Surface Pro 1 vs. Surface Pro 2: Full specs comparison

Here is a comparison of the specs between Surface Pro 1 and Surface Pro 2, including CPU, RAM, storage, battery, display, and more.

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Surface Pro 1 image

Surface Pro 1

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Surface Pro 2 image

Surface Pro 2

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Surface Pro 1 Pros

We couldn't find any advantages of Surface Pro 1 over Surface Pro 2.

Surface Pro 2 Pros

Reasons that Surface Pro 2 is better than Surface Pro 1.

Newer manufacturing

2013 vs. 2012

Significantly faster CPU performance

Intel Core i5-4300U inside Surface Pro 2 has a 21% better multi-core CPU performance score than the Intel Core i5-3317U inside Surface Pro 1.

Geekbench 5 multi-core score
Surface Pro 2 - Intel Core i5-4300U
1,234
Surface Pro 2 - Intel Core i5-4200U
1,121
Surface Pro 1 - Intel Core i5-3317U
1,017
Supports larger memory

Surface Pro 2 supports a larger memory capacity than the Surface Pro 1. It supports up to 8GB versus 4GB of system memory on the Surface Pro 1.

Max system memory size
Surface Pro 2
8 GB
Surface Pro 1
4 GB

Prices

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

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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Surface Pro 2 Price
Microsoft Surface Go 2 10.5 inches Touch-Screen Intel Pentium 4GB RAM, 64gb STV-00001 (Renewed)
 Microsoft Surface Go 2 10.5 inches Touch-Screen Intel Pentium 4GB RAM, 64gb STV-00001 (Renewed)
By Microsoft
$167.00
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New Microsoft Surface Go 2 - 10.5" Touch-Screen - Intel Pentium - 4GB Memory - 64GB - Wifi - Platinum (Latest Model)
 New Microsoft Surface Go 2 - 10.5" Touch-Screen - Intel Pentium - 4GB Memory - 64GB - Wifi - Platinum (Latest Model)
By Microsoft
$246.74
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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
$299.00
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Specs Comparison

Availability

Surface Pro 1Surface Pro 2
Released20122013
Release Date
  • Introduced: June 18, 2012
  • Not available for pre-ordered
  • Released: February 9, 2013
  • Introduced: September 23, 2013
  • Pre-ordered: September 24, 2013
  • Released: October 22, 2013
Pricing
  • Intel® Core™ i5
    • $899 - i5 | 4 GB | 64 GB
    • $999 - i5 | 4 GB | 128 GB
Starting at 899$
Generations

Exterior

Surface Pro 1Surface Pro 2
Dimensions10.81” 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)
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
  • 2 lbs (910 g)
  • 2 lbs (910 g)
Colors
Dark Titanium
Dark Titanium
Keyboard and Trackpad
  • 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.
  • 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.
    • LED backlighting.
  • Trackpad:
    • Two-finger multitouch gesture trackpad.

Display

Surface Pro 1Surface Pro 2
Size10.6 Inches10.6 Inches
Info
  • 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)
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (2M Pixels)
  • Density: 208 PPI
  • ClearType Display
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9
  • Touch: 10 point multi-touch
  • Surface Pen support (1st Gen)

Ports

Surface Pro 1Surface Pro 2
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
Surface Pro 2 Ports
Image Source: Microsoft
  • 1 x Full-size USB 3.0
  • 1 x Mini DisplayPort
  • 1 x Surface Charging Port
  • 1 x Headset jack
  • 1 x microSD™ card reader
  • 1 x Type Cover port

Internal Specs

Surface Pro 1Surface Pro 2
Processor
  1. Intel® Core™ i5-3317U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.70 → 2.60 GHz, 3MB SmartCache, 17W
  1. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4200U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.60 → 2.60 GHz, 3MB SmartCache, 15W
  2. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4300U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.90 → 2.90 GHz, 3MB SmartCache, 15W
Integrated Graphics
  1. Intel® Core™ i5-3317U
    Intel® HD Graphics 4000
    16 Execution Units, 350 → 1.05 MHz
  1. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4200U
    Intel® HD Graphics 4400
    20 Execution Units, 200 → 1000 MHz
  2. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4300U
    Intel® HD Graphics 4200
    20 Execution Units, 200 → 1100 MHz
Memory
4GB
Dual Channel Memory
4GB 8GB
1600 MHz LPDDR3 RAM
Storage
64 GB 128 GB
SSD
64 GB 128 GB 256 GB 512 GB
SSD

Connectivity

Surface Pro 1Surface Pro 2
Wi-Fi
  • Wi-Fi 4: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n 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 1Surface Pro 2
Size42 Wh42 Wh
Battery Life7-15 days of idle life7-15 days of idle life
Power Supply
  • 48W proprietary power supply
    • USB-A output: 5W
    • Surface Charger: 43W
  • 48W proprietary power supply
    • USB-A output: 5W
    • Surface Charger: 43W

Software

Surface Pro 1Surface Pro 2
OS
  • Windows 8 Pro
  • Upgradable Windows 10 Pro
  • Windows 8.1 Pro
  • Upgradable Windows 10 Pro
Built-in AppsMicrosoft Office 30-days trialMicrosoft Office 30-days trial

Camera & Audio

Surface Pro 1Surface Pro 2
Camera
  • 720p HD LifeCam front-facing camera with TrueColor Technology
  • 720p HD LifeCam rear-facing camera with TrueColor Technology
  • 720p front-facing camera
  • 720p rear-facing camera
Audio
  • Single microphone
  • Stereo speakers
  • Single microphone
  • Stereo speakers with enhanced signal processing

Misc

Surface Pro 1Surface Pro 2
InkingSupports Surface Pen
1,024 levels of pressure
Wacom Active Pen technology
Can be attached to charging port
Included with purchase
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 1.2 chip for enterprise security
In the box
  • Surface Pro (1st Gen)
  • Surface Pro Pen
  • Power supply
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Safety and warranty documents
  • Surface Pro 2
  • Surface Pro Pen
  • Power supply
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Safety and warranty documents
Warranty
  • One-year limited hardware warranty
  • One-year limited hardware warranty
More
  • Casing: VaporMg
  • Kickstand: 1 position at 22°
  • Physical buttons: volumes, power
  • Casing: VaporMg
  • Kickstand: 2 positions (22° and 55°)
  • Physical buttons: volumes, power

Key Features

Surface Pro 1Surface Pro 2
At Glance
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
Released in Late
2013
16:9 FHD
10.6”
1080p 60Hz
Weight
2 lb
0.91 kg
Up to
Intel Core i5-4300U
2C/4T, 1.90 → 2.90 GHz
Geekbench 5
582
Single Core
Geekbench 5
1,234
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® HD Graphics 4200
20 Execution Units, 200 → 1100 MHz
Configurable up to
8GB
1600 MHz LPDDR3
Surface Pro 2 Ports

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