Framework Laptop 12 vs Microsoft Surface Pro 12 Comparison

Laptop to replace

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Framework Laptop 12

12.2 inches | February 2025

Speed 4

Size 7

Display 4.5

Gaming 2

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Microsoft Surface Pro 12

12 inches | May 2025

Speed 4

Size 8.5

Display 6

Gaming 2

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Framework Laptop 12 vs Microsoft Surface Pro 12 Comparison Overview

Framework Laptop 12

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Microsoft Surface Pr...

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Framework Laptop 12

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Microsoft Surface Pr...

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In this review, we will be comparing Laptop 12 and Surface Pro 12, two laptops from Framework and Microsoft. Framework Laptop 12 was introduced to market in February 2025 and Microsoft Surface Pro 12 was launched in May 2025. There is only 3 months difference between Laptop 12 and Surface Pro 12 so we are expecting this to be a fair comparison regarding age and technology level.

Click for Available Configurations of the Laptops

Laptop 12 and Surface Pro 12 are members of Microsoft's series of laptops. Below you can find the latest models from this series.

Framework Series History

		Release Date	Screen Size	Dimensions	Weight
	Framework Laptop 13 Pro	April 2026	13.5"	296.63 x 228.98 x 15.85 mm	1.41 kg (3.11 lbs)
	Framework Laptop 12	February 2025	12.2"	287 x 213.88 x 18.45 mm	1.3 kg (2.87 lbs)

Here is a brief look at the main features of Framework Laptop 12 and Microsoft Surface Pro 12 before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Framework Laptop 12 Key Specs

Launched in February 2025
12.2" TouchScreen - IPS LCD, 16:10 Aspect Ratio Display
CPU: Intel Core i3 1315U
GPU: Intel UHD Graphics (64 EU)
8GB Ram
287 x 213.88 x 18.45 mm (11.3 x 8.42 x 0.73 inches)
Weight: 1.3 kg (2.87 lbs)

Microsoft Surface Pro 12 Key Specs

Launched in May 2025
12.0" Touchscreen - IPS LCD, 3:2 Aspect Ratio Display
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42-100)
GPU: Adreno X1-45
16GB Ram
274 x 190 x 7.8 mm (10.79 x 7.48 x 0.31 inches)
Weight: 0.68 kg (1.5 lbs)

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Laptop 12 and Surface Pro 12 compares and decide which one is better for you.

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reasons to choose Framework Laptop 12 over Microsoft Surface Pro 12

Display Size	12.2 inches vs 12 inches	Larger Screen Estate
Contrast Rate	1500:1 vs 1200:1	more pleasing colors
Replaceable Battery	Yes vs No	Easily replace the battery when needed
Upgradable RAM	Yes vs No	More RAM Options
Upgradable Storage	Yes vs No	Easily increase the Storage when needed
NVMe Type SSD	Yes vs No	Faster data transfers
Number of USB-C Ports	4x USB 4.0 vs 2x USB 4.0	Connect more device at the same time
HDMI Port	4x HDMI 2.0 vs No	Connect to external monitors directly via HDMI cable
Display Port	Yes vs No	Option to use Display port to connect to external monitors
Ethernet RJ45 Port	Yes vs No	Connects to the local network via Ethernet RJ45
SD Card Reader	Yes vs No	Read & Write SD Cards with the built-in reader

Reasons to choose Microsoft Surface Pro 12 over Framework Laptop 12

Weight	0.68 kg vs 1.30 kg	0.62 kg lighter
Screen-to-Body Ratio	~82.4% vs ~70.3%	Larger screen area ratio
Side Bezel Thickness	10.2 mm vs 12.1 mm	1.9 mm thinner bezels
Refresh Rate	90 Hz vs 60 Hz	Smoother media experience
Screen PPI	220 ppi vs 186 ppi	More pixels per inch
Screen Resolution	2196 x 1464 pixels vs 1920 x 1200 pixels	Higher pixel count screen
CPU Fabrication Process	4 nm vs 10 nm	Newer Generation CPU
GPU Fabrication Process	4 nm vs 10 nm	Newer Generation GPU
GPU FLOPS	2.3 TFLOPS vs 1.3 TFLOPS	3D Surround Sound Support
Dolby Atmos Speakers	Yes vs No	More advanced Wi-fi connectivity
WiFi Standard	v7 vs v6E	More advanced Bluetooth connectivity
Bluetooth	v5.4 vs v5.3

