Surface Pro

Are you an artist or someone who fancies drawing whenever you feel? Then you are in the correct place. Those days are long gone when you needed to carry large canvas, paintbrushes, etc., for drawing. Now we have a simpler solution for you that is drawing tabs with a pen, and when it comes to drawing tabs, many options pop out. However, the surface pro beats them all. But which surface pro should you really buy? Well, you will get to know throughout the article as we will take a look at the best Surface Pro for artists. Is Surface Pro Good for Artists? Yes, the Surface Pro is good for artists and designers, creative professionals, and for many professionals. Pair a Surface Pro with the stylus or the digital pen that comes with numerous tips for different sizes, lengths, and lines, and you will have an inevitable tablet for drawing. Whether on roads, houses, cafes, or anywhere a Surface Pro will give any artist the perfect base and adaptability for drawing. Can You Use a Surface Pro as a Drawing Tablet? Surface Pro is a convenient 2 in 1 hybrid laptop which can be used as a drawing tablet. However, it's not the best drawing tablet in the market. But there are better options available if your only primary aim is to draw only. Comparison Chart: Best Surface Pro For ArtistsIt's Best forDisplay SizeMax Screen ResolutionRAMWeight Microsoft Surface Pro 7Best Execution Quality12.3 Inches2736 x 18244/8/16 GB‎1.7 pounds Microsoft Surface Pro 6Best for Speed and Flexibility12.3 Inches‎2736×18248 GB3.53 pounds Microsoft Surface Pro 5Best for Budget12.3 Inches2736 x 18244 GB‎1.69 pounds Microsoft Surface Pro 4Best Screen12.3 Inches2736 x 18248 GB‎1.7 pounds Microsoft Surface Pro 3Best for Versatile Works12 Inches2160 x 14404 GB1.76 lbs Microsoft Surface Pro 2Best for Portability10.51 Inches1920 x 12808 GB1.2 pounds 6 Best Surface Pro For Artists Reviews In 2023 We picked the following Surface Pros by keeping all those creative artists in mind who are always on the move on the basis of many factors like price, quality, value for money, features, and many more. 1. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – 12.3" Touch-Screen – Best Execution Quality The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a multipurpose tab that is one of the best alternatives for a workstation. Paired with a type cover, you can get all your work done on the go. Surface Pro 7 comes in different variants of storage, RAM, processor, and more. Further, you can also customize the tablet as per your choice. Long Battery backup The Surface Pro 7 has a very long battery backup of 10.5 hours, making it convenient for artists and every creative designer. You will always have the power in hand on the move. The battery was put through its paces with a complete discharge and a mix of continuous use and contemporary standby. Microsoft tested the gadget in September 2019 using pre production software and testing and development of Intel Core i5, 256GB, 8GB RAM tablet. Powerful GPU The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is much faster at completing both routine and tough tasks. The GPU is one of the essential aspects for artists and designers, and the Surface Pro 7 distinguishes out in this regard. With Intel Iris Plus designs and an Intel Iris Plus Graphics GPU, you'll likely get more grounded illustrations with ease. 3 Working modes This surface pro has 3 working modes to make your working stature more comfortable and easier. Studio mode: Studio mode is the most beneficial mode for artists where you will have the perfect writing and drawing position using the surface pen. To achieve the studio mode, you can simply lower the kickstand to a 15-degree angle. Tablet mode: Shut the Kickstand, and you can either fold or detach the Type Cover to create a strong Intel tablet that can be used on its own. Laptop mode: For a full laptop experience everywhere, open the built-in kickstand and add their Signature Type Cover. Powerful internals It features a 10th Generation Intel Core Processor (intel core i7 or i5) that pushes the boundaries of what's possible in a small and light computer. No other laptop or 2-in-1 on the market can match this level of performance in such a small and light package. Connections In this latest Surface Pro 7, you will get one USB-C and one USB-A connection which are very important for connecting to display, docks, and charging. Technical Details and Specifications Display Size: 12.3 inches Screen Resolution: 2736 x 1824 Max Screen: 12.3 Pixels Product Dimensions: 12.74 x 9.09 x 1.91 inches Product Weight: 1.7 pounds Processor: 1 GHz Intel core i7 RAM: 16 GB DDR Hard Drive: 256 GB SSD Graphics Coprocessor: ‎Mac Chipset Brand: Intel Card Description: Integrated Average Battery Life (in hours): 7.5 Hours ProsHas Wi-Fi 6USB-C port for faster connectivityVery LightweightLong battery lifeConsType C port is not thunderbolt 3 Summary With laptop-to-tablet flexibility, the new Surface Pro 7 conforms to the way you work whether you are at work, at home, or on the go. This two-in-one hybrid laptop is undoubtedly the best Surface Pro for artists, designers, and business people who are always on the move. Check Amazon Price Check Walmart Price Check Bestbuy Price 2. Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB) – Best for Speed and Flexibility Microsoft's new Surface Pro 6 is ultra-lightweight and versatile. The Surface Pro sort layout has been enhanced, with slightly spaced-out keys for a more natural and effective writing experience that feels like a traditional Laptop. Furthermore, the two-catch trackpad allows for extremely precise tracking and control. Improved Type cover As with previous generation type covers, the keys were really compact and tightly placed, which was not that comfortable to work on. But now, the keys are sufficiently spaced out for betting typing experience. Design Even though the design of the Surface Pro 6 is like older generations, but there are slight improvements. The new matte-black finish looks incredible. Furthermore, the black color makes this 0.33-inch magnesium build laptop appear even thinner than before. The black shell is likewise non-scratchable and has a little gritty feel that makes it simple to grasp. Display This tab has a 12.3 inches pixel sense display which is really bright and adjusts to color perfectly. You cannot expect a better display at this price range. Furthermore, it has 408 nits of brightness, giving you pretty bright and accurate colors while watching movies or drawing in this tab. Excellent Performance The Surface Pro 6 is a significant performance improvement over the previous Surface Pro due to its 8th-generation quad-core Core i5-8250U CPU and 8GB of RAM. There was no lag on the Surface Pro 6 when we opened more than 20 tabs in the browser and listened to music while drawing with the surface pen. Office work You can handle your Microsoft office, excel sheets, access, words with ease using the Surface Pro 6. This tablet can handle most of your day-to-day regular office tasks. All necessary sensors Unlike most other thin tablets, the Surface Pro 6 comes with all the important sensors like the light sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer. Thus, drawing for artists on this surface pro can be very convenient. Technical Details and Specifications Standing screen display size: ‎12.3 Inches Screen Resolution: 2736 x 1824 Max Screen Resolution: ‎2736x1824 Pixels Dimensions: 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches Weight: 3.53 pounds Processor: 1.3 GHz core_i5_8400t RAM: ‎8 GB LPDDR3 1866 MHz Hard Drive: 128 GB Solid State Flash Memory Average Battery Life (in hours): 5 Hours Graphics Coprocessor: ‎Intel UHD Graphics 620 ProsCrisp and sharp graphicsExcellent displayComfortable keyboardSolid buildConsNo USB type C port Summary The Surface Pro 6 comes with a crisp and bright display with good battery life. Considering its performance in Microsoft office, it can be a great choice for students, white-collar workers and artists will also get the benefits too. Check Amazon Price Check Walmart Price Check Newegg Price 3. Microsoft Surface Pro 5 12.3" Touch-Screen (2736 X 1824) Tablet PC – Best for Budget Buyers With Microsoft Surface Pro 5, we are now coming at a more budget segment with a slightly lower price than the Surface Pro 6. It works with an Intel Core M3 processor along with 4Gb ram and 128 Gb SSD, which will give you a pretty decent working performance. Premium build and looks The Surface Pro 5 looks and feels much better than its predecessor; the magnesium-aluminum alloy frame is rounded at the corners. Microsoft also modified the hinge to make it more artist-friendly. The hinge bends back to a 165-degree angle, which is perfect for digital painting. Alcantara Type Cover The type cover for any surface pro is as important as the device itself. It is the type cover that makes this tablet into a compact laptop. This new Alcantara Type Cover is a significant improvement in comfort over previous models, and it's unquestionably worth the modest price premium over the microfiber material option. Additionally, the keys seem more profoundly set and bouncier, and there is an ample key traveling distance in this type of cover. Secondly, the build quality of the material appears to be durable enough to last a long time. Camera Even though the camera of a tablet isn't that important, the Microsoft Surface Pro 5 comes with a quite decent front and back cameras; 8 megapixels rear-facing Camera, 5 megapixels front-facing camera. The front-facing camera is good enough for all your online meetings and video calls. When talking about the back camera, it is certainly not the best camera of a surface pro. However, it isn't the worst. You can