Surface Pro 6
The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is a 2-in-1 detachable hybrid tablet and laptop computer developed by Microsoft as part of its Surface line of Windows devices. Released on October 16, 2018, it combines the portability of a tablet with the productivity of a laptop through its kickstand design and optional accessories, such as the Surface Type Cover keyboard and Surface Pen stylus. Powered by 8th-generation Intel Core processors, the device offers enhanced performance for tasks like note-taking, drawing, and multitasking, while maintaining an ultralight form factor weighing approximately 1.7 pounds (770 grams) for the i5 model. Driver and firmware support ended on June 30, 2023, though it continues to receive Windows OS feature and security updates per Microsoft's lifecycle policy.[1][2] Powered by 8th-generation Intel Core processors, the device offers enhanced performance for tasks like note-taking, drawing, and multitasking, while maintaining an ultralight form factor weighing approximately 1.7 pounds (770 grams) for the i5 model.[3][1] Key hardware specifications include a 12.3-inch PixelSense touchscreen display with a resolution of 2736 x 1824 pixels (267 PPI) and a 3:2 aspect ratio, supporting 10-point multi-touch for intuitive interaction.[3] Processor options consist of Intel Core i5-8250U or i7-8650U for consumer models and i5-8350U or i7-8650U for business variants, paired with 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM and SSD storage ranging from 128 GB to 1 TB.[3][1] Battery life reaches up to 13.5 hours of local video playback, enabling all-day usage, and connectivity features include Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 4.1, a USB 3.0 port, Mini DisplayPort 1.2, Surface Connect, a microSDXC card reader, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.[3] The device measures 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches (292 x 201 x 8.5 mm) and is available in Platinum and Black finishes.[3] Additional features emphasize security and multimedia, with a 5 MP front-facing camera and 8 MP rear camera both supporting 1080p video and Windows Hello facial recognition, dual microphones, and 1.6 W stereo speakers tuned by Dolby Audio.[3] It ships with Windows 10 Home or Pro (upgradable to Windows 11) and includes TPM 2.0 for enterprise security.[3] The Surface Pro 6 was positioned as a versatile productivity tool, succeeding the Surface Pro 5 with improved processing power—up to 1.5 times faster than its predecessor—while retaining the modular design that allows users to detach the display for tablet mode.[1] Accessories like the Surface Pen enable pressure-sensitive inking with 4096 levels of sensitivity, enhancing creative and professional workflows.[3]History
Announcement
The Surface Pro 6 was announced on October 2, 2018, during a Microsoft hardware event held in New York City.[4] This event marked the unveiling of several updated devices in Microsoft's Surface lineup, including the Surface Pro 6 alongside the Surface Laptop 2 and Surface Studio 2.[5] The announcement positioned the Surface Pro 6 as a continuation of Microsoft's 2-in-1 tablet efforts, emphasizing its role in enhancing user productivity through refined hardware capabilities.[6] As the sixth generation in the Surface Pro series, the device represented an incremental evolution from its predecessor, the Surface Pro (2017), with a primary focus on internal performance enhancements rather than exterior redesigns.[7] Key upgrades included the integration of 8th-generation Intel Core processors, which Microsoft highlighted for delivering improved speed and multitasking efficiency suitable for professional workflows.[8] The announcement also introduced a new matte black finish option, marking the first time a [Surface Pro](/page/Surface Pro) model offered this color variant, expanding aesthetic choices while maintaining the familiar magnesium chassis and 12.3-inch display form factor.[8] No significant design overhauls were revealed, underscoring Microsoft's strategy of iterative refinement to build on the established versatility of the line.[9] During the event, Microsoft executives stressed the Surface Pro 6's suitability for creative and business users, positioning it as a more capable tool for demanding tasks compared to prior models, thanks to the processor advancements and thermal improvements.[5] The reveal avoided major surprises, instead focusing on how these updates addressed user feedback for better portability and power in a compact hybrid device.[6] Pre-orders for the Surface Pro 6 opened immediately following the announcement, signaling Microsoft's confidence in its market readiness.[9]Release
The Surface Pro 6 was released on October 16, 2018, in select initial markets including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.[5] Pre-orders for the device opened two weeks earlier on October 2, 2018, in these countries as well as additional regions such as Austria, China, Germany, Ireland, Japan, and others, enabling early reservations ahead of the launch.[5] Availability expanded through a phased global rollout, reaching broader markets by late October 2018, with further international introductions continuing into early 2019 in areas like Singapore.[10] The device was distributed primarily via the Microsoft Store and authorized retail partners including Best Buy and Amazon, offering in-store pickup and online shipping options from day one in supported regions.[11] It was also introduced in emerging markets like China immediately following the initial release, aligning with pre-order availability in that country.[12] The Surface Pro 6 was manufactured incorporating Intel's 8th-generation Core processors, a key upgrade highlighted at launch for improved performance over prior models.[5] No supply chain issues or production delays were reported during the initial rollout, allowing for a smooth market entry without stock shortages in primary territories.[10]Design
Build
The Surface Pro 6 features a 2-in-1 detachable design with a unibody magnesium alloy chassis that provides structural integrity while maintaining a slim profile. This construction includes hidden perimeter venting to support thermal management without compromising the device's aesthetic. The front is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, enhancing scratch resistance for the touchscreen display. Available in platinum and a new matte black finish, the device measures 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches (292 x 201 x 8.5 mm) and weighs 1.70 pounds (770 g) for Intel Core i5 configurations or 1.73 pounds (784 g) for i7 models, excluding the Type Cover keyboard.[3][1][13] A built-in two-stage kickstand allows for versatile positioning, supporting angles from approximately 165° in Studio Mode for drawing and inking to a very low angle in Laptop Mode for typing on uneven surfaces like a lap. This adjustability enables seamless transitions between tablet, laptop, and studio orientations, with the kickstand folding flat against the rear for portability. The Surface Pro Signature Type Cover attaches magnetically to the base via pogo pins, allowing quick detachment to revert to tablet form while providing a stable typing experience when connected.[14] For durability, the Surface Pro 6 incorporates a fan-cooled design to enable sustained performance under load, particularly beneficial for the higher-end i7 variants, though it lacks an official IP rating for water or dust resistance. The optional Alcantara-clad Type Cover adds spill and stain resistance to protect against minor liquid exposure during everyday use. These elements contribute to the device's robustness as a portable productivity tool, balancing lightness with practical resilience.[3]Display
The Surface Pro 6 features a 12.3-inch PixelSense touchscreen display with a native resolution of 2736 × 1824 pixels, delivering a pixel density of 267 PPI.[3] This configuration provides sharp visuals suitable for productivity tasks, with a 3:2 aspect ratio that enhances readability for document viewing and web browsing compared to more elongated ratios.[3] The display utilizes IPS LCD technology, enabling wide viewing angles and consistent color reproduction across different orientations.[15] It supports 10-point multi-touch input for intuitive gesture-based interactions.[3] Brightness reaches up to approximately 450-470 nits, making it viable for indoor use and moderately lit environments.[16] The panel achieves a contrast ratio of around 1300:1 to 1447:1, contributing to deeper blacks and more vibrant images relative to standard laptop displays.[17][18] Color performance covers about 96% of the sRGB gamut, adequate for general content creation and media consumption without excelling in professional color-critical workflows.[19][20] For stylus input, the display optimizes responsiveness with the compatible Surface Pen.[17] This setup achieves a pen latency of 21 ms, allowing for fluid handwriting and drawing experiences that feel natural and precise.[16]Hardware
Processor
The Surface Pro 6 features 8th-generation Intel Core processors, available in three variants depending on consumer or business configurations. The consumer model uses the Intel Core i5-8250U, a quad-core processor with a base clock speed of 1.6 GHz and turbo boost up to 3.4 GHz. Business variants include the Intel Core i5-8350U, also quad-core with a 1.7 GHz base and up to 3.6 GHz turbo, or the higher-end Intel Core i7-8650U, quad-core at 1.9 GHz base and up to 4.2 GHz turbo. These U-series chips are designed for low power consumption at 15W TDP, enabling efficient mobile performance.[21][22][23][3] The integrated GPU across all configurations is the Intel UHD Graphics 620, which supports basic graphics acceleration for everyday tasks and light media editing. In benchmarks, the Surface Pro 6 demonstrates approximately 1.5 times the performance of the 2017 Surface Pro in multi-core CPU workloads, thanks to the shift from dual-core to quad-core architecture, with Geekbench 4 multi-core scores around 12,488 compared to 8,845 on the prior model. This makes it suitable for productivity applications and light creative work, such as photo editing in Adobe Photoshop, but inadequate for high-end gaming or intensive 3D rendering due to the integrated graphics limitations.[3][24][25] Thermal management varies by processor: the i5 models employ passive cooling without a fan for silent operation, while the i7 variant includes active cooling via a small internal fan and surface vents to dissipate heat. Under sustained heavy loads, such as prolonged video encoding, the device may experience thermal throttling to maintain safe temperatures, reducing clock speeds temporarily.[18][7][26]Memory and Storage
The Surface Pro 6 features memory options of 8 GB or 16 GB LPDDR3 RAM clocked at 1866 MHz.[1] This RAM is soldered directly to the motherboard, making it non-upgradable by users.[27] The fixed memory configuration supports efficient power usage suitable for a portable 2-in-1 device, though it limits long-term scalability for memory-intensive tasks. Storage in the Surface Pro 6 is provided by a solid-state drive (SSD) in capacities of 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB, utilizing BGA PCIe NVMe technology.[1] Like the RAM, the SSD is soldered to the motherboard, preventing user replacement or upgrades.[28] This integrated design contributes to the device's slim profile and reliability but requires users to select an appropriate capacity at purchase. The SSD delivers solid performance for everyday computing, with sequential read speeds reaching up to 1,632 MB/s and write speeds up to 1,095 MB/s on higher-capacity models, enabling quick boot times and file transfers.[29] These speeds are adequate for multitasking, such as running multiple applications or handling office workloads, though the non-upgradable RAM may constrain performance in scenarios demanding extensive memory allocation.[25]Battery and Connectivity