Common Strengths of Microsoft Surface Pro 12 and Framework Laptop 12

Launch Dates	February 2025 vs May 2025	Both laptops are recent models
Screen Type	Touch Screen vs Touch Screen	Interact with your fingers
Fast Charging Support	Yes vs Yes	Charge the battery in a shorter time
VGA Output	No vs No	Connect to External Displays via VGA cable

Common Weaknesses of Microsoft Surface Pro 12 and Framework Laptop 12

HDR Support	No vs No	No HDR Support
Fingerprint Sensor	No vs No	No fingerprint login feature

Framework Laptop 12 vs Microsoft Surface Pro 12: Physical Specs Comparison

In this section, we will be comparing the physical specifications and body features of the Framework Laptop 12 and the Microsoft Surface Pro 12.

Physical Specs
Weight	1.3 kg (2.87 lbs)	0.68 kg (1.5 lbs)
Surface Area	614 cm2 (95.1 inches2)	521 cm2 (80.7 inches2)
Screen to Surface Ratio	~70.3%	~82.4%
Side Bezel Thickness	~12.1 mm	~10.2 mm
Weight per Inch of Screen	0.11 kg/inch	0.06 kg/inch
	0.242 lbs/inch	0.132 lbs/inch
Colors	Black, Gray, Green, Purple	Gray, Blue, Purple
Cover Opening Angle	360°	360°

Comparison of the Framework Laptop 12 and the Microsoft Surface Pro 12 External Dimensions

Weight

Laptop 12 weighs 1.3 kg (2.87 lbs), whereas the Surface Pro 12 weighs 0.68 kg (1.5 lbs). There is a notable difference in weight between these two laptops. However, it's important to consider that comparing their weights directly may not provide a complete picture since they also have different display sizes.

Weight Comparison

Displays size 12.0-12.9 inches

Framework Laptop 12

Microsoft Surface Pro 12

Min

Average

Max

Thickness Comparison

Displays size 12.0-12.9 inches

Framework Laptop 12

Microsoft Surface Pro 12

Min

Average

Max

Another value that we use for comparing the weights of the laptops is the Weight per Inch of Screen, which is calculated by dividing the total weight of the model with its usable diagonal screen size. This value for the Framework Laptop 12 is 0.11 kg/inch.In comparison, this value for the Microsoft Surface Pro 12 is 0.06 kg/inch.Here are some of the best performing laptops in this area:

Microsoft Surface Go 4: 0.05 kg/inch
LG Gram SuperSlim 15.6 2023: 0.06 kg/inch
Asus ProArt PZ13 HT5306: 0.06 kg/inch
Asus Zenbook A14 UX3407: 0.06 kg/inch
Asus ProArt PZ14 HT7407: 0.06 kg/inch
Dell Latitude 7330: 0.07 kg/inch
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2: 0.07 kg/inch
LG Gram 14 2022: 0.07 kg/inch

Framework Laptop 12 vs Microsoft Surface Pro 12: Internals Comparison

CPU Comparison

CPU Model	Intel Core i3 1315U Intel Core i5 1334U	Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42-100)
Base Frequency	1.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
Turbo Frequency	4.5 GHz	3.4 GHz
Number of Cores	6 (2P + 4E)	8
Number of Threads	8	8
L3 Cache	10 MB
Integrated GPU	Intel UHD Graphics (64EU)	Qualcomm Adreno X1-45
CPU Fabrication Process	10 nm	4 nm

Above you can see the CPU options and the CineBench and GeekBench test scores for both laptops, which gives an idea about what kind of performance difference you may experience between the Framework Laptop 12 and Microsoft Surface Pro 12.

You may also read reviews of latest laptops with the same CPUs and compare them:

Laptops with: Intel Core i3 1315U

Laptops with: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42-100)

GPU Comparison

GPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics (64EU)	Adreno X1-45
Base Clock Frequency	300 MHz	280 MHz
Boost CLock Frequency	1250 MHz	1107 MHz
TGP (Total Graphics Power)	15 W	30 W
Type	Integrated	Integrated
FLOPS	1.3 TFLOPS	2.3 TFLOPS
Memory Size	System Shared	System Shared
Memory Type	DDR5	LPDDR5X
Memory Speed	5.2 Gbps	8.45 Gbps
Shading Units Cores	512	1024
TMUs	32	48
ROPs	16	24

GPU is as critical as the CPU for graphic heavy applications and the table above gives a picture of how the two GPU compares. FLOPS is a measure of a GPU's performance based on the number of floating-point arithmetic calculations that the processor can perform within a second. Framework Laptop 12 has a FLOPS value of 1.3 TFLOPS whereas the Microsoft Surface Pro 12 ' has a FLOPS value of 2.3 TFLOPS. If graphical performance of the laptop is important for your use type, the Microsoft Surface Pro 12 may be the better choice between these two setups.

