Using a range of Bluetooth headphones released in the past two years with the Surface generally worked well, though call audio quality is worse than if using a wired headset. The one negative is the removal of the headphone socket, leaving a USB-C dongle (not included) or Bluetooth as the only options. It is not quite the user-repairable ideal demonstrated by the Framework laptop, but it is a big step in the right direction from Microsoft. It has an easier to replace battery and user-upgradeable storage in a little flap in the back, and a service manual and spare parts are being made available. Inside, the tablet has been made more repairable. The keyboard and Slim Pen 2 stylus are the same as last year with little to fault, except that they’re not included in the box and cost an additional £260 as a bundle. The good 13in display is slightly brighter than last year and can dynamically switch between a 60Hz or 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling while balancing battery life. They are modern, well made and come in a range of nice colours, with Microsoft’s excellent kickstand out the back for propping the tablet up at a wide range of angles. The latest Surface Pro 9 machines are 12g lighter to last year’s models but otherwise look almost identical to their predecessors. If you’ll never detach the keyboard, or have no use for a digital stylus, the extra money may not be worth it.The Surface Pro 9 with Intel chip in blue (top) and the Surface Pro 9 5G in silver (bottom) with bands on its top edge for the mobile data antennas.

The snap-on keyboard, touchscreen display and Surface Pen should be perfect for architects and illustrators alike. It’s creatives, rather than gamers, that are expected to snap these up. Both come with a 30-day Xbox Game Pass Ultimate trial, transforming into an all-in-one entertainment device the likes of Apple can’t compete with. It’ll also manage more time between charges, lasting up to 19 hours versus the 15.5 hours of the Intel version.

There’s a choice of Intel- and Qualcomm-powered models, with the latter giving up a little performance but gaining 5G connectivity. It’s also light enough to carry all day even with the optional keyboard cover attached. At 287x208x93mm it’s compact enough to throw in a backpack. With more people than ever ditching full-time office work in favour of something more flexible, there’s big demand for devices that are equally versatile.

Best for the hybrid office: Surface Pro 9

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