
Slightly more versatile connectivity

Surface Pro 4 has better versatile I/O connectivity than the Surface Pro 1. It has four versus three commonly used ports and slots on the Surface Pro 1.

PortsSurface Pro 4Surface Pro 1
microSD card slotYesYes
Mini DisplayPortYesYes
USB-AYesYes
headphone jackYesNo

Surface Pro 1 Pros

We couldn't find any advantages of Surface Pro 1 over Surface Pro 4.

Prices

Here are the latest price updates and offers for both devices.

Surface Pro 4 Price
Latest Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (2736 x 1824) Tablet 6th Generation (Intel Core i5-6300U, 8GB Ram, 256GB SSD, Bluetooth, Dual Camera) Windows 10 Professional (Renewed)
 Latest Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (2736 x 1824) Tablet 6th Generation (Intel Core i5-6300U, 8GB Ram, 256GB SSD, Bluetooth, Dual Camera) Windows 10 Professional (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$274.00
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Microsoft Surface Pro 4; 256 GB, 8 GB RAM, Intel Core i5 (Renewed)
 Microsoft Surface Pro 4; 256 GB, 8 GB RAM, Intel Core i5 (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$319.00
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Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (Intel Core M, 4GB RAM, 128GB) with Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Renewed)
 Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (Intel Core M, 4GB RAM, 128GB) with Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$224.00
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Surface Pro 1 Price
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022), 13" 2-in-1 Tablet & Laptop, Thin & Lightweight, Intel 12th Gen i5 Fast Processor for Multi-Tasking, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage with Windows 11, Platinum Microsoft Copilot
 Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022), 13" 2-in-1 Tablet & Laptop, Thin & Lightweight, Intel 12th Gen i5 Fast Processor for Multi-Tasking, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage with Windows 11, Platinum Microsoft Copilot
By Microsoft
$789.99
$1,099.99 28% OFF
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Microsoft Surface Pro Intel Core i5 4GB RAM 128GB SSD Windows 10 Newest Version (Renewed)
 Microsoft Surface Pro Intel Core i5 4GB RAM 128GB SSD Windows 10 Newest Version (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$238.57
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Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022), 13" 2-in-1 Tablet & Laptop, Thin & Lightweight, Intel 12th Gen i5 Fast Processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage with Windows 11, Copilot, Graphite (Renewed)
 Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022), 13" 2-in-1 Tablet & Laptop, Thin & Lightweight, Intel 12th Gen i5 Fast Processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage with Windows 11, Copilot, Graphite (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$673.99
$749.99 10% OFF
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Specs Comparison

Availability

Surface Pro 4Surface Pro 1
Released20152012
Release Date
  • Introduced: October 7, 2015
  • Pre-ordered: October 7, 2015
  • Released: October 26, 2015
  • Introduced: June 18, 2012
  • Not available for pre-ordered
  • Released: February 9, 2013
PricingStarting at 899$
  • Intel® Core™ i5
    • $899 - i5 | 4 GB | 64 GB
    • $999 - i5 | 4 GB | 128 GB
Generations

Exterior

Surface Pro 4Surface Pro 1
Dimensions11.50” x 7.93” x 0.33” (292 mm x 201.42 mm x 8.4 mm)
Width: 11.50” (292 mm)
Height: 7.93” (201.42 mm)
Thickness: 0.33” (8.4 mm)
10.81” x 6.81” x 0.53” (275 mm x 173 mm x 13.46 mm)
Width: 10.81” (275 mm)
Height: 6.81” (173 mm)
Thickness: 0.53” (13.46 mm)
Weight
  • Intel Core m3: 1.69 lbs (766 g)
  • Intel Core i5 and i7: 1.73 lbs (786 g)
  • 2 lbs (910 g)
Colors
Silver
Dark Titanium
Keyboard and Trackpad
  • Surface Type Cover
    • Not included
    • Weight: 0.68 lb (310 g)
    • Dimension: 11.61 x 8.54 x 0.19 inches (295 mm x 216 mm x 5mm)
  • Keyboard:
    • Activation: Moving (mechanical) keys
    • Layout: QWERTY, full row of function keys (F1-F12)
    • 4 directional keys; Windows, Brightness and Media Controls Keys;
    • LED backlighting
  • Trackpad:
    • Precision glass trackpad.
    • Trackpad size: 4 x 2 inches (101.6 mm x 50.8 mm)
    • Supports a five-finger multitouch gesture.
  • Surface Type Cover
    • Not included
  • Keyboard:
    • Activation: Moving (mechanical) keys.
    • Layout: QWERTY, full row of function keys (F1-F12).
    • 4 directional keys; Windows and Media Controls Keys.
  • Trackpad:
    • Two-finger multitouch gesture trackpad.