RAM Comparison

RAM	8GB 16GB 32GB 48GB	16GB
Memory Bus	1x8 GB	2x8 GB
RAM Clock	5200 MHz	8448 MHz
RAM Type	DDR5	LPDDR5X
Upgradable	Yes	No
Max RAM Size	48 GB
Total Slots	1

The Surface Pro 12 provides a larger RAM capacity of 16 GB, which allows for smoother multitasking and improved performance in memory-demanding tasks compared to the Laptop 12's RAM capacity of 8 GB.

LOCAL LLM Compatibility Evaluation

This quick guide shows what types of large language models (LLMs) each of these laptops could support, based on their respective hardware specifications. It's meant to help you compare their suitability for running AI models locally.

LLM Category	Framework Laptop 12	Microsoft Surface Pro 12
CPU	Intel Core i3 1315U	Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42-100) (NPU - data limited)
GPU	Intel UHD Graphics (64EU)	Qualcomm Adreno X1-45
Memory	8 GB	16 GB
Available for LLM total	~3.5 GB (3.5 GB RAM)	~10.5 GB (10.5 GB RAM)
Small Models (1-3B): Examples: Phi-2, Qwen-1.8B Requires ~2 GB memory	✔ Modest Speed fits in your 3.5 GB RAM	✔ Modest Speed fits in your 10.5 GB RAM
Medium Models (7-8B): Examples: Mistral-7B, Qwen-7B Requires ~5 GB memory	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM	✔ Modest Speed fits in your 10.5 GB RAM
Large Models
13-15B Models (e.g., Llama 3 14B, Qwen1.5 14B) Requires ~9 GB memory	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM	⚠ Borderline / Slow fits in your 10.5 GB RAM
16-24B Models (e.g., Dense 20B Q4 ~15.5GB) Requires ~14 GB memory	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM
24-30B Models (e.g., Dense 30B Q4) Requires ~18 GB memory	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM
MoE Models (Mixture-of-Experts) (e.g., Mixtral 8x7B - total ~47B, active ~12-13B) Requires ~24 GB memory	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM
Extra-Large Models (65B+): Examples: LLaMA2-70B, Qwen1.5-72B Requires ~42 GB memory	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM

For more detailed LLM evaluation (subcategories, performance ranges, memory breakdown)

Framework Laptop 12|Microsoft Surface Pro 12

Note: Optimized (e.g., 4-bit) models may run on limited hardware. Performance depends on runtime and setup.

📌 Model Types: Dense 30B Q4 models typically require around 19–22 GB of total VRAM, so they run best on systems with ≥24 GB VRAM. MoE models like Mixtral 8x7B (≈47B total parameters, usually ≈23–26 GB in 4-bit) also need high memory because all experts must be loaded, even though only a few are active per token. They reduce compute cost per token (similar to a ~12–13B dense model), but not memory usage, so they are not practical on 14–16 GB systems.

🚀 Modern NPU (Neural Processing Unit): Modern processors like AMD Ryzen AI and Intel Core Ultra feature NPU and unified memory architecture. NPUs provide modest performance gains (0-30% faster) with better power efficiency compared to iGPU-only execution. Real-world tests show ~3-10 tok/s range on 13B models with 32GB RAM (varies by runtime, quantization, and context), comparable to iGPU but more power-efficient. Note: These figures are examples from various NPU systems; actual performance depends on your specific hardware configuration.

Understanding Performance Categories

The performance descriptions use general categories because actual speed varies greatly based on your specific hardware, model optimization, context length, and runtime software.

