Microsoft Surface Pro 9

The Surface Pro 9 is a versatile 2-in-1, offering 12-gen Intel power, great keyboard covers and strong battery life in a premium design. Offering full access to Windows functions it betters other laptop replacements, but it is on the pricey side.

The best Surface Pro yet but the Surface Pro 9 is only a minor upgrade.

Frankly, $1,700 is not a bad deal for what this tablet brings you. It has the power to spare, and an expansive screen that is good for media consumption and work-related activities. It's very portable, and the type cover makes this machine a functional laptop. My main concerns are the battery life, the speakers, and the fact that Microsoft still, after all these years, does not include at least the keyboard in the box. That's the most unforgivable point from a philosophical standpoint. The battery is the biggest pain point from a practical standpoint.

It isn’t exactly a gaming powerhouse, but the Surface Pro 9 has a few things going for it that may make it an ideal fit for the right person. If you like to take notes by hand, or want a really light laptop alternative that’s powerful enough to run the software most of us every day very well, the Surface Pro 9 may be a great fit. For everybody else, it doesn’t have the flexibility of other tablets or the power of a similarly priced gaming laptop.

The Intel Surface Pro, while a good device, is still only the best option for your money if you’re sure that what you want is, well, a Surface Pro.