

Microsoft has kept the Surface Pro roughly the same thickness for a few generations now. Incidentally, the Surface Pro 6 is only 0.1 mm (0.0003-inches) thicker than the Core i5 version of the Surface Pro 4. The Surface Book 2 is the only outlier in this respect. Our test device is 1.4 mm (0.06-inches) and 1.25 mm (0.05-inches) thinner than the Lenovo Miix 520-12IKB and the Dell Latitude 5290 2-in-1 respectively. However, the latter does not have a 15-W CPU. The Surface Pro 6 is 8.5 mm (0.33-inches) thick, which is 1.1 mm (0.04-inches) thicker than the Samsung Galaxy Book 12 and 1.5 mm (0.06-inches) thicker than the Huawei MateBook E. The Core i5 version is 16 g (0.56 oz) lighter than its more powerful sibling, which is probably due to the weight of the fan. Our test device weighs 786 g (1.73 lbs) without a Type Cover, which is 2 g (0.07 oz) heavier than what Microsoft claims. This year’s Type Covers are identical to last year's and still connect magnetically to the bottom of the device. The Type Cover is grippier than the black finish though. However, the bottom of the device has a slightly slicker finish to it than the edges, so we would recommend taking greater care when holding the device by its underside.

The new black option has a matte finish that feels relatively grippy when holding it. The Surface Pro 6 has retained its predecessor’s kickstand too, which opens to 170° and leaves around a 10% gap from the kickstand lying flat against the tablet. Our test device is actively cooled, but the Core i5 version is fanless, the same as last year’s model. The Pro 6 has the same ventilation slot at the top of its case as previous Surface Pros too. The frame has rounded corners with Microsoft having moved away from the sharper edges associated with the third and fourth generation Surface Pros. Visually, the Surface Pro 6 looks identical to its predecessor except for the new black colour option. Our test device feels premium and is robust we could not flex the device, regardless of how much pressure we applied to the case. The case houses all components with the display sitting flush with the frame, the design of which is like a smartphone. Just like its predecessors, the Surface Pro 6 is made from a single piece of milled aluminium.