Performance Level	Typical Range	User Experience
Runs Smoothly (High-end dGPU)	50+ tok/s	Real-time response. Feels instant, like ChatGPT.
Runs Well (Mid-range dGPU)	20-50 tok/s	Good interactive performance. Slight delay, but usable.
Modest Speed (iGPU/NPU/CPU)	5-20 tok/s	Usable for tasks that don't need instant responses. Noticeable typing delay.
Borderline / Slow (Limited hardware)	2-5 tok/s	Slow-Very slow. Patience required. Better for batch processing.
Not Practical	<2 tok/s	Too slow for regular use. May cause system hangs or instability.

💡 Tip: Your actual results may be higher or lower than these ranges. Test with your specific hardware to know for sure!

⚠️ Note: Performance categorization is based on VRAM capacity and RAM fallback status. GPU type (memory bandwidth, compute power) can also affect actual performance. Currently, we prioritize whether the model fits in VRAM or requires RAM fallback for classification. We may refine this categorization in future updates based on more detailed benchmarks.

BATTERY

BATTERY	50 Wh	38 Wh
Battery Type	Li-Ion	Li-Po
Replaceable	Yes	No
Fast Charging	Yes	No
Charging Port Position	-	Right
Charge Power	60 W	45 W

Moreover, the Laptop 12 boasts a larger battery capacity of 50 Wh, offering extended usage time compared to the Surface Pro 12's38 Wh.

Battery Comparison

Displays size 12.0-12.9 inches

Framework Laptop 12

Microsoft Surface Pro 12

Min

Average

Max

STORAGE
With a larger storage capacity up to 2 TB, the Laptop 12 provides more space for storing files and applications compared to the Surface Pro 12's max. storage capacity of 512 GB.

Storage Options	256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB	256 GB, 512 GB
Upgradable	Yes	No
Storage type	SSD (M2)	SSD (M2)
NVMe	Yes	No
Memory Bus	PCI-E Gen 4.0 (4x)	Custom

If your budget allows, we recommend opting for the largest possible disk size, considering the potential increase in storage capacity needs in the future. However, please keep in mind the question 'What will the laptop be used for?' when making this decision. Of course, you can later upgrade the hard disk capacity by getting a larger disk. However, if your laptop has only one disk slot, it may not be as straightforward as a RAM upgrade, where you simply add or replace a module, as moving or cloning files to a new disk may be necessary.

Framework Laptop 12 vs Microsoft Surface Pro 12: Display Comparison

The display is an essential aspect to consider when comparing the Framework Laptop 12 and Microsoft Surface Pro 12 since its is the component that you interact the most and significantly impact the experience.

Screen Area and Dimensions

Now let's look at the comparison of the actual display areas of both laptops below, keeping the bezels around the screens out of the equation. Laptop 12 has a display size of 12.2".On the other hand, Surface Pro 12 has a smaller 12.0" display.The total usable screen area of the Laptop 12 is 432cm² / 67inch² whereas the Surface Pro 12's total usable screen area is 429cm² / 66inch².

PPI (Pixels per Inch)
Additionally, the Surface Pro 12 features a higher pixel density with 220 pixels per inch (PPI), ensuring sharper image details.

Screen PPI (Pixels Per Inch) Comparison

Displays size 12.0-12.9 inches

Framework Laptop 12

Microsoft Surface Pro 12

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Average

Max

Refresh Rate
The Surface Pro 12 offers a higher refresh rate of 90 Hz, resulting in smoother motion and improved visual experience.

Brightness
Both Laptop 12 and Surface Pro 12 offer the same maximum brightness of 400 nits (cd/m²).

Brightness Comparison

Displays size 12.0-12.9 inches

Framework Laptop 12

Microsoft Surface Pro 12

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Max

Framework Laptop 12 vs Microsoft Surface Pro 12 Connectivity Comparison

In terms of connectivity,

Wifi
Surface Pro 12 features a more advanced Wi-Fi standard v7, providing faster and more reliable wireless connections compared to Laptop 12 (v6E).

Below, you'll find a Wi-Fi Versions Table, along with their release dates and speeds, to provide a brief overview of its development.

Wi-Fi Versions and Speeds

Standard	Speed	Release Date	Network	Frequency Bands (GHz)
Wi-Fi 7	up to 40 Gbps (5 GB/s)	2023	802.11be	2.4, 5, 6
Wi-Fi 6E	up to 9.6 Gbps (1.2 GB/s)	2020	802.11ax	2.4, 5, 6
Wi-Fi 6	up to 9.6 Gbps (1.2 GB/s)	2019	802.11ax	2.4, 5
Wi-Fi 5	up to 6.93 Gbps (866.25 MB/s)	2014	802.11ac	2.4, 5
Wi-Fi 4	up to 600 Mbps (75 MB/s)	2009	802.11n	2.4, 5

* Please note that the provided transfer rates are maximum theoretical values, and real-life performance may vary based on environmental factors.