get some okayish pictures in regular lighting conditions. Multitasking The processor M3 might be less powerful than intel core i3,5 and 7 processors, but the multitasking ability is something worth mentioning. This includes online browsing with many tabs open at the same time, word processing, and downloading and uploading large amounts of media files. Along with all these, you can also use it for mild editing. Technical Details and Specifications Standing screen display size: 12.3 Inches Max Screen Resolution: 2736 x 1824 Processor: ‎core_m3 RAM: 4 GB Hard Drive: 128 GB SSD Graphics Coprocessor: Graphics 615 Connections: 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x Mini DisplayPort, 1 x headphone jack, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, built for Windows ink Battery Life (in hours): 13.5 Item Weight: 1.69 pounds Item Dimensions: 3.2 x 3.24 x 1 inches Color: Platinum ProsBetter battery life than most surface prosImproved S Pen for digital artistsRedesigned Alcantara type coverDecent CamerasConsNot that powerful for office usage Summary The Surface Pro 5 is budget friendly and the best Microsoft Surface for drawing. This is designed specifically for artists who don't care about anything else but only the drawing experience. Check Amazon Price Check Newegg Price Check Shopabunda Price 4. Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (256 GB, 8 GB RAM, Intel Core i5) – Best Screen The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is a tablet that can be used as a great alternative to traditional mainstream heavy laptops. It contains a 6th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB solid-state drive, making it more efficient than its predecessor while still being lighter with a weight of only 1.73 pounds. Compact Design Surface Pro is designed to be compact and replace your traditional laptop or ultrabook. It is slightly smaller and lighter than previous versions, measuring 7.93 by 11.5 by 0.33 inches and weighing only about 1.73 pounds. Furthermore, it fits a bigger display inside its somewhat smaller 12.3-inch frame. In order to make sure that the display is bigger, Microsoft reduced the bezel size technically. This big screen is a great feature for any artist and designer. Great Performance Comparing the price point, the performance of the surface pro 4 is quite exhilarating. The Surface Pro 4 is typically fast, loading up quickly and operating smoothly thanks to its 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-6300U CPU and 8GB of RAM. In addition, it has a good productivity score of 2,612 in the PCMark 8 Work Conventional test. It is more efficient, silent, and becomes less hot while working over long hours. In addition, Surface Pro 4 has powerfully easy solutions for the tasks you do every day, no matter what you're doing. The Better Trackpad on the Type Cover The trackpad on previous Type Covers has always been a pain to use; it's too tiny, it's not smooth, and it's just plain annoying. Moreover, the new one is far superior, and it scrolls quickly and smoothly, and the bigger size makes it much easier to make all of Windows 10's multi-finger motions. Crisp Display What more could an artist want than a sharp display on any tablet? The lines made with the Surface Pen are so flawless that you'd never guess they're on a screen. The text appears fantastic as well, with no jagged edges to be seen. First, however, make sure your display is scaled to 200 percent. Additionally, if you connect the Surface Pro 4 to an external monitor that supports per-display scaling, you'll be able to do so. Technical Details and Specifications Standing screen display size: 12.3 inches Screen Resolution: 2736 x 1824 Processor: 3 GHz core_i5 RAM: 8 GB Hard Drive: 256 GB SSD Number of USB 2.0 Ports: 1 Number of USB 3.0 Ports: ‎1 Battery: Ten hours of battery life Operating System: Windows 10 Professional Item Weight: 1.7 pounds Dimensions of Surface Pro 4: 11.50 x 7.93 x 0.33 inches Rear Webcam Resolution: 8 MP ProsBetter screen to body ratioStrong Battery lifeCrisp and sharp displayCompact and easy to carry designConsNo type C Summary The Surface Pro 4 is another great tab for drawing. Thanks to its crisp and sharp display, it's a best surface pro for drawing and people who want a 2 in 1 device to watch movies and enjoy heavy multimedia. Check Amazon Price Check Walmart Price Check Newegg Price 5. Microsoft Surface Pro 3 MQ2-00001 12-Inch Full HD 128 GB – Best for Versatile Works Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is an outstanding tablet for working on projects thanks to the razor-sharp clarity of the 12" Full HD Plus screen, as well as a multi-position Kickstand, keyboard, and various connections. The Intel Core CPU 4th generation provides you the capacity to operate desktop apps like Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop. Larger Display The