Surface Pro 9 vs. Surface Pro 1: Which is better?

Here is a side by side comparison between Surface Pro 9 and Surface Pro 1 specs including CPU, RAM, storage, battery, display, and more.

Surface Pro 9 Pros

Reasons that Surface Pro 9 is better than Surface Pro 1.

Much newer manufacturing

2022 vs. 2012

Much faster CPU performance

Intel Core i7-1265U inside Surface Pro 9 has a 523% better multi-core CPU performance score than the Intel Core i5-3317U inside Surface Pro 1.

Geekbench 5 multi-core score
Surface Pro 9 - Intel Core i7-1255U
6,415
Surface Pro 9 - Intel Core i7-1265U
6,336
Surface Pro 9 - Intel Core i5-1235U
5,715
Surface Pro 9 - Intel Core i5-1245U
5,700
Surface Pro 1 - Intel Core i5-3317U
1,017
Supports larger memory

Surface Pro 9 supports a larger memory capacity than the Surface Pro 1. It supports up to 32GB versus 4GB of system memory on the Surface Pro 1.

Max system memory size
Surface Pro 9
32 GB
Surface Pro 1
4 GB
Supports faster memory

Surface Pro 9 supports a faster memory speed than the Surface Pro 1. It supports up to 5200MHz versus 1600MHz of system memory on the Surface Pro 1.

Memory type and speed
Surface Pro 9 - LPDDR5
5,200 MHz
Surface Pro 1 - DDR3
1,600 MHz
22% larger display

Surface Pro 9 has a 13-inch screen size 22% larger than the 10.6-inch Surface Pro 1.

Display size
Surface Pro 9
13-inch
Surface Pro 1
10.6-inch

Surface Pro 1 Pros

Reasons that Surface Pro 1 is better than Surface Pro 9.

More versatile connectivity

Surface Pro 1 has better versatile I/O connectivity than the Surface Pro 9. It has three versus one commonly used port and slot on the Surface Pro 9.

PortsSurface Pro 9Surface Pro 1
microSD card slotNoYes
Mini DisplayPortNoYes
Thunderbolt 4YesNo
USB-ANoYes

Prices

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

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Price
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022), 13" 2-in-1 Tablet & Laptop, Thin & Lightweight, Intel 12th Gen i7 Fast Processor for Multi-Tasking, 16GB RAM, 256GB Storage with Windows 11, Graphite Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022), 13" 2-in-1 Tablet & Laptop, Thin & Lightweight, Intel 12th Gen i7 Fast Processor for Multi-Tasking, 16GB RAM, 256GB Storage with Windows 11, Graphite Microsoft Copilot
By Microsoft
$1,099.00
$1,599.99 31% OFF
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Tablet - 13" - Core i7 12th Gen i7-1265U Deca-core (10 Core) - 16 GB RAM - 256 GB SSD - Windows 11 Pro 64-bit - Graphite
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Tablet - 13" - Core i7 12th Gen i7-1265U Deca-core (10 Core) - 16 GB RAM - 256 GB SSD - Windows 11 Pro 64-bit - Graphite
By Microsoft
$1,059.78
$1,134.78 7% OFF
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
$690.99
$749.99 8% OFF
Surface Pro 1 Price
Microsoft QLP-00001 Surface Pro 9 13" Touch Tablet, Intel i7, 32GB/1TB, Platinum Bundle Surface Pro Signature Mechanical Keyboard, Black and 1 YR CPS Enhanced Protection Pack
Microsoft QLP-00001 Surface Pro 9 13" Touch Tablet, Intel i7, 32GB/1TB, Platinum Bundle Surface Pro Signature Mechanical Keyboard, Black and 1 YR CPS Enhanced Protection Pack
By Microsoft
$2,145.99
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Tablet, 13" - High-Performance Laptop with 10th Gen Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Pre-Installed Windows 11 Pro, Long Battery Life Platinum Finish QLQ-00001
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Tablet, 13" - High-Performance Laptop with 10th Gen Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Pre-Installed Windows 11 Pro, Long Battery Life Platinum Finish QLQ-00001
By Microsoft
$1,927.17
$2,699.99 29% OFF
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
$236.00

Availability

Surface Pro 9Surface Pro 1
Released20222012
Release Date
  • Introduced: October 12, 2022
  • Pre-ordered: October 12, 2022
  • Released: October 25, 2022
  • Introduced: June 18, 2012
  • Not available for pre-ordered
  • Released: February 9, 2013
PricingStarting at $999.99
  • Intel® Core™ i5
    • $899 - i5 | 4 GB | 64 GB
    • $999 - i5 | 4 GB | 128 GB
Generations