USB
Laptop 12 is equipped with 4x USB 3.2 USB-A ports. Surface Pro 12 does not have USB-A ports.
Both Laptop 12 and Surface Pro 12 have USB Type-C ports. Laptop 12 has 4x USB 4.0 USB Type-C ports, while Surface Pro 12 has 2x USB 4.0 USB Type-C ports.

Below, you'll find a table of USB ports, along with their release dates and speeds.
To mitigate the confusion caused by generation names, the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) suggests using marketing names like USB 5Gbps, USB 10Gbps, and so forth, based on their respective transfer rates.

USB Type and Speeds

USB Type	Version	Speed	Date	Other Features/Explanations
USB4	Gen 4 (2.0)	80 Gbps	2022	Also known as USB 80Gbps
USB4	Gen 3×2	40 Gbps	2019	Also known as USB 40Gbps
USB 3.2	3.2 Gen 2x2	20 Gbps	2019	Double the data transfer rates of Gen 2
USB 3.2	3.2 Gen 2	10 Gbps	2017	Previously known as USB 3.1
USB 3.2	3.2 Gen 1	5 Gbps	2017	Previously known as USB 3.0
USB 3.1	3.1 Gen 2	10 Gbps	2013	Faster data transfer rates
USB 3.0	3.1 Gen 1	5 Gbps	2010	SuperSpeed USB, improved data transfer rates
USB 2.0	2.0	480 Mbps	2000	High-speed data transfer
USB 1.0	1.0	1.5 Mbps	1996	Original USB standard

Thunderbolt
Neither Laptop 12 nor Surface Pro 12 has Thunderbolt port.

HDMI
Laptop 12 features an HDMI port (4x HDMI 2.0) for connecting to external monitors. Surface Pro 12 does not have an HDMI port.

Below, you'll find a comparison table detailing different HDMI versions, including their bandwidth, color depth, maximum resolution, and release dates. This information can be helpful in understanding the capabilities of each HDMI version and choosing the most suitable one for your needs.

HDMI Comparison Table

HDMI Version	Maximum Resolution	Bandwidth (Gbps)	Color Depth (bits)	Release Date
HDMI 2.1-2.1b	7680 x 4320 *(8K)* @ 60p 3840 x 2160 *(4K)* @ 120p	48.0	48	2017
HDMI 2.0-2.0b	3840 x 2160 *(4K)* @ 60p	18.0	48	2013
HDMI 1.4-1.4b	3840 x 2160 *(4K)* @ 30p	10.2	48	2009
HDMI 1.3-1.3a	2560 x 1440 @ 60p	10.2	48	2006
HDMI 1.0-1.2a	1920 x 1200 @ 60p	4.95	24	2002

* Please note that the provided resolution values represent the maximum supported resolution, and actual display quality may depend on other factors such as source content and connected devices.

SD Card Reader
Laptop 12 is equipped with an SD Card Reader for easy access to memory cards. Surface Pro 12 does not have an SD Card Reader.

Audio Jack
Laptop 12 is equipped with a 3.5mm Audio Jack, allowing seamless connection to headphones and speakers. Surface Pro 12 does not have a 3.5mm Audio Jack.

To summarize the connectivity and ports details, please refer to the table below to see them listed.

Connectivity and Ports
WiFi Standard (latest: v7)	v6E	v7
Bluetooth (latest: v6.2)	v5.3	v5.4
USB-A (latest: 3.2)	4x USB 3.2	No
USB Type-C (latest: USB4 2.0)	4x USB 4.0	2x USB 4.0
Thunderbolt (latest: 5)	No	No
HDMI (latest: 2.1)	4x HDMI 2.0	No
Display Port (latest: v2.0)	4x v1.4	No
VGA	No	No
Fingerprint Sensor	No	No
Optical Drive	No	No
Audio Jack 3.5mm	Yes	No
Ethernet RJ45	Yes	No
SD CardReader	Yes	No
Proprietary Charging Port	No	No