The third-generation Floor Professional X is, if something, a downgrade. Microsoft introduced the ‘new’ mannequin at its Floor occasion on 22 September, however the one distinction from final yr’s Professional X is that it’s now accessible with out LTE.
This implies a brand new, decrease entry worth of £829/$899 however, as ever, this doesn’t embrace a keyboard or stylus, so the true worth, for those who purchase each of these, continues to be over £1,000/$1000.
The massive change is, after all, Home windows 11. This brings an essential profit for the Floor Professional X: the flexibility to run 64-bit apps.
Ridiculous because it sounds, it took two yr to get this assist on the Professional X. Even now, it solely consists of 64-bit apps which have been ported to ARM64, to allow them to run on the customized ARM-based processor that’s a collaboration between Microsoft and Qualcomm.
The record consists of massive hitters akin to Photoshop, Lightroom, Zoom, Microsoft Workplace and Groups, however you should still discover that your printer received’t work with the Professional X, your antivirus software program is probably not suitable and there’s nonetheless a restricted variety of video games accessible. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to play 100+ video games with Xbox Sport Move Final and there are extra coming with Google Play Video games.
Home windows 11 does assist x86 and x64 emulation, although, which suggests there’s a lot wider compatibility in comparison with a Professional X working Home windows 10.
Curiously, for those who purchase a Professional X with LTE, you’ll nonetheless get Home windows 10 Dwelling out of the field because it’s truly the 2020. However a free improve is now accessible to Home windows 11 and Microsoft will encourage you to make the swap throughout setup.
When was the Floor Professional X (2021) launched?
Introduced at Microsoft occasion on 22 September 2021
On sale since 5 October 2022
The 2021 Wi-Fi-only fashions of the Floor Professional X have been formally introduced at Microsoft’s {hardware} occasion on 22 October 2021.
They grew to become that can be purchased simply two weeks later, on 5 October.
How a lot does the Floor Professional X (2021) price?
New Wi-Fi solely mannequin begins at £829/$899
No adjustments to LTE mannequin pricing
The entry-level mannequin – with out LTE – begins at £829/$899, and that has 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. It additionally has the unique Microsoft SQ1 processor, which debuted on the 2019 model.
You possibly can, after all, specify it with the SQ2 chip together with extra RAM and storage, for those who’re ready to pay extra.
Listed below are all of the Wi-Fi-only choices, and these are within the Platinum color solely – not Matte Black:
Microsoft SQ1, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage: £829/$899.99
Microsoft SQ1, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage: £1,009/$1099.99
Microsoft SQ2, 16GB RAM, 256GB storage: £1,209/$1299.99
Microsoft SQ2, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage: £1,379/$1499.99
It is potential we’ll see a brand new Floor Professional X in 2022 with an upgraded ‘SQ3’ chip, however that is on no account assured.
Microsoft Floor Professional X (2021) design & options
As that is successfully similar to the 2020 mannequin, however with out LTE, specs are the identical as for that mannequin.
It means there’s Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5, a pair of USB-C ports, a 13in 2880×1920 show, a 5Mp Home windows Hey digital camera and a 10Mp rear-facing digital camera.
So what’s new?
It’s all concerning the software program this yr. Home windows 11, as talked about, brings x86 and x64 emulation, and there’s correct assist for 64-bit Workplace.
And that’s actually it: battery life claims stay the identical at ‘as much as 15 hours’ – no shock as a result of the {hardware} hasn’t modified.
One new factor is the Floor Slim Pen 2, which prices $129.99 and is suitable with the Floor Professional X. It has a redesigned tip and Microsoft says it affords larger management and accuracy in addition to “leveraging new capabilities in Home windows 11”.
What it doesn’t do on the Professional X is supply haptic suggestions which is meant to create the sensation of pen on paper. This solely works with units which have the G6 processor, such because the Floor Professional eight and Floor Laptop computer Studio.
It suits right into a recess within the Floor Professional Signature Keyboard, which additionally costs it.
Need extra Floor launch goodness? We focus on the whole lot that was introduced, alongside the refreshed Floor Professional X in episode 84 of our weekly podcast Quick Cost. We additionally mentioned the inexpensive new 5G-capable Nokia G50 and our impressions on the primary public launch of iOS 15.
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