Display

Surface Pro 4Surface Pro 1
Size12.3 Inches10.6 Inches
Info
  • Resolution: 2736 x 1824 (5M Pixels)
  • Density: 267 PPI
  • PixelSense™ Display
  • Contrast ratio: 1300:1
  • Aspect ratio: 3:2
  • Inking: designed together with Surface Pen
  • Touch: 10 points multi-touch with GPU-based processing
  • 100 percent sRGB color, individually calibrated
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (2M Pixels)
  • Density: 208 PPI
  • ClearType Full HDDisplay
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9
  • Touch: 10 point multi-touch
  • Surface Pen support (1st Gen)

Ports

Surface Pro 4Surface Pro 1
Surface Pro 4 Ports
Image Source: Microsoft
Left (1)
  • 1 x headphone jack
    Headphone/Microphone
Right (3)
  • 1 x Mini DisplayPort
  • 1 x USB-A
    USB 3.0 (5 Gbps)
  • 1 x Surface Connect
    Charging, Docking Station
Bottom (1)
  • 1 x Type Cover port
Under Kickstand (1)
  • 1 x microSD card slot
Surface Pro 1 Ports
Image Source: Microsoft
Left (1)
  • 1 x USB-A
    USB 3.0 (5 Gbps)
Right (3)
  • 1 x microSD card slot
  • 1 x Surface Charging Connector
  • 1 x Mini DisplayPort
Bottom (1)
  • 1 x Surface Touch/Type Cover Connector

Internal Specs

Surface Pro 4Surface Pro 1
Processor
  1. 6th Gen Intel® Core™ m3-6Y30
    2 cores, 4 threads, 0.90 → 2.20 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 4.5W
  2. 6th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-6300U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 2.40 → 3.00 GHz, 3MB SmartCache, 15W
  3. 6th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-6650U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 2.20 → 3.40 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 15W
  1. Intel® Core™ i5-3317U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.70 → 2.60 GHz, 3MB SmartCache, 17W
Integrated Graphics
  1. 6th Gen Intel® Core™ m3-6Y30
    Intel® HD Graphics 515
    24 Execution Units, 300 → 850 MHz
  2. 6th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-6300U
    Intel® HD Graphics 520
    24 Execution Units, 300 → 1000 MHz
  3. 6th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-6650U
    Intel® Iris® Graphics 540
    48 Execution Units with 64 MB eDRAM side cache, 300 → 1050 MHz
  1. Intel® Core™ i5-3317U
    Intel® HD Graphics 4000
    16 Execution Units, 350 → 1.05 MHz
Memory
4GB 8GB 16GB
1866 MHz LPDDR3 RAM
4GB
Dual Channel Memory
Storage
128 GB 256 GB 512 GB 1 TB
PCIe NVMe SSD
64 GB 128 GB
SSD

Connectivity

Surface Pro 4Surface Pro 1
Wi-Fi
  • Wi-Fi 5: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compatible.
  • Wi-Fi 4: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n compatible.
Bluetooth
  • Bluetooth Wireless 4.0 technology
  • Bluetooth Wireless 4.0 technology

Battery

Surface Pro 4Surface Pro 1
Size38.2 Wh42 Wh
Battery LifeUp to 9 hours of video playback7-15 days of idle life
Power Supply
  • 36W proprietary power supply
    • USB-A output: 5W
    • Surface Connect: 31W
  • 48W proprietary power supply
    • USB-A output: 5W
    • Surface Charger: 43W

Software

Surface Pro 4Surface Pro 1
OSWindows 10 Pro
  • Windows 8 Pro
  • Upgradable Windows 10 Pro
Built-in AppsMicrosoft Office 30-days trialMicrosoft Office 30-days trial

Camera & Audio

Surface Pro 4Surface Pro 1
Camera
  • Windows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing)
  • 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p Skype HD video
  • 8.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p full HD video
  • 720p HD LifeCam front-facing camera with TrueColor Technology
  • 720p HD LifeCam rear-facing camera with TrueColor Technology
Audio
  • Dual microphones
  • Front-facing stereo speakers with Dolby® Audio
  • Single microphone
  • Stereo speakers

Misc

Surface Pro 4Surface Pro 1
InkingSupports Surface Pen
1024 levels of pressure
magnetic storage
Supports Surface Pen
1,024 levels of pressure
Wacom Active Pen technology
Can be attached to charging port
Included with purchase
Sensors
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Magnetometer
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Magnetometer
Security
  • HW TPM 2.0 chip for enterprise security
  • Enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in
-
In the box
  • Surface Pro 4
  • Surface Pen
  • Power supply
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Safety and warranty documents
  • Surface Pro (1st Gen)
  • Surface Pro Pen
  • Power supply
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Safety and warranty documents
Warranty
  • One-year limited hardware warranty
  • One-year limited hardware warranty
More
  • Mechanical features: Signature unibody magnesium design with hidden perimeter venting
  • Kickstand with a full-friction multiposition hinge to 150 degrees
  • Magnetic attach for keyboard fold stability
  • Physical buttons: volumes, power
  • Casing: VaporMg
  • Kickstand: 1 position at 22°
  • Physical buttons: volumes, power

Key Features

Surface Pro 4Surface Pro 1
At Glance
Released in Mid
2015
3:2 2.7K
12.3”
1824p 60Hz
Weight
1.69 lb
0.77 kg
Up to
Intel Core i7-6650U
2C/4T, 2.20 → 3.40 GHz
Geekbench 5
764
Single Core
Geekbench 5
1,757
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® Iris® Graphics 540
48 Execution Units with 64 MB eDRAM side cache, 300 → 1050 MHz
Configurable up to
16GB
1866 MHz LPDDR3
Surface Pro 4 Ports
Released in Mid
2012
16:9 FHD
10.6”
1080p 60Hz
Weight
2 lb
0.91 kg
Powered By
Intel Core i5-3317U
2C/4T, 1.70 → 2.60 GHz
Geekbench 5
460
Single Core
Geekbench 5
1,017
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® HD Graphics 4000
16 Execution Units, 350 → 1.05 MHz
4GB
1600 MHz DDR3
Surface Pro 1 Ports

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