Posted on March 07, 2025, by Shane Symonds, Your Trusted Tech Reviewer

Welcome to my in-depth unboxing and first impressions of the 2025 Surface Pro 11, Microsoft’s latest iteration of its iconic tablet PC. As a seasoned tech reviewer with years of experience testing devices, I’ve spent a week with this Intel Lunar Lake-powered upgrade to see if it lives up to the hype. Spoiler alert: It’s packed with upgrades that might just make it the best Surface Pro yet. Let’s dive into what’s in the box, how it performs, and whether it’s worth the premium price tag.

Unboxing the 2025 Surface Pro 11: What’s Inside?

The 2025 Surface Pro 11 arrives in sleek, familiar packaging. My review unit boasts 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, though configurations go up to 32GB RAM and 1TB storage for power users. Here’s what you’ll find inside:

• The Device: The star of the show, featuring a new anti-reflective OLED display.
• 39W Charger: Same as the 2024 Snapdragon model, with a wall outlet adapter.
• Paperwork: Standard manuals and setup guides.

While the unboxing experience mirrors the 2024 edition, the real excitement begins when you power it on. Let’s take a closer look at the design and upgrades.

Design & Build: Subtle Yet Impactful Changes

Physically, the 2025 Surface Pro 11 resembles its predecessor, but Microsoft has made some thoughtful tweaks:

• Anti-Reflective Display: The standout exterior upgrade. The 2024 model’s reflective screen often doubled as a mirror—distracting in bright environments. The 2025 version tones this down significantly, making it easier to focus on content.
• Ports & Features: Two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the left, a proprietary Surface connector on the right, and the versatile kickstand on the back. A magnetic door hides the upgradeable SSD, and the cameras include a 10MP rear (4K) and ultrawide front-facing (1440p).
• Weight: At 10 grams lighter than the 2024 model, it feels noticeably better in hand.

The 13-inch OLED display (2880×1920 resolution, 600 nits brightness) offers crisp text and vibrant colors—a first for the Surface Pro line. The 3:2 aspect ratio maximizes screen real estate, perfect for productivity and media.

First Impressions: Performance That Packs a Punch

The biggest upgrade lies under the hood: the Intel Lunar Lake processor. After testing the Snapdragon X Elite version of the Surface Pro 11 seven months ago, I found it limiting for demanding tasks. The Lunar Lake chip changes the game. Here’s what I discovered after a week of use:

Speed & Efficiency

• Light Use: With multiple tabs and apps open, the device runs silently and stays cool—unlike older Intel-based Surface Pros that overheated easily.
• Gaming: In RuneScape, the Snapdragon X Elite hit 80-90 FPS but felt choppy. The Lunar Lake model delivers a smooth 120 FPS, using only 50-60% GPU capacity with minimal fan noise. Compared to my Surface Pro 9 (Intel i5), it’s a night-and-day difference in efficiency.

Battery Life

• Light Tasks: 7 hours of screen-on time with 120Hz refresh and high brightness—45 minutes less than the Snapdragon but still solid.
• Mixed Use: 4 hours when pushing performance (e.g., gaming + multitasking).
• Heavy Gaming: 2 hours at max GPU load, doubling the battery life of past models under similar strain.

Charging with the included 39W charger is slow—two hours didn’t fully recharge it. A 100W USB-C charger (like Microsoft’s USB 4 dock brick) tops it up much faster.

Accessories: Elevating the Experience

The Surface Flex Keyboard and Slim Pen 2 remain standout companions:

• Flex Keyboard ($250-$350): Now wireless with a built-in battery, it offers excellent key travel, a premium trackpad, and adjustable typing angles. Backlighting is adequate (three levels), though not the brightest.
• Slim Pen 2: Smooth writing, haptic feedback, and an eraser tip make it a joy for note-taking or Excel work.

Both accessories enhance the tablet-to-laptop transition, though the keyboard’s price might raise eyebrows.

Standout Features: What I Love So Far

• Display: The anti-reflective OLED is a game-changer for bright environments—studio lights barely distract now.
• Biometrics: Fast, reliable face recognition works at various angles and distances.
• Speakers: Dual speakers impress for a tablet, though they don’t match the Surface Laptop 7’s audio.
• Versatility: The kickstand, pen, and keyboard make it a true hybrid device.

The Catch: Price vs. Value

Here’s the rub: the 2025 Surface Pro 11 with Intel Lunar Lake retails at $1,900 for my 16GB/512GB config—$400 more than the Snapdragon version with identical specs ($1,500). While the performance boost justifies some of that premium, it’s a steep ask. For comparison:

• Snapdragon X Elite: Efficient but limited for power users.
• Intel Lunar Lake: Unlocks full potential without compromise.

If you need top-tier performance in a compact form factor, this is worth it. Budget-conscious buyers might wait for discounts.

Who’s It For?

The 2025 Surface Pro 11 shines for:

• Professionals: Multitasking and portability in one slim package.
• Creatives: Pen input and OLED display for sketching or editing.
• Gamers: Smoother performance than ever in a tablet PC.

It’s less ideal for casual users who don’t need the extra power—or can’t stomach the price.

Final Thoughts: The Best Surface Pro Yet?

After a week, I can confidently say the 2025 Surface Pro 11 with Intel Lunar Lake is the most complete Surface Pro I’ve tested. It blends tablet convenience with laptop-grade performance, all wrapped in a sleek, efficient design. The anti-reflective display, silent operation, and Flex Keyboard make it a joy to use, despite the hefty cost.

What do you think of the new Surface Pro 11? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to hear from you! For more tech insights, subscribe to my channel and stay tuned for my Surface Laptop 7 review. Thanks for reading!