Exterior

Surface Pro 9Surface Pro 1
Dimensions11.3” x 8.2” x 0.37” (287 mm x 208 mm x 9.3 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)
Weight1.94 lb (879 g)
  • 2 lbs (910 g)
Colors
Sapphire Forest Platinum Graphite
Dark Titanium
Keyboard and Trackpad
  • Not included.
  • Compatible with 
    Surface Pro Signature Keyboard Surface Pro X Keyboard
  • Type Cover Features:
    • 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 Slim Pen Storage
    • Magnetic dock
    • Automatically wireless charge Surface Slim Pen
  • 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 9Surface Pro 1
Size13 Inches10.6 Inches
Info
  • 13” PixelSense™ Flow Display
  • Resolution: 2880 x 1920
    5.53M Pixels.
  • Density: 267 PPI
  • Color profile: sRGB and Vivid
  • Dynamic refresh rate: up to 120Hz
  • Aspect ratio: 3:2
  • Contrast ratio: 1200:1
  • Touch: 10-point multi-touch
  • Brightness: 450 nits maximum (typical), 2 nits minimum
  • Gorilla® Glass 5
  • Adaptive Color
  • Auto Color Management supported
  • Dolby Vision IQ™ support
  • 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 9Surface Pro 1
Left (2)
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 4
    40 Gpbs, USB 4.0 (40 Gbps), DisplayPort, Power Delivery
Right (1)
  • 1 x Surface Connect
    Charging, Docking
Bottom (1)
  • 1 x Surface Type Cover port
Under Kickstand (1)
  • 1 x SSD slot
    M.2 2230 NVMe 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 9Surface Pro 1
Processor
  1. 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1235U
    10 cores, 12 threads, 1.30 → 4.40 GHz, 12MB SmartCache, 15W
  2. 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1255U
    10 cores, 12 threads, 1.70 → 4.70 GHz, 12MB SmartCache, 15W
  3. 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1245U
    10 cores, 12 threads, 1.60 → 4.40 GHz, 12MB SmartCache, 15W
  4. 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1265U
    10 cores, 12 threads, 1.80 → 4.80 GHz, 12MB SmartCache, 15W
  1. Intel® Core™ i5-3317U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.70 → 2.60 GHz, 3MB SmartCache, 17W
Integrated Graphics
  1. 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1235U
    Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    80 Execution Units, → 1200 MHz
  2. 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1255U
    Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    96 Execution Units, → 1250 MHz
  3. 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1245U
    Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    80 Execution Units, → 1200 MHz
  4. 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1265U
    Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    96 Execution Units, → 1250 MHz
  1. Intel® Core™ i5-3317U
    Intel® HD Graphics 4000
    16 Execution Units, 350 → 1.05 MHz
Memory
8GB 16GB 32GB
5200 MHz LPDDR5 RAM
4GB
Dual Channel Memory
Storage
128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB
Removable SSD.
64 GB 128 GB
SSD
Fans Number1-

Connectivity

Surface Pro 9Surface Pro 1
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6E: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax compatible.
  • Wi-Fi 4: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n compatible.
BluetoothBluetooth Wireless 5.1 technology
  • Bluetooth Wireless 4.0 technology

Battery

Surface Pro 9Surface Pro 1
Size
  • 47.7 Wh
    Nominal battery capacity.
  • 46.5 Wh
    Minimum battery capacity.
42 Wh
Battery LifeUp to 15.5 hours of typical device usage7-15 days of idle life
Power Supply
  • 60W power supply with USB-A (5W) (65W total)
  • Supports Fast Charge (0-80% in about one hour)
  • 48W proprietary power supply
    • USB-A output: 5W
    • Surface Charger: 43W

Software

Surface Pro 9Surface Pro 1
OSConsumer models
  • Windows 11 Home
Business models
  • Windows 11 Pro, Windows 10 Pro
  • Windows 8 Pro
  • Upgradable Windows 10 Pro
Built-in Apps
  • Preloaded Microsoft 365 Apps
  • Microsoft 365 Family 30-day trial
  • Preloaded Xbox app
  • Xbox Game Pass Ultimate one-month trial
Microsoft Office 30-days trial

