The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 with an Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage is our pick for best Surface Pro 6 model thanks to its price and the fact it has good enough specs for most workloads. However, there are other variants that might suit your needs better.
Who should buy this specific model?
Anyone who uses their PC for common work tasks such as writing documents in Microsoft Office, browsing the web with several tabs at once, listening to Spotify, watching movies, or even doing a bit of work in Photoshop should buy this model. It's the best model for the money, as it brings good performance and battery life without costing the world.
It's worth noting that Microsoft is expected to refresh this device with updated internals in October. It will be a minor update, so it might not be worth waiting the extra months.
Why the Intel Core i5 with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage model is the best one
The Surface Pro 6 with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage is what we believe to be the best Surface Pro model on the market right now for a combination of reasons. It's the best value for money, costing $1,199 while still offering great performance for when your workload is a little heavier than usual.
Good performance and battery life for getting most tasks done.
The fanless Intel Core i5 processor should be capable of doing most of anything you want it to do, but it shines primarily when working in programs like Microsoft Office. It's good enough for most tasks, including heavy web browsing, multitasking between lots of open programs, and even a little bit of video editing and Photoshop.
While the Intel Core i5 model isn't the most powerful option, it's definitely not something to dismiss. The Core i5 processor is a capable beast, which should be able to handle most tasks with little problem. It's also available in matte black, new to the Surface Pro 6 line.
Other Surface Pro 6 variants to consider
While the Intel Core i5 with 8GB RAM and 256GB model might be our pick for the best one, you might need something less expensive or with a little more power behind the scenes. If so, check out the other variants below.
The Intel Core i7 processor paired with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage is the ultimate combination for the Surface Pro 6. It's also the most expensive, coming in at a whopping $2,069, but is a huge leap in power enabling heavy workloads in creative suites like Photoshop, Premiere Pro, AutoCAD and more. This is the model to get if you're a creative who needs added rendering power and multitasking capabilities.
The Intel Core i5 processor is an all-round great processor for the Surface Pro 6, but if you're looking to save a bit of money, you might want to consider stepping down the storage that comes with our recommended model. Instead of 256GB storage, you can get the Intel Core i5 with 8GB RAM model with just 128GB storage for $799. You get the same great Intel Core i5 performance, but with a little less storage. However, this model is not available in matte black.
Bottom line
We think that the mid-tier, Intel Core i5 Surface Pro 6 with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage is the best variant you can go for that doesn't break the bank but still offers great performance. This is the model that should get you by just fine for most workloads, but if you need a little extra power, then there's always the Intel Core i7 models to choose from too.
The model we've chosen is best suited for those looking to get work done in applications like Microsoft Office, check email, browse the web, and watch movies. It's capable of light gaming, but any heavy workloads will begin to slow down the device.
