Microsoft Surface Pro (2024) Review: The OLED Copilot+ 2-in-1 That Finally Nails Tablet and Laptop in 2026
A 13-inch OLED Copilot+ PC with Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM and all-day battery — the 2-in-1 that's fast enough to be your only computer.
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Introduction
The 2-in-1 has always come with a quiet compromise: great as a tablet or great as a laptop, rarely both, and almost never fast enough to be your only machine. You'd carry one for the touchscreen and the kickstand, then reach for a 'real' laptop when it was time to actually get work done. For years that trade-off is what kept convertibles in the 'secondary device' drawer.
The Microsoft Surface Pro (2024) is built to end that compromise. It pairs a stunning 13-inch OLED touchscreen with the Snapdragon X Elite chip, 16GB of RAM and Copilot+ AI features — all in a tablet that snaps into a laptop, a sketchbook or a screen on a stand. In this hands-on review we'll cover what it is, how it performs as a daily driver, and whether it's the one 2-in-1 worth buying in 2026.
Product Overview
The Surface Pro is Microsoft's flagship 2-in-1 laptop/tablet: a thin, premium slate with a built-in adjustable kickstand that shifts it from tablet to laptop to sketchbook in seconds. This 2024 Amazon-exclusive configuration comes in black with a 13" OLED touch display boasting a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio for inky blacks and vivid, wide-gamut colour — easily the best screen Microsoft has put on a Surface, and a joy for everything from spreadsheets to Netflix.
Under the glass it's a Copilot+ PC running Windows 11 on the Snapdragon X Elite (12-core) with a powerful NPU — Microsoft positions it as faster than a MacBook Air M3, with the dedicated AI silicon to run Copilot+ features like Recall, Cocreator and live captions on-device. It's backed by 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and the efficient Arm chip delivers up to 14 hours of battery life plus 65W fast charging over Surface Connect or USB-C. To use it as a laptop you add the detachable Surface Pro Flex Keyboard (sold separately). It's aimed at students, professionals and creatives who want one portable device that genuinely does tablet and laptop duty without compromise.
Key Features
- 13" OLED touchscreenA cinematic 13-inch OLED display with a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio delivers deep blacks and a wide, vibrant range of colours.
- Copilot+ PC with on-device AIA dedicated NPU powers Copilot+ features for faster, more private AI assistance built right into Windows 11.
- Snapdragon X Elite performanceThe 12-core Snapdragon X Elite with a powerful NPU delivers snappy, efficient performance Microsoft rates above the MacBook Air M3.
- 16GB RAM + 256GB storagePlenty of memory for smooth multitasking and fast, responsive everyday and pro workloads.
- All-day 14-hour batteryThe efficient Arm chip delivers up to 14 hours of battery, with 65W fast charging via Surface Connect or USB-C.
- True 2-in-1 flexibilityThe built-in kickstand and detachable Surface Pro Flex Keyboard (sold separately) shift it from tablet to laptop to sketchbook at any angle.
- Premium portable designA thin, light slate in black that's as easy to carry as a tablet but powerful enough to be your main PC.
Pros & Cons
👍 What we loved
- Gorgeous 13" OLED screen with superb contrast and colour
- Fast, efficient Snapdragon X Elite with a real NPU for Copilot+ AI
- 16GB RAM keeps multitasking smooth
- Excellent ~14-hour battery life and 65W fast charging
- Genuinely flexible tablet/laptop/sketchbook form factor
- Thin, light and premium — easy to carry everywhere
- On-device Copilot+ AI features without leaning on the cloud
👎 Worth considering
- The Surface Pro Flex Keyboard is sold separately and adds to the cost
- Arm Windows still has occasional app compatibility gaps
- 256GB base storage may feel tight for large media libraries
That OLED display
The screen is the first thing you notice and the thing you'll keep coming back to. OLED's perfect blacks and the 1M:1 contrast ratio make photos, video and even plain dark-mode windows look spectacular, and the touch layer is responsive and pen-ready for sketching and note-taking. For a device this portable, having a display this good is genuinely rare — it elevates everything from work to streaming.
Performance and battery
This is where the 2024 model earns the 'only computer you need' pitch. The Snapdragon X Elite handles everyday multitasking, browser-heavy workflows and creative apps with ease, and the dedicated NPU brings Copilot+ AI features on-device for speed and privacy. The real headline is efficiency: all-day battery from an Arm chip that stays cool and quiet, plus 65W fast charging when you do top up. Just be aware that, as with any Arm-based Windows PC, a few niche x86 apps may still need checking for compatibility.
Is it worth it?
The Surface Pro sits at the premium end, and the separately-sold keyboard is a real consideration in the total price. But what you get is a single device that replaces both your tablet and your laptop, with a class-leading OLED screen, Copilot+ AI and battery life that lasts a full day. For students, mobile professionals and creatives who value flexibility and a stunning display, it's one of the most compelling 2-in-1s you can buy.
The Verdict
The Microsoft Surface Pro (2024) finally delivers on the 2-in-1 promise: a beautiful 13" OLED tablet that becomes a capable laptop, powered by a fast, efficient Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB of RAM and on-device Copilot+ AI, with battery life that genuinely lasts all day. It's flexible, portable and powerful enough to be your main machine rather than a second screen.
If you want one premium device that handles tablet and laptop duty without compromise — and a display you'll fall in love with — this is the Surface to get. Check the latest price and grab one below before stock moves.