Camera & Audio

Surface Pro 9Surface Pro 1
Camera
  • Windows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing)
  • 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p Skype HD video
  • 10.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p full HD and 4K video
  • 720p HD LifeCam front-facing camera with TrueColor Technology
  • 720p HD LifeCam rear-facing camera with TrueColor Technology
Audio
  • Dual far-field Studio Mics
  • 2W stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos®
  • Single microphone
  • Stereo speakers

Misc

Surface Pro 9Surface Pro 1
Inking
  • Designed for Surface Slim Pen 2
  • Supports Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP)
    4096 levels of pressure Tilt sensing Best in class latency Paper feel 0.1mm precision magnetic storage
  • Supports Tactile signals with Surface Slim Pen 2
  • The integrated storage and wireless charging for Surface Slim Pen 2 with Surface Pro Signature Keyboard
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
  • Gyroscope
  • Magnetometer
  • Ambient Color Sensor (brightness and color)
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Magnetometer
Security
  • TPM 2.0 chip for enterprise-grade security and BitLocker support
  • Enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in
  • Windows 11 Secured-core PC
-
In the box
  • Surface Pro 9
  • 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
Warranty1-year limited hardware warranty
  • One-year limited hardware warranty
More-
  • Casing: VaporMg
  • Kickstand: 1 position at 22°
  • Physical buttons: volumes, power

Key Features

Surface Pro 9Surface Pro 1
At Glance
Released in Late
2022
3:2 2.8K
13”
1920p 60~120Hz
Weight
1.94 lb
0.88 kg
Up to
Intel Core i7-1265U
10C/12T, 1.80 → 4.80 GHz
Geekbench 5
1,336
Single Core
Geekbench 5
6,336
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
96 Execution Units, → 1250 MHz
Configurable up to
32GB
5200 MHz LPDDR5
Starting at
$999.99
i5, 8GB, 128GB, Win 11 Home
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

Comparison Summary

Surface Pro 9 vs. Surface Pro 1

Microsoft has released the Surface Pro 9, a 13-inch machine, in late-2022. It is powered by up to 10-core Intel Core i7-1265U with a boost clock speed up to 4.80 GHz. The laptop has an integrated graphics option up to Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics (96 Execution Units, → 1250 MHz).

On the other hand, we have the 10.6-inch Surface Pro 1 was introduced by Microsoft about ten years earlier in mid-2012. It comes with a dual-core Intel Core i5-3317U with a boost clock speed up to 2.60 GHz. It has an integrated graphics option up to Intel® HD Graphics 4000 (16 Execution Units, 350 → 1.05 MHz).

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Surface Pro 91
12th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1235U1,51086.09%
2
12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1255U1,754100.00%
3
12th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1245U1,56088.94%
4
12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1265U1,33676.17%
Surface Pro 11
Intel® Core™ i5-3317U46026.23%
01,754

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Surface Pro 91
12th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1235U5,71589.09%
2
12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1255U6,415100.00%
3
12th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1245U5,70088.85%
4
12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1265U6,33698.77%
Surface Pro 11
Intel® Core™ i5-3317U1,01715.85%
06,415

The Surface Pro 9 has a 13-inch display which is considerably larger than the 10.6-inch Surface Pro 1. In addition, The Surface Pro 9 weighs 1.94 lbs. about 3% lighter than the 2 lbs. Surface Pro 1. Moreover, measured at 11.3” x 8.2” x 0.37”, the Surface Pro 9 is slightly more portable than the Surface Pro 1 at 10.81” x 6.81” x 0.53”.

Surface Pro 9Surface Pro 1

There are a toal number of 5 ports and slots available on Surface Pro 9. That includes a Thunderbolt 4 port, a Surface Connect, a Surface Type Cover port, and an SSD slot. With that said, it has the same number of ports and slots as the Surface Pro 1 including a USB-A port, a microSD card slot, a Surface Charging Connector, a Mini DisplayPort, and a Surface Touch/Type Cover Connector.

Moving over to upgradability, Microsoft claims that the Surface Pro 9 supports up to 32GB 5200 MHz LPDDR5 memory. However, it has an onboard memory module that is not upgradable by the users. Fortunately, it comes with a single removable M.2 SSD slot that users can replace and upgrade in the future.

For Surface Pro 1, it supports 4GB 1600 MHz DDR3 memory. Like Surface Pro 9, it has an onboard memory module that is not upgradable by the users. Luckily, it has a single removable M.2 SSD slot that users can replace or upgrade when needed.

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