Surface Pro 3 touchscreen has grown from a modest 10.6 inches to a much larger 12 inches when compared to previous versions of Microsoft Surface Pros. On the other hand, the pixel count has been increased from 1920 x 1080 to 2160 x 1440. As a result, you now have a PPI of 216. What's more noteworthy is Microsoft's unusual aspect ratio decision. Rather than keeping with the 16:9 aspect ratio of the Pro 2 or the 4:3 aspect ratio of the iPad, they decided with a 3:2 aspect ratio. According to Microsoft, this 12-inch screen can display more material than the MacBook Air's 13.3-inch panel, which has a 16:10 aspect ratio. Premium Looks The Surface Pro 3 feels expensive in every way, thanks to its brilliant magnesium casing that is silver in color, which looks premium and feels sleek to the touch. While talking about the shape, the surface pro 3 maintains the trapezoidal form of its predecessors while being smaller as well as lightweight than before. In addition, the tablet's upper half has vents on the sides to help disperse the heat generated by the fan. The Windows home button has also been relocated to the left side of the device's glass bezel. Hence when held vertically, it appears on the base of the tablet. Technical Details and Specifications: Standing screen display size: 12 Inches Screen Resolution: 2160 x 1440 Max Screen Resolution: 2160 x 1440 Processor: 1.9 GHz intel_atom RAM: 4 GB Hard Drive: 128 GB Number of USB 2.0 Ports: ‎1 Average Battery Life (in hours): 9 Hours Dimensions:‎11.5 x 0.36 x 7.93 inches Item Weight: 1.76 pounds Color: Silver Rear Webcam Resolution: 5 MP ProsGlossy and sharp displayLooks premiumCan run photoshop smoothlyConsIt can become hot at times Summary The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is a versatile 2 in 1 tablet that can be a suitable work and play tablet for artists. Combine type cover with glossy skin and pain, and artists will have an excellent device to play with. Check Amazon Price Check Ebay Price Check Bhphotovideo Price 6. New Microsoft Surface Go 2 - 10.5" Touch Screen – Best for Portability The last on our list is the new Microsoft Surface Go 2. This is by far the cheapest model of surface pro available for artists and does a pretty decent work for the money you will be paying for it. Ultraportable The Surface Go 2 weighs only 1.2 pounds, making it the lightest surface pro on our list. Thus, you will be able to carry this everywhere you go, from office to school to anywhere. Furthermore, the 10.5-inch screen makes it even easier to carry in your regular small backpacks without even putting any extra weight on your back. This rectangular table has a dimension of 0.33 by 9.7 by 6.9 inches only, making it compact and usable by both hands smoothly. A handy inbuilt kickstand pulls out at the rear of the tablet, allowing it to be propped up on any flat surface to draw or take quick notes with ease. All Necessary Ports Even though the Surface Go 2 is compactly built, it still comes with most of the necessary ports and buttons. For example, you will find a USB-C port and headphone jack, volume rocker, and power button along the edges of this tab. Free Upgrade to Windows 11 Microsoft has assured that this beautifully designed 2 in 1 convertible surface can be upgraded to windows 11(when available on the market). More interestingly, the upgrade will be completely free. Thus, you can stay assured that you will be able to use this tab for very long with all the latest features as new updates will be available in the future. Get all your Day-to-Day Work Done The Surface Go 2 is capable of handling all of your daily tasks. Make notes, assist with homework, prepare and practice presentations, and keep track of your correspondence. Also ideal for eBooks, online surfing, and streaming your favorite shows is the new 10.5" PixelSense Display with touchscreen. Technical Details and Specifications Standing screen size: 10.51 Inches Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1280 Max Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1280 Pixels Processor: 1.7 GHz core_i9_7740x RAM: 8 GB Hard Drive: ‎128 GB SSD Graphics Coprocessor: NVIDIA Chipset Brand: ‎Intel Card Description: Integrated Number of USB 3.0 Ports: ‎1 Average Battery Life (in hours): 10 Item Weight: 1.2 pounds Dimensions: 9.65 x 6.9 x 0.33 inch Color: ‎Silver Rear Webcam Resolution: 8 MP ProsVery lightweight and ultraportableBuilt-in durable kickstandCamera with face recognitionGreat quality of soundConsDesktop mode is not fully optimized Summary The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a budget surface pro. However, it comes with quite reasonable specs allowing good performance, which will be suitable for kids as well as beginner artists. Check Amazon Price Check Walmart Price Check Ebay Price How To Choose the Best Surface Pro for Artists? With all the variations in Surface Pro, it is difficult to pick the best one according to your needs. Hence, we have listed the top criteria to check while buying a Surface Pro. Display Specs One of the best concerns for any artist while choosing any tab or 2 in 1 like Microsoft Surface Pro for drawing will be the screen. The screen resolution, pixels, and quality will vary from model to model. While choosing one for yourself, make sure that the screen is adaptable enough to the stylus pen. Moreover, it should take perfect feedback when you use different sizes of Nipps on your stylus. Last but not least is that the screen should be quick to respond to your inputs. Now, if you are a professional artist or designer, you need a good high screen resolution. But, on the other hand, for amateur or beginner artists, a regular resolution of HD 1920 x 1080 is more than enough. RAM and ROM RAM and ROM are completely based on personal preferences and dependant on the type of work you will be doing on your surface pro. If you only wish to draw and use it for light work and entertainment like video watching, listening to music, etc., on your Surface Pro, then 4GB RAM is enough. However, in case you will be using your surface pro for heavy-duty office works, do professional editing using apps like photoshops. Then we prefer you should use 8GB or 16GB for RAM. ROM is the total storage; Surface pros use SSD rather than regular storage. Hence, they have a faster memory. Depending on how much media, files, and docs you will be storing in your tab, you can choose storage. CPU When it comes to completing different activities and media projects, an Intel Core Processor provides the finest results. Core i3-based notepads are popular in section-level frameworks. Whereas Core i5-based PCs make up the vast majority of ordinary PCs. Most of your hard work, such as running photoshops and graphic artists, will be readily accomplished with a Core i5, i7 processor. However, if you simply intend to use your tablet for entertainment or frequent sketching and taking notes, CPUs such as the Core m3 and Atom are an excellent choice because they are less expensive. Size Surface Pro was created by keeping people on the mind who are always on the go. As a result, all the Surface pros are pretty compact and lightweight. But if you want a really lightweight and compact device, then look for Surface Go 2, which is the lightest model along with a compact 10.3-inch display. On the other hand, other models are a bit heavier, with a slightly larger display of around 12 or 12.3-inche screen. Thus, you choose the size that best matches your preferences and work requirements. Frequently Asked Questions After reading this whole guide, it is obvious that some questions are popping around your head. In this part, we will try to answer a few of these most frequently asked questions. Can you connect a drawing tablet to the Surface Pro? Yes, you can connect a drawing tablet to the Surface Pro easily. However, Surface Pros are exactly not meant for these options. It is more for directly sketching on the device itself. Is Surface Pro 7 good for animation? Yes, Surface Pro 7 is one of the most powerful models of surface pro, and it is powered by 10th generation intel core i5 and i7 processors. Along with 16Gb ram and intel iris graphics which makes it very suitable to handle any type of 2D works and animation. The Surface Pro is capable of running the most recent versions of video editing software. On the Surface Pro 7, you can get color and contrast reliable data with outstanding performance. Can we use a Type-C port for charging Surface Pro 7? Yes, you can charge your surface pro 7 using the type C port. A single USB Type-C 3.1 Gen 2 connector is standard on all Surface Pro 7 models. You can use this port for data transfer, display output, and charging. Can you use Zoom on a surface pro? Yes, you can use the zoom on a surface pro. However, it is not available on the windows app store. Hence you can either use the basic web version or install the app from any third-party store. Can you use Excel and PowerPoint on Surface Pro? Surface Pro supports PowerPoint and excel, but it might work slightly slower than mainstream workstations. Final Words All these Surface Pros can be an excellent choice for artists. Each of these models is excellent for drawings, editing, and other office work. However, if you ask our suggestion on which is the best Surface Pro for artists, then our pick will be Microsoft Surface Pro 7. Comparing all the specs and features, the Surface Pro 7 beats all other models. It comes with the latest generations of Intel Core CPU and integrated high GPU. But the big screen is the one that beats all other features. The 12.3 inches screen has a resolution of 2736 x 1824 pixels and is touch and pressure-sensitive. Thus, making it best for artists to draw with the latest generation of the surface pen.