Mobile professionals looking for a flexible PC capable of both classic laptop mode and tablet mode (so-called 2-in-1 devices) typically have two main forms to choose from. On the one hand, these are “convertibles” that look like regular laptops, with a screen that can lie flat facing outward, usually thanks to a 360-degree rotating hinge. On the other hand, “removable”, mostly tablets that can work in laptop mode thanks to an additional keyboard, and which usually require the tablet part to be placed on a desk or desk with a built-in stand.
Samsung’s new Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 is a classic 360-degree convertible successor to the popular Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360, while Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 is a high-end detachable laptop now available in Intel and Arm versions (Microsoft SQ3).
In this article, I compared the specs of these two 2-in-1s with 5G connectivity and pointed out three reasons why each might be suitable for certain categories of mobile professionals.
Specification Comparison Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 / Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Specifications Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360
- BONE : Windows 11
- CPU : 13th Gen Intel Core i5, i7 (28W)
- Graphic card : Intel Iris Xe
- Screen : 16″ 3K (2880 x 1800, 16:10) Dynamic AMOLED 2X Touch
- RAM : 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB
- storage : 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
- Ports and slots : 2x USB-C / Thunderbolt 4, USB-A (3.2), HDMI 1.4, MicroSD, 3.5mm audio in/out, Nano-SIM optional
- Camera : 1080p
- Battery : 76 Wh
- Accessories : Samsung S Pen (included)
- Dimensions : 355.4 x 252.2 x 12.8 mm
- Weight : Wi-Fi version 1.66kg, Wi-Fi+5G version 1.71kg.
- Price : 2200 €
Specifications Microsoft Surface Pro 9
- BONE : Windows 11 Home, Pro (Business) – Windows 11 Home on Arm
- CPU : 12th Gen Intel Core i5, i7 – Microsoft SQ3
- Graphic card : Intel Iris Xe, Adreno 8CX Gen 3
- Screen : 13″ PixelSense Flow 2880 x 1920 (3:2) touchscreen
- RAM : 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB (LPDDR5) or 8 GB, 16 GB (LPDDR4x)
- storage : 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB (removable), 1 TB (removable)
- Ports and slots
: 2x USB-C / Thunderbolt 4, Surface Connect port (proprietary), Surface Type Cover (keyboard) – 2x USB-C 3.2, Surface Connect port, Surface Type port cover, Nano SIM - Camera : Front: 1080p+ IR, Rear: 10 MP
- Battery : 47.7 Wh
- Accessories : Pen Surface Slim Pen 2 (€130)
- Dimensions : 287 x 209 x 9.3 mm
- Weight : tablet only weighs 879g
- Price : from 1300 €
You should buy the Samsung Book 3 Pro 360 if…
Samsung
1… you need a “real” keyboard and an ergonomic device
This 2-in-1 Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 convertible has a standard laptop keyboard and even a separate numeric keypad, made possible by its 16-inch size. Thus, it works like a classic laptop. As for the Microsoft Surface Pro 9’s “Signature Keyboard”, the case is less durable as it attaches to the tablet with a magnet through the Surface Type Cover port. And it really can’t be comfortably used on your lap due to the lack of a hinge and the need to fold out the tablet kickstand. Not practical in this position.
And keep in mind that the keyboard isn’t included with the Surface Pro 9 by default. Microsoft does sell it as an optional accessory! Whereas the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 comes with a Samsung S Pen in the box along with an integrated keyboard.
2… you need the latest generation of Intel Core processors
The Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 is powered by 13th Gen Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and specifically 28W P-series chips for “lightweight, high-performance laptops.” While the Intel Surface Pro 9 is powered by the 12th Gen U-series Core i5 and i7 processors. These processors are designed for 15W ultra-thin fanless devices for longer battery life.
The Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 should theoretically outperform the Surface Pro 9 in performance-intensive tasks, but we’ll have to wait until the benchmarks have a solid say.
3…you need a big OLED display
The Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 features a Dynamic AMOLED 2X touchscreen with a 16:10 aspect ratio, just like the Samsung Galaxy S smartphones. It has a resolution of 2880 x 1800 at 212 ppi (3K), a maximum brightness of 500 nits and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. The Galaxy Book 3 Ultra’s screen is VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certified, which means it’s capable of producing deep blacks and accurate shadows. It also holds the VESA ClearMR (Motion Ratio) 5000 certification, which measures the ability of a display device with both LCD and OLED panels to reduce motion blur. Finally, the screen is certified by SGS Eye Care Display, which means the display reduces eye strain (blue light).
The Surface Pro 9’s PixelSense Flow display has the same number of pixels (2880 x 1920) and also boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, but packs those pixels into a much smaller 13-inch panel (i.e. 267 ppi) with a 3:2 aspect ratio . .
You should buy the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 if…
Jun Wang/ZDNET
…you want a sleek and lightweight 2-in-1 laptop
If portability is your primary requirement, the 13-inch Surface Pro 9 is perfect for you. It’s a thin tablet (9.3mm) weighing less than a kilogram, or 1.16kg if you add the Signature keyboard. In contrast, the 16-inch Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 is a bulkier device, significantly thicker (12.8mm) and heavier (1.66kg).
The Intel Surface Pro 9 version is also available in various colors (platinum, charcoal, sapphire, forest). This selection is limited to platinum if you choose the Arm-based model.
…need maximum autonomy
We don’t have battery life data for the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 yet, but it’s unlikely to be better than the Arm-based Surface Pro 9, which Microsoft advertises up to 19 hours of “typical use.” In practice, you’ll probably get about 11 hours of battery life with a combination of normal workloads, and even more if you limit the screen refresh rate to 60Hz and lower the brightness.
If battery life is of the utmost importance to you, that’s a big plus, though you’ll have to weigh it against the performance and application compatibility issues that Arm-based Windows currently has.
…you need a webcam with IR support for facial recognition
Windows Hello face authentication is a fast and efficient way to unlock your Windows PC. The Surface Pro 9 has a 1080p infrared webcam that supports it, while the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360, like its predecessor, doesn’t. The Samsung 2-in-1 has a fingerprint reader built into the power button, so biometric authentication is available, but infrared-assisted facial recognition would be handy in tablet mode.
The Surface Pro 9 also features a 10-megapixel rear camera, while the Arm-based model has a neural processing unit that handles AI-enabled camera effects for video calls, such as eye contact, background blur, and auto-framing. The Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360’s 1080p webcam also has a similar feature set in its range in Studio mode (image beautification in video conferences).
Source: “.com”