The Surface Pro 6 features a 45 Wh lithium-polymer battery, which Microsoft rated for up to 13.5 hours of local video playback based on testing conducted in September 2018 using a preproduction Intel Core i5 model with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage, Wi-Fi enabled, and auto-brightness disabled. Battery life varies significantly with usage, settings, and environmental factors. In real-world mixed-use scenarios, such as web browsing, document editing, and running multiple applications at moderate brightness, users and reviewers reported approximately 6 to 9 hours of endurance, with one test averaging 8 hours on a workload involving Chrome browsing and 10 desktop apps.[3][30][31] Connectivity options on the Surface Pro 6 include a proprietary Surface Connect port for charging and docking, one full-size USB 3.0 Type-A port supporting data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps, a microSDXC card reader compatible with UHS-I cards, a Mini DisplayPort 1.2 for external displays up to 4K at 60 Hz, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The absence of a USB-C port was a major point of criticism, as it restricted compatibility with emerging standards for charging, data transfer, and video output, forcing reliance on adapters for many modern accessories.[3][32] Wireless features comprise Wi-Fi 5 (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) for high-speed internet connectivity and Bluetooth 4.1 for pairing peripherals like keyboards and mice. The Surface Pro 6 does not include an optional cellular modem for LTE Advanced.[3][33] The device includes a 65 W Surface Connect power adapter for charging, which supports efficient replenishment but lacks dedicated fast charging capabilities, with full charges typically taking 2 to 3 hours depending on battery level and usage.[34][35]Software
Operating System
The Surface Pro 6 launched with Windows 10 version 1809 pre-installed, available in Home edition for consumer models and Pro edition for commercial configurations.[1][36] The device is officially compatible with Windows 11, as confirmed by Microsoft's PC Health Check tool, due to its 8th-generation Intel processors supporting TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements.[3][37] Users can perform a free upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 via Windows Update until the Windows 10 end-of-support date on October 14, 2025; after this, remaining on Windows 10 exposes the device to security risks without further updates.[38][36] Microsoft provided Windows 11-compatible drivers and firmware for the Surface Pro 6 until the device's end-of-servicing date on June 30, 2023, after which no additional updates are issued.[2][39]Features
The Surface Pro 6 incorporates advanced security features to enhance user protection and authentication. It supports Windows Hello facial recognition through an integrated infrared (IR) camera, enabling secure, passwordless sign-in by mapping the user's face for quick and reliable access even in low-light conditions.[3] Additionally, the device includes a TPM 2.0 chip, providing hardware-based security for encryption keys and enterprise-grade protection against tampering.[3] For productivity, the Surface Pro 6 offers seamless integration with the Surface Pen, allowing natural inking and handwriting in applications such as OneNote and Microsoft Office, with pressure sensitivity and tilt support for precise input.[40] The device's Studio Mode, activated by lowering the adjustable Kickstand to a low angle, optimizes the form factor for drawing and note-taking, facilitating creative workflows with optional accessories like the Surface Pen.[3] The Surface Pro 6's audio and camera system supports enhanced user experiences in communication and media consumption. It features a 5 MP front-facing camera capable of 1080p video, ideal for video calls in apps like Skype, and an infrared camera dedicated to Windows Hello for secure facial recognition imaging.[3] The rear 8 MP autofocus camera also records 1080p video, while the integrated Dolby Audio Premium stereo speakers deliver immersive sound with dual microphones for clear voice capture.[3] For battery optimization, users can customize power settings through Windows power plans and Battery Saver mode, adjusting screen brightness, background activity, and processor states to extend runtime up to 13.5 hours of video playback.[41]Configurations
Variants
The Surface Pro 6 was offered in several configurations featuring 8th-generation Intel Core processors, with options for RAM and storage tailored to consumer and business needs. The consumer variant primarily used the Intel Core i5-8250U, while the business variant utilized the Intel Core i5-8350U, both paired with the Intel Core i7-8650U in higher-end models. Available RAM was limited to 8 GB or 16 GB of LPDDR3 memory (soldered to the motherboard), and storage options included 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB SSDs (PCIe NVMe, non-user-replaceable).[1][3] The following table enumerates the core model combinations available at launch:| Processor | RAM | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i5-8250U | 8 GB | 128 GB |
| Intel Core i5-8250U | 8 GB | 256 GB |
| Intel Core i5-8350U | 16 GB | 256 GB |
| Intel Core i5-8350U | 16 GB | 512 GB |
| Intel Core i7-8650U | 16 GB | 256 GB |
| Intel Core i7-8650U | 16 GB | 512 GB |
| Intel Core i7-8650U | 16 GB | 1